asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average price of prime beef to the farmer last year and in 1955.

The average return to the farmer on certified fat cattle in 1955 was 153s. 1Üd. per live cwt., including an average guarantee payment of 9½d. per live cwt. The comparable figure for 1965 was 180s. 6¼d., including a guarantee payment of 5s. 2d.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the price of sulphate of ammonia in 1955 and in 1965.

The published list price in 1955–56 was £20 11s. 6d. per ton and for 1965–66 is £19 19s. 0d. The reduction is worth about 10s. to 15s. per ton more than these figures suggest because the standard nitrogen content has been increased from 20·6 per cent. to 21 per cent. and it is now sold "delivered to farm" and not "delivered to the farmer's nearest railway station".

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that his decision to limit grant aid to the Essex River Authority's scheme for flood prevention in the Rochford area will now cause difficulties for the local authorities concerned in respect of a start being made on the Rochford by-pass road; and whether he will seek to discuss the matter with the Ministers of Transport and Housing and Local Government.

It is for the river authority to decide what action they should take. But at their request, we have recently confirmed that a payment by them of a contribution of £41,000 to the county council towards the cost of joint road and river improvements at Rochford will not prejudice the question of grant aid if the authority decide to make this contribution in advance of proceeding with their scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will give detailed figures of the level of profitability in the beef industry; and if he will make a statement.

The profitability of beef production is one of the factors now being considered at the Annual Review, and I cannot anticipate the Government's determinations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will make new regulations for the export of horses and ponies.

New Orders are in draft and will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why, following an estimated increase in the consumption of feedingstuffs in 1964 for 1,000,000 tons, the standard quantity for cereals was not increased by more than 350,000 tons.

The increase in the standard quantities was related to a forecast made at the time of the 1965 Annual Review of the total requirement for cereals in the United Kingdom in 1965/66, and represented a fair and reasonable share of the growth of consumption as forecast at that time. The increase in consumption is now expected to be larger than originally forecast.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to enable the National Joint Council for Teachers' Salaries to include representatives from his Department, so that the negotiated decisions will be binding on all parties without any further interference.

I must await the outcome of the consultations on revised negotiating machinery which, as I have already announced, will be put in hand once salaries regulations have been made in final form covering the period from 1st April, 1966.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that newly upgraded hospital wards lay closed during the winter because of the acute shortage of nursing staff: and what steps he proposes to take to recruit more nurses, to ensure the fullest use of hospital beds.

I am not aware of any major delays in opening newly upgraded wards because of staffing difficulties. The number of nurses employed both on a whole-time and part-time basis in the National Health Service has never been higher, but we aim at still further improvements and a nation-wide publicity campaign to recruit more nurses was started last autumn and is showing good results.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional financial and other assistance has been given to the Highlands in the last 12 months; and what are the plans for further assistance.

The estimated expenditure by my departments for the year to 31st March, 1966, amounts to £35 million, an increase of fully £2 million over the corresponding figure for the previous year. Assistance for industrial and commercial projects through the Board of Trade and the Treasury Loan Scheme for the 12 months to 31st December, 1965, amounted to approximately £590,000, compared with £376,000 for the previous year.As to future plans, the Highlands and Islands Development Board has been established to further the economic and social development of the area, and I shall give careful consideration to its proposals. The Board's arrangements for financial assistance to industrial and other undertakings will also bring increasing benefits to the area. Its measures will be additional to the projects and developments planned by government departments and local and statutory authorities (including the prototype fast reactor development by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority at Dounreay).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the completion date for the Erskine Bridge; what is the total estimated cost; and if the total cost is now to be borne by the Government.

It is hoped to start the Erskine Bridge in the financial year 1967–68 and to complete it in 1970–71. The estimated cost, including that of the approaches, is £6 million, and it will be wholly met by the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration has been given to the establishment of a general practitioner maternity centre in Renfrewshire.

Twelve general practitioner maternity beds will be provided in an extension now under construction at the Rankin Memorial Hospital, Greenock. The Western Regional Hospital Board has in mind the possibility of providing further general practitioner maternity beds in Renfrewshire.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Burn of Durran drainage scheme in Caithness, about which there had been a dispute involving his Department, has now been satisfactorily completed; and if he will make a statement.

I am informed that this scheme has been satisfactorily completed in accordance with the agreement entered into by the five proprietors concerned and my Department as drainage contractor. Four of the proprietors have not met their share of the cost and arrangements are being made for recovery.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied that sufficient money is available to the Scottish Tourist Association for advertising; and if he will make a statement.

I have no doubt that the Scottish Tourist Board could usefully spend more on publicity. I understand that the Board is actively considering ways of increasing its income, particularly from those who benefit financially from Scottish tourism, and I very much hope that it will succeed in this.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what technical provision he is making, by advice or otherwise, to arrest the spread of the present influenza epidemic in Scotland.

Medical officers of health were warned last autumn of the possibility of an outbreak of influenza this winter. They have applied accepted methods of control, including protective vaccination for priority groups, and have had the advice and help of both family doctors and the hospital and specialist services. I am glad to note that the outbreak is declining.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made, and what plans exist for the future, in making the Glen feshie Road, so as to link three of Scot land's major ski areas, namely, Cairngorm, Upper Deeside and Glenshee.

This is one of several proposals for further new roads in the Highlands and Islands which will be examined by the Highlands and Islands Development Board.

asked the Secretary of State how many applications for grant under the Farm Improvement Scheme he has received since 17th November last.

About eleven hundred.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications have been received by his Department for farm improvement grant since the withdrawal of the old scheme; and how many of the applicants have accepted the provisional authority as outlined in his Department's circular letter, reference DE 28821/2, which is being sent to applicants for farm improvement grants.

About 1,100 applications have been received and 273 provisional authorities issued, of which 158 have so far been accepted by the applicants.

asked the Secretary of State for Scot land what is the amount of grant payable per acre for the regeneration of hill land, by means of surface seeding, on non-crofting land in the crofting counties; and what percentage of the estimated cost this figure represents.

Grant of £4 per acre is payable under the Grassland Renovation Scheme. In addition, grants are available for ancillary work such as drainage, application of lime and fertilisers, etc. On average it is estimated that there grants represent between 40 per cent. and 50 per cent. of the cost of the work.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the amount of grant payable per acre for the planting of trees on privately owned land, as distinct from the Foresty Commission, in the crofting counties; and what percentage of estimated cost this figure represents.

The Forestry Commission pay planting grants to private owners at the rate of £22 12s. per acre throughout Great Britain including the crofting counties. I have no special information relating to the cost of private planting in the crofting counties.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what decision he has reached regarding the representations from the Western Isles Labour Party and the hon. Member for the Western Isles that the fishery training scheme be extended and new fishing vessels, including a number of advance construction boats, be added to the Outer Hebrides fleet; and if he will make a statement.

Following its discussions with other interested bodies the Highlands and Islands Development Board submitted to me on 7th February a proposal for development of fisheries in the Highlands and Islands by the provision of new boats and training. This proposal includes special reference to the Western Isles and I am now considering it urgently.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, as proprietor, and to protect local crofting land, the roads, and the local landing ground for aircraft from flooding as a result of the progressive encroachment of the sea and of aeolian erosion, he will now take steps to ensure that a survey is made of the north-west coast of the Isle of Barra with a view to coastal protection measures.

No. I am well aware of the problem and I am satisfied that the protection measures I am already taking as landlord, using the latest techniques, are adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied with the pace of research in the field of preventive medicine with particular reference to the multiple screening of large sections of the population, with a view to ensuring better standards of health at a lower ultimate cost to the nation; and whether he will make financial assistance available to selected medical officers of health to enable them to conduct experiments for assessing the value of such health checks in relation to the different kinds of disease that are best treated when diagnosed during the early stages of their development.

Some multiple screening has been done in Scotland, but experience of this method is limited, and I am willing to consider applications for financial assistance for research studies associated with it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what tonnage of pigmeat was produced in Scotland in 1965; and what is the expected increase for 1966.

The total amount of pigmeat produced in Scotland in 1965 was about 55,000 tons. Production in 1966 is expected to show some decline, but it is too early yet to quote estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the large number of village roads in the Western Isles for which only small sums from district councils' funds are available on a waiting list basis spread over many years, he will refer to the Highlands and Islands Development Board the problem of speeding up and assisting financially the solution of the problem of bringing these neglected tracks up to a reasonable standard.

This is essentially a question of availability of finance, and I am satisfied that I do not need to refer it to the Board. In any case I have no doubt they will pay full regard to the problem when considering development proposals for specific places or districts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the cumulative acreage of non-productive woodland in Scotland; what percentage change he anticipates during each of the next five years; and what plans he has for encouraging a faster rate of private investment in the conversion of such woodlands into full productive use in the interests of the balance of payments situation for many years to come.

The Forestry Commission estimates that about 500,000 acres of woodland in Scotland are non-productive. I cannot forecast the change in this area, which will depend on its private owners. They are already encouraged by the grants paid by the Forestry Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pending the report of the Highland Transport Board, he will take steps by legislation or otherwise to restrain all increases in freight and passenger charges in the Highlands and Islands area.

I shall continue to ensure that any transport charges requiring my approval are kept as low as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for the improvement of the air ambulance to Scottish Islands.

When the experimental air service is introduced this summer between Kirkwall and the North Isles of Orkney, it is hoped to introduce also an air ambulance service using the same airstrips. It is also intended to provide an air ambulance service, by agreement with a private airline company, between Renfrew, Oban and certain airstrips in Argyllshire not already served by British European Airways. This will include a service to the Isle of Oronsay (including Colonsay) and Mull. The service will be extended to other islands off the west coast when suitable airstrips are available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of traffic densities on the A.92, Stonehaven to Dundee, and on the A.94, Stonehaven to Perth, in relation to through traffic and in relation to local traffic; and what estimate he has made of the effect of the opening of the Tay Road Bridge on these densities.

The August traffic densities are approximately 6,000 passenger car units on A.94 from Perth to Stonehaven; 4,000 on A.92 from Stonehaven to Arbroath and 7,000 from Arbroath to Dundee. We have not estimated the effect on these densities of the opening of the Tay Road Bridge, but north of Forfar and Arbroath it is likely to be marginal.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what total amount by way of grant and of loan, respectively, was paid out in respect of projects in the Outer Hebrides in each of the years 1960 to 1965, inclusive.

The extraction of the detailed information requested would involve time and expenditure quite disproportionate to the value of the information which could be given. The following particulars of assistance in respect of industrial and other projects under the Local Employment Acts and the Treasury Loan Scheme may be helpful to my hon. Friend.The Treasury Loan Scheme, administered by the Highland Fund Limited, provided assistance to projects in the crofting counties during the period from October 1963 to November 1965. During this period loans totalling £18,240 were approved in respect of 11 projects in the Outer Hebrides.Total financial assistance offered to the Outer Hebrides (excluding offers declined) under the Local Employment Acts during the period from 1st April 1960 to 31st December 1965 was £31,000 by way of loan and £32,630 by way of grant. Because of the small number of firms involved, a complete year by year breakdown could not properly be provided, but in 1965 10 firms received grants totalling £10,383. In addition expenditure amounting to £46,000 in grants and £104,000 in loans was incurred for the Outer Hebrides Fisheries Training Scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many widows of ex-naval ratings who left the Royal Navy prior to 1st September, 1950, are not entitled to draw Service widow's pensions; and what would be the cost of including them in the Service pensions scheme;(2) what estimate he has made of the cost of paying Service widows pensions at current rates to the widows of Servicemen who left the forces prior to 1st September, 1950.

Precise figures are not available. The number of these widows for all Services is thought to be about 33,000 and the cost of awarding pensions at current rates about £2·75 million. Figures for the Royal Navy alone are about 17,000 and about £1·4 million respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what payments he has agreed to make to the Government of Zambia for accommodation and other facilities for service personnel.

Local costs arising from the Royal Air Force presence in Zambia are still the subject of discussion with the Zambian Government. The Zambians have, however, agreed to make no charge for the accommodation which they are providing, including necessary alterations and furnishings.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied with the standard of accommodation provided for Royal Air Force personnel in Zambia; and if he will make a statement.

Improvements in the covered accommodation at Ndola and Lusaka continue to be made by extending and occupying more buildings, and by the provision of shelves and cupboards, in addition to the dormitory partitions, hot and cold water and extra ablution facilities already provided. R.A.F. Regiment personnel at Ndola are now moving into excellent accommodation nearby at Bwana M'Kubwa, and this will make living space less tight at Ndola for the remaining men. Accommodation at Livingstone has been satisfactory from the outset.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to pay a special gratuity to those veterans who hold the Victory Medal and the War Medal of the 1914–18 War, in view of their particular need.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) to what extent facilities are still provided for the flight of United States areoplanes containing nuclear bombs from British bases and over British territory; and how frequently the purpose and safety of these flights are reviewed;(2) what fresh investigations he has made in recent weeks into the dangers of accidents occurring to British bombers carrying nuclear weapons; and whether he will make the reports of such investigations public.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given by my right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State on 24th February, 1966, to similar Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) and Putney (Mr. Hugh Jenkins).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future for dock yard apprentices now that there are to be no new carriers and the Fleet Air Arm is to be run down.

To keep the present carriers running into the 1970s, and to maintain the more complicated ships and equipment of the new Navy, we will need large numbers of skilled men in the dockyards for as far ahead as we can see.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy ships of frigate size or bigger have had their keels laid down during the past 16 months; and if he will give the tonnage of each.

Nine, including Royal Fleet Auxiliaries. Two will be of 16,650 tons deep displacement; one of 8,000 tons; two of 7,700 tons; one of 6,100 tons; and three of 2,900 tons.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for building new Royal Navy ships during the coming year.

In the course of the next year we plan to order the first Type 82 guided missile destroyer, more Leander Class frigates, a nuclear powered fleet submarine and some coastal survey craft; and further orders are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the total dollar cost of the orders placed or to be placed for the Phantom, F111 and the C130 aircraft, including interest payments.

About £475 million, spread over the next 12 years.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of his talks with the Council of Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Associations about the future of the volunteer reserves, with special reference to the closest possible integration of the proposed Army Volunteer Reserve with the proposed Home Defence units.

Discussions are making good progress. I have informed representatives of the Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Associations that because of their differing roles, AVR II A and Home Defence units must have a separate command structure, but that we wish to make it as easy as possible for volunteers to transfer from one type of unit to the other.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give an assurance that there will be adequate protection against the enemy for the Merchant Navy in time of war implicit in any alterations in defence strategy.

I can assure the hon. Member that decisions recently announced imply no reduction in the help which has always been given to our Merchant Navy in times of war or emergency.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how the figure of £1,400 million as the cost of a carrier force over the next 10 years is made up; and if he will specify to what it refers.

The figure of £1,400 million for the carrier force in the period 1966–67 to 1975–76 includes the following items:the costs of operating the existing carriers for the 10 years or until they are taken out of commission as appropriate;the costs of CVA 01;the capital and running costs of those support ships required for the carriers;the costs of operating the fixed wing elements of the Fleet Air Arm and those helicopters associated with the carriers, including costs of associated RN air stations;the costs, falling within the 10-year period, of the purchase of new aircraft;the costs of Fleet Air Arm flying training (excluding flying training for the helicopters not associated with the carriers); andthe costs of R and D related to carriers and their aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will specify the cuts in equipment and physical resources of the Royal Navy which are not specified in the Defence White Paper and are involved in the reduction of planned expenditure set out in the White Paper.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence upon what calculations he bases his estimates that defence expenditure would have to rise to £4,000 million or £6,000 million a year if the United Kingdom were to be prepared to fight a conventional war in Europe; if he will apportion these costs between the three Services; and what strength of Regular Army and Volunteer Reserves would be involved.

These are not, of course, estimates but illustrative orders of magnitude. The manpower requirement would clearly go up enromously and the rise in costs would inevitably follow.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the value of contracts placed with Harland and Wolff by Her Majesty's Government since 16th October, 1964; and how this compares with contracts placed in the period October, 1951, to 15th October, 1964.

About £1·7 million and £61·4 million, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Army officers and men, and members of the Women's Royal Army Corps, are at present employed in staff duties or at headquarters down to and including brigade group level in the British Army of the Rhine, in the Middle East theatre, and in Malaysia, respectively.

The figures are as follows:

OFFICERS
	United Kingdom
Theatre	Male	Female	Gurkha
BAOR	761	6	—
MEC	157	2	2
MALAYSIA (including Singapore)	471	6	5

OTHER RANKS
	United Kingdom
Theatre	Male	Female	Gurkha
BAOR	3,942	190	—
MEC	241	26	—
MALAYSIA	575	56	332

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing how many of each type of helicopter are in use by the three Services, shown separately; how many are on order; and what is the present monthly rate of delivery.

About 550 helicopters are in use by the three Services. The types included are the Allouette, Belvedere, Dragonfly, Hiller, Scout, Sioux, Skeeter, Sycamore, Wasp, Wessex and Whirlwind. For the new helicopters ordered in and since October 1964 I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bournemouth, West (Sir J. Eden) on 16th February, 1966, which gave details of the 168 helicopters for which full-build contracts have been let. Further orders are under consideration. In addition, 103 new helicopters have still to be delivered under contracts placed before October 1964. I expect 18 helicopters to be delivered this month.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what quantities of nails have been bought and sold by his Department in the last 15 years.

Records are only available in respect of both purchases and sales for the last three years. The quantities for this period are approximately 900 tons and 70 tons, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the approximate value of each of the principal items with which he expects to close the gap of £180 million referred to on page 3 of Command Paper No. 2901.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied that Royal Ordnance factories are producing arms at a competitive price; and whether any redundancies are expected at Royal Ordnance factories.

Over a wide range of arms production the Royal Ordnance Factories are able to quote prices which in general are highly competitive and in many cases cannot be matched by outside contractors. The value of work to be done in the Royal Ordnance Factories will increase in 1966–67; no redundancies are expected, and except for R.O.F., Woolwich, which is closing down, additional labour is required at every factory, including R.O.F., Patricroft, in my hon. Friend's constituency.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps Her Majesty's Government propose to take for developing higher defence studies in the United Kingdom.

Our policy was outlined in broad terms in Command 2902.One of our primary objectives is to stimulate the interest of the universities in this field and to encourage them to play a more active rôle, as well as to foster general intellectual awareness of the problems of defence. As already announced, we propose to award up to six fellowships annually to enable senior serving officers and Government officials to pursue a chosen subject of study or research in the academically free atmosphere of a university. The fellows themselves are expected to gain substantially; the Services and Ministry should have the benefit of the greater capacity for analysis which the students will acquire; and the Universities should benefit from contact with experienced students of defence.We have also announced our intention of creating at public expense in each of a few selected Universities an additional post of lecturer (or senior lecturer) in an existing faculty, to specialise in the defence aspects of its discipline. We do not envisage initially any restriction as to the faculties in which these posts should be set up. Teachers in any of the social or physical sciences or in technology with an interest in defence problems will be encouraged to specialise in their study. Eventually, it is hoped, defence studies will emerge as a discpline in their own right in the universities concerned.Command 2902 also referred to the organisation of short intra-mural courses in the widest possible variety of subjects. Some of these will be organised in collaboration with the lecturers specially appointed under the arrangements already mentioned. Some will be concerned with specific subjects of current and impending interest in the defence field. Others will deal with techniques of management and we hope to collaborate with the Business Management Schools recently established at London and Manchester.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the latest estimate by his Department concerning the number of Soviet submarines currently in commission.

It is estimated that there are at present 405 submarines in the Soviet fleet. About a quarter of these would be undergoing refit at any one time.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he had, other than with the Navy Board, when considering his policy about the future of the aircraft carrier.

I had appropriate consultations with Service and civilian advisers and with many of my Ministerial colleagues.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what were the results of his study of the cost-effectiveness of aircraft carriers; what information he has, following his defence consultations with the United States Government, on the results of similar studies in the United States of America; and if he will publish a comparison of this information.

As the Defence White Paper explains, we believe that the tasks for which we might require aircraft carriers in the later 1970s can be more cheaply performed in other ways. In reaching this conclusion we took into account information available from similar studies in the United States of America, which were carried out against a different background of military requirements and force levels.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he was aware of the decision of the United States Government to order three new nuclear-powered aircraft carriers before he cancelled the new British carrier; and what conversations on the future of carriers he had during his recent trip to Washington.

I was aware of all relevant factors. My conversations in Washington ranged widely over defence matters of mutual interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many new airfields he plans in the Indian Ocean to enable the F111A to operate there; and what undertakings Her Majesty's Government have received about the availability of existing airfields in India, Pakistan and Ceylon.

None, to both parts of the Question. There is no need to build new airfields in the Indian Ocean area specifically for the operation of this aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the nature of the special preference which is to be given to British shipbuilders in tendering for United States naval auxiliary craft, about which he received an undertaking in Washington.

I have an assurance that, if their bids are responsive and otherwise competitive, British shipbuilders will be exempt not only from import duty but from the price-differentials imposed on other foreign bids.

asked the Minister of Transport what study she has made of the Port Information Service which is available to transport services and exporters and others using the Port of Liverpool; and, in view of the fact that this service is of benefit to the organisation of transport and shipping, if she will take steps to establish similar services in other ports and to inform exporters of the advantages of them.

We have been kept fully informed about the valuable port information services which are being provided by the port authorities at Liverpool and London. The establishment of services of this kind at other ports is a matter for the port authorities and port users. We shall do all we can to encourage them.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will announce her decision on the Portbury Dock Scheme between 11th and 31st March; and whether such announcement will be made in Bristol.

I have at present nothing to add to the Answer given to the hon. Member on 9th February.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the deterioration of its services and the increases in its charges, she will seek power to institute a departmental inquiry into the management and structure of London Transport, with a view to reforming and improving its organisation.

I am already considering-various problems of the London Transport Board in the light of last year's Report of the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries and in the context of London's transportation as a whole. I have also just set up a Transport Co-ordination Council for London to help with some of the problems.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will seek power to enforce the compulsory use of a standard policy of minimum third party motor insurance written in language which is intelligible to the layman.

My hon. Friend's suggestion will be borne in mind, but motor insurance policies, being contracts, are necessarily written in legal terms and the requirements of policy holders may vary. Third parties who may suffer as the result of the negligence of the driver of a motor vehicle are protected by provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1960, and the Agreement made by my right hon. Friend's predecessor in 1946 with the Motor Insurers' Bureau.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps she has taken to free publicly-owned workshops from restrictions which prevented them from manufacturing equipment for what ever customers were willing to buy from them; what increase in the output of the workshops of British Railways, including Swindon, and of other publicly-owned transport undertakings resulted; if she will issue general directions to these undertakings to prepare to seek additional work, and not to dismantle plant or dismiss labour which will be required for such work; and if she will make a statement.

These restrictions are statutory and can be removed only by legislation. This we will introduce.

asked the Minister of Transport when she will announce the Government's policy for the co-ordination of transport services and the future rôle of the railways; and if she will now make an interim statement.

As my hon. Friend is aware, I have promised to bring my proposals before the House as soon as I can. They will include a more realistic policy for the railways, the establishment of a national freight authority, and greater regard for the transport needs of the regions. Meanwhile I have already announced my decision to set up a new Transport Co-ordinating Council for London.

asked the Minister of Transport when the first meeting of her Transport Co-ordinating Council for London will take place; what the Council's functions will be; and if she will make a statement.

The Council which will meet for the first time tomorrow, brings together the main authorities responsible for public transport, roads and traffic in London—my Department, the Greater London Council, the London Transport Board, the British Railways Board and the London Boroughs, together with the Trades Union Congress. Its functions will be to co-ordinate, within the present statutory framework, those activities of the various authorities in which concerted action is necessary if we are to improve overall the quality, speed and convenience of London's transport facilities.The Council will discuss tomorrow how best to discharge its task. I envisage that machinery might be set up to deal with specific major aspects of the problem—investment in public transport; investment in roads; interchanges between different forms of transport (including car parks at stations); and the co-ordination of transport operations and traffic management measures. Existing co-operation between the authorities (including the statutory arrangements for co-operation between London Transport and British Railways) will thus be developed and extended. We shall be able by these means to plan a concerted attack on the problems of transport, and especially public transport, in London.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals she has to intensify road safety propaganda during the summer months; and what is the estimated cost of such proposals.

Extra publicity is not planned for the summer. Normal publicity will continue.

asked the Minister of Transport what are her plans to improve the Hull-York road.

One scheme, at Whipps Corner, is in progress. Six further schemes estimated to cost £380,000 will start during the next twelve months. Plans for future extension of the trunk road programme include major improvement of this road from Hull to beyond Beverley.

asked the Minister of Transport what study she has made of the memorandum by Mr. Terrell, a copy of which has been sent to her, on the reduction of death and mutilation on the roads; and if she will introduce legislation to permit the experimental application of the proposals in a selected area for one year.

Mr. Terrell's plan has been carefully examined. I do not consider that it lends itself to experiments of limited duration or extent.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will state her road programme for Oxfordshire, with starting dates for the various projects.

The announced programme for schemes which cost over £100,000 is:

A.40 Dualling of Oxford Northern Bypass	Spring 1967
A.40 Waterstock Cross roads to High Wycombe Bypass.	1970–71
Provision of relief roads in Oxford City.	Not yet finalised.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that Grosvenor Crescent is used for the daily parking of 30 cars without any adverse effect on the flow of traffic, and consequently no effort is made to enforce the parking restrictions, whether he will have the parking restrictions removed.

No. This is the responsibility of the Greater Council, as the Traffic Authority for London.

asked the Minister of Transport if she is aware of concern in Newhaven that no firm plans to start work on the relief road have been announced, in view of her official recognition of the urgent need for this project; and why the Newhaven Relief Road has not been included in the recently announced programme of major road works schemes.

Because of its cost my right hon. Friend could not include the Newhaven Relief Road in the list of classified road schemes announced on 14th December, 1965. It will be reconsidered later this year for possible inclusion in the next extension of the programme.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps have been taken by her Department to increase the use of natural stone in motorway construction.

None. The Department's specification for road and bridge works provides for natural stone as an alternative to concrete or cast stone. Natural stone when crushed can also be an alternative to crushed slag. The most economical material is used in each case.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she is aware of the necessity for a pedestrian subway to provide access to the main entrance of Carlett Park College, Eastham, Cheshire; what plans she has, and what proposals have been submitted by the Cheshire County Council, for the construction of such a subway; and what is and has been the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards such proposals.

Our divisional road engineer is considering with the authorities concerned how to improve conditions. We have no proposals for a subway at present, but the need for one will be examined, taking account of the improvements which are to be made over a 2½ miles length of this road.

asked the Minister of Transport what consultations took place with the recognised motoring organisations before the decision to introduce the 70 miles per hour speed limit on motorways.

Before the decision was taken to adopt the 70 m.p.h. speed limit experiment, representatives of the Automobile Association and the Royal Automobile Club were invited to a meeting at which the proposal was fully discussed.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the total sum paid in grants to the city of Bristol for new or improved roads in the year 1963–64; how much was authorised for the year 1964–65 by 1st July of that year; and what were the totals paid in 1964–65 and in 1965–66 to date.

Grants were issued as follows:

	£
Total for 1963–64	208,000
By 1st July in 1964–65	30,000
Total for 1964–65	1,258,000
To 28th February in 1965–66	266,000

asked the Minister of Transport what was the total cost of the road improvements suggested by the Bristol Corporation for the year 1965–66; and what was the total sum authorised by her Department for that period.

The road improvement programme is negotiated between the Department and the local authority concerned in relation to the available funds. For Bristol Corporation this process has resulted so far this year in the issue of grants for £266,000. Further schemes of a gross total cost of nearly £2.5 million are under consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport what additions she has made to the motorway proposals southwest of Bristol already announced by October, 1964.

My right hon. Friend intends to publish soon proposals to extend the M.5 motorway from East Brent to Edithmead. A further extension, or the provision of a dual carriageway all-purpose road, from Edithmead to Exeter is under examination.

asked the Minister of Transport when the Severn Road Bridge will be opened to traffic; and when all the approach roads will be completed.

The progress of work is being reviewed and an announcement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport why British Railways carried out trials with special equipment fitted to a multiple diesel unit train containing some 700 passengers on 9th February; on how many other occasions similar trials have been conducted on loaded trains; how many previous accidents have occurred during such trials or experiments; and if she will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the Railways Board to ensure that such trials and experiments are carried out on trains loaded with ballast equivalent in weight to the normal passenger load.

These were not trials to test new equipment; they were measurements of stress in normal equipment. The use of the measuring instrument in question on a passenger train without previous testing will be considered by the Inspecting Officer in his report. Measurements with this kind of instrument were carried out in 1957 and in 1961 on other types of train without ill results. I understand that the trains did not then carry passengers. This is not an appropriate subject for a general direction.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she is aware of the increases in day return fares in the Western Region of British Railways; whether she is satisfied that these increases are in line with the incomes and prices policy; and if she will make a statement.

These increased charges are not confined to the Western Region. Certain general increases in rates and charges were needed because the Railways Board could not absorb all their increased staff costs. We are satisfied that these increases are necessary if the Railways Board are to discharge their statutory financial duty and that they do not conflict with the Government's Prices and Incomes Policy.

asked the Minister of Aviation how many workers he estimates will leave the aircraft and aeroengine industries over the next five years in conformity with the Government's National Plan.

The National Plan assumes that the aircraft industry will be one of the contracting industries in the period up to 1970. As I stated in the debate on the Plowden Committee's report, I estimate that the present work force of about 250,000 employees will fall to not more than 200,000 by 1970.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he is aware of the demand for air services in the Bournemouth region; and if he will make a statement about the progress of his negotiations with a consortium of local authorities concerning the future of Hurn Airport.

I am aware of the demand but whether it is sufficient to support air services from Bournemouth is primarily a matter for the commercial judgment of the airlines. The consortium of local authorities has recently made an offer to purchase Hurn Airport as a going concern and I am considering this offer.

asked the Minister of Aviation what is the total paid and proposed to be paid in respect of terminal payments arising out of the cancellation of the TSR.2 aircraft.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 28th February, 1966 to the hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Ridley) in reply to a similar Question.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will specify what amounts are included in the total sum of £195,615,000 shown in head C(1)(i) of the Supplementary Estimate for the Ministry of Aviation in respect of terminal payments on discontinued aircraft projects, and for expenditure on United States aircraft expected at the time of the previous estimate to be met under credit arrangements, respectively.

Included in the total provision of £195,615,000 asked for on head C.1(i) of the Spring Supplementary Estimate for the Ministry of Aviation are(i) terminal payments on discontinued aircraft projects—

	£M
P.1154	7⅔
HS.681	1⅓
TSR.2	31½

The expenditure on the TSR.2 is that on development. Provision for the TSR.2 as a continuing project was made in the Estimate, and the expected terminal payments on it on this Vote in 1965–66 represent a saving of £M3 against the Estimate provision.(ii) development expenditure on U.S. aircraft expected at the time of the previous Supplementary Estimate to be met under credit arrangements is estimated at£M6¾.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now give the rent officers appointed in the North-West permission to start their negotiations between landlords and tenants.

My right hon. Friend hopes that rent officers and rent assessment committees in the North-West will be able to start work early next month.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many new houses were completed by local authorities in the East and West Ridings of Yorkshire in 1965.

15,992.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the total number of houses and flats built by Bristol Corporation in each of the years 1959 to 1965.

The information is as follows:—

HOUSES AND FLATS COMPLETED BY BRISTOL CORPORATION
1959–1965
1959	635
1960	937
1961	385
1962	801
1963	274
1964	984
1965	1,482

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the total sum paid in grants to Bristol Corporation in each of the years 1959–60 to 1965–66.

The amounts shown comprise the sums payable in respect of general grant, specific grants, housing subsidies and capital grants. Figures are not yet available for the year 1965–66.Following is the information:—

GRANTS PAID TO BRISTOL CORPORATION*
Year	Amount (£ million)
1959–60	5·45
1960–61	5·75
1961–62	6·37
1962–63	7·26
1963–64	8·39
1964–65	9·27
* Source—Epitomes of Accounts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to apply an anti-dumping duty to Danish broilers, in view of the evidence that dumping is still continuing.

I am glad to say that we have now received an assurance from the Danish Government that they will limit exports of chicken meat to the U.K. market to 7,500 tons a year, with not more than 625 tons in any one month. In these circumstances it will not be necessary to take any further action on the application made for an anti-dumping duty on these imports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the wool textile industry's looms was automatic in 1965; and how this compares with 1960.

In December, 1965, 31·3 per cent. of wool textile looms were automatic compared with 25·7 per cent. in December, 1960.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will provide details of the quantities of worked stone imported from abroad in each of the years from 1960 to 1965; if he is aware of the effect of such imports on the indigenous natural stone industry; and if he will make a statement.

Recent difficulties in the industry are due to changes in demand rather than to increased competition from imports. Import duty on worked stone varies from 5 to 30 per cent. according to type and in addition imports are subject to the 10 per cent. temporary charge on imports.Imports for the years 1960–65 are shown in the following table:—

United Kingdom imports of worked stone
Year	Quantity Tons
1960	16,811
1961	18,112
1962	26,310
1963	25,616
1964	26,476
1965	20,085

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) to what extent he has used his powers to provide nursery accommodation on or near industrial estates;(2) if he will now consider the provision of a children's nursery on the Houghton-le-Spring industrial estate in order to encourage more married women to enter into employment.

The Board of Trade have as yet provided no nursery accommodation on or near their industrial estates. I am prepared to consider the provision of such accommodation if there is an adequate demand.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what grounds Clause 7 of the Trust Deed of the Central African Public Officers Agreement has been abrogated, in so far as it relates to the transfer of funds to Rhodesia in order to pay pensions of ex-Federal civil servants.

I have been asked to reply.Clause 7 of the Trust Deed has not been abrogated. The question of the implementation of the obligations imposed by Clause 7 in relation to the transfer of funds to Salisbury has not in fact arisen. However, I am advised that these obligations do not operate until such time as lawful government is restored.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that ex-Federal pensioners are now not receiving their pensions due to the refusal of the British Government to accord the Central African Pensions Fund the facility now granted to all private pension funds, to transmit money to Rhodesia.

I have been asked to reply.No, the hon. Gentleman is mistaken on his facts on two counts. Pensions are being paid; the second part of the Question does not arise since the Fund's Trustees are not requesting the British Government to transfer any funds to Rhodesia.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what was the total cost of military advice, aid and equipment to Nigeria and Ghana during the last year; and whether he will cut off military aid from countries where there is a danger of a military coup being attempted.

The total cost to the United Kingdom of all forms of military aid to Ghana and Nigeria in the financial year 1965–66 is estimated to be £928,000 and £68,000, respectively. The second half of the Question is hypothetical and I regret that I am therefore unable to answer it.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what financial provision is being made for new secondary school building in the borough of Redbridge during the next three years.

One secondary school project is included in the Redbridge Local Education Authority's approved major building programme for 1966–67 at an estimated cost of £128,000. My right hon. Friend will shortly be inviting further proposals and he will then consider any projects submitted by the authority. The authority's minor works allocation for 1966–67 is £80,000 (an increase of £12,000 over their allocation for the current year) and they are free to use this sum in the way they think best.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what additional money for the arts will reach the City of Bristol as a result of the new grants.

This is a matter for the Arts Council to decide. They are considering at the present time their allocations for the next year and will, I am sure, be keeping the needs of Bristol in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the expenditure on improvements and alterations to school buildings in the City of Bristol in the year 1964–65; and what was the expenditure in each of the previous three years.

The improvement and alteration work undertaken from the authority's allocations for minor capital works amounted to £90,000 in 1964–65, £73,300 in 1963–64 and £126,000 in the two previous years (which cannot be quoted separately). Two replacement projects amounting to £376,500 were included in their major building programmes for 1964–65 and none for the three preceding years.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the total number of undergraduate and postgraduate students now at the University of Bristol.

There were 3,971 undergraduate and 747 postgraduate students at the University of Bristol at the beginning of the current academic year.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the cost of the milk provided in schools in Bristol for the year 1964–65; and what is the estimated cost for 1965–66.

£129,438 and £131,505, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total sum paid to direct grant schools in Bristol in the year 1964–65; and what was the total number of pupils and staff at those schools, in round numbers, during the same period.

£266,393 6s. 8d.; there were 3,655 pupils and 200 teachers.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the total estimated annual yield of an additional 6d. charged for each school meal.

The estimated annual saving to the Exchequer in 1966–67 accruing from an increase of 6d. in the school dinner charge would be £15 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total sum expended upon school meals in the City of Bristol in the year 1964–65; what were the receipts from charges; and what are the estimated figures for 1965–66.

The following table cannot show the receipts from charges separately, but the figures given of income from all sources is mainly made up of such receipts.

Year	Total Expenditure	Income	Total Net Expenditure
(i)	(ii)	(iii)	(iv)
	£	£	£
1964–65	841,947	317,062	524,885
1965–66 (Estimated)	939,017	321,460	617,557

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there is uncertainty about the interpretation of the Finance (No. 2) Act 1965 as its provisions affect close companies; and whether he will publish an explanation of this part of this Act.

I would refer the right hon. Member to the explanatory booklet "Corporation Tax" (No. 570) recently issued by the Board of Inland Revenue, copies of which are in the Vote Office, as I announced in my Answer of 22nd February.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the loss of life among elderly women from the use of inflammable materials for nightdresses, he will exempt from Purchase Tax nightdresses made from flameproof material in order to bring these within the purchasing power of many elderly people.

Even if this were an appropriate way to help achieve my hon. Friend's objective, it would be extremely difficult to find a fair and workable scheme.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of gross national product was taken in taxation, including local taxation and social security contributions, in 1964; and what information he has about the proportion in other comparable industrialised countries of which he has figures through international organisations.