asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what would be the estimated effect on consumer prices of changing farm support programmes from subsidies or deficiency payments to import levies.

Import levies alone would certainly not be an adequate substitute for the present guarantee system. But leaving this difficulty on one side, the effect of the change could only be to make the consumer bear the whole cost of supporting producer returns. To keep these at their present level, given the present pattern of consumption and marketing, the overall cost of food to consumers would need to rise by something like £400 million a year—that is, about 7 or 8 per cent. For some products the rise could be even more.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what additions to the staff of his Department have been or will be necessary to deal with those notifications of intended price increases which must be sent to his Department.

The complement of the Department has, so far, been increased by four for this purpose. Future staff requirements will depend on the number of notifications received.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made in his consultations with the interested parties following the report of the Brambell Committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has yet completed his study of the Report of the Brambell Committee; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the replies which I gave on 1st and 15th December.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how he intends to dispose of his stocks of canned meat, the sale of which to the general public has been withheld.

I have already announced that no Government stocks known to have been produced under unsatisfactory conditions will be released.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many senior officers in the Livestock Husbandry Group of the National Agricultural Advisory Service have taken post-graduate courses in population genetics; and what is his policy towards appointments of this sort.

Four livestock husbandry officers who have taken postgraduate courses in population genetics have so far attained Grade II rank or above. In making appointments to senior posts we must continue to have regard to a man's overall suitability, including his special qualifications and training. We shall be filling a new Grade I post for a specialist in genetics shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken by the Highlands and Islands Development Board to revive and extend the Fishery Training Scheme in the Western Isles, and provide assistance with the necessary deposit or otherwise, to crews wanting to purchase fishing boats, since his reference to the Board last month of the suggestion of the hon. Member for the Western Isles.

This and other matters concerning the fishing industry in the Highlands and Islands have been the subject of preliminary discussions between the Board and my Department, and the White Fish Authority and the Herring Industry Board. I shall certainly consider most carefully any proposals which the Board, in consultation with other authorities, may submit to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations have been made to him by the Crofters' Commission on the Inverliever Lodge project; and what reply he has sent.

The representations by the Crofters' Commission mainly concerned regulations for which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science is responsible. On the more general suggestion that the scheme could be a prototype for other centres in the Highlands, the views of the Highlands and Islands Development Board have been invited.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision he is making for the training of police officers; what this training comprises; and for how long it lasts.

The Scottish Police College provides the bulk of central training for Scottish police officers.The Junior Division of the College trains recruits in two stages: a 4-week elementary course at the start of the officer's service; and a 12 week second stage course after some 9 months in the service. Conversion courses of 6 weeks are also run for recruits who have had previous training and service in forces outside Scotland.The Senior Division provides three courses:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has about the development for manufacturing more fish meal in the North of Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that new plant is being installed at the reduction factory in Fraserburgh. This is expected to increase considerably the capacity of the factory for producing fish meal. I am informed by the firm concerned that the new plant may be in operation in a few weeks' time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to establish consultative centres for older people.

I am ready to approve suitable proposals under Section 27 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act, 1947, from any local health authority which wishes to establish such a centre.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the school roll in each school in the Isle of Barra in 1950, 1960, and 1965, respectively, indicating closures and consequent transfer of pupils;(2) what was the roll in each school in the Isle of Harris in 1950, 1960, and 1965, respectively;(3) what was the roll in each school in the Isle of Lewis in 1950, 1960, and 1965, respectively;(4) what was the roll in each school in North Uist in 1950, 1960, and 1965, respectively.

I shall send the information to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the cost to the Legal Aid Fund, during each of the last five years, of undefended actions of divorce and unopposed petitions for declarator of nullity of marriage.

Figures are not available for the years prior to 1964, in the financial year 1964–65, £184,169 was paid out of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Fund in respect of 2,037 undefended divorces. The net cost to the fund was less than this amount since contributions are received from assisted litigants and expenses recovered from unassisted parties. Their figures could not, however, be provided without considerable expenditure of time and money.Separate figures for actions of nullity are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure that student and other nurses shall be paid at appropriate overtime rates for periods of night duty and for work done on public holidays, in view of the acceptance of this principle so far as doctors' emolments are concerned.

Pay and conditions of service are matters in the first instance for the Whitley Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to make regulations requiring conditions for particular animals, in view of the fact that the committee appointed to inquire into livestock husbandry declared that certain practices of intensive farming are contrary to animal welfare and need to be controlled.

I cannot say what action may be necessary until my right hon. Friend and I have completed our study of the Brambell Committee's Report and of the views being submitted by interested organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the outcome of consideration given to the recommendations of the Milne Committee; and if he will make a statement.

I informed the House on 17th December, 1964, of the Government's general acceptance of the findings of the Report and of the action already taken on some of the 14 recommendations made. Progress has been made with consideration of the remainder by my right hon. Friends the Minister of Health and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and myself, and the following position has been reached.The veterinary staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food had already been augmented before the Commitee reported. Where circumstances are thought to warrant it there is now medical participation in visits by veterinary inspectors of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to overseas establishments exporting meat to Great Britain. The adjustment of responsibility between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for the control of the fitness of meat on entry into England and Wales has been agreed. With regard to the question of an international meat inspectorate, we consider that we should await a report on meat and meat products which is being prepared by the Joint W.H.O./F.A.O. Codex Alimentarius Commission before giving further consideration to this suggestion.We consider that the recommendations for the use of retail shops of detergents and sterilisers of proved bactericidal properties can best be met by agreeing with the interested parties a code of practice to be followed in the food industry; and that a further code on the hygienic handling of cold meats, including advice on the temperature at which they should be displayed, should be the first step towards more uniformly satisfactory conditions of sale in the retail trade. We propose to frame these codes in consultation with the interested parties. The Food Hygiene Advisory Council has examined, at our request, the education of food handlers in food hygiene. Recommendations from the Scottish Food Hygiene Council have been drawn to the attention of the appropriate organisations in Scotland, and the report of the Council in England and Wales will shortly be available.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the use of civilian forces as an alternative to the disbandment of the Territorial Army.

None.

asked the Minister of Transport when he plans to build a motorway link between Liverpool and the M.6; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now give a decision regarding the proposed M.6 motorway spur to Liverpool; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing at present to add to my Answer on 24th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Walton (Mr. Heller).

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, although a school crossing patrol and road signs exist, the school managers of St. Michael's Street School, Shrewsbury, are of the opinion that the inadequacy of these precautions and the speed of traffic along the main trunk road are a danger to children at the school; and whether he will cause a pedestian crossing, with or without lights, to be made.

I appreciate the hon. Member's concern for the safety of the children, but a pedestrian crossing must be justified by the aggregate volume of traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian. In this case the volume is far from sufficient.

asked the Minister of Transport when he plans to build a motorway link between Hereford and the Ross Spur, M.50; and if he will make a statement.

I have no plans at present for a new road between Hereford and Ross. My Department is currently formulating its plan for the further improvement of inter-urban roads in the 1970's. It is too soon to say what the plan might provide for on this route.

asked the Minister of Transport why he will not sanction an all-red period on the traffic signals being installed on the A.229 near Southborough Schools, Maidstone.

I do not consider an all-red period is justified here at present but I will review the position if conditions alter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now authorised the South Shields Corporation to construct a further underpass at a point on the John Reid Road where a fatal accident recently occurred.

Yes. I have now authorised grant for this scheme.

asked the Minister of Transport, when work will be started on the south orbital road.

I expect work on those stretches in Kent and Surrey in the present programme to be started during the years 1966–67 and 1968–69.

asked the Minister of Transport, what progress has been made in the widening and improvement of the North Cray road.

The London Borough of Bexley, as the highway authority responsible, are making good progress with the design and hope to initiate land acquisition procedures soon.

asked the Minister of of Transport (1) whether he will cause an inquiry to be held under Section 279 of the Highways Act, 1959, and for the purposes of his functions under that Act, into the reasons why no highway has yet been constructed along the line of Howards Road, Thingwall, Birkenhead.(2) why he has not yet decided whether to exercise his powers, under Section 26 of the Highways Act 1959, to construct a new highway along the line of the presently unmade-up part of Howards Road, Thingwall, Birkenhead;(3) if he will advance to the Birkenhead County Borough Council, by way of grant or loan under Section 235 of the Highways Act, 1959, the money necessary for them to construct along the line of Howards Road, Thingwall, Birkenhead, a highway which is to be a highway maintainable at the public expense;(4) whether he will now serve upon the Birkenhead County Borough Council, as the highway authority responsible, a notice under Section 59 of the Highways Act, 1959, requiring them to admit their liability to maintain Howards Road, Thingwall, Birkenhead.

It appears from copies of correspondence the hon. and learned Member has just sent me that there is a dispute about liability for making up this private road. This is more the concern of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, who is investigating the case and will get in touch with the hon. and learned Member.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state the exact time and date before Christmas on which he will introduce the 70 miles per hour overall limit and the 30 miles per hour advisory emergency limit, with warning signals, on motorways; whether each de-limit sign from a restricted area, particularly from villages, towns and cities, will be replaced by a temporary 70 miles per hour limit sign; what other means will be used to remind motorists of the 70 miles per hour limit throughout the duration of the experiment; and on what date the experiment will end.

Both measures apply from noon today. The police, however, have had permission to activate the 30 m.p.h. warning signals before now when conditions have made it necessary.Derestriction signs will not be replaced by temporary 70 m.p.h. limit signs. It would be impracticable for a short experiment, and the 70 m.p.h. limit is a general one, automatically applying to all roads where lower limits are not in force. The new significance of the de-restriction sign is being explained in Press advertisements and in leaflets to be issued to visitors from abroad.A short film will, I hope, be shown periodically on B.B.C. and I.T.V. television, and I expect that there will be other references on radio and television from time to time.Seventy m.p.h. speed limit signs have been placed at entrances to motorways, and also at their exits unless a lower limit is in force on the adjacent all-purpose road.The 70 m.p.h. experiment will end at midnight on 13th April, 1966.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has for introducing a lower speed limit on motorways in conjunction with the 70 miles per hour overall limit experiment, in order to reduce further the difference in speed between the fastest and slowest vehicles on motorways.

As I said on 1st December in reply to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, Langstone (Mr. Ian Lloyd), this is one of the measures which I am considering to make motorways safer. I do not, however, propose to introduce such a measure during the current 70 m.p.h. speed limit experiment.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in the interests of road safety, he will investigate the need for a Halt or Give Way sign to be placed on the B.1135 at Wymondham, Norfolk, at its junction with the A.11 by-pass at the east end of the town.

I have asked my Divisional Road Engineer to look into this, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether the extension of the Farnham by-pass on the A.31, work on which was postponed, has been reinstated in the programme; and when work on it will begin.

Yes. I expect work will start in June, 1966.

asked the Minister of Transport, what steps he is taking to implement the recommendation of the Buchanan Report in regard to the development of urban roadways; and if he will make a statement.

In selecting urban schemes for the road programme I give preference to those that are consistent with an ultimate solution based on the principles of the Buchanan Report.

asked the Minister of Transport, how many accidents have been reported in the last three years in the area of The Oval, Blackfen, and the approaching five roads, namely, Burnt Oak Lane, Wellington Avenue, Sherwood Park Avenue, Marlborough Park Avenue and Willersley Avenue.

From 1st January, 1964 to 30th November this year, the period for which details are immediately available, 41 accidents have been reported in the area of The Oval, Blackfen, and the approaching five roads. They caused 56 casualties, including 1 person killed and 11 seriously injured.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the facts that in the two years up to the end of September prohibition notices on defective goods vehicles numbered 108,000, of which prohibition was made immediately effective in 25,000 cases, and that only 4,000 summonses were issued in the single year to 30th September, if he will introduce legislation so that, in future, summonses shall be issued in every case where there are not sufficient mitigating circumstances and that these summonses will invariably be issued against the owners of the vehicles concerned as well as the drivers.

No. It is best left to the enforcement authorities to decide what proceedings should be taken.

asked the Minister of Transport, if he will make a statement on the progress of plans to restrict the volume of traffic using the central London area at Christmas.

The Greater London Council, who, with the police, are responsible for the Christmas traffic arrangements in central London, issued a statement of progress on 14th December. I am sending the hon. and learned Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport, what is the average number of complaints his Department receives per month as compared with a year ago from the public regarding travel facilities by rail and road.

This information is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether he is aware that the present regulations concerning penalties for evasion of the payment of road fund licences on vehicles encourages these evasions, in that a person can use his vehicle for 12 months unlicensed, thus saving an annual duty of £17 10s., and if charged and found guilty pays a penalty of only the current quarter's licence fee; and whether he will seek to change this regulation, making the penalty at least twice the annual licence fee.

My hon. Friend is mistaken. The Vehicle (Excise) Act, 1962 already prescribes a penalty of £20 or three times the anual duty chargeable, whichever is the greater. I see no reason for this to be increased.

asked the Minister of Transport, if he will now introduce legislation to enable county councils to ban the sale of ice cream from vehicles on classified roads.

I am examining possible means, legislative or other, of tackling the problem of accidents associated with the sale of ice cream from vehicles. This problem is not confined to classified roads.

asked the Minister of Transport how many fatal accidents and how many accidents involving personal injury have occurred during the last convenient period of 12 months, arising from the sale of ice cream from vehicles on classified roads.

This information is not available. My Area Road Safety Unit in Warwickshire has carried out studies of accidents to children under 15 in which ice cream vehicles were involved. They found that in the four years 1961–64, during which 91 child pedestrians under 15 were killed and 4,671 injured on the roads in their area, six of the fatal accidents and 221 of the injury accidents were associated with ice cream vans. In the first six months of 1965 there was one fatal accident and 23 injury accidents of this kind. Many of these accidents occurred on unclassified roads.

asked the Minister of Transport how many learner drivers in Ruislip and Northwood are awaiting driving tests; and what is the average delay before a test takes place.

About 2,650; 17 to 18 weeks.

asked the Minister of Transport what international understanding exists, and what is the general international practice, concerning the classification as motorcycles for bicycles with 49 cubic centimetres engines.

Under Annex 1 of the Geneva Convention of 1949 on international traffic, these cycles are not treated as motorcycles. But all countries do not apply Annex 1. There is at present no international understanding or practice regarding the classification of these cycles in relation to national requirements, e.g., for driving licence, taxation and insurance.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will arrange for a direct line to connect the telephone exchange of his Department with the Palace of Westminster exchange so that hon. Members can contact his Department on the frequent occasions when the outside lines to his Department are engaged for prolonged periods.

I will look into this and let the hon. Member know as soon as possible what can be arranged.

asked the Minister of Transport what applications he has received from the London Transport Board for approval of capital expenditure on an extension to the Northern Line of the Underground from Clapham through Putney to Roehampton and beyond.

None.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in the interests of public safety and in view of the cause of the Princess Victoria disaster on the Stranraer-Larne crossing, he will give a general direction to British Railways not to use car-ferry ships with doors in the bows as well as the stern.

No. The safety of shipping is adequately assured by the Merchant Shipping Acts and the rules made under them.

asked the Minister of Aviation what is his decision on the application of a British independent airline to fly a service to and from South America via Bermuda and the Cayman or Turks and Caicos Islands.

I am not aware of any such application.

asked the Minister of Aviation what plans he has for improving the air freight facilities at Staverton Airport.

None. The development of Staverton Airport is the responsibility of the Gloucestershire/Cheltenham Joint Airport Committee who will, no doubt, provide facilities they feel to be justified in the light of prospective demand.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will state the operating surplus or deficit and the costs of all operations and income from all operations at Renfrew Airport for the year ended 31st March, 1965.

The information is as follows:

			£
Ground Services
Costs	…	…	520,082
Income	…	…	608,403
Net Profit	…	…	88,321
Air Navigation Services
Costs	…	…	356,905
Income	…	…	*54,736
Net Deficit	…	…	292,169
* Income for 5 months only as the navigational service charge was not introduced until 1st November, 1964. The Ministry of Aviation will continue to provide these services at Abbotsinch and bear financial responsibility for them.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether, in view of the existing traffic to and from Gatwick Airport and of the expected increase in traffic, particularly at night, he will now take action to alleviate the hardship caused by noise to the residents of the Horsham constituency.

Trials of revised air traffic control procedures, aimed at reducing the disturbance in Horsham, will begin early in January.

asked the Minister of Aviation what plans he has for legislation in order that the Government may directly acquire shares in private aircraft manufacturing undertakings where, respectively, such shareholdings would represent less than 50 per cent. of the issued ordinary capital or voting rights, or 50 per cent. and over.

I cannot anticipate the statement on the Plowden Report which, as my right hon. Friend told the House on 16th December, he hopes to make when the House reassembles after the Christmas recess.

asked the Minister of Aviation what action he is taking to expedite the completion of the air freight terminal at London Airport.

Detailed planning of Heathrow's new Freight Terminal is being carried out by my Department in liaison with the airlines and the many other interests involved; it is expected that work will start early in the New Year.

asked the Minister of Aviation what facilities are available for businessmen at London Airport to hold private business conferences whilst they are in transit.

The airport management have rooms available for hire in their administrative buildings, and some airlines have private rooms in the passenger buildings which they may make available at their discretion. There are extensive facilities available at hotels near the airport.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will extend the arrangements for regional advisory committees for civil aviation to cater for the areas served by the airports of Liverpool, Manchester, Blackpool, Birmingham, and Coventry.

In agreement with the First Secretary of State, I have de- cided to extend the existing arrangements by setting up two new regional advisory committees, to be known as the North West Committee and West Midlands Committee respectively.The North West Committee's area will embrace Cheshire, Lancashire and the High Peak District, while the West Midlands Committee area will embrace Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. These areas correspond geographically with those of the N.W. and W. Midlands Economic Planning Councils, with which the new Committees will consult on matters of mutual concern.In order to bring these new arrangements into effect, as well as the extension of the area of the North East England Advisory Committee for Civil Aviation, of which the House was informed on 8th December in reply to a Question from the hon. Member for Ayr (Mr. Younger), an amendment will be necessary to the Civil Aviation (Licensing) Regulations, 1964. This is in preparation.I shall announce the names of Chairmen and Members of the Committees as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the fear and anxiety caused to some telephone subscribers by misuse of the telephone services; and if he will suggest, to women subscribers particularly, the advisability of using initials only when inserting names in telephone directories.

Yes. The titles Mrs. and Miss are now omitted from new entries in telephone directories unless their inclusion is specifically requested. Requests to omit these titles from existing entries will be met on the next reprint of the appropriate directories.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) how many free cab-rank telephones there are in the Metropolitan Police area; how many he has withdrawn in the last 12 months; how many he proposes to withdraw in the future; and what is the annual cost to his Department of maintaining such a telephone;(2) whether he has a record of the number of incoming calls per annum made to each free cab-rank telephone that has been, or will be, withdrawn; how much income will be lost to his Department when these calls can no longer be made; and in what percentage of cases this lost revenue will be less than the cost of maintaining the telephone.

There are 73 free cab-rank telephones in the Metropolitan Police area; six have been withdrawn in the last 12 months and eight are in course of being withdrawn. Eventually all will be withdrawn, as there is no reason why the Post Office should subsidise the cab trade.The average cost of maintaining each telephone is about £18 a year. We do not know the income which might be lost by withdrawing them, but, since local calls do not yield a profit to the Post Office these telephones must be unprofitable.

asked the Postmaster-General how many outstanding applications for installation of a telephone there are in the burgh of Rutherglen and in the Cambuslang district of Lanarkshire.

At 30th November, 1965, 72 orders were in course of being met. There is no waiting list.

asked the Postmaster-General why neither DIR, INF nor 100 could give the new subscriber trunk dialling code for the Basingstoke area on the night of Tuesday, 14th December.

S.T.D. to a wide range of other places became available at Basingstoke on 11th December. At the same time a start was made on a phased programme of introducing S.T.D. for calls to Basingstoke from other places. The arrangements for dialling Basingstoke numbers from London were completed by 15th December. Although it is now technically possible also to dial trunk calls to a number of the smaller exchanges around Basingtoke, the codes cannot be published for general use in London until more S.T.D. equipment is provided early in 1966.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) how many public telephone kiosks are now unusable or without coin boxes in Twickenham;(2) how many coin boxes of the new type of telephone boxes have been stolen or taken away during 1965 in the Greater London area.

As estimated 5,000 new type coin-boxes have been stolen out of 7,000 in the London Telephone Area in 1965.Nine of the 257 telephone kiosks in Twickenham are out of order.

asked the Postmaster-General when the British Broadcasting Corporation now hope to make B.B.C.2 available to Scottish viewers.

The extension of B.B.C.2 coverage is a matter in the first place for the B.B.C. The Corporation had hoped to open the first of their main U.H.F. stations to serve Scotland, at Black Hill, this month, but because of delays due to bad weather the completion date has gone back to the spring. This station will serve central Scotland, including Glasgow and part of Edinburgh. A second station is exepected to open at Durris towards the end of next year or soon afterwards to serve North-East Scotland. Further stations are being planned to extend B.B.C.2 to the rest of Scotland, but it is too early to say when the additional stations are likely to open.

asked the Postmaster-General how many licences were issued for wirelesses, in the last year when such statistics were available, in Mallaig, Arisaig, Morar, and Kinlochiel.

I am sorry that separate figures for Mallaig, Arisaig, Morar and Kinlochiel are not available. In the Fort William Head Post Office area (which includes all these places) the number of combined sound and television licences in force at the end of September, 1965 was 2,500, an increase of 384 from September, 1964; and the number of sound only licences in force at the end of September, 1965 was 1,254, a decrease of 238 from September, 1964.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to standardise the scale of maintenance grants by local authorities available to students attending the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester.

Courses at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, are not of first degree or designated comparable level and are therefore outside the field for which standard rates of grant are payable by local education authorities under the Education Act, 1962. The law gives discretion to local education authorities when making awards for non-designated courses, which vary considerably in scope and character, and it would not be practicable to make a change for a single establishment.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the Universities Central Council on Admissions has now completed its work of allocating students to university places for the current year; and what courses in which universites have not been filled.

I am not responsible for the work of the Universities Central Council on Admissions, which is a body set up by the universities themselves. I understand, however, that its report on applications and admissions for the current academic year, in respect of which its work is now completed, will be published about the end of January.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the clearing house for teachers' training colleges succeeded in filling all available places in these colleges for the current year; and what number of suitable men and women candidates failed to obtain places.

The general, housecraft and physical education colleges have responded admirably to my appeals in accepting over 29,000 non-graduate students for initial training courses; this is some 4,500 more than the number they were planning to admit when the year's recruitment began.223 acceptable candidates (105 men and 118 women) remained unplaced for various reasons. A further 812 "near-acceptable" candidates (345 men and 467 women) were also unplaced; many of these were advised to re-apply after further study.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the future university building programme.

Yes. It is important, particularly with the approach of the next university quinquennium to give the universities a firm basis for planning as far ahead as possible and I am authorising the following programme (in terms of existing cost figures):

				Value of building work to be started
1966–67	…	…	…	£40 million
1967–68	…	…	…	£30 million
1968–69	…	…	…	£25 million
1969–70	…	…	…	£25 million

I hope it will be possible in future to make this a rolling programme.This programme means that there will be a higher level of building starts in 1966–67 and 1967–68 than is at present sanctioned for these two years. A further year has also been added to the programme.This new programme takes account of the deferment from the current year of some £15 million of starts following the measures which the Government took last July to strengthen the economy. The full co-operation of all concerned and the existence of this firm basis for forward planning will, I am sure, enable us by steady progress to reach our objective.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about university education in Wales, and the future of the Welsh College of Advanced Technology.

Yes. I was glad to learn that the Court of the University of Wales has accepted proposals, worked out after long and careful study, for dealing with the problems arising from the federal constitution of the university, to which the Robbins Committee drew attention. I understand that the University will shortly he petitioning for the necessary amendments to its Charter, and I hope that all concerned will now work together to achieve the objectives of the new constitution, whatever differences they may have had in the past.In the light of this, and after considering the advice of the University Grants Committee, the Government have concluded that they cannot support the establishment of the Welsh College of Advanced Technology as a separate degree-giving university. An alternative road to University status is afforded by the invitation which the College has received from the University of Wales to become a full constituent member of the University; the Government are confident that such an arrengement would contribute to the development of the College as a centre of higher technological education. The Government have much sympathy with the idea of an association between College of Advanced Technology, University College, Cardiff and the Welsh National School of Medicine, but believe that this can well be worked out within the framework of the University of Wales.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement on the progress of the discussions between the National House-Builders Registration Council and the Council of the Building Societies Association, called to ensure that houses built for owner-occupation are up to acceptable standards.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to the Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris).

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the percentage of dwellings completed by local authorities and new towns in 1964 which were built by industrialised methods; what percentage of such dwelling which were started in 1964 were build by these methods; what percentage of such dwellings which had been started on 30th June, 1965, were being built by these methods; what percentage of such dwellings completed between 30th June, 1964, and 30th June, 1965, had been built by these methods; what percentage of such dwellings which had been started on 30th September, 1965, were being built by these methods; and whether he will make a statement.

The figures asked for are given in the table below.

LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND NEW TOWNS IN ENGLAND AND WALES
	Industrialised dwellings as a percentage of all dwellings
Completions, 1st January-31st December, 1964	10·8
Starts, 1st January-31st December, 1964	16·9
Under construction on 30th June, 1965	16·3
Completions, 30th June, 1964–30th June, 1965	12·8
Under construction on 30th September, 1965	17·8

These figures show a rising trend in the percentage of industrialised dwellings, which my right hon. Friend expects to be intensified as a result of the measures which he announced on 7th December.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether for the benefit of local authorities who have to build high-rise flats, he will name the industrialised building systems which can be erected at the same cost per floor as a six-storey block of flats.

No. The cost of using any particular system on a particular site depends on a number of variables, including the mix of different building-types, and advice covering this aspect and other aspects of the choice of a system is best given to the individual local authority in relation to the individual site. Average figures for tenders approved last year do not suggest that the cost per square foot rises with increase in building height above 6 storeys.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the total subsidy, paid to local authorities in the financial year 1964–65 in respect of local authority dwellings completed between 1919 and 3rd September, 1939; what is the equivalent figure for such dwellings completed between 1919 and 1st April, 1945; and what he estimates those figures will be in the financial year 1965–66.

Following are the figures:Subsidies in respect of local authority dwellings completed between 1919 and 3rd September, 1939:

			1964–65	1965–66 (Estimated)
			£	£
England	…	…	8,265,000	7,964,000
Wales	…	…	437,000

Subsidies in respect of local authority dwellings completed between 1919 and 1st April, 1945:

			1964–65	1965–66 (Estimated)
			£	£
England	…	…	8,640,000	8,339,000
Wales	…	…	452,000

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will circularise local authorities in England and Wales asking them to make periodic returns to him of the number of site licences granted by them under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act, 1960, for residential sites, and the maximum number of caravans allowed on all these sites in their area; and if, in the meanwhile, he will estimate the increase in the number of residential caravans in England and Vales since the census.

As further information about the caravan population is likely to be available as a result of next year's sample census, my right hon. Friend does not think that the value of this information would justify the work involved.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of which countries pig meat was imported from, and in what quantities, for the year ending 30th September, 1965.

The following is the information:

UNITED KINGDOM IMPORTS
Imports of pig-meat in all forms for the twelve months ended 30th September, 1965
Country				Quantity
				cwts.
Kenya	…	…	…	1,727
Australia	…	…	…	6,549
New Zealand	…	…	…	10,937
Canada	…	…	…	75,630
Irish Republic	…	…	…	853,948
Finland	…	…	…	729
Sweden	…	…	…	241,725
Norway	…	…	…	6,881
Denmark	…	…	…	6,898,095
Poland	…	…	…	1,184,480
Western Germany	…	…	…	28,815
Netherlands	…	…	…	819,874
Belgium	…	…	…	37,365
France	…	…	…	520
Italy	…	…	…	2,046
Hungary	…	…	…	60,823
Czechoslovakia	…	…	…	10,164
Yugoslavia	…	…	…	320,341
Rumania	…	…	…	1,404
South Africa	…	…	…	8,604
China	…	…	…	64,435
U.S.A.	…	…	…	1,715
Argentine Republic	…	…	…	1,516
Other countries	…	…	…	818
World Total	…	…	…	10,639,141

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he will refer to the Monopolies Commission the service provided, under the tied-house principle, in public houses and off-licence premises.

I shall continue to bear this suggestion in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will detail the specific export rebates at present applied by other European Free Trade Association countries which he expects to be treated in the same way as United Kingdom export rebates, namely, that they will be available to exporters as a substitute for, and not in addition to, the enjoyment of the European Free Trade Association free trade.

No. As I explained in my reply to the hon. Member on 25th November, discussions on this subject in E.F.T.A. have not yet been finalised.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what proposals he has for further investigations by the Monopolies Commission.

I propose to make two references to the Monopolies Commission. The Commission will be asked to investigate electric lamps and infant milk foods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that the skilled engineers at the West Howe factory, at present managed by Vickers Limited on behalf of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, are being dispersed; and what steps he is taking to ensure the preservation of opportunities for highly skilled engineering employment in the Bournemouth area.

I am aware of these developments at West Howe. I understand that employment opportunities for skilled engineers in the Bournemouth area are good.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that at least one company is anxious to expand by acquiring the West Howe factory at present run by Vickers Limited on behalf of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, and that the company concerned wishes to take on the unit of skilled engineers; and whether he will make a statement about his general policy towards companies manufacturing a product with a strong export potential who wish to expand in areas other than development areas,

Industrial projects outside the development districts are examined on their merits, including their export potential and labour requirements, bearing in mind the overriding need to create more employment in the development districts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to issue his orders carrying out the recommendations of the Monopolies Commission on the retail supply of petrol and kindred matters.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he intends to take on the Monopolies Commission Report on petrol supplies.

I hope to announce my conclusions on this Report shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will refer to the Monopolies Commission the proposed take-over of the Agip Petroleum Company by Esso Petroleum, which appears to be in breach of the Monopolies Commission recommendations.

I shall decide whether to refer this merger to the Monopolies Commission in the light of my conclusions on the recommendations in their Report on the Supply of Petrol.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what insurance facilities will be provided by the Export Credits Guarantee Department in connection with the order from Saudi Arabia for defence equipment.

The Government have decided that cover should be given by the Export Credits Guarantee Department in the national interest under Section 2 of the Export Guarantees Act.In the ordinary way we do not give information about the underwriting of business on supplier credit by the Department. But this noteworthy export order is abnormal in size and character, and I feel it right that the House should be aware of the use of our powers in this particular case.The Department's cover will apply to the major part of the combined contracts of the U.K. firms, and will be limited to a period of five years from final delivery of the equipment in question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the Third International Tin Agreement, in view of the recent official announcement by the Prime Minister of Malaysia that the Malaysian Government would not sign the agreement.

I have learnt with concern of the recent announcement by the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Her Majesty's Government has already signed the Third International Tin Agreement which it believes would serve the interests of both producers and consumers of tin.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will recommend a Christmas amnesty for the three police officers who were gaoled in connection with the Challenor case and who have now served more than half their sentence.

No. My right hon. and learned Friend indicated in replies to a Question by my hon. Friend on 4th November he has ascertained that the circumstances in mitigation were fully taken into account before sentence was passed in these cases and he regrets that he would not be justified in recommending any exercise of the prerogative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of recruits to and resignations from the Civil Defence Corps in each of the months August to November in 1964 and in 1965.

These statistics are kept on a quarterly basis. During the quarter ended 30th September, 1964, 10,440 recruits joined the Corps in England and Wales, but total strength dropped by 13,264. The corresponding figure for the quarter ended 31st December, 1964 was 10,786 and a drop of 12,112 in strength; and for the quarter ended 30th September, 1965 4,125, and a drop of 7,974 in strength.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the shotgun murder of Mr. William Philo in Wood Green on 18th December, he is satisfied with the working of the Firearms Act in regard to shotguns; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer which my right hon. and learned Friend gave to her previous Question on 4th November.The full provisions of the Firearms Act, 1965 did not come into operation until 1st November this year, and it is too soon to assess the effect of those directed against the misuse of shotguns. Possession of a sawn-off shotgun without a firearm certificate is already illegal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has completed his study of the relationship between the portrayal of violent crime on television and violent crime in fact; and whether he will make a statement.

This is one aspect of the wide study being conducted by the Television Research Committee under the Chairmanship of Mr. T. A. F. Noble. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of their first publication. A progress report is expected next month but research of this nature is bound to take a long time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many youths are now in Winson Green Prison, Birmingham, awaiting transmission to the Borstal allocation centre; what is the longest period any such youth has been so waiting transmission; and what training is given to such youths whilst so awaiting transmission to the Borstal allocation centre.

Due to extremely heavy pressure on accommodation at the borstal allocation centre there were on 14th December 42 boys in Birmingham Prison awaiting removal to the borstal allocation centre; one of these had been waiting for 11 weeks. Every effort is made to keep such boys constructively occupied but full training is not practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many youths are detained in Her Majesty's Prisons, other than Winson Green Prison, Birmingham, awaiting transmission to a Borstal allocation centre; and what is the longest period any such youth has been so detained.

On 14th December 182 boys were in the special centre for boys at Manchester prison; 160 boys were in local prisons other than Birmingham. I will send by hon. Friend, as soon as possible, information about the periods for which they had been awaiting removal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what efforts have been made by the Metropolitan Police to trace the owners of Bedford van MFW814 which has remained derelict in Kensington Gore for many weeks; and what action is proposed.

I am making inquiries of the Commissioner of Police and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he will reconsider his refusal to admit Ghulam Shabir, a 16-year-old Pakistani, to this country; and on what grounds he is prepared to do so.

If Ghulam Shabir wishes to reopen the matter, he should apply to the British High Commission in Lahore for an entry certificate, putting forward any compassionate considerations such as would justify exceptional treat- ment; and my right hon. and learned Friend must be satisfied as to the arrangements for his care and maintenance here.

asked the Minister of Technology where in Scotland the fast-breeder reactor is to be situated; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has nothing to add to what he said in reply to the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) and the hon. Member for Banff (Mr. Baker) on 30th November.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he is aware that private companies are interested in purchasing the West Howe factory at present managed by Vickers Limited on behalf of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority; if, in offering the factory for disposal to other Government Departments, he will take account of the need to enable the team of skilled engineers to carry on producing work of technological value and with an export potential; and if he will make a statement.

This is a matter for the Atomic Energy Authority who are following Government practice in disposing of this factory. My right hon. Friend understands that the G.P.O. is anxious to acquire the premises for its telephone services. A number of the factory staff are already assured of other employment and further vacancies are available at the A.E.A's nearby establishment at Winfrith.

asked the Minister of Technology, if he is aware that the skilled and experienced team of about 160 people now employed at the United Kingdom Atomic Energy's Authority's West Howe factory is being dipersed; and, in view of the fact that a machine tool company is interested in acquiring the factory, if he will give support to their application in order to ensure that they are enabled to continue to work as a unit.

My right hon. Friend is advised that alternative employment is already available for many of the employees of this factory. He understands from the Atomic Energy Authority that they have had no application from a machine tool manufacturer to acquire the factory.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, what was the cost of providing 100 new lorries for transport of oil between Tanzania and Zambia; and of which Vote it will be borne.

It would not be in the public interest to make public details of our help to Zambia's contingency planning at this time. Following the return of my hon. Friends from Zambia the question of the Vote, or Votes, on which contingency aid to Zambia will be borne is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, to what length of time the £3,500,000 airlift to Zambia relates; and how much oil will be transported there for that expenditure.

The answer to the first part of this Question is that the duration of the airlift will depend on the course of events, and that the cost has not been fixed at £3,500,000. The answer to the second part is that it is not in the public interest to give this information.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, what is the estimated weekly cost of the oil lift to Zambia; and who is to meet this cost.

It is not yet practicable to estimate this cost. Her Majesty's Government are bearing the cost of the British airlift by both R.A.F. and civil aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will now make a statement about help from the British Government to Rhodesian civil servants who suffer because of their loyalty to the Crown.

The British Government will give help in the following ways to all persons in the Rhodesian public service, including the police, in the Armed Forces, in the judiciary and in the service of the Rhodesian Parliament who resign from their posts on grounds of conscience or who are suspended or dismissed by the present régime in Rhodesia because of their refusal to support it or to carry out unlawful orders.The British Government will safeguard the accumulated claims to pension of pensionable officers, and other claims of officers on probation or temporary transfer and of officers on contract for a fixed period.The British Government will pay the salaries of these officers for a period up to six months after they report to a British post outside Rhodesia. Claims to similar salary payments by officers who lose office and remain in Rhodesia will be safeguarded by the British Government when a settlement of Rhodesian affairs is reached.Officers returning to this country will be helped to find fresh employment. The British Government will consider on their merits individual requests for Rhodesian Service men to join the British Armed Forces.The British Government will regard any payments made under these arrangements as advances on behalf of the legal government of Rhodesia and will expect to bring them into account when a settlement of Rhodesian affairs is reached.These arrangements will be administered by the Rhodesian Emergency Unit, Commonwealth Relations Office, Clive House, to whom all applications should be sent.Provisions will be made in supplementary estimates in due course. In the meantime, any urgent payments will be made by advances from the Civil Contingencies Fund.

asked the Minister of Labour when his Department will decide on the application for an employment voucher which was made in July by the assistant warden of the Young Men's Christian Association Indian student hostel in London; and whether he is aware of the need for an assistant warden in the hostel.

Mr. George will be receiving his entry documents shortly.

asked the Minister of Labour by what percentage the total number of persons registered unemployed in the Yorkshire and Humberside Region on 6th December, 1965, exceeded the corresponding number on 8th November; how such percentage increase compares with the corresponding figure a year before; by how many times such percentage increase exceeds the corresponding national percentage increase; and what estimate he has made of the probable percentage by which the January figures for Yorkshire and Humberside will exceed those for 6th December.

The total increased by 7 per cent. between 8th November and 6th December, 1965, a percentage increase approximately twice that for Great Britain as a whole. Between November and December, 1964, there was a decrease of 1·8 per cent. My right hon. Friend has made no estimate of the kind referred to in the last part of the Question.

asked the Minister of Labour by what percentage the total number of persons registered unemployed in the Northern Region on 6th December, 1965, exceeded the corresponding number on 8th November: and what estimate he has made of the probable percentage by which the January figures will exceed those for 6th December.

The Answer to the first part of the Question is 14·8 per cent. and to the second that my right hon. Friend has made no such estimate.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the percentage by which the increase between 8th November and 6th December, 1965, in the number of persons, excluding school leavers, who were wholly unemployed exceeded his estimate of the normal seasonal change and of the corresponding change a year before.

The actual increase in the number of persons, excluding school leavers, who were wholly unemployed in Great Britain exceeded the normal seasonal increase by about 3,100 or 160 per cent. of the normal seasonal increase.In the corresponding month in 1964, the number decreased by 1,124; the normal seasonal increase was about 2,300.

asked the Minister of Labour to what degree there is now redundacy in the stone business in Portland; how far it is due to the Government's credit squeeze; what plans he has to assist those affected; and if he will make a statement.

47 men have been declared redundant by Portcrete Limited, with effect from 31st December, 1965, 27 of them have registered with the employment exchange in advance of discharge; of these 17 men have been put in touch with other jobs and 10 of them have already been placed. Our officers will continue to do their utmost to find other suitable employment for any workers who seek their help.I understand that the reason for the redundancies is a falling off in orders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is authorising before Christmas the payment under the Scarlet Revision of back pay to government employees in the island of Dominica.

The Dominica Government have already been authorised to implement the recommendations of the Salaries Commission with retrospective effect from 1st January, 1965.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken by the Government of Mauritius to prepare the inhabitants of Rodrigues for the responsibility of voting.

The Government of Mauritius is arranging for posters, leaflets and talks in advance of the registration of electors.