asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources whether, in view of the fact that the replies sent by his Department to individual inquirers, as to the likely effect of the Land Commission Bill on transactions taking place before and after the proposed Appointed Days under that measure, relate in many cases to matters akin to taxation and may be of commercial value to the recipients, he will publish in an appropriate form the general purport and effect of these replies.

No. Most of the inquiries sought clarification of the White Paper's intentions pending publication of the Bill, and the answers are generally to be found in the Bill itself. My Department has tried to be as helpful as possible in all cases, and I know of none where an inquirer has been given any unfair commercial advantage. If the right hon. Gentleman has any such case in mind I hope he will let me know of it.

asked the Minister of Health if he will ask the regional hospital boards to provide statistics of the number of young chronic sick in the different age groups in long stay in general wards, so that a more thorough study of the problems of the young chronic sick can be made.

A study of the hospital needs of the young chronic sick is in progress and the information mentioned is being obtained.

asked the Minister of Health how many persons were taken into training during each of the last five years as hospital physics technicians at regional radiotherapy departments; how many of such trainees completed their training; how many of such trainees, having completed their training, remain in service with the National Health Service; and whether he is satisfied with the present level of recruitment and remuneration of hospital physics technicians.

I regret that information is not available in the form required nor separately for radiotherapy departments. A recent inquiry shows that at 30th September, 1965, there were 67 technicians-in-training in post against establishements of 69 although in the year since 30th September, 1964, 22 trainees had left the hospital service, 11 of them before completing one year's training. The total number of hospital physics technicians has increased by about 10 per cent. each year since 1961 but further expansion is needed. Salary scales are currently under review by the Whitley Council.

asked the Minister of Health what is the establishment for hospital physics technicians at the Newcastle, Birmingham, and Clatterbridge regional radiotherapy departments; to what extent such establishments are sufficient for departmental needs now and 18 months hence; what is the present number of vacancies at each such establishment; and what steps he is taking to recruit sufficient hospital physics technicians to fill existing vacancies at each such establishment.

Establishments in the radiotherapy departments at the Newcastle, Birmingham and Clatterbridge centres are 7, 5 and 11 and vacancies are 4, 2 and 1 respectively. Establishments are a matter for each hospital authority; future establishments have not been fixed but generally more technicians are required for this expanding service. The employing authorities are responsible for recruitment but my Department supports their efforts by distributing careers literature.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will set out in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the basic and maximum rates of pay during each of the last five years for hospital physics technicians and medical and laboratory technicians, respectively, and the percentage increase in such rates of pay during the same periods.

The rates during the period since January 1961 are:

asked the Minister of Health what guidance he has given to hospital authorities concerning the practice of removing spectacles, dentures and hearing aids from elderly or mentally disordered patients.

Hospital authorities have been advised that mentally disordered or elderly confused patients should be allowed to retain such aids and other personal belongings; and where it is necessary, exceptionally, to remove them, that this should only be done on medical advice.

asked the Minister of Health what is the cost of the X-ray equipment lying in packing cases in a corridor of St. Cross Hospital, Rugby, for the last 18 months; and when it is proposed to commence the construction of a building in which use can be made of it.

The equipment cost £12,551. Construction of accommodation for it is expected to start in April.

asked the Minister of Health in what regards the Hospital Plan has been increased for East Anglia, in view of the Government's population expansion schemes.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the result of the current review.

asked the Minister of Health how many hospitals in Wales with children's wards have one bed normally available for visiting mothers; and how many have more than one such bed available.

Four and seven respectively. A further fifteen are able to make special arrangements when required.

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of hospitals in Wales which have children's wards have beds normally available for visiting mothers; and how this proportion compares with the United Kingdom figures.

Twenty-four per cent., compared with 30 per cent., for England and Wales together. Figures for the United Kingdom are not readily available.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the detection of cervical cancer, following the survey carried out by the Office of Health Economics.

My policy is that a routine screening service for the detection of cervical cancer should be made available to all women at risk.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he will seek to make a grant in aid to the Handcrafts Advisory Association for the purpose of training teachers of the disabled;(2) whether he will initiate a system of recognised training for handcraft teachers of the disabled.

My right hon. Friend is not yet satisfied that the functions of this type of staff are sufficiently well defined to justify formal training arrangements or the making of a grant for the purpose.

asked the Minister of Health what repayment is made to a doctor under the National Health Service when he makes a telephone call to get a free ambulance to take a National Health Service patient to have a free out-patient consultation.

The practice expenses of general medical practitioners, including the cost of telephone calls, are credited to the central pool of remuneration and included in the calculation of the gross fees payable to them.

asked the Minister of Health what was the total cost, in the last year for which figures are available for England and Wales, of the provision and maintenance and operation of day nurseries under the National Health Service Act 1946 and the Nurseries and Child-Minders Regulation Act 1948; and what proportion and part of such total costs were borne, respectively, by local authorities, by the Exchequer and by persons availing themselves of the services referred to.

The total cost of day nurseries provided by local health authorities under the National Health Service Act 1946 was approximately £5 million in 1964–65, of which about one-fifth was borne by persons using the service. Some 60 per cent. of the expenditure of local authorities as a whole on this and other general grant services is borne by the Exchequer through the General and Rate Deficiency Grants.Information about the cost of nurseries registered under the Nurseries and Child-Minders Regulation Act, 1948 is not available.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent the increase in the number of prescriptions dispensed by pharmacists in general practice is due to the number of out-patient departments which, because of inadequate staff, have been obliged to issue E.C.10 prescription forms to meet the requirements of their patients.

Between 1st February and 30th November, 1965, retail chemists dispensed 576,435 more prescriptions for hospital out-patients than in the corresponding period in 1964. This constituted 1·8 per cent of the total increase in the number of prescriptions dispensed by retail chemists.

asked the Minister of Health what is the most recent estimate of the number of British doctors emigrating overseas.

The best estimate available is that on average the net loss of British doctors by emigration is between 300 and 350 a year. My Department is engaged on studies to provide more exact statistics.

asked the Minister of Health what cervical cancer screening service is available to women at risk in the Sherborne district.

A screening service is available now, and is being increasingly used.

asked the Minister of Health what cervical cancer screening service is available to women at risk in the Southampton district.

A diagnostic service only is provided at present, but a screening service will be started in May.

asked the Minister of Health what cervical cancer screening service is available to women at risk in the Clevedon district.

Clevedon is served by the Southmead Hospital Group laboratory which examines smears taken from patients attending gynaecological and obstetric out-patient departments and women attending Family Planning Clinics. Laboratory facilities at Southmead are being expanded to support the introduction of full-scale screening and I am about to approve Somerset County Council's proposals to start clinics as soon as these facilities are available.

asked the Minister of Health what cervical cancer screening service is available to women at risk in the Woking district.

A local authority clinic should be open later this year. A diagnostic service is already available for women with symptoms.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that on days when there are large numbers of men waiting for payment of benefit at the Selly Oak employment exchange, the facilities there are inadequate and involve long waits in conditions of discomfort; and what plans he has for immediate improvements.

The premises at Selly Oak Employment Exchange are adequate for normal business. The number of unemployed registering at this office sometimes fluctuates violently, however, because of temporary stoppages of work in the motor industry. It would be uneconomical permanently to maintain large premises to deal with these relatively infrequent and short-term increases of unemployment, but every effort is made to reduce inconvenience to the public to a minimum. The local arrangements at Selly Oak to deal with this type of situation are being reviewed.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the numbers of persons employed in the United Kingdom shipyards in 1965; and how these figures compare with 1964, 1963, 1962, and 1961, respectively.

It is estimated there were 163,000 employees in employment in shipbuilding and ship-repairing in the United Kingdom in mid-1965. Corresponding figures for the four preceding mid-years were 156,000 in 1964, 161,000 in 1963, 179,000 in 1962 and 189,000 in 1961. A revised estimate for 1965 will be available in the near future and I will write to the hon. Member to give him the figures.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men have left the aircraft industry since October, 1964; and how many of these have found other employment in British export industries.

Provisional estimates show that males employed in the aircraft industry fell by 10,600 between October, 1964 and November, 1965. Information on workers who have entered other industries is available only in respect of those who became redundant following the cancellation last year of certain aircraft orders and whose new employment is known to our local offices. 19 per cent. were re-employed in the aircraft industry, 52 per cent. went into metal-using industries other than aircraft and 29 per cent. into other industries. I cannot say how many went into work connected with exports.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he proposes to take to ensure that all employees enjoy proper safeguards against arbitrary dismissal.

The subject of dismissal procedures is being considered by a Committee of my right hon. Friend's National Joint Advisory Council. When the Committee reports he will consider with the Council what action should be taken.

asked the Minister of Labour what success he has so far had in securing the abandonment of the restrictive labour practices that are identified in reports of the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

As the reports make clear, these are problems which must be tackled jointly by the managements and unions in the industries concerned. The Government will continue to encourage the necessary action by managements and unions and my right hon. Friend is always ready to give any help he can in negotiations.

asked the Minister of Labour what representations have been made to him regarding the question of the five-day week for those engaged in the banking services; if he will give favourable advice to the banking organisations concerned; and if he will make a statement.

I have received no representations regarding a five-day working week for bank employees. This is a matter for discussion between employers and the organisations representing their staff. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, North on Monday, 21st February.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the F111 will be armed with nuclear bombs; whether they will be capable of being used in the tactical nuclear rôle; and whether they will be available for use without prior consultation with the United States or any other of Great Britain's allies.

As I have often said, our primary need is to replace the Canberra as a tactical strike/reconnaissance aircraft carrying conventional weapons. But the F111 will be able to carry British nuclear weapons. The answer to the final part of the question is "yes".

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the main differences as regards avionics between the first 10 F111A aircraft and the remaining 40 which are to be purchased.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the difference between the unit ceiling price of the first 10 F111A aircraft and the subsequent purchase of 40.

As indicated on page 11 of Part I of the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1966 (Cmnd. 2901), the ceiling unit price applies to the total purchase.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the credit terms he has negotiated with the United States Government, including the rate of interest and the rate of payment of instalments, for the purchase of 50 F111 As.

The credits will cover the capital cost of the aircraft and associated equipment. The repayment terms, which apply to the Hercules-Phantom-F111A programme taken as a whole, provide that the bulk of repayments will fall due in the period 1968–78, being spread as evenly as possible. Interest is at 4¾ per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he has negotiated with the United States Government for the purchase of spare parts for the F111A, and the prices to be charged for them.

Under our arrangement with the United States, we have the opportunity to enter into a co-operative logistics supply support agreement under which we will enjoy the same production price and other benefits as the U.S.A.F. in respect of the supply of spare parts, modification kits, repair and overhaul services, and engineering support.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what tactical nuclear weapon will be carried by the F111A.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I have given today to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Dorset, North (Sir Richard Glyn).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are at present employed in his Department.

About 3,300.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what personnel are employed in his Department's dog-handling establishments; what is the total annual sum of their pay; and whether this sum was included in the figures for the annual cost of running dog-handling establishments which he has given.

The total number of personnel employed full time in Ministry of Defence dog-handling establishments is 2,497. Except for two members of the Admiralty Constabulary, who are employed as dog trainers, these personnel are at Army and Royal Air Force units, where they are specifically established to handle or look after dogs. The total annual cost of their pay and allowances, which was included in the figures I gave in reply to the hon. Member's Question on 18th February, is £1,970,000. The balance of £16,000 given in my Answer related to an assessment of the cost of the time spent by Admiralty Constabulary looking after dogs. The cost of maintaining all the dogs is additional to the figure given in my earlier Answer and is estimated at about £100 per dog per year on average, mainly for food.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied with the cost effectiveness of the dog-handling establishments run by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Police dogs and handlers play a vital part in guarding Service establishments both at home and abroad. Each dog and his handler is as effective as five men in this work. The saving by using dogs is, therefore, very considerable.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what tactical nuclear weapons are to be available for the British Army of the Rhine in the immediate future and in the 1970's; and whether he is satisfied that these will be adequate to protect British troops from attack by overwhelming conventional forces.

The British Army of the Rhine is equipped with the surface-to-surface guided weapon, Corporal, the free flight rocket, Honest John, and the 8-inch howitzer, all of which have a nuclear capability. Corporal, an obsolescent weapon system, is being withdrawn at the end of this year without replacement. Honest John and the 8-inch howitzer will continue in service into the 1970s.An attack by overwhelming conventional forces would be met by the combined forces of the N.A.T.O. Alliance.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will situate the new North Atlantic Treaty Organisation infrastructure depot, mentioned in Command Paper No. 2902, at Londonderry; and whether he will make a statement.

No; this depot has already been built at Glen Douglas in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has formulated to implement his policy of bringing alternative civilian employment to Londonderry following his decision to close H.M.S. "Sea Eagle"; and whether he will reconsider that decision.

The decision to move "Sea Eagle" stands. We have three years before it takes effect in which to find new jobs for Londonderry.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of the equipment damaged and destroyed and the structural damage suffered in the fire at Neatishead Radar Station on 16th February.

The exact extent of the damage caused by the fire to buildings and equipment is being determined by the Royal Air Force Board of Inquiry. Until the findings of the Board are available, I am unable to give an estimate of the cost of the damage. However, preliminary enquiries show that the original investment in equipment and buildings was about one million pounds and extensive damage has been caused by the fire.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the fact that the Royal Air Force Board of Inquiry into the fire at Neatishead Radar Station will be reporting on the fire precaution arrangements at the station, he will arrange for the Fire Brigades Union to be represented at the inquiry on behalf of the relatives of the firemen who lost their lives and those who were injured.

Royal Air Force Boards of Inquiry are domestic investigations conducted in accordance with statutory rules. Civilian witnesses may be represented by a lawyer when they are giving evidence. The Board may hear evidence from any persons who they think will help them in their inquiries and if the Fire Brigades Union wish to give evidence they should get in touch with the President of the Board of Inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total estimated cost, respectively, of the Phantom, Hercules and F.111 aircraft which the Government have ordered or announced a decision to order, since October, 1964; and how much approximately in each case is due to be paid before April, 1970.

For the 50 F.111 As which the Government have decided to order, the total costs of the aircraft including supporting equipment and initial spares, and our share of United States research and development costs is expected to be £150 million, of which about £20 million will be paid before April, 1970. The cost of the Hercules order will be about £70 million of which £20 million will be paid before 1970. No final decision has been taken on the exact size of orders for Phantom aircraft, but it is likely that the corresponding figures, on the same basis, will be £300 million and £160 million. The last figure reflects the fact that nearly half the Phantom content will be of British origin.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what is the total cost annually of current military aid to Zambia and to other parts of Africa which are not mentioned in Tables 1, 3 and 5 of Annex H in Part II of the statement on the Defence Estimates.

I can only answer for Commonwealth countries in Africa.The most general form of military aid to Commonwealth countries in Africa is attributable to loan of military personnel to these countries for which the C.R.O. pays about half the cost and the receiving country pays the other half. In some cases also the C.R.O. pays for the tuition fees of the Commonwealth military students in the United Kingdom. The estimated cost to the United Kingdom of such loans and military training in Africa in 1965–66 is about £1·45 million.The only other form of military aid to an African Commonwealth country is £2·6 million to Kenya as part of the Independence settlement.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement about Great Britain's continuing responsibility as co-guarantor of the constitution of Cyprus.

This responsibility derives from the Treaty of Guarantee (Cmnd. 1253), which was one of the Treaties comprising the 1960 Cyprus settlement. In Her Majesty's Government's view, these Treaties remain valid until altered by the mutual agreement of all the signatories.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will make a statement on the present situation in Cyprus and the extension of the United Nations peace keeping force after the end of March.

Although the situation in Cyprus is at present relatively calm, little progress has been made towards a settlement of the dispute and the danger continues that armed conflict between the two sides may be renewed. As regards the extension of the United Nations peacekeeping force after the expiry of its current mandate on 26th March, I have nothing to add at present to the reply given by my hon. Friend on 14th February to the Member for Moray and Nairn.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will specify the nature of each of the treaties and understandings under which an obligation exists to consult and co-operate in the defence of Cyprus, as referred to in Chapter II, paragraph 3, of Part II of the Statement on the Defence Estimates.

The obligation referred to is that in Article 3 of the Treaty of Establishment (Cmnd. 1252). This article reads:

"The Republic of Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom undertake to consult and co-operate in the common defence of Cyprus".

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will specify the nature of each of the treaties under which an obligation exists to defend Malaysia, as referred to in Chapter II, paragraph 3, of Part II of the Statement on the Defence Estimates.

An Agreement on External Defence and Mutual Assistance was concluded between the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Federation of Malaya on 12th October, 1957 (Cmnd. 263). This was extended to all territories of Malaysia by Article VI of the Malaysia Agreement of 9th July, 1963 (Cmnd. 2094).

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will specify the nature of the treaty or understanding under which an obligation exists to assist in the defence of Malta, as referred to in Chapter II, paragraph 3, of Part II of the statement on the Defence Estimates.

The British Government and the Government of Malta concluded an Agreement on Mutual Defence and Assistance in 1964. Under Article 2 of that Agreement each Government undertakes to afford to the other assistance for mutual defence and to consult together on the measures to be taken jointly or separately to ensure the fullest co-operation between them for that purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will specify the nature of the treaty of understanding under which an obligation exists to protect Brunei, as referred to in Chapter II, paragraph 3, of Part II of the statement on the Defence Estimates.

Under the Brunei Agreement, 1959. Her Majesty's Government has responsibility for the protection and defence of Brunei.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he will announce his decision regarding the compulsory purchase order necessary to enable the Basingstoke town centre development to go forward.

The Inspector's report reached my right hon. Friend last month. He expects to announce a decision very shortly.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the inconvenience and hardship caused by the delay in announcing a decision of the public inquiry held last May on the proposed reservoir at Draycote, near Rugby, proposed by the Rugby and Southam Joint Water Board; and when a decision will be made.

My right hon. Friend is sorry he has not yet been able to announce a decision. He will do so as soon as he can.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to preserve amenities by limiting the extent to which shop windows are used for advertising matter.

Discussions on this matter are going on between the Department and representatives of local planning authorities and of the advertising industry.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government which local authorities are to benefit by backdating of the lower interest loans on their housing programmes.

The number of English local authorities which will qualify for this special treatment will be very small.The full list is still being worked out. It will include the following authorities:—

Housing provided, under overspill arrangements, for the relief of congestion or overcrowding in the areas of these authorities will qualify for the concession, equally with housing provided by the authorities themselves.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give the total number of council houses in Great Britain, showing the proportion that were built less than five years ago, between five and 10 years ago, between 10 and 15 years ago, between 15 and 20 years ago, and more than 20 years ago.

The information is as follows:—

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when the members of the rent assessment panels will be appointed for the county of Kent.

The work of selecting members for the Kent Rent Assessment Panel is now proceeding and my right hon. Friend expects the initial appointments to be made in the next few weeks.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will now publish the number of Lockheed C130 aircraft ordered for the Royal Air Force; when delivery will be completed; what is the agreed ceiling unit price for the basic aircraft; and what credit terms have been agreed.

Production orders have been placed with the United States for the first batch of C130 aircraft out of total buys of about 200 Phantoms and 66 C130s for delivery by the end of 1968. A formula has been agreed with the U.S. Government by which final unit costs of these aircraft will in each case be calculated on the basis of average unit costs of production of broadly comparable U.S. and U.K. aircraft. Costs of the U.K. purchases will be met by credit arrangements, the terms of which were announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 11th February, 1965.

asked the Minister of Aviation what was the cost of the development of the TSR2 up to its cancellation; and what were the cancellation charges paid.

Payments on all TSR2 contracts up to the time of cancellation amounted to £125 million. Since cancellation we have paid out a further £40 million for work done and cancellation charges in respect of severance, unrecovered overheads and the like. However, the final amounts are still the subject of negotiation between my Department and all the companies concerned and it may be some months yet before final settlement is reached.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will now publish the number of Phantom aircraft ordered for the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm; when delivery will be completed; what is the agreed ceiling unit price for the basic aircraft; and what credit terms have been agreed.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him today in answer to a similar Question relating to Lockheed C130 aircraft.

asked the Minister of Transport how many passengers in- volved in the fire on the 08.07 train from Harpenden to St. Pancras on Wednesday 9th February gave evidence at the inquiry held on 24th February; and what arrangements were made to obtain evidence from such witnesses.

One. He volunteered to give evidence and was invited to do so. The Inspecting Officer is prepared to receive evidence from any other passenger who wishes to give it.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will list those railway passenger services proposed for closure in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Appendix II of the Report, the Reshaping of British Railways, and similar proposals made since the publication of the Report, on which the shortened procedure announced by the Minister on 4th November, 1964 has been applied, and where at the Minister's request the Board has agreed to defer publication.

The following is the information:PROPOSALS FOR CLOSURES OF RAIL PASSENGER SERVICES TO WHICH THE PROCEDURE FOR EXAMINATION BEFORE PUBLICATION UNDER SECTION 56 OF THE TRANSPORT ACT, 1962, HAS BEEN APPLIED.Bournemouth West station.Gateshead West station.Netherfield and Colwick—Nottingham Victoria.Tollerton station, Yorks.Cheltenham Spa Malvern Road—Cheltenham Spa St. James.Great Central Line.Yatton—Clevedon.Ipswich—Lowestoft.Saxmundham—Aldeburgh.Todd Lane Junction station, Lancs.Shelford—Marks Tey.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will give a list to date of the railway passenger services proposed for closure in sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Appendix II of the British Railways Board Report, The Reshaping of British Railways, and similar proposals made since the publication of the Report, indicating the latter in each case, which have been the subject of closure application by British Railways Board, showing the date of application in each case which has been the subject of hearings of objections by the transport users' consultative committees, showing the date of the last day of the hearing in each case, in respect of which hearings transport users' consultative committees have forwarded their report to the Minister of Transport, showing the date of which it was received in each case, to which consent was given, indicating the date on which the Board has withdrawn any services, and to which consent was refused, giving the date of the Minister's decision in each case.

The following is the information: