asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies when she proposes to relax the emergency measures in Aden and Southern Arabia and to release detainees and to resume negotiations on the basis of free choice and self-determination with representative political leaders.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if she is satisfied that the suspension of the Aden Constitution and the application of emergency measures have provided adequate security safeguards how long she expects the state of emergency to continue and what measures she has in hand to bring it to a conclusion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether she will make a statement on the progress of plans for a return to constitutional progress in Aden.

Proposals prepared by constitutional experts appointed by the Federal Supreme Council will, we hope, offer a basis for agreement on a constitution for the whole area, including Aden and the Eastern Protectorates. The Council expects to receive the report before the end of this month.

Will not my hon. Friend ask her right hon. Friends to look around the Commonwealth and study the recent history of Colony after Colony, which demonstrates conclusively that oppressive measures and the kind of terminology that she has employed today about the inhabitants of this territory has always, in the end, had but one result—that we have had to give in in the end? Will not she end the repressive measures and start free political discussions with the real representatives of the area?

Order. Supplementary questions must be shorter.

As I have pointed out, terrorist activity in Aden is almost entirely organised from outside that territory. We are hopeful that the new situation will lead to further constitutional advance.

What possibilities are there of the political situation showing sufficient progress to permit the Government to advance the suggested date of withdrawal?

It would not be profitable to discuss this matter until we know what the proposals are that I referred to in my Answer.

Bearing in mind all the difficulties, what chance does my hon. Friend feel there might be for talks in London with Mr. Mackawee and Mr. Abdullah Al Asnag.

I am certain that if either of these gentlemen cared to come my noble Friend the Secretary of State would be very willing to discuss matters with them.

Apart from relaxing the emergency measures, can the hon. Lady give an assurance that the Government have the determination and the means to protect innocent people and to eliminate the organised terrorism and assassination which have cost many innocent lives, both Service and civilian, in the past 15 months?

The Government are naturally deeply concerned by the casualties which have occurred in the last months. Steps have been taken to tighten up the security measures and these have met with some success.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if she will make a statement on her visit to Hong Kong, indicating what interviews she had, and the resulting plans for the internal self-government of that area and for the better distribution of its trade with Great Britain, particularly with Scotland.

During a week's visit I saw as much of the Colony and as many people as possible. Talks were held with the Governor, members of the Executive, Legislative and urban councils, representatives of industry and commerce and of other unofficial (including women's) organisations. There are no plans for internal self-government. Among the subjects discussed was possible extension of local government and also trade between Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.

Did my hon. Friend emphasise the importance of Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce and other trade centres keeping a continuous flow of information between themselves and British trade enterprises and British chambers of commerce with a view to increasing the interchange of trade?

That, of course, is highly desirable. My hon. Friend may know that a British Week is being held in Hong Kong in March which will provide an admirable opportunity for the exchange of information with commercial interests from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if she will make a statement on her visit to Hong Kong, with special reference to the housing situation and water supply.

While in Hong Kong I was much impressed with the progress made with housing in the last ten years. Many people are still living in unsatisfactory conditions, but the Hong Kong Government have set themselves a greatly increased housing target for the period up to 1974.

While thanking my hon. Friend for that Answer, and recognising what the Hong Kong Government have done, is she aware that there are still 300,000 shack dwellers in Hong Kong with 40,000 persons living on top of other people's houses and with a water supply which is still inadequate? Did she ask the Hong Kong Government to speed up the remedial measures which they have said they are taking?

I was satisfied that the Hong Kong Government have made tremendous efforts to deal with the enormous housing problem. The water supply was at one time the cause of great anxiety, but it has been very much improved and will be further improved in the ways I have suggested.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what inquiries she made into the extent of the drug trade during her visit to Hong Kong.

I discussed this matter with the Governor and his advisers. The Hong Kong Government co-operate closely with other Governments and the United Nations in measures against drug trafficking. Action in the fields of illicit traffic, rehabilitation of addicts, research and popular education is now coordinated by the recently established Action Committee against Narcotics.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in 1959 the Hong Kong Government said that they would take particular and speedy measures to suppress this trade, but that today Hong Kong is still the centre of this drug trade in the Far East with 80,000 addicts in the Colony itself?

I do not pretend that the position does not cause anxiety, but I am satisfied that very great efforts are being made to combat this evil.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether consideration is being given to the provision of equal pay for men and women teachers in Government service in Hong Kong.

Yes, Sir.

May I thank the hon. Lady for her reply and point out that this was a very interesting case, because it was the men who demanded that the women should get equal pay as they thought the women were undercutting them in getting the jobs they should have had.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if she will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the wish of Barbados for independence separately from the recently announced plan for the West Indies.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if she will make a statement regarding future independence for Barbados.

A request from the Barbados Government for a conference to discuss the question of independence for Barbados was received on 27th January. We propose to agree to this request and to arrange a conference at a mutually convenient time.

Does my hon. Friend agree that this new development in our British community of nations should be considered in the light of the most democratic principles, and will she see that that idea is implemented?

That, of course, would be the object of the conference.

Will my hon. Friend give the House the pledge before the conference that elections will be held in the islands before independence is finally given? Is she aware that West Indian politicians, particularly the gentlemen now in Bridgetown, are not squeamish about their methods of dealing with the opposition?

Of course, it is the desire of Her Majesty's Government that before independence is agreed we should have an assurance that the majority of the people in any territory desire that independence.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent further budgetary or economic aid is required to sustain the economy of Gibraltar; and when talks will be held with Gibraltar Ministers to consider this matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what further steps she intends to take to help the people of Gibraltar in the present adverse economic circumstances caused by the boycott measures of the Spanish Government.

I am glad to say that the 1966 budget of the Gibraltar Government is almost in balance. I understand that the Gibraltar Government wish to discuss the development proposals of the Gibraltar Study Group when they have studied the full report, which they hope to receive in two or three weeks' time.

I am very glad to hear that there are probably to be further talks on the economic side. Would the hon. Lady agree however, that over the period now of 15 months there has been no political or effective diplomatic assistance for Gibraltar and that the Colony is entitled to look for this from the sovereign Power? Do the Government intend to discharge their responsibilities to the Government and people of Gibraltar? Can we have a straight answer, "Yes" or "No"?

The hon. Gentleman is perfectly well aware that very substantial support has been offered to the Government of Gibraltar.

indicated dissent.

With great respect, it has. It would be useless to discuss further measures until the Gibraltar Government have had the opportunity to consider the Report to which I have referred.

Can my hon. Friend say specifically about the Gibraltar territory what progress has been made in rehousing refugees from the Campo area and whether it is intended to accelerate those plans?

Yes, Sir. The Gibraltar Government have speeded up their housing programme, with assistance from the British Government, and it is expected that all refugees will be in permanent accommodation before the end of this year.

Can the hon. Lady say what response there has been from the Spanish Government to the United Nations resolution calling for talks between our Government and the Spanish Government and the declared British intention to hold talks provided that the restrictions on the frontier are withdrawn? Surely we must be able to undertake some political initiative to bring this deplorable dispute to an early end.

I am sure the hon. Gentleman is fully aware that questions about our relations with Spain should be addressed to the Foreign Secretary.

My hon. Friend has referred to the assistance which has been given to and gladly received by the Gibraltar Government. However, is she aware that what is needed is the stimulation of the trade of the ordinary trading community in Gibraltar which the res- trictions imposed by the Spanish Government have hit very hard?

We are well aware of the difficulties caused to Gibraltar by these restrictions and the object of the Gibraltar Study Group was in part to consider possible reorientation of Gibraltar's trade.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if she is aware that it is now easier for Spanish nationals to enter this country than for Gibraltarians; and what steps she is taking to redress this anomaly and to provide financial support for more employment in Gibraltar.

The systems of control over the immigration of aliens and Commonwealth citizens are not directly comparable, but in general the control exercised under the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1962, is the more generous. I am informed that there is no difficulty in obtaining employment in Gibraltar.

Is the hon. Lady aware that for Gibraltarians there is great delay in obtaining entry permits to this country, a delay which does not seem to apply to Spanish citizens who seem to be allowed work permits whenever they ask for them? Is she aware that one or two instances about immigration into this country are causing alarm and despondency in Gibraltar?

If the hon. Gentleman has any particular instances which he would like to draw to our attention, I would be happy to receive details.

Would not my hon. Friend be much happier, as I would, if hon. Members on both sides of the House were more interested in their own constituency affairs than in Gibraltar?

I could not entirely agree with my hon. Friend about that. I have to give considerable thought not only to my own constituency but to Gibraltar.

The hon. Lady did not say anything about additional economic assistance. Is she aware that since she last spoke on the subject the position has become much worse, as Spanish citizens working in Gibraltar are not allowed to spend any of their earnings there but have to take the whole lot back to Spain?

I am well aware of these extremely tiresome restrictions, but, as I said earlier, we hope to receive from the Government of Gibraltar new proposals when that Government has studied the report of its study group.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is still the policy of Her Majesty's Government to grant independence to South Arabia, either as a Federation or as a unitary State, by 1968; and whether she has yet received the report by Sir Ralph Hone and Sir Gawain Bell on the Federal Constitution.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, as the result of the recent visit to London of the delegation from the Federation of South Arabia led by the Minister by External Affairs, progress has been made in devising a new constitution in preparation for the independence of the Federation and providing for the accession to the Federation of the Eastern Protectorate States; and if she will make a statement.

The Ministerial delegation from the Federation of South Arbia recently in London came for financial discussions. During the talks the Federal Ministers told us that their Government expected to receive later this month the report of Sir Ralph Hone and Sir Gawain Bell, whom it had appointed to advise it on future constitutional development. My noble Friend informed the Ministers that the British Government were eagerly awaiting the publication of the report and meanwhile had no constitutional proposals of their own under consideration. It remains the policy of the British Government to bring the whole of South Arabia to independence as a single Sovereign State by 1968.

Can the hon. Lady say what practical steps her Department is taking to try to reconcile the views of the Aden politicians and the Protectorate Rulers so that South Arabia can go forward united to become an independent country?

The object of the investigation into the constitutional proposals initiated by the Federal Supreme Council includes Aden as well as the Protectorate and, therefore, we hope that these proposals will meet the needs of all the territories of South Arabia,

In view of the growing power and influence of Saudi Arabia, as evidenced by the activities of King Feisal, is it not of special importance that the Government here should press on with achieving a stable solution for South Arabia which will leave it to take its full share in the life of the Southern Arabian Peninsula?

We very much hope that these proposals will be the basis for an agreed constitution which will have that effect.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements are being made for the rebuilding of Her Majesty's Prison in Suva, Fiji.

The Suva prison will not be rebuilt, but a modern prison complex is being planned 15 miles from Suva at Namboro. The first stage, the prison farm for young offenders, was completed last year.

While thanking the hon. Lady for this reply, may I ask whether this prison is to be completely demolished and a new one built and what is to happen to the women prisoners in future?

As I understand it, there are no women prisoners in Suva; they are all at Lautoka. I hope that the prison will be demolished when the new prison to which I have referred has been completed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if she will rename the new Colony which was recently set up for military purposes and which includes islands formerly administered with the Seychelles and with Mauritius, in view of the offence given by the name British Indian Ocean Territory both in India and elsewhere.

No, Sir. I have no reason to think that the name has given offence.

Might I suggest to my hon. Friend that she asks some of the Indian Ministers, who have expressed very great concern and feel that this name is provocative? Does this not show a singular lack of imagination? Why could not these islands have been left with their original names? What is the point of this rather provocative title?

I cannot see anything provocative in this. If my hon. Friend will get his mental hyphens correct, he will see that the hyphen comes between Indian and Ocean and not between British and Indian. As for using the names of islands, there are 12 main islands or groups of islets and some kind of collective nomenclature was essential.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies when the revision of the emoluments of administrators temporarily granted in 1960 will be settled; whether it will include increased staff for administrators doing the work of governors without sufficient staff; and, in view of the climate in the Caribbean, whether it will include replacement of rotting furniture in public rooms of Government Houses and amenities such as air conditioning now to be found in less important official buildings.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to administrators of the Leeward and Windward Islands. Their emoluments are in no sense temporary. There has been legislative provision for them since 1960. The revision of these emoluments now in train will be subject to the concurrence of the Governments and Legislatures of the territories. The staff of administrators and the amenities of their residences are also matters for these Governments.

Does the hon. Lady realise that it is nearly six years since this problem arose and that these wretched men have to carry on as if they were governors, with depleted staffs, especially at the time of the Queen's visit there? Is she aware that it is costing an immense amount of money and causing a lot of difficulty regarding the furniture in these Government houses, for which they have no means? Does she not agree that we must do something about this?

I am very sorry, but it is not part of the responsibilities of Her Majesty's Government. I have already dealt with some of those points in a Written Answer to the hon. Gentleman last week.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether she will speed up the provision of primary school accommodation in the Caribbean islands.

I share the hon. Member's concern and will do what I can to hasten the necessary improvements. But school improvements are normally financed from colonial development and welfare funds, and it is for each territorial Government to plan the spending of its allocation.

I am grateful for that reply. Are the Government aware of the situation in which many primary schools in the Caribbean have 400 children, divided into 10 classes and educated in one room? Is the Minister aware that this is greatly retarding their education? Could we not put a much greater effort to help these very loyal and intelligent people?

I share the hon. Gentleman's concern and I quite agree that the conditions in some of the schools are deplorable. An educational adviser and a public works engineer will be on the staff of the new Caribbean Division of the Overseas Development Ministry and I hope that they will be able to assist the islands' Governments in these matters.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what percentage increase his Department forecasts for the next six months in wages and salaries, prices, and in gross national product.

A good deal of authoritative information is already available about the general trends of the economy. It is not customary for Governments to give in addition short-term forecasts of the likely movement of particular indicators.

While appreciating that the First Secretary may have been deterred by the inaccuracy of his forecast of mortgage rates, would this kind of forecast not be helpful in appraising whether we are likely to achieve the targets in the National Plan? Is he satisfied with the performance to date?

The answer to the question is "No, Sir, it would not be helpful".

Can the First Secretary say whether the evidence that he has about the likely trends in the gross national product make it necessary for him to revise the 3 per cent. to 3½ per cent. norm which guides his prices and incomes policy?

No. I would not have thought that at the moment, but, as I have said so many times, this will, of course, be kept under review by the National Economic Development Council, by both sides of industry and by Her Majesty's Government. There is no reason at the moment to make any revision.

Can the First Secretary say how it was that the Chancellor of the Exchequer declared that prices would continue to go up until the spring and then possibly the rate would decrease?

If the hon. Gentleman wants to address a question to the Chancellor he ought to address it to him.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that regional economic planning councils are giving consideration to the contribution to be made by railway services in the replanning of industry in areas where basic industries have declined; and if such consideration includes the power to recommend the re-opening, where necessary, of railways now closed.

The councils already take into account these considerations and are not restricted in the recommendations they may make.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the success of the Government's policy in attracting new industry to these areas has made the decision of the last Administration in closing railways in my constituency quite out of date? Is he further aware that this is a very urgent matter because we are expecting the Government's policy to be even more successful?

Yes, we fully understand my hon. Friend's concern and we are fully aware of the important contribution which the railways can make to economic growth.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what action he has taken to ensure that his plans for the economic development of central Scotland and north-east England are not impeded by the non-development of the east coast railway line connecting these areas, as proposed in Map No. 21 of the British Railways Board's publication, The Development of the Major Railway Trunk Routes.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the Board's views and of the need to relate the future of this line to regional economic plans. The Scottish and Northern Economic Planning Councils will be watching the position.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that this railway line between Newcastle and Edinburgh links two vitally important and, we hope, expanding cities, and, in the opinion of many local people, the proposal of the Railways Board not to develop the line is in complete contradiction to the economic policies being pursued by the First Secretary of State?

We shall certainly bear in mind all opinions expressed in the regions.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what steps he is taking to set up an economic development council for the motor industry.

This matter is still under consideration.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that many people hope that the motor industry will meet and surpass the targets of the National Plan? Will he regard this as a matter of great urgency? Will he also bear in mind the necessity of including within the terms of reference of this body the many subsidiary manufacturers who play an important part in the motor manufacturing industry?

Yes, indeed. A number of issues ought to be taken seriously into account, and if my hon. Friend would be good enough to leave it with us a little longer, I think we can work it out the way he wants us to.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs to what extent it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to grant the National Board for Prices and Incomes similar powers to those of the Industrial Disputes Tribunal; and if he will make a statement.

The rôle and powers of the National Board are entirely different from those of the Industrial Disputes Tribunal, and it is not our intention to make them similar.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he must face up to the inevitable consequences of having a Prices and Incomes Board and that if one continues just to express pious hopes and to ask people to be good boys, if there are no sanctions the Board will lose any influence which it ever had?

I am delighted to have the hon. Gentleman on my side. Perhaps he will address what he has said to the right hon. Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Mr. Powell).

Is the right hon. Gentleman confusing—I am not sure whether he is—the Industrial Court with the old Industrial Disputes Tribunal, which, unless my memory has gone wrong, was abolished? The point surely is that there is an element of compulsory arbitration by reference in the different references which he is making to the Prices and Incomes Board.

I am not confused, but clearly the right hon. Gentleman is. The Question refers to the Industrial Disputes Tribunal, which, I remember very well, began under Order 1305 and then moved up. I answered the Question in the form in which it was put down. If the right hon. Gentleman wants to put something else down, he should by all means do so.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether, in view of the concern felt at the proposed increase in water rates, he will refer this matter to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

I do not consider this is called for.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the increases proposed by the Bristol Waterworks Company and other waterworks companies are largely the result of higher taxation imposed by this Government? Does he think it fair that these companies should "carry the can" for increases which are largely the result of Government policy?

The water companies are not "carrying the can" for anything for which we are responsible. If the hon. Gentleman considers the matter a little more closely, he will realise that we have taken steps which his right hon. and hon. Friends did not take. I do not think that the proposal which he makes in his Question would help.

Why is the right hon. Gentleman just as hard-hearted as the Chancellor of the Exchequer? Surely he realises that this iniquitous rise in rates is falling on those least able to bear it—the old-age pensioners?

I do not recognise what the hon. Gentleman says. The answer to the firs, part of his supplementary question is: because we always move in tandem.

Surely the First Secretary realises that the reason for the increase in rates is primarily due to the changes which were made in the Corporation Tax, as was admitted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The right hon. Gentleman should put that Question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Let him by all means do so.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he is aware that the price of bread is rising although the price of wheat has fallen and that the multiple bakeries largely buy wheat for themselves; and whether he will again ask the National Board for Prices and Incomes to investigate the price of bread and confectionery in relation to the price of flour and the profits of the milling industry.

No, Sir.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is much resentment among farmers over the fact that the price of bread has doubled in the last ten years—nine years under the last lot—and that their own income has suffered during that period?

I have that very much in mind, but I do not think that what my hon. Friend asks would achieve the end he has in view.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain why, when most of the industry co-operated with him in keeping down the price of bread for a much longer period than normally he could have expected, he found it necessary to condemn certain firms when they acted only a week before the Report came out and their action was backed up by the Board?

That has no relation to the Question on the Order Paper, but the answer is: because they broke their word.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will refer the distribution and retail coal and coke trade to the National Board for Prices and Incomes for examination.

Not at present.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the retail prices of coal and coke have increased by about 12 per cent. over the last 12 months? Does he appreciate that this is undermining the position which has been maintained by the National Coal Board in stabilising its pithead prices for the last five years? Will he have another look at this?

I will have another look at it, but I think that on reflection my hon. Friend will agree that the right time to have another look at it is after we have the report on the reference concerning the National Coal Board.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs when the National Board for Prices and Incomes will complete its consideration of the proposal announced by brewers to increase the price of beer, which he has referred to the Board.

The Board has been asked to report by the end of March.

Is the First Secretary aware that the Carlisle State Brewery put up the price of beer by a penny a pint as recently as last November without intervention by the Prices and Incomes Board? This is about a 10 per cent. increase. Will he cause the Carlisle State Brewery to reduce the price of beer by 1d. a pint pending the findings of the Board?

All my visits to the Carlisle State Brewery experiment—despite the fact that geographically, although not electorally, my constituency includes Burton—lead me to say that I think that it is a very good experiment indeed.

Answer the question.

In view of the thoroughly unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the conclusions of the Greek Committee of Inquiry for Maritime Accidents into the "Lakonia" disaster, including the finding that rescue ships, some of which were British, did not assist with their own life-saving apparatus or approach sufficiently closely; and what action he will take in the matter.

The only British ship which was in a position to play a major part in the rescue operations was the "Montcalm", and my information is that her actions were irreproachable. Under Greek law this matter now goes to a superior court for further consideration, and I am taking steps to bring to its notice our disagreement with the findings of the Committee of Inquiry in relation to British rescue ships.

Will the hon. Gentleman accept the great satisfaction of those of my constituents who were survivors with the tone of his Answer? Will he make sure, as much as lies in his power, that this disgraceful slur on our seamen is not allowed to go unchallenged?

Most certainly. Let no one in the House or anyone outside it be under any illusion, especially those who may have been affected by this accident, that representations in the tone that I have used in the House will be made to the superior Greek court.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now state Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the United States Government's request for a waiver to Article 1 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in respect of United States imports of motor cars from Canada.

A waiver was granted by the contracting parties last December, allowing the Government of the United States to remove their import duties on motor vehicles and component parts made in Canada. With the support of the United Kingdom Government safeguards were inserted to ensure that, if at any time the contracting parties find that action under the waiver has caused or imminently threatens, a significant diversion of trade in any of the products concerned to Canadian sources, the waiver will lapse in respect of those products.

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that the arranging of a special tariff privilege between Canada and the United States is bound to lead to the diversion of trade?

That is debatable. But we made it perfectly clear to the United States Government that we did not like this arrangement and that we would have much preferred to see the tariff on all imported cars removed altogether. We withdrew our opposition to this arrangement only on a number of conditions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage the Midland, London and South-East, Eastern and Southern Regions, on the one hand, and Scotland, Wales, the Northern and North-Western Regions, on the other, obtained of the total area of industrial development certificate approvals for Great Britain in the year ended December, 1965, compared with the average for the five years ended December, 1964.

For the Midland, London and South-Eastern, Eastern and Southern Regions, 30 per cent. in 1965 compared with an average of 40 per cent, for the previous five years. For Scotland, Wales, the North and North-Western Regions, nearly 50 per cent. in 1965, compared with an average of 39 per cent. for the previous five years.

I am sure that Members on this side of the House will be very gratified at the Minister's reply. It is a clear and convincing—

The hon. Gentleman must come to his question.

I am coming to the question. While it is gratifying to hear of the expansion—

What is the question?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, despite the expansion which he has indicated, the enlargement of the development areas recently has caused great fears to arise in the minds of those Members who represent former development districts?

We have secured in the past year exactly what we sought—a large increase in the share of industrial development going to the under-employed regions and more restraint in the congested regions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation for the provision of wider powers to deal with local unemployment problems.

Yes, Sir. The Government's proposals were outlined in the White Paper on Investment Incentives.

Can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that the proposals will deal with the difficulties of areas where problems arise as a result of depopulation? Will he give an assurance that when he announces his legislation, he will also announce the next batch of advance factories which have been promised exclusively for coalmining areas which will suffer from expedited mine closures?

I am not sure whether I can promise an exact coincidence of dates, but I assure my hon. Friend that the proposals generally will have regard to depopulation and other factors as well as to unemployment.

Will the forthcoming legislation to which the right hon. Gentleman refers be entirely a Board of Trade Bill, or will part of it be in the Finance Bill in due course?

There will be a Board of Trade Bill which will cover both what are normally called local employment powers and the investment incentives as well. There may be consequential effects on the Finance Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he prevented the Phillips Drill Company from coming to Clacton-on-Sea.

After examination of the company's application for an industrial development certificate at Clacton, I decided that the development could not be carried out consistently with the proper distribution of industry.

Why are the Government so determined to ignore market forces for the sake of economic political planning? Surely it is scandalous to add 70 to 80 per cent. to the capital costs of this firm, which will be engaged in the export trade.

I examined this case carefully. As the firm purposes to do a great deal of business with the E.F.T.A. countries, it is at least reasonable that it should examine locations on the North-East Coast as well as in the hon. Member's constituency.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation to provide for the independence of auditors in public and private companies.

The auditor of any company other than an exempt private company is already required to be independent. As for exempt private companies, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Companies Bill which was introduced yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will take steps to increase the facilities at museums in his charge for the conservation and display of the products of industrial archaeology.

The conservation and display of objects of this kind, provided they are appropriate in size and character, is the main and continuing function of the Science Museum, whose collections are steadily increasing.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what facilities exist in his Department for the study of historic buildings and their amenities.

As I told the hon. Member on 20th May, responsibility for these matters does not rest with my Department.

The hon. Lady published a White Paper "A Policy for the Arts—the First Steps" in which historic buildings figure very largely. How does she hope to establish her special responsibilities if half the field remains covered by another Government Department?

I recognise the point made by the hon. Member. There may be a case a little later for further co-ordination of all these activities. At the moment, the Ministry of Public Building and Works is doing a very good job in connection with ancient and historic buildings. As yet, however, this is only a first step and better co-ordination will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he intends to announce his plans for the provision of the additional buildings and teachers which will be required for the raising of the school-leaving age in 1970.

Does my hon. Friend agree that that answer will give universal satisfaction, certainly in educational circles? Does it mean that there is a quite firm refusal to retreat from the decision to raise the school-leaving age in 1970 despite the economic circumstances that could possibly prevail at the time the decision has to be implemented?

My right hon. Friend has recently made it clear publicly that such is the position.

Is the Minister aware that in the London Borough of Bromley, the expansion plans of the Stockwell College of Teacher Training have been severely hampered by the recent check? Will he look into this?

If the hon. Member cares to put down a Question on that point, we will deal with it.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the new primary school in Wivenhoe will now be completed, in view of the delay in starting.

The Essex Local Education Authority expects to take this school into use in June.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give an estimate of the number of children receiving independent education in England and Wales who have parents living overseas.

My right hon. Friend has no information on which he could base such an estimate.

Does not the Minister agree that it is important that he should have this information if he is to get a proper evaluation of the part that independent education can play?

I can only answer as to the present position concerning the lack of information on which to provide such an estimate.