asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations why he authorised public expenditure for transporting oil to Zambia without first satisfying himself that it fell within any Vote for any Department.

The expenditure on the oil lift to Zambia was necessary and urgent and I considered that it could not be delayed while the question of which Vote should bear the cost was settled.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will set a ceiling to expenditure on the Zambia airlift and other commitments arising out of sanctions against Rhodesia.

I do not consider it practicable at this stage to set a fixed ceiling to expenditure on the Zambian airlift or other commitments arising out of sanctions against Rhodesia.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what charges are being made by the Government of Zambia for Royal Air Force air craft carrying oil to land in that country.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what charges for rent are being made against Royal Air Force personnel stationed in Zambia by the Government of that country.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what the oil lift to Zambia, including air transport and fighter planes, has cost to date; and how much this works out per gallon.

The cost of the British civil and Royal Air Force airlifts into Zambia, up to 22nd February, the latest date for which figures are at present available, was about £1·7 million. No fighter planes are engaged in the airlift of oil into Zambia. I regret I am not able to elaborate on this information.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many members of the Commonwealth have broken off diplomatic relations with Her Majesty's Government; how many of these have retained membership of the Common wealth; and if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards those countries.

Ghana and Tanzania broke off diplomatic relations with Britain, though retaining their Commonwealth membership. I am happy to say that relations with Ghana have now been restored. It is for the Tanzania Government to initiate action to restore normal diplomatic relations.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what is the present policy of Her Majesty's Government in relation to the confrontation between Malaysia and Indonesia.

Our policy is to continue to assist Malaysia, and Singapore, to defend themselves against Indonesian attacks, while being ready always to give our full support to any development which may promise the restoration of peace to the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, how complete oil sanctions in regard to Rhodesia are proving to be.

There is a wide measure of international support for our oil embargo. No oil has reached Beira for Rhodesia and the refinery at Feruka remains out of operation. There is evidence that certain oil supplies have passed to Rhodesia from South Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will arrange for Francistown radio to broadcast a statement of the total cost to Great Britain of the Rhodesian sanctions policy.

The programmes relayed from Francistown are the responsibility of the British Broadcasting Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he intends to give de facto recognition to the new military régime in Ghana.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether Her Majesty's Government has now decided to recognise the new Government of Ghana.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he intends to recognise the new Government of Ghana, which has assumed power as a result of rebellion.

Her Majesty's Government recognised the new Government of Ghana on 4th March.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will make a statement on the treatment of British subjects in Ghana since the change of Government.

The new Government of Ghana has been treating British citizens with every courtesy and consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement about the United King- dom's treaty relations with Cyprus as they are affected by the talks at present taking place between the other guaranteeing parties.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given today to the hon. Member for Belfast, West (Mr. Kilfedder).Our position has not changed, and I am not aware of any talks between the other guaranteeing powers which could affect it.

asked the Minister of Power (1) why there is a shortage of boiler fuels in the country; and what efforts he is taking to put it right;(2) whether he is aware of the continuing abnormally unsatisfactory position of smokeless fuels in Norfolk and Suffolk; on what date he asked the Chairman of the National Coal Board to get in touch with the hon. Member for Lowestoft on the subject; if he is aware that the Board have not yet written to the hon. Member; and what action he is taking in this regard.

Demand for boiler fuels has been at a very high level. Production in South Wales has been affected by labour difficulties, by the freezing weather in January which slowed down operations at colliery washeries, and by floods which impeded rail movement.The action which has been taken by the National Coal Board to improve the situation and provide fair shares to distributors was explained in the letter which the Chairman sent to the hon. Member on 11th February.

asked the Minister of Power what steps he takes on granting a licence to any person or company to drill in the North Sea, to investigate, control and supervise the construction, maintenance and safety of the rig to be used, and to provide for the safety of the men and their families and for the compensation to be paid in the event of loss or damage.

Licensees are required, as a condition of their licence, to comply with any instructions given by me in writing for securing the safety, health and welfare of persons employed in or about the licensed area. All licensees have been instructed to carry out operations in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Institute of Petroleum Code of Practice for Drilling, Production and Pipeline Operations in Marine Areas, to make suitable arrangements for medical services, and to report accidents and dangerous occurrences. Questions of statutory compensation for industrial injuries are for my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance, and civil liability is a matter for the Courts.

asked the Minister of Power if he will issue a general direction, in the public interest, to the Central Electricity Generating Board, that it should employ competitive tendering for the sale of ash from coal-burning stations.

No.

asked the Minister of Power if he will introduce legislation, after due inquiry on ways and means, to provided for a greater degree of state interest and control in the oil industry on the lines already being followed in the mixed economies of other West European countries.

I have no plans for such legislation. The Government's policy for oil was set out in the White Paper on Fuel Policy.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what representations have been made to him by the Overseas Service Pensioners' Association against the imposition by the Ghana Government of an additional tax on pensions of retired civil servants, such deduction having been made without any previous warning or fresh assessment; and what reply he has sent.

I discussed this matter with members of the Association on 18th February, and I told them that the Ministry was doing all that it could to assist pensioners to obtain satisfaction. I understand that tax assessments have now been sent to pensioners by the Ghana authorities.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what steps are being taken to expedite the payment by the Government of Ceylon of pensions to widows of Ceylon pensioners which are at present being delayed for from six to 10 months.

The Ministry of Overseas Development is not responsible for the award and payment of pensions to the widows of Ceylon pensioners. The Crown Agents for Oversea Governments and Administrations pay these on behalf of the Ceylon Government. Arrangements were made in 1964 for the Crown Agents to put into immediate payment a provisional pension of three-quarters of the registered pension on being notified of a pensioner's death. In the event of exceptional delay in the award of a full pension the case is taken up with the Government of Ceylon.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what applications he has received for foreign currency from British motor manufacturers for testing their cars abroad, as the result of the imposition of a 70 miles per hour limit on motorways.

None; but a separate application specifically for this purpose would not necessarily be required.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as the owners of one-third of the vehicles on the road are now evading the payment of the road fund licence and the police are too busy to enforce collection, if he will discontinue this form of taxation.

No. Nor can I accept my hon. Friend's premise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the percentage increase or decrease in the number of non-industrial civil servants in each of the last 10 years.

The following is the information:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if civil servants may, on retirement, continue to draw their full pensions even though they are appointed to other Government posts.

A retired civil servant is prohibited by statute from drawing any part of his pension if he is appointed to an office in a public department and is paid as much as, or more than, he was receiving before he retired. This principle extends generally to senior appointments paid from public funds, but the precise arrangements vary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total sum borrowed from overseas between 15th October, 1963, and 15th October, 1964; and what was the total sum in capital and interest which was repaid between July, 1945, and 15th October, 1964, in respect of sums borrowed from overseas between July, 1945, and October, 1964.

I assume the Question relates to inter-government borrowing at longer term. There was none of this in the first period, though short-term assistance of £76 million was taken from central banks up to September, and a further amount in the first half of October, 1964. The answer to the second part of the Question is £969 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total sum borrowed from overseas, expressed in £s sterling at the present rate of exchange, between July, 1945, and October, 1951; how much of this remained outstanding in October, 1964; and how much has been repaid since October, 1964.

Assuming the hon. Member means long-term borrowing by the Government, the sums in question are £2,025 million, £1,599 million and £8 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total sum which the Government have borrowed from overseas sources since 15th October, 1964; what interest is payable on these loans; and when the total sum borrowed in this period will be repaid.

£899 million from the I.M.F. and Switzerland. Charges on I.M.F. loans vary in relation to the amount outstanding and the period for which it has been outstanding. Details are given in International Financial Statistics, a copy of which is available in the library. Repayment falls due between 1967 and 1970.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many casinos have a rateable value of £3,000 and over in England and Wales.

Since the inquiries made as a basis for estimating the yield of the proposed licence duties were confined to the principal cities, a precise figure is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what increase there has been in the staff of the Civil Service since 16th October 1964; and what is the total additional annual cost now involved, taking into account salaries, pension commitments and all other overheads.

Excluding the Post Office there were 10,700 more non-industrial civil servants on 1st January, 1966, than on 1st October, 1964. The total additional annual cost including such things as pension commitments and accommodation cannot be assessed precisely, but is estimated at about £11 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that the widows and dependants of Rhodesian subjects are able to obtain the payments of amounts due to them under life policies issued by British life assurance companies.

Such payments from the United Kingdom to residents of Rhodesia are permitted when they represent pensions, that is, amounts due in respect of previous employment. Other payments due under life insurance policies are subject to the general stop on insurance payments to Rhodesia. This stop will be lifted as soon as constitutional Government is restored.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for lowering the age at which post-war credits may be repaid.

I am afraid that at present my right hon. Friend cannot contemplate any wider release of credits such as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the value of personal savings for the last quarter of 1965 expressed as a percentage of personal disposable income; and how this compares with the last quarter of 1964.

Figures for personal savings in the last quarter of 1965 are not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of non-industrial civil servants per 100 of the working population in each of the last five years; and what is the percentage trend shown by these figures.

The following is the information requested:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the original cost to the Treasury of the £316 million of dollar securities recently sold;(2) what is the current market value of the £316 million Treasury dollar securities which Her Majesty's Government sold.

As I explained in my statement on 1st March, the dollar securities in question have been converted over a period of time into fixed-interest short-term securities and transferred in this form to the published reserves. Their current value is, as I stated, £316 million. Changes in the composition of the portfolio over time make it impossible to calculate the original cost of these securities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the staff employed in his Department who have since October, 1964, had wage or salary increases in excess of the Government's 3½ per cent. norm; and what were the amounts paid to staff in each instance prior to and subsequent upon the grant of such increases;

The following is the information requested:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what appointments have been made to the Court of Directors of the Bank of England since January, 1966; what salary and expenses these new directors will receive; what other official appointments are held by these persons and at what salary and expenses; and how many hours per week of actual attendance at, or of office routine in, the Bank of England will be expected from these persons.

Four appointments were announced on 24th February, namely the appointments of the right hon. Lord Robens and Sir Ronald Thornton and the re-appointments of Sir Henry Wilson Smith and Mr. W. M. Allen, who is an Executive Director. Each Director receives fees in respect of his services on the Court at the rate of £500 a year. Executive directors working full-time for the Bank may in addition receive such remuneration as the Court of Directors may determine. Sir Ronald Thornton and Mr. Allen hold no other official appointments. Lord Robens is the Chairman of the National Coal Board at a salary of £12,500 a year with an allowance of £1,000 a year. Sir Henry Wilson Smith is the Chairman of the Committee on Employment of Civilians in support of the Armed Forces. He receives no salary and no expense allowance. Non-executive directors are expected to attend the Court, which meets once a week, as often as possible, to give such time as may be required by the Committees to which the Court may appoint them, and to be available to advise the Governors whenever called upon to do so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will make money available to the directors of the Bank of Rhodesia, appointed by Her Majesty's Government, in order to pay the dividends due to holders of Rhodesian loan stock who are resident in this country.

Her Majesty's Government are not responsible for the servicing of this stock.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now make a statement on the proposals to expand Swindon.

The report by Llewelyn-Davies, Weeks and Partners on major urban development in the New-bury/Swindon/Didcot area is published today. This report, which was commissioned by my Department, the Berkshire and Wiltshire County Councils and Swindon Borough Council, does not commit any of the commissioning authorities. Its main recommendation is that planned development should take place on a very substantial scale in the Swindon area to absorb an increased population of 125,000 by 1981. Other recommendations include development on a smaller scale elsewhere in the study area and the urgent need to protect the areas of high landscape value. I am seeking the views of the commissioning authorities and the South West Economic Planning Council on the report's conclusions and recommendations.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the number of ratepayers in Liverpool who will benefit from the relief given by the proposals in the Rating Bill.

About one domestic ratepayer in seven is expected to benefit from the rebate scheme. There will be considerable local variations. I can make no estimate of the numbers concerned in Liverpool.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how much he estimates would be received by the Liverpool City Council in financial assistance by the proposals contained in the Housing Subsidies Bill; and how much this would be in additional financial assistance providing the extra assistance is given to local authorities, such as Liverpool, as he recently proposed.

Since the value of any new subsidies will vary from authority to authority according to the size and cost of their building programme, and the current borrowing rate for each financial year, I am not yet able to make estimates for individual authorities.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, in view of the decision to discontinue the Local Government Commission for England and the setting up of a Royal Commission if he is aware that the Local Government Commission recommended the continuation of Westmorland County Council, with the commendation that its services were well geared to the special services; if he will make representations to the Royal Commission that Westmorland County Council should not have to represent their case; and if he will give an undertaking that their future as a separate authority is assured.

I am aware of the Local Government Commission's conclusions about Westmorland set out in its Statement of Draft Proposals. While I shall see that the work of the Commission is available to the Royal Commission, it would be inappropriate for me to suggest to an independent body of this nature how it should carry out the new review. Nor would it be feasible for me to give an undertaking on behalf of the Government of the day about the future administration of the area.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will seek power to oblige owners of disused sand and gravel pits to fill them in.

Many of these pits can provide much needed facilities for water recreation. Local authorities have adequate powers for restoring or improving the appearance of derelict, neglected or unsightly land and my right hon. Friend is arranging to make grant available to them for this purpose, as announced in his recent White Paper on local government finance. In the case of pits where working has taken place subject to conditions for restoration or landscaping, local authorities have powers under the Town and Country Planning Act 1962 to require compliance with the conditions. It is not right for all pits to be filled and in view of existing powers my right hon. Friend does not think that at present there is need for new statutory powers.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many schemes for providing mains water to houses and farms in Dorset have been delayed as a result of the credit squeeze; and what further delays he anticipates.

None.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many sewerage schemes in Dorset have ben delayed owing to the credit squeeze; and what further delays he anticipates.

Four schemes have been delayed. They will be reviewed from time to time, but my right hon. Friend cannot at present say when he will be able to agree to their proceeding.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement about arrangements for research in the environmental field.

New arrangements are urgently needed to give an impetus to research in the environmental field. The tasks of reshaping existing towns, building new cities and meeting the needs of a fast-growing, mobile population, all demand a vigorous, comprehensive and sustained research programme. They also require a multi-disciplinary research effort. This is a field in which, because of our failure in the past to sponsor research, we lack much of the data needed for sound policy decisions.It has been decided, therefore, to establish a Centre for Environmental Studies as a focal point where practitioners and researchers, both at home and abroad, can discuss problems and settle research needs. The Centre will also be an important channel through which research contracts can be placed with universities and institutes.The Centre will be established as an independent educational Trust. It is intended that it should be financed partly out of money voted by Parliament and partly from outside sources. In this connection, the Ford Foundation have very generously agreed to make a substantial donation to the Centre over the next five years.Lord Llewelyn-Davies, Professor of Architecture in the University of London, has accepted an invitation to become Chairman of the governing body of the Centre. From my knowledge of him he will bring to this task the qualities of imagination, knowledge and drive that are essential if a worthwhile research programme is to be established in this field.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what proportion of those people currently buying their houses on mortgage will benefit from the new proposals; and what will be the average amount of the annual benefit.

It is estimated that about 4¼ million people are currently paying interest on house mortgages, and that the Government's proposals will be of appreciable benefit to about 1¼ million of them. Since the individual benefit will vary with the terms of the mortgage, the size of the mortgage debt and the mortgagor's existing and potential income a figure of average benefit would be both difficult to calculate and misleading.

asked the Minister of Transport by what date the A45 will be made a dual carriageway between Wetherden and Whitton.

About one-third will be dual carriageways by 1970. The remainder will be programmed in accordance with national priorities. It is too soon to estimate a possible date for completion.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will set out the road programme for Oxfordshire.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 2nd March.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she has now confirmed the scheme for the establishment of pedestrian crossings and guard rails in Rectory Lane, Loughton.

My right hon. Friend has approved the pedestrian crossings. The guard rails do not require her approval.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents have occurred on the A66 road between the Westmorland-Yorkshire border and Appleby during the last year, involving persons being taken to hospital; how many persons were taken to hospital; and how many of these were taken to hospital in Carlisle.

22 accidents involving vehicles were reported during 1965 on this stretch of A66. There were 11 serious and 27 slight personal injuries. Details of persons taken to hospital are not readily available.

asked the Minister of Transport what reduction there has been in the road programme and road improvement schemes in Dorset owing to the credit squeeze.

There is a reduction in the current year's commitments of £111,000. Schemes authorised next year will be related to a financial allocation for the country as a whole. How far Dorset schemes will be affected will depend on the comparative rate of progress of their preparation.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she proposes to extend the period of the 70 miles per hour experiment beyond the original date of 13th April.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will now give an assurance that the 70 miles per hour speed limit experiment, introduced to deal with the problem of accidents during the winter months, will not be continued after 13th April.

I am awaiting further information about the working of the experiment before reaching a decision. I explained in the debate on 23rd February that I did not expect to be able to announce my decision before the middle of this month.

asked the Minister of Transport of she will seek to amend paragraph (4) of Section 180 of the Road Traffic Act, 1960, so as to enable a company owning not less than 51 per cent. of the issued share capital of another company to carry goods for that company under its carrier's licence; and if she will make a statement.

We cannot yet say what amendments to the carriers' licensing system may prove desirable as part of the development of policies for the integration of transport. We will, however, bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations she has received from the British Medical Association concerning the proposal to conduct random checks to enforce the proposed new legislation in regard to drink and driving; and what reply she has sent.

The British Medical Association has told the Department and the Home Office that its Council believes that the introduction of the prescribed limit of 80 mg./100 ml. by itself would considerably strengthen the hands of the police and lead to a very much higher rate of conviction. It recognises, however, that random checks would act as a deterrent to those drivers who believe that they can drive whilst intoxicated without fear of detection.The Association has been thanked for its observations and told that they have been noted.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will now announce the results of her reconsideration of the imposition of a speed limit on the A51 trunk road in the vicinity of Vicars Cross near Chester.

My right hon. Friend has recently received an up-to-date report from the divisional road engineer, and expects to be able to give a decision soon.

asked the Minister of Transport what action her Department takes to publicise the fact that all road vehicles on the public highway must, whether in use or not, have a current road fund licence and such licence must be exhibited on the windscreen; whether she will increase this publicity; and whether she will make a statement.

These requirements have existed for many years and are well known. It is doubtful whether continuous publicity would have any effect on the minority of vehicle owners who deliberately seek to evade the law. Reports of prosecutions, which appear frequently in local newspapers, serve to keep this matter before the public.

asked the Minister of Transport when she will make a statement on the proposed closure of the Oswestry-Gobowen railway line.

My right hon. Friend is considering the Railway Board's proposal to withdraw the passenger services on this line in the light of the recent report of the Transport Users Consultative Committee, the views of the West Midland Economic Planning Council, and all the other relevant factors. I cannot yet say when she will be able to reach a decision.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will make a statement before 10th March about the future of the East Suffolk railway line.

I have not yet completed my study of the Railways Board's proposal to close this line to passengers. I hope to do so as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what consideration the National Ports Council has given to the proposals from Richard Thomas and Baldwins concerning the Uskmouth project for the import of iron ore; and when she will announce her decision on this matter;(2) what proposals she has received from Richard Thomas and Baldwins concerning the Uskmouth project for the import of iron ore; what reply she will send; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Thomas and Baldwins, the British Transport Docks Board and the National Ports Council are in touch about this project, but no proposal has yet been put to my right hon. Friend for approval under the Harbours Act, 1964.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether the subject of rates levied by local authorities falls within the ambit of the National Board for Prices and Incomes; and to what extent wages and salaries charged in the rates so levied are subject to review by the Board.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Harborough (Mr. Farr) on 25th November, 1965. The wages and salaries paid by local authorities fall within the scope of prices and incomes policy, and may be referred to the Board if the Government think that it is in the national interest to do so.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs to what extent, and for what reasons, members of the South-East Regional Economic Planning Council will be subject to the provisions of the Official Secrets Act.

Members of the South-East and other Economic Planning Councils who will have access to official information in the course of their service on the Councils, are subject to the provisions of the Officials Secrets Act.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will refer to the National Board for Prices and Incomes the increase of 133 per cent. in British Railways' quarterly charge for cycle storage at stations.

No.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, in view of the effects of a 16s. rise per ton in the price of coal on the Scottish economy, if he will refer the matter to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

The case for increases in coal prices by the National Coal Board, designed to yield revenue of £80 million in 1966–67, has already been investigated by the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Royal Malta Artillery.

I have no statement to make at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what grounds he has decided only to recruit to 80 per cent. of establishment the proposed military force to assist the police in the maintenance of law and order in the event of a general war.

The resources which we can afford to allot to this force will not sustain a strength of more than 22,500. The higher establishment allows some flexibility in recruiting.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is aware that on some occasions F111 aircraft have been shot down by rifle and machine gun fire; and whether he will make a statement on the vulnerability of these aircraft.

I think the hon. Member must have some other aircraft in mind. The development flying of the 12 F111 As so far built is taking place in the United States. I have no reports of any hostile action.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is aware that Vietcong troops in North Vietnam are issued with an instruction manual on how to shoot down Fill aircraft with rifle and machine gun fire; and if, in view of its vulnerability, he will reconsider the purchase of this aircraft.

I should not expect any such manuals to relate to aircraft which, like the F111, are not yet in squadron service. Without in any way accepting the premise of the second part of the Question, the answer is no.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Air Force officers and men are at present employed in staff duties in the United Kingdom, Western Germany, the Middle East theatre and in Malaysia, respectively.

The numbers are:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy officers and ratings are at present employed in staff duties.

1,435 officers and 648 Royal Navy ratings and Royal Marine other ranks.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Army officers and men are at present employed in staff duties in the United Kingdom, excluding service in the Ministry of Defence.

926 officers and 1,344 other ranks.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans have been made by Her Majesty's Government to accommodate the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation headquarters at North-wood; and if he will make a statement.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many drill halls in Dorset will become redundant owing to his defence plans; and how he proposes to dispose of them.

The number will be known when the needs of the Home Defence Force and the Army Cadet Force have been settled. If a surplus drill hall is not required by another Government Department, the local authority will be given the opportunity of buying it; otherwise it will be sold on the open market.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many local authorities have objected to or protested at the proposed limitation of the Territorial Army; and which have done so.

I have received about 80 letters of objection from local authorities. Whether a particular authority has written is for that authority to say.

asked the Secretary of Defence how many all ranks would be required to make up the present units and formations of the Regular Army to full war establishment; and if he will give corresponding figures for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

So far as the Army is concerned, I have nothing to add to the Answer given by my right hon. Friend the then Minister of Defence for the Army on 14th December, 1965; the figure for the Royal Navy is about 14,000 and for the Royal Air Force about 4,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost to date of the Royal Air Force presence in Zambia.

The additional cost of deploying and maintaining the Javelin force and supporting elements in Zambia up to the end of February is estimated to be almost £700,000. This figure which takes into account some air movements costs not previously attributed to support of the Javelin force excludes the cost of transporting oil for the Javelins which is not separately identifiable. It includes some local costs which will be met by the Government of Zambia.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what additional measures he proposes to take to stimulate Regular recruiting following

The deployment of the Home Defence force and its ability to help Regular Army recruiting will influence the nature and extent of any extra measures. These questions have not yet been settled.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will seek to intervene in the matter of one-day unofficial strikes at Hull docks.

I have been in close touch with representatives of both sides of the National Joint Council for the Port Transport Industry, about the situation in Hull. Action by them and by the local joint committee has not yet brought the unofficial strikes to an end. These have had a serious effect on the working of the port and may lead to permanent loss of trade. I urge all workers in the Hull docks to resume normal working so that existing differences may be dealt with through the constitutional procedure of the industry.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present figure of unemployed in Liverpool as compared with the same time in 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1965; and what were the percentages.

The following table gives the information:

asked the Minister of Labour how many jobs have been lost, and how many gained, in Scotland and Fife, respectively, in each of the last 10 years; and how many were for males and for females, respectively.

The only comprehensive figures showing changes in the number of jobs are based on comparisons of the estimated number of employees in employment at the mid-year counts. The following table gives the number of employees in employment, males and females, respectively, in Scotland and the net change for the years 1955 to 1964. The 1965 figures are not yet available.I regret that similar information is not readily available for Fife and is given in the table for the years 1955 and 1964 only.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the increase in the cost of living index between 1st January, 1964, and 31st December, 1964, and between 1st January, 1965, and 31st December, 1965.

The Index of Retail Prices rose by 4·8 per cent. between December, 1963, and December, 1964, and by 4·5 per cent. between December, 1964, and December, 1965.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the increase in the index of food prices between 1st January, 1964, and 31st December, 1964, and between 1st January, 1965, and 31st December, 1965.

The index for the food group of the Index of Retail Prices rose by 5·1 per cent. between December, 1963, and December, 1964, and by 3·1 per cent. between December, 1964, and December, 1965.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources whether he is aware that notices of dilapidation are being served on lessees by the lessors of properties; and if he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to prevent the enforcement of such notices pending the introduction of leasehold enfranchisement legislation.

I do not know of any increase in this practice that would at present necessitate strengthening the protection leaseholders already enjoy against the unreasonable enforcement of repairing covenants. Leaseholders should, of course, seek advice when they receive a notice of dilapidation.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources (1) what, under the Government's proposals made in the White Paper on Leasehold Reform, would be the estimated enfranchisement price of a house in Rhondda without any development value, with a vacant possession value of £1,000 and with 15 years of the lease still to run;(2) what, under the Government's proposals made in the White Paper on Leasehold Reform, would be the estimated enfranchisement price of a house in South Wales, without any development value, with a vacant possession value of £1,500 and with 30 years of the lease still to run.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources what, under the Government's proposals made in the White Paper on Leasehold Reform, would be the estimated price of the freehold in the case of a cottage of £16 rateable value and a ground rent of £1 per annum, and an unexpired period of 20 years, without any development value, in the upper reaches of the South Wales valleys.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources (1) what, under the proposals set out in Command Paper No. 2916, would be the enfranchisement value estimation of a house with vacant possession value of £2,250,38 years of the lease as yet to run, a ground rent of £4 17s. 6d. per annum and no development value attached;(2) what, under the proposals set out in Command Paper No. 2916, on Leasehold Reform, would be the enfranchisement value estimation of a house, with vacant possession valued at £2,000, with a ground rent of £3 per annum, on which the lease has expired with no development value attached but where the leaseholder is protected by the terms of the statement made on 8th December, 1964 by the Minister of Housing and Local Government;(3) what, under the proposals set out in Command Paper No. 2916, on Leasehold Reform, would be the enfranchisement value estimation of a house with vacant possession valued at £1,500, with six years of the lease as yet to run, with a ground rent of £3 15s. per annum, and no development value attached.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources (1) what the enfranchisement price under the Government's proposals for leasehold reform would be in the case where there is no development value of a house in South Wales with a vacant possession value of £2,250 and with 20 years of the lease to run;(2) what the enfranchisement price under the Government's proposals for leasehold reform would be in the case where there is no development value of a house in South Wales with a vacant possession value of £2,500 and with 30 years of the lease to run.

The actual price for enfranchisement is in the first instance a matter of negotiation between the parties concerned. Any example I may quote must be treated as hypothetical and not applicable to any specific case whatever the apparent similarity, for all the relevant circumstances are most unlikely to be identical. There is a further risk in quoting numerous examples, because of the effect they may have upon individual transactions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the question of British sovereignty in Gibraltar will be on the agenda of the forthcoming discussions with the Spanish Government.

It would be contrary to normal practice to reveal the agenda for confidential talks between Her Majesty's Government and another Government.