asked the President of the Board of Trade how many consultations he had with industrial and other bodies on the new policy of investment incentives before the publication of the White Paper.

None. The proposals in the White Paper were equivalent to Budgetary changes and could not be disclosed in advance. The Government, however, took into consideration views expressed by industry on this subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he proposes to announce further particulars relating to Investment Incentives, Command Paper No. 2874, generally, and in particular the arrangements for dealing with leased assets under paragraph 33 thereof.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply on 10th February to a Question by the hon. Member for Leicester, North-West (Sir B. Janner).

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consultation he normally undertakes with representatives of consumers before introducing regulations under the Weights and Measures Act.

In addition to the enforcement authorities and their inspectors, who have much experience of consumers' complaints, my right hon. Friend consults the Consumer Council.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that Section 165 of the Companies Act as at present operated by his Department offers adequate protection to members of public companies against oppression by the management of such companies; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the provisions of Section 165 of the Companies Act, 1948, relating to oppression of members of a company, and indeed to the other criteria for the appointment of an inspector to investigate a company's affairs, are properly applied by the Board of Trade. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind and will send me details, I will look into it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what replies he has sent to the representations received from shareholders about the financial affairs of Third Lanark Football Club, which, within the terms of Section 165(b)(i) of the Companies Act, 1948, is acting in a manner oppressive to its members.

Applicant shareholders of the Third Lanark Athletic Club Limited have been informed that the facts on the matters about which they have complained are known and that it is for them to decide or seek advice as to their remedies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of recent developments, he will now publish the report on the Cadco affair.

Recent developments do not affect my right hon. Friend's decision not to publish the report for the time being.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will make an announcement on the next batch of advance factories.

The two current advance factory programmes are the largest for many years, but my right hon. Friend is keeping the position under review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for the building of advance factories in the Bude-Stratton and Wadebridge-Padstow areas of Cornwall.

None at present. The claims of all development districts will be kept under review for future advance factory programmes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps his Department is taking to assist light industry into the Okehampton district of Devon.

We are always ready to give sympathetic consideration to applications for industrial development certificates for projects appropriate to this area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will include the town of Okehampton and the rural district in the West Devon development area.

The economic circumstances of the Okehampton area do not justify adding ti to the proposed South Western Development Area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to prevent the increase in prices charged by dry cleaning firms; and if he will make a statement.

Laundry and dry cleaning charges were referred to the National Board for Prices and Incomes on January 4th last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the hardship caused to inshore fishermen of this country by the free import of canned pilchards from South Africa and South-West Africa, he will now terminate the preferential advantages accorded to South Africa in respect of imported canned pilchards.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his talks with the Rumanian Trade Mission.

Mr. Birladeanu and his colleagues were invited to this country for a general exchange of views on subjects of interest in Anglo-Rumanian relations and to see something of British industry. In their talks with my right hon. Friend they outlined their plans for the future development of Rumania, and we agreed to make every effort to expand Anglo-Rumanian trade. Subsequently the Rumanian Minister of Foreign Trade discussed the scope for increased trade more fully with me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the loss to date, and the expected loss, to the British balance of payments due to the transfer of Rhodesia's insurance business to the Republic of South Africa.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Dorset, South (Mr. Evelyn King) on 15th February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the impact on investment in the hotel and catering industry of the abolition of investment allowances and the exclusion of that industry from the new system of investment grants.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given by my right hon. Friend on 27th January to the hon. Member for Blackpool, North (Mr. Miscampbell).

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation setting up arbitration boards to deal with consumer complaints to replace the existing boards which have been set up by trade associations.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects the new advance factory at Stranraer will be completed and ready for occupation.

The contract for the construction of the advance factory at Stranraer has not yet been awarded but I hope that the building will be ready for occupation by the end of the year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is his intention that the omission of Leith from Scotland's development area should redound to the advantage or disadvantage of neighbouring counties, notably East Lothian.

To extend the Development Areas to include places such as Leith (and Edinburgh) would not in my view be to the advantage of the country as a whole nor of East Lothian.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has accepted the application by the Duck Producers Association, the National Farmers' Union and the National Association of Poultry Packers regarding the dumping of surplus poultry at low prices in the United Kingdom by Denmark; and when he will take action to prevent further dumping.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member yesterday.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what financial support is being provided to the British Overseas Engineering Services Bureau.

The Government are providing a grant of up to £13,125 in a full year towards the Bureau's running costs and a grant of up to £100,000 annually towards the costs in appropriate cases of feasibility surveys undertaken by British consultants. Detailed arrangements for the financing of feasibility surveys are still being worked out between, the Board of Trade and the Bureau. The Bureau will also benefit from the arrangements operated by the British National Exports Council for financing overseas missions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made towards inducing fresh industry to be established in the Linwood area of Renfrewshire.

There has been no new industry established in the Linwood area during the last 12 months, but existing industry in the area generally has continued to expand and unemployment has declined from a rate of 2·4 per cent. in January 1965 to 1·9 per cent. last month.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of motor traders are now submitting figures relating to monthly turnover to the statistics division of his Department.

About 4½ per cent. by number, accounting for about 16 per cent. of the total turnover of the motor trades.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the recently announced incentives for purchasing computers, if he will state the specific lines within this category that will qualify for the additional allowance, in particular with regard to the inclusion of software.

Further information on this subject will be given in the announcement about various aspects of the scheme of investment grants which my right hon. Friend hopes to make within the next few weeks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he refused permission to the council of the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames to build the extension of their offices necessitated by the greater size and responsibilities of the borough resulting from the London Government Act; what estimate he made of the additional administrative and other costs resulting from dispersal and the renting of office space and other buildings; and what addition this will make to the rate burden on the citizens of the borough.

My right hon. Friend was not satisfied that suitable alternative accommodation could not be found. No estimate was made of extra cost because this is not the ground on which these matters have to be decided.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to protect the public from the activities of organisations which offer degrees without examinations or other tests of professional competence for accountants, auditors, secretaries, estate agents and valuers.

If the hon. Member will supply details of the cases which he has in mind. I will look into them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the average increase in cost of raw materials and foodstuffs imported into the United Kingdom in 1965; and to what extent this caused an increase in average prices in the country.

The average cost of industrial materials and foodstuffs imported into the United Kingdom in 1965 was about ½ per cent. more than in 1964 and about 4 per cent. more than in 1963. The rise in these costs contributed only a small part to the increase in average retail prices last year compared with 1964.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for the tourist industry, in particular with regard to the encouragement of catering facilities and hotels.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given on 31st January to the hon. Member for Bournemouth, West (Sir J. Eden).

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications for assistance to establish new businesses in the development areas defined by the Local Employment Acts have been received since 1st November 1964; how many have been approved; and whether he will give a breakdown of the totals by regions.

Between 1st November, 1964, and 31st December, 1965, offers of assistance under the Acts were made to 240 new projects. Similar information is not readily available in relation to the number of applications. The regional analysis of the offers of assistance is:—

Northern Region	70
North-Western Region	31
South-Western Region	17
Scotland	98
Wales	24

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are his plans for using electric power from the new generating plant recently established at Dounreay to expand existing industries and to establish new productive factories in the City of Aberdeen.

Electricity supplies from the project announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology last week will not be available for some years. I understand, however, that there are ample existing supplies for industrial use in Aberdeen which is in a development district where I am already actively encouraging industrial expansion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the effect on the building and construction industries of the new investment incentives.

Plant and machinery used by the building and construction industry will be eligible for the increased rate of initial allowance of 30 per cent. It is not possible to make any precise estimate of the effect of the new system on these industries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will publish the recent departmental report prepared on the ship repairing industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will publish the report on the inquiry his Department has conducted into the British ship repairing industry.

The pilot study undertaken by my Department of factors affecting demand on the United Kingdom ship repairing industry is to serve primarily as a basis for discussion with the industry about its prospects. It is not intended that the study should be published.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will submit his departmental report on the ship repairing industry to the Royal Commission on Trades Unions.

The pilot study undertaken by the Board of Trade dealt primarily with factors affecting demand on the United Kingdom ship repairing industry. It would not, therefore, be appropriate to submit this report to the Royal Commission on Trades Unions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to place the proposed changes in the development area of South-West Lancashire, which include St. Helens, before the House; and if he will make a statement.

The Bill which my right hon. Friend proposes to introduce this Session will provide for the designation of the Development Areas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the disaster to the Aberdeen trawler "Admiral Rodney", near Scalloway Harbour, Shetland, on or about 23rd January, indicating the cause and extent of the disaster and the damage to the vessel and crew.

At 9.45 a.m. on 23rd January the 249 gross ton fishing vessel "Admiral Rodney" ran aground on rocks at Port Arthur at the entrance to Scalloway Harbour. A week later she refloated herself under her own steam. There were no casualties. I do not know the full extent of the damage to the ship.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the estimated total value of United Kingdom exports to Africa in 1965; and what percentage this represents of United Kingdom total overseas trade.

£614 million and 13 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek powers to provide children's nursery accommodation near factory sites in development areas, in order to encourage more married women to enter into employment.

I am advised that my right hon. Friend has the necessary powers to provide day nurseries on Board of Trade industrial estates in development districts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the net United Kingdom balance of trade with Denmark in 1965; and what steps he is taking to improve trade with Denmark.

In 1965 United Kingdom imports from Denmark (valued c.i.f.) exceeded exports and re-exports (valued f.o.b.) by £67 million. Denmark offers a good market for British exports, and a wide range of Government services is available to firms who wish to take advantage of these opportunities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for increasing trade with South America, following the Foreign Secretary's visit.

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed opportunities for increasing British exports to Latin America with the Governments of each of the countries he visited and with local business interests. The Board of Trade is exploring these opportunities further with British manufacturers. All the normal Board of Trade and E.C.G.D. facilities are available for exports to Latin America.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why Dorset has not been included in the extended development areas, in view of its lack of new industries.

The economic circumstances of Dorset do not justify making it a Development Area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what encouragement and assistance he is giving to British firms to exhibit at the trade fair in Tripoli.

The Board of Trade is in consultation with the British National Export Council about participation in the 1967 Tripoli Fair. If there is sufficient interest on the part of industry the Board will organise and contribute to the cost of a British pavilion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to widen the powers of the Monopolies Commission so that it could consider the creation of such bodies as the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, when he will announce the names of the members of the Public Schools Commission.

The Chairman, Sir John Newsom, has already been appointed. I can now inform the House that Professor David Donnison, Professor of Social Administration at the London School of Economics, has accepted my invitation to serve as Vice-Chairman. Thirteen members have also accepted invitations to serve on the Commission.In addition I intend to invite an industrialist to become a member. I hope to announce his name soon.The following is the list of members:Dame Kitty Anderson, former Headmistress, North London Collegiate School.Lord Annan, Provost of King's College, Cambridge.Dr. Kathleen Bliss, General Secretary, Church of England Board of Education.Mr. Nigel Cook, Chairman, City of Birmingham Education Committee.Mr. J. C. Dancy, Master, Marlborough College.Dr. T. E. Faulkner, Convener, City of Dundee Education Committee.Dame Anne Godwin, former General Secretary, Clerical and Administrative Workers' Union.Mr. W. S. Hill, Headmaster, Myers Grove Comprehensive School, Sheffield.Mr. T. E. B. Howarth. High Master, St. Paul's School.Dr. H. G. Judge, Headmaster, Banbury Grammar School.Mr. G. H. Metcalfe, Director of Education, Durham County Council.Mr. John Vaizey, Fellow of Worcester College, Oxford.Professor Bernard Williams, Professor of Philosophy, Bedford College.The Secretary of the Commission will be Mr. G. F. Cockerill, Department of Education and Science.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is aware of the concern of university teachers at the delay in answering their pay claim, which was submitted in January, 1965; and what action he will take.

I would refer the noble Lady to my Answer yesterday to my hon. Friend, the Member for Durham, Northwest (Mr. Armstrong).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will take steps to authorise grants to be made to organisations catering for young people under 14 years of age, such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, on lines similar to those made for the benefit of young people of 14 years and over under the terms of the Albemarle Report.

A number of organisations with members outside the generally accepted Youth Service age-range, including the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, already receive grants under the Social and Physical Training Regulations. 1939.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in view of the value of the work being done by the Lawson Tait Memorial Trust on the curing of human disease, if he will give financial assistance to this organisation.

No. The Medical Research Council, which is the main Government agency for the promotion of medical research, gives financial support to approved projects; but neither the Government nor the Council contributes to voluntary fund-raising organisations as such. The Council is always ready to consider on merits any application for grant-support for a specific project, whether with the backing of the Lawson Tait Memorial Trust or otherwise.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what would be the cost of abolishing the parental contribution for students over the age of 21 years.

Of the order of £6 to £7 million a year in 1965–66 for Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what research is being undertaken into the learning processes of the various categories of handicapped children.

The following research projects connected with the learning processes of handicapped children are at present being sponsored by this Department. Research is also being sponsored by voluntary organisations and by universities from their own funds, as well as by local education authorities in their schools and clinics.The Medical Research Council undertakes and supports related research as part of its wider work on physical and psychiatric disability.

Investigator and Institution	Project
Professor M. M. Lewis, Nottingham Institute of Education.	Language development in deaf children in relation to their social, emotional and ethical development.
Professor C. Gittins, Swansea Department of Education.	Research into the teaching of educationally sub-normal children.
Dr. Worster-Drought, Moor House Special School.	Analysis of material on speech defects obtained from school records.
Dr. G. E. R. Burroughs, Birmingham Depart-of Education.	A study of the development of language and thinking in E.S.N. children.
Professor J. Tizard, London Institute of Education.	A study of medical, psychological and social factors contributing to educational retardation.
Professor G. P. Meredith, Leeds Department of Psychology.	Research into the treatment of dyslexia.
Professor I. G. Taylor, Manchester Department of Audiology and Education of the Deaf.	Study of the teaching of reading to deaf children.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what shortages of specialist teachers of handicapped children there are in Swansea, Wales and England, respectively;(2) if the annual intake of specialist teachers of handicapped children is adequate to meet the need for such teachers.

Additional qualifications are a statutory requirement only for teachers of blind and deaf and partially hearing children.In England and Wales the supply of trained teachers of the blind is sufficient to meet the demand, but there is still a shortage of teachers of deaf and partially hearing children. A further training course for this kind of teacher was started last September at the London Institute of Education and the question of increasing the number of places at this course is now being discussed with the University authorities.In Swansea there is only one vacancy which is for a peripatetic teacher of the deaf.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has now received the report of the Standing Committee on Dangerous Substances relating to the carriage by road of dangerous substances; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add at present to the statement my hon. Friend made on 19th November last in reply to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport, North (Mr. Gregory).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department since what date citizens of Poland and other Eastern European countries have been refused permanent working permits in this country; and if he will now lift this restriction.

There has not been any flat prohibition of employment of these nationals, but for many years permits have in general been granted only to those who are considered to possess some special skill or qualification. In addition short-term permits are granted to categories such as entertainers, volunteer agricultural workers, and girls coming for domestic employment. I do not propose, for the time being at any rate, to make any general change in the arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will stop the importation of the Sekiden Automatic S.A.P.50 pistol, made in Japan and sold in this country in toy shops, a sample of which has been sent to him, as they fall within the category of toys likely to cause physical harm to children.

I have no power to prohibit the importation of this toy. I am prepared to seek the withdrawal from sale of any toy which presents a serious hazard of any kind, but I am not at present convinced that such action would be justified in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to be able to publish criminal statistics for 1965.

I hope to publish the Criminal Statistics in July. Statistics of indictable offences known to the police are expected to be ready in March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will amend the Prison Regulations concerning the necessity of pregnancy before consent is given to the marriage of a person in custody in Her Majesty's Prison.

Under existing policy a prisoner may be temporarily released to marry only if this will enable the prisoner's child, already conceived, to be born in wedlock, or will legitimise a prisoner's child already born. In those cases the welfare of the child is the paramount consideration, and my right hon. Friend is not convinced that in present circumstances he would be justified in allowing prisoners to marry other than for these reasons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now give the figures re quested on 1st February about crime in Eastbourne, Brighton and East Sussex; when the chief constables concerned were asked by his Department to supply the information; and when their replies were received.

I have written to the hon. Member giving him the figures. The chief constables concerned were asked on 10th February to supply the information; the replies were received on 13th February from one chief constable and on 16th February from the other two.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of serious injuries resulting from accidents caused by fireworks for the latest period for which figures are available.

The table below analyses in various ways the information obtained from hospitals in England and Wales relating to the 2,339 persons who received hospital treatment for injuries caused by fireworks between 17th

FIREWORKS INJURIES IN ENGLAND AND WALES
		1965	1964	1963	1962
A. PLACE WHERE INJURY OCCURRED
(i) Family or private party	…	973	969	1144	1200
(ii) Public or semi-public party in park or open space	…	411	340	372	531
(iii) Casual incident in street	…	463	624	717	816
(iv) Other places	…	149	131	89	164
(v) Unknown	…	343	156	139	124
B. TYPE OF FIREWORK INVOLVED
(i) Banger	…	618	723	885	1236
(ii) Rocket	…	357	335	280	266
(iii) Jumping cracker	…	124	166	237	270
(iv) Display firework eg. Roman candle	…	407	373	447	483
(v) Other than above (including home-made firework)	…	390	230	181	206
(vi) Unknown	…	443	393	431	371
C. CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO INJURY
(i) Ignition in pocket	…	52	59	78	157
(ii) Accidental ignition in box or container	…	93	104	80	115
(iii) Examining firework after faulty or delayed ignition	…	219	258	302	371
(iv) Holding firework in hand	…	432	401	548	570
(v) Deliberate misuse	…	582	505	545	645
(vi) Other causes	…	500	551	555	637
(vii) Unknown	…	461	342	353	337
D. AGE GROUP OF PERSON INJURED
(i) Over 21	…	457	436	398	418
(ii) 16–20	…	197	174	222	264
(iii) 13–15	…	413	389	509	664
(iv) Under 13	…	1272	1221	1332	1486
E. NATURE OF INJURY
(i) Eye	…	797	749	916	1038
(ii) Face	…	543	481	493	642
(iii) Hand	…	816	707	827	978
(iv) Other parts of body	…	505	518	518	687
(These figures total more than the total of persons injured because some victims received injuries in two or more of the categories).
		1965	1964	1963	1962
F. SEVERITY OF INJURY
(i) Died	…	0	2	0	0
(ii) Admitted to hospital	…	213	241	332	483
(iii) Not admitted to hospital but injury severe	…	163	336	387	505
(iv) Minor injury	…	1884	1609	1729	1828
(v) Unknown	…	79	32	13	16

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to improve and to co-ordinate on a national basis the control over house-to-house collections for charitable causes.

No. There is need to co-ordinate the activities not only of those charities which undertake collections on a national scale but of many smaller ones which collect only locally. This cannot be done centrally. I believe that it can most effectively be done, as now, by the police authorities through processes of consultation, which I shall continue to encourage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been for illegal abortion during each of the past five years; and how many convictions were obtained.

In the Criminal Statistics the offences of procuring an abortion-Section 58 of the Offences against the Person Act, 1861—and of supplying or procuring poison or instruments for the purpose of an abortion—Section 59 of the Act of 1861—are grouped together. The number of persons proceeded against and the numbers of persons convicted for these offences are given in the table below for the years 1960 to 1964. The figures for 1965 are not yet available.

Year	Number of persons proceeded against	Number of persons convicted
1960	56	42
1961	58	55
1962	88	82
1963	65	54
1964	80	63

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to warn the public against the purchase of dangerous water heaters such as that of which the name has been supplied to him.

The principal danger of these appliances comes from their use in bathrooms, where, as is well known, portable electrical appliances of any kind offer a special risk. The firm which manufactured the heater referred to by my hon. Friend is now in liquidation. I shall keep under review the possible need for action in respect of any other appliances of this kind.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if she is satisfied that conditions in British Guiana are such that free and fair elections will take place after independence; and if she will make a statement.

I have no reason to suppose that conditions in Guyana will prevent the holding of free and fair elections.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether she will publish or place in the Library the constitutional proposals for the independent unitary State of South Arabia which have recently been dispatched to A1 Ittihad.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies when, and in what form, constitutional proposals for the South Arabian Federation will be made avail able to hon. Members.

The report of the two constitutional advisers commissioned by the Government of the Federation of South Arabia was published by that Government on 13th February. I have arranged for copies of the report and of a related statement by the Supreme Council of the Federation to be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a reply has been sent to the Barbados Government's request for a conference to discuss independence; when and where this conference will take place; and who has been invited to attend.

A reply has been sent proposing that the conference should open in London on 13th June. In accordance with normal precedents at such conferences, my noble Friend has invited the Premier and the leaders of the two opposition parties with seats in the Legislature to attend and bring representatives of their parties.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what is the estimated cost of administration of the proposed Industrial Reorganisation Corporation; and how many people will be employed by it.

It is too soon to make any such estimates.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what policy is being pursued by his Department in place of the concept of the growth zone; what reasons have led him to change the previous policy; and whether he will make a statement.

Our aim is to make full use of the resources of the whole Northern Region, on the basis of the plans which the Economic Planning Council and Board are preparing. Our new development areas will give industrialists much more freedom than in the past to go to places which they consider to offer favourable conditions for future growth.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what is the present staff of the National Board for Prices and Incomes; and what estimate he makes of the likely increase in the staff of that board during the next 12 months.

On 1st February, 1966, the staff of the Board was 103. The estimate for the financial year 1966–67, which will shortly be presented to Parliament, provides for the staff to increase to 121.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he will now take to ensure that live animals exported from this country are treated with humanity and that there is no suffering to these animals in transit.

The conditions under which live horses, cattle, sheep and pigs may be shipped for export are subject to control in the interests of animal welfare by Orders under the Diseases of Animals Act, 1950. We hope shortly to consolidate and amend the Orders relating to horses.In addition, live cattle, sheep and pigs for immediate slaughter may only be exported to countries whose Governments have given what are known as the Balfour assurances as to their welfare.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now announce the result of his review into the problem of meat inspection in local authority areas; and if he will make a statement.

I am today issuing proposals to amend the Meat Inspection Regulations as a further step towards achieving the 100 per cent. inspection of meat before it leaves the slaughterhouse.The main effect of my proposals would be that, subject to a right of appeal in individual cases, local authorities would be empowered to control the hours during which slaughter may take place in private slaughterhouses in their districts. No change is proposed in the power of local authorities to make charges for meat inspection.I further propose that my veterinary officers' advisory service to local authorities shall be intensified with a view to promoting uniformly high standards of meat inspection.I have invited interested organisations and others to comment on these proposals by the end of April, 1966.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps by way of legislation to enable him to ensure that freezing balls imported from overseas territories, including Hong Kong, are so tested that the water or fluid in them is either bacteria-free or of a purity not harmful if accidentally consumed by those who use them, to define a quality which is acceptable, and to provide for the inspection of manufacture in factories making freezing balls, pink elephants, and similar products, to ensure a satisfactory quality before allowing importation into this country.

No. As I explained to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd) on 7th February, the Hong Kong Government has asked manufacturers and exporters temporarily to suspend production and export. I understand that that government is drawing up a code of practice covering the cleanliness of both the manufacturing process and the workers. My right hon. Friend proposes to keep the matter under review.

Statute	Subject	Authority or persons with relevant duties or powers
Anatomy Acts, 1832 and 1871	(a) Licences to practise anatomy.	Minister of Health.
	(b) Inspection of places where anatomy is practised.	Inspectors appointed by Minister of Health.
Public Health Act, 1936, and Mental Health Act, 1959.	(a) Registration of nursing homes and mental nursing homes.	County, county boroughs and London borough councils and Common Council of the City of London.
	(b) Inspection of nursing homes.	Medical Officers of Health of registration authority or qualified nurse or other authorised officer.
	(c) Inspection of mental nursing homes.	Persons authorised by Minister of Health or by registration authority.
Public Health Act, 1936	Medical inspection of ships, aircraft and persons.	Medical Officer of port health authorities and local authorities responsible for health control at airports.
National Health Service Act, 1946	Inspection of surgeries etc, of practitioners providing services under Part IV of the Act.	Members or officers of Executive Councils, Local Medical Committees or Ophthalmic Services Committees, or medical or dental officers appointed by the Minister.
National Assistance Act, 1948, and Mental Health Act, 1959.	(a) Registration of disabled persons' or old persons' homes or residential homes for mentally disordered persons.	County, County borough and London borough councils and Common Council of City of London.
	(b) Inspection of such homes.	Persons authorised by Minister of Health or registration authority.
National Assistance Act, 1948.	Registration of charities for disabled persons.	County, county borough and London borough councils and Common Council of City of London.
Nurseries and Child-Minders Regulation Act, 1948.	(a) Registration of nurseries and child minders.	Local health authorities, i.e. county, county borough and London borough councils and Common Council of City of London.
	(b) Inspection of premises and children.	Persons authorised by local health authority

asked the Minister of Health whether he will publish in the Official Report a table which sets out the Statutes whose enforcement or operation falls within the responsibility of his Department or of local or other public authorities under the guidance or surveillance of his Department and which provide for the licensing, registration or inspection of persons, premises or institutions of a particular kind, identifying in each case the authorities or persons by whom such licensing, registration or inspection is to be effected, and stating in each case the extent to which he is satisfied that the processes of licensing, registration and inspection are being completely and effectively carried out.

Powers or duties exist under the following Statutes:

Statute	Subject	Authority or persons with relevant duties or powers
Midwives Act, 1951	Certification of midwives and inspection of training institutions.	Central Midwives Board.
Food and Drugs Act, 1955	(a) Registration of certain food premises.	Borough, urban district and rural district councils, and Common Council of City of London.
	(b) Inspection for purposes of enforcement of the Act	Officers authorised by Minister or local authority.
Therapeutic Substances Act, 1956	(a) Licensing of manufacturers and importers of specified biological substances.	Minister of Health.
	(b) Inspection of premises used for this purpose.	Persons authorised by Minister of Health.
Nurses Agencies Act, 1957	(a) Licensing of nurses agencies	County, county borough and London borough councils and Common Council of City of London
	(b) Inspection of nurses agencies.	Registered nurse or other officer authorised by licensing authority.
Nurses Act, 1957, and 1964	Registration and enrolment of nurses, and inspection of training institutions.	General Nursing Council.
Mental Health Act, 1959	(a) Inspection of premises provided by local health authorities for mentally disordered persons.	Officers of the Minister of Health authorised for this purpose.
	(b) Inspection of premises in which mentally disordered person is living not under proper care.	Mental Welfare Officers of local health authority.
We have no reason to think that these powers are not being effectively exercised when necessary.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give an estimate of deaths in this country caused annually by vehicle exhaust fumes.

The numbers of deaths in England and Wales assigned in recent years to I.C.D. ^* category E.891, "Accidental poisoning by motor vehicles exhaust gas", are as follows:

1960	1961	1962	1963	1964
12	15	17	23	26

In the same years, the following numbers of deaths were assigned to I.C.D.

asked the Minister of Health what was the public expenditure on health and welfare in Yorkshire and Humberside for 1964–65; and what percentage proportion this was of the total for the United Kingdom, in view of the fact that the region's population represents 8·9 per cent. of the whole.

Estimated health and welfare expenditure on hospital building and other new construction in 1964–65 in Yorkshire and Humberside amounted to £10·1 million, which represented 12·1 per cent. of the Great Britain total. An apportionment of other health and welfare expenditure is not readily available.

asked the Minister of Health how many National Health Service patients received contraceptive devices during the past year, to the nearest convenient date; and to what extent it is his policy to widen this part of the National Health Service.

I regret that this information is not available. I am writing today to local authorities urging them to develop their family planning services as far as existing powers permit.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now studied the evidence on the deficiencies in the Leicester area hospital service, sent to him by: he hon. Member for Bosworth; what action he is taking with respect to it; and whether he will make a statement thereon.

Yes. I would refer my hon. Friend to my replies to the hon. Member for Harborough (Mr. Farr) and my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, North-West (Sir B. Janner), and to the hon. Member for Leicester, South-East (Mr. Peel), on 14th February, and to a statement made by the Chairman of the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board on the same day. I have also written to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health which hospitals in Swansea offer accommodation for mothers to spend the night with their children.

In an emergency, arrangements are made at Swansea hospitals to accommodate mothers. In Morriston Hospital a room is available for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that for the Nottingham area there are only 640 beds available in hospitals for the chronic and elderly sick, being an average of 0·9 beds per 1,000 population, and that this is below the national average of 1·28 and well below his Department's recommended standard of 1·4; and what plans he has to make available further accommodation of this type in the area.

The current number of beds available for geriatric and elderly chronic sick patients in the Nottingham area of the Sheffield hospital region is 643, which is approximately 8 per 1,000 persons aged 65 or over in the area. The standard of provision which I commended to Hospital Boards for planning purposes is 10 such beds per 1,000 persons aged 65 or over. I am considering the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board's proposals for increasing the geriatric provision in the Nottingham area as part of my review of the Hospital Plan, on which I hope to report before the end of June.

asked the Minister of Health what is the present waiting list for hospitals in the South Western Regional Hospital Board area; and how many new beds are expected to become available in the current programme.

40,762 (excluding maternity) at 31st December last. The hospital building programme for all regions are currently under review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to abolish the dog licence fee either generally or for old-age pensioners.

The Government's review of local authority finance includes all licence and registration fees for which local authorities are responsible, including the dog licence. I cannot say at this stage what the outcome will be.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to provide that the proceeds from dog licences in Scotland accrue to local authorities as they do in England and Wales.

This is being considered in the Government's review of local authority finance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the total amounts spent by Government Departments on all forms of advertising and publicity in each of the years from 1960 to 1965; and what percentages of these amounts were spent on television advertising.

Comprehensive information is not readily available precisely in the form requested. I give below in Table A the total provision each year in Estimates shown under the heading Home Information in Table IX (or its equivalent) of the Financial Secretary's annual memoranda on the Estimates, augmented by provision shown elsewhere for commercial

TABLE A
ADVERTISING AND PUBLICITY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
		1960–61	1961–62	1962–63	1963–64	1964–65	1965–66
A. HOME INFORMATION
Total Estimates provision (including TV)	£000	3,734	4,496	4,855	5,156	6,534	7,960
Television advertising expenditure	£000	123	652	569	417	772	530
Percentage of T.V. advertising to total	%	3·3	14·5	11·7	8·1	11·8	6·7
B. COMMERCIAL PUBLICITY
Total Estimates provision (including TV)	£000	578	863	870	1,317	1,712	2,023
Television advertising expenditure	£000	—	—	—	104	49	27
Percentage of T.V. advertising to total	%	—	—	—	7·9	2·9	1·3
C. Both categories A and B
Total Estimates provision (including TV)	£000	4,312	5,359	5,725	6,473	8,246	9,983
Television advertising expenditure	£000	123	652	569	521	821	557
Percentage of T.V. advertising to total	%	2·9	12·2	9·9	8·1	10·0	5·6

NOTES:

asked the Minister of Transport whether the proposal of the Railways Board to provide cost of living supplements to railway superannuitants will give more or less money than the last two Pensions Increase Acts; and whether there will be a retrospective payment to the date when the Railways Board failed to apply the equivalent of

The increases under the latest supplementation scheme introduced by the Railways Board are smaller than those prescribed in the Pensions (Increase) Acts. They are retrospective to 1st January, the date on which the provisions of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1965, came into force. The new scheme is in several respects a considerable improvement on its predecessors.

asked the Minister of Transport what percentage of the loaded containers carried by liner trains last week were paying freight for their respective journeys.

100 per cent.

asked the Minister of Power what is Her Majesty's Government's policy in regard to the sale of oil to North Vietnam.

The same as for sales to other countries of the Sino-Soviet bloc which precludes the sale of certain oil products. In 1965 no oil was exported from this country to North Vietnam and no supplies were made by British international oil companies in the course of their overseas trading.

asked the Post master-General what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the British Broad casting Corporation's building expenditure conforms with Government policy.

The B.B.C. has agreed that its building projects in the United Kingdom will be subjected to control by me. I shall consult my right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works, and this control will have the same effect as the licensing controls which, in the Building Control Bill introduced by him, it is proposed to impose on privately sponsored projects.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will issue a general direction to British European Airways instructing it to avoid as far as possible the use of buses in taking passengers out to aircraft at airports.

No. This is essentially a matter of airline management but the hon. Member may rest assured that B.E.A. is opposed to the use of airside buses except where their use is unavoidable.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he is aware that there is doubt as to whether British companies operating in Rhodesia and paying taxes to the illegal government are committing an unlawful act by giving financial support to that government; and if he will introduce legislation to clarify the position.

I think that the British companies themselves are well aware what their position is and I see no need for any legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications were received by the Army careers office in Northern Ireland during 1965 and 1964, respectively; and how many of these applicants subsequently joined the Army in each of these years.

There were 2,697 applicants in 1964, from whom 1,261 recruits were enlisted and 2,032 in 1965, from whom 1,002 were enlisted. These figures include women, young soldiers, and boys.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications were received by the Royal Air Force careers office in Northern Ireland during 1965 and 1964, respectively; and bow many of these applicants subsequently joined the Royal Air Force in each of these years.

In 1964 the Belfast Careers Information Centre received 653 applications for enlistment as airmen or airwomen in ground trades and 270 of the applicants subsequently joined the Royal Air Force. The comparable figure for applications in 1965 is 839; 351 of these applicants have so far joined the Royal Air Force. In addition, about 30 of the 1965 applicants are expected to enlist later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications were received by the Royal Navy careers office in Northern Ireland during 1965 and 1964, respectively; and how many of these applicants subsequently joined the Royal Navy in each of these years.

756 applications were received during 1965, resulting in 205 entries. The corresponding figures for 1964 were 800 and 201 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give an assurance that redundant administrative employees of Territorial Army associations will receive superannuation benefits, as distinct from gratuity terms.

No. Redundant employees of Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Associations may qualify for superannuation in accordance with the terms of their contributory pension scheme. They may qualify for compensation for loss of earnings on redundancy under a special scheme now in preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the number of Royal Naval Armament Depôts in the United Kingdom, the number in Northern Ireland, the number closed down since 1st January, 1965, and the number proposed to be closed by 1st January, 1967; and how many of the last category are situated in Northern Ireland.

There are 17 main and subsidiary Royal Naval Armament Depots in the United Kingdom, three of which are in Northern Ireland. Two depôts—one in Essex and one in Shropshire—completed their closures after 1st January, 1965. Twenty-eight others had been closed over the previous nine years. Apart from the announced closure of the Royal Naval Armament Depot at Crossgar by 1st October next, there are no plans to close any other depots before 1st January, 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state the membership of the Boundary Commissions for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland constituted under the House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) Acts 1949 and 1958.

Mr. Speaker is the Chairman of each of the four Commissions. The other members of the Commissions are:

Commission for England	Appointed by
The Honourable Mr. Justice Thesiger, M.B.E. (Deputy Chairman).	The Lord Chancellor.
Mr. Harold Willis, Q.C.	The Secretary of State for the Home Department.
Sir Harold Banwell	The Minister of Housing and Local Government.
Commission for Scotland
The Honourable Lord Kilbrandon (Deputy Chairman).	The Lord President of the Court of Session.
Sir Robert Nimmo	The Secretary of State for Scotland.
Professor A. D. Campbell
Commission for Wales
The Honourable Mr. Justice Lloyd-Jones (Deputy Chairman).	The Lord Chancellor.
Sir Gwilym Williams	The Secretary of State for the Home Department.
Colonel Corbett-Winder	The Secretary of State for Wales.
Commission for Northern Ireland
Mr. Justice Lowry (Deputy Chairman)	The Lord Chief Justice, Northern Ireland.
Mr. W. N. McWilliam, C.B.	The Secretary of State for the Home Department
Mr. J. McMullan, I.S.O.

Mr. Justice Lowry was appointed in February, 1965, until 31st December, 1967. The other appointments have effect until 31st December, 1969.The Registrar General for England and Wales and the Director General of Ordnance Survey are assessors to the Commissions for England and Wales; the Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Scotland and the Director General of Ordnance Survey are assessors to the Commission for Scotland; and the Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages for Northern Ireland and the Commissioner of Valuation for Northern Ireland are assessors to the Commission for Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now state the composition of the Race Relations Board to be set up under the Race Relations Act, 1965.