asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that local authorities should be entitled to direct representation on local hospital management committees and house committees serving their area, he will take the necessary action to secure this.

No. Persons are appointed to these bodies after consultation with local interests, primarily for the individual contribution they can make and not as representatives of particular sectional or group interests.

asked the Minister of Health how many hospitals in the areas of the metropolitan regional hospital boards have been redesignated to teaching hospitals; and if he will name the hospitals for which teaching hospitals are at present seeking to designate to themselves.

Twenty-eight since the appointed day, the majority of which are small hospitals, clinics and other small establishments. I understand that further proposals may be made to me in due course by the Consultative Committees for Central London.

asked the Minister of Health if he will ensure that every section of the community is given fair and adequate representation on the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board and hospital management committees in the Birmingham area.

My aim in making appointments to the Regional Hospital Board is to secure a suitable range of knowledge and interests, including local interests. The Regional Hospital Board is responsible for appointments to Hospital Management Committees but I do not doubt that their object is the same.

asked the Minister of Health how many patients have been in establishments maintained wholly or mainly for the reception and treatment of mental illness for more than six months, and for more than nine months, respectively, at 1st April, 1966; and how many of those were certified as detained patients.

I regret that this information is not centrally available.

asked the Minister of Health when he will publish the report and findings of the review body for pensions in the National Health Service.

There is no such review body. The Government Actuary's Report on the National Health Service Superannuation Scheme was published in February and consultation is proceeding on matters arising from it.

asked the Minister of Labour when the Report of the National Joint Advisory Council Committee at present considering the preservation of pension rights will be available to hon. Members.

The Report was published by H.M.S.O. on 24th March and copies are available in the Library.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the amount of redundancy among stone workers in Portland.

It was announced in April that 44 men employed in the masonry work at Stone Firms Limited and 43 employed in the concrete works at Portcrete Limited would become redundant within a few weeks. Twenty-six of the men concerned at Portcrete have already been absorbed in other branches of the firm or in associated firms and it is hoped that the remainder will also find employment without undue delay.

asked the Minister of Labour what proportion of the employees covered by his Department's offices in East Perthshire are employed in service industries.

At mid-1965, employees in employment in service industries i.e. Orders XIX to XXIV of the Standard Industrial Classification formed about 58 per cent. of those in all industries and services in the Perth and Blairgowne Employment Exchange areas.

asked the Minister of Labour how many insured employees were in employment in Perth in mid-1965; and what were the equivalent figures for each of the years 1960 to 1964.

At mid-1965 there were estimated to be 27,200 employees in employment in the Perth Employment Exchange area.Corresponding figures for the mid-years 1962 to 1964 were:

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that in certain employment men and women have equal pay, but that men qualify for sick pay after a year's service while women must wait five years to qualify; and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards such an arrangement.

No. My right hon. Friend is not aware of the employ- ment which my hon. Friend has in mind. The Government have encouraged the extension of occupational sick pay schemes. Sample inquiries made in 1961 showed that 92 per cent. of the men and 90 per cent. of the insured women covered by such schemes were subject to qualifying periods of one year or less. I would deplore discrimination of the sort my hon. Friend has quoted.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will arrange for the Chief Minister of Gibraltar and his deputy to be present for advice and consultation during the forthcoming conference with Spain on the Gibraltar situation.

As my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary informed the House on 26th April, Sir Joshua Hassan and Mr. Isola will visit London for talks on 5th and 6th May. The question of arrangements for future consultation with Gibraltar is a matter for consideration then.

asked the Minister of Power what is the reason for the shortage of coal in the North West; and if he will make a statement.

This is a matter for the National Coal Board and I understand that my hon. Friend has already written to the Chairman about it.

asked the Minister of Power what study he has made of the variation in cost of refining oil according to the size of the oil refinery; and whether he is satisfied that his powers are adequate to ensure maximum economy of operations in the oil refining industry.

Economies of scale are important in oil refining but distribution costs and other factors have also to be considered. The companies themselves decide the size of their refineries but I shall be keeping a close watch on refinery development.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give details of the Government's proposals to guarantee bank loans to the agricultural industry.

The Annual Review White Paper for 1965 announced proposals to extend to bank loans for agricultural businesses the Exchequer support already available for such loans to horticultural businesses under Section 9 of the Agriculture and Horticulture Act 1964. This support is now available under the legislative cover of the Appropriation Act; continuing provision, covering both agriculture and horticulture, is now proposed in Clause 62 of the Agriculture Bill which was presented to Parliament on 27th April. Under the Bill the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will be empowered to make grants, within prescribed limits, towards the cost of fulfilling guarantees on bank loans made to farmers, growers or their co-operatives.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give details of the agreement with Eire on imports of beef.

The full details are set out in the Agreement on Store Animals and Carcase Meat, published as part of the White Paper on the Establishment of an Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area (Cmnd. 2858) which was laid before the House in December 1965.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what the Government geologists are doing in the West Okement area of Okehampton; and for whom they are doing it;(2) whether the results of the trial borings being made in the West Okement area of Okehampton will be made public.

The Geological Survey is carrying out research into the cause of certain magnetic anomalies occurring in the subsurface rocks in the area of Sourton Tors. This is a part of its own programme of work approved by the Geological Survey Board in 1964.The results will be published when the work is completed and written up.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in view of the importance of the forthcoming International Cancer Congress to be held in Tokyo on 23rd-29th October, 1966, he will appoint a delegation from his Department to represent Her Majesty's Government.

This conference, organised by the International Union against cancer, is held at four-yearly intervals. The various bodies responsible for the promotion of cancer research in this country are well aware of its importance as a major forum for the discussion of all aspects of scientific work in this field. Leading scientists from the Medical Research Council, which is the main channel for Government support for work in this field, from the universities, and from other institutions in the United Kingdom will be taking part as on previous occasions. Developments of note will be brought to my right hon. Friend's attention through their attendance and the subsequent published reports of the conference proceedings.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions take place regularly with other countries in a joint effort to find a cure for cancer.

Much information on developments in cancer research is disseminated between countries through scientific journals and through visits abroad by individual scientists, but conferences on cancer and related subjects are frequently held under the auspices of international organisations, notably the International Union against Cancer which has close links with the World Health Organisation. The most important recent development has been the establishment of the International Agency for Research on Cancer which my right hon. Friend announced in the House on 2nd November, 1965.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is aware of the discovery of a new vaccine treatment of some types of cancer, at the United States Detroit Institute of Cancer Research, and of the claims made for it; if he will investigate the treatment as a prelude to its use in this country; and if he will make a statement.

I am aware of the clinical trial of a vaccine treatment for cancer at the Detroit Institute of Cancer Research. This has been reported upon in a medical journal and opportunity thus provided for the results to be assessed by doctors and other scientific workers in this field. The development of this treatment reflects the growing interest in tumour immunology; a great deal of experimental work on these general lines is already being carried out in this country in the hope that this may have clinical application in due course.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list in table form the estimated value of British assets overseas and the estimated liabilities of Great Britain to those resident overseas.

The December, 1965, issue of the Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin, which is available in the Library, contains such a table relating to the position at the end of 1964. Taking short- and long-term items together, total assets were estimated at about £15,550 million and liabilities at about £13,400 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many motor vehicles have been stolen in London during the latest convenient 12-month period; how many have been recovered; and if he will make a statement.

During the 12 months ended 28th February, 7,350 motor vehicles were recorded by the police as having been stolen in the Metropolitan Police District (including 63 attempts). 2,735 stolen motor vehicles were recovered during that period. It is constantly emphasised in crime prevention publicity how much the public can do to protect themselves in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will name the six members of the Royal Commission on the Penal System who initially resigned, the two who resigned subsequently, and the eight who wished to continue.

The six members of the Royal Commission who initially tendered their resignations were:

Lady Adrian, D.B.E.

Mr. T. C. N. Gibbens, M.B.E., M.D., M.R.C.S.

The Lord Bishop of Exeter.

Professor Leon Radzinowicz, LL.D.

Mrs. Beatrice Serota.

The Baroness Wootton of Abinger.

The two who subsequently resigned were:

The Hon. Sylvia Fletcher-Moulton, C.B.E., J.P.

Mrs. Eliot Warburton, O.B.E., J.P.

The eight who did not resign were:

The Chairman, The Rt. Hon. Viscount Amory, G.C.M.G., T.D

Mr. David Basnett.

The Hon. Mr. Justice Edmund Davies.

Mr. T. L. Iremonger, M.P.

Mr. R. E. Millard, LL.B.

Professor J. N. Morris, F.R.C.P., M.R.C.S., D.P.H.

Mr. S. C. Silkin, Q.C., M.P.

The Rt. Hon. Lord Wheatley.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now make a statement about his policy on maintaining an effective Civil Defence force in this country and on the future of the Civil Defence committee.

I am consulting the local authority associations on the functions, shape and numbers of the Civil Defence Corps, and consultations with representatives of industry and commerce about the Industrial Civil Defence Service will follow. In the meantime I cannot add to the full statement which I made in the House on 2nd February.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources how many of the staff of his Department have been instructed to come to work on alternate days; for how long this practice has existed; and whether he will make a statement.

No such instructions have been given.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what provision her Department makes for the holding of courses to prepare those about to retire for their retirement; whether her Department sponsors any such

My responsibilities are limited to the provision of cash benefits to those who qualify for them under the social security schemes and do not include the provision of courses such as the hon. Gentleman has in mind.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if she will investigate the case of a constituent in Shaw, particulars of whom have been provided by the hon. Member for Heywood and Royton, who applied to the local office for a widow's pension on 14th March, and has not yet received her pension.

I have written to my hon. Friend about this matter.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many appeals by claimants to medical appeal tribunals in Birmingham, and how many of her references thereto, respectively, have been decided in favour of the claimant during the latest two-year period.

Following are the figures relating to the Midland Region Medical Appeal Tribunal, which sits in Birmingham:

asked the Postmaster General whether he will commemorate the 120th anniversary on 19th December, 1966, of the first surgical application of anaesthesia, which took place at the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. by the issue of a postage stamp.

The stamp programme for 1966 was finalised some months ago and I am afraid that it is too late to add this subject to it now.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what has been the effect, in numbers of personnel employed, of the transfer of the responsibilities of the Services Works Department in the British Army of the Rhine to his Department.

In 1963, the Ministry took over from the Army Works Organisation 142 non-industrial U.K.-based civilians serving in Germany, together with 840 non-industrial and 4,121 industrial locally-entered staff. As a result of integration, the number of staff now engaged on works services for the Army cannot be separately identified; but since April, 1963, the load of work in Germany for the Services as a whole has more than doubled and there has been a net fall in staff of nearly 200.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works when the alterations to Admiralty House will be completed; when the new occupants will take up residence; and what will be the final cost of the alterations.

The Ministerial residences will be occupied this week and the Government Hospitality Fund accommodation is now ready for use. The final cost of the extensive reconstruction which has been found necessary, and of preparations for occupation, is likely to be about £140,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what acreage of sugar beet has been sown this year in the Cupar Factory area; and how this acreage compares with the maximum acreage which this factory could handle.

Up to 29th April, 7,252 acres have been contracted to the British Sugar Corporation's factory at Cupar for 1966 of which 6,100 acres have so far been sown. The factory could handle the yield from 16,000 acres which represents Cupar's quota in 1966 of the contract acreage in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will issue a general direction, in the public interest, to the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board to reduce the price of electricity in this area to both domestic and industrial users, to compensate for the higher cost of other fuels and freight charges.

No. I have no power to do this.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give a summary of the export and import figures for each of the last 10 years in sterling of constant value.

The following is the information:

asked the President of the Board of Trade if it is proposed to introduce In this Session legislation for consumer protection similar to the Protection of Consumers (Trade Descriptions) Bill introduced in the last Parliament.

I intend to introduce this legislation as soon as Parliamentary time permits. I cannot at present say whether it will be possible this Session.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will introduce facilities such as an overhead bridge or public button control points on the Hutton Road and Chelmsford Road junction, Hutton, Essex, in order to avoid a repetition of a recent accident causing injury to Mrs. Watson, a traffic warden.

Since the Brentwood By-Pass was opened on 1st April this stretch of road has been the responsibility of the Essex County Council. It would be for them to consider the question of a footbridge in the first instance. The junction is controlled by traffic signals and a push button controlled crossing would not be justified.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will institute a publicity campaign, including the use of television, to familiarise the public with the new road signs; and if she will publish in HANSARD the answer she sent to the hon. Member for Swindon on the subject.

A continuing publicity campaign began well over a year ago and is increasing in volume. The text of my letter to my hon. Friend follows:—

"The Minister has asked me to reply to your letter of 19th April about publicity for the new road signs which your constituent Mr. D. F. J. Webber of 5 Canterbury Close, Swindon raised in the enclosed letter.

I entirely agree about the importance of the public understanding the new signs and this is the purpose of the publicity campaign of which I give details below. But there are a great many new signs—some 270 in all—and road users cannot be expected to learn them virtually overnight, especially as their appearance on the roads is inevitably being phased over a period of years. Your constituent, Mr. Webber, mentions the use of short T.V. "commercial-type" films on television. He will be glad to know that a number of short films about the signs for showing in public service time on B.B.C. and I.T.V. television have already been produced. Some of them have already appeared. We have also considered the idea of advertising the signs in the Press but the cost of a repetitive campaign featuring a large number of signs over a number of years would be prohibitive.

The publicity campaign in which we have had the full co-operation of many representative bodies and individual firms has, therefore, concentrated on the following media:—

1. The sale, through H.M. Stationery Office and booksellers of a 6d. booklet, companion to the Highway Code. Some four million copies have been sold already.

2. The free issue of the above booklet with provisional driving licences and to trainee cyclists. Some 1½ million have so far been issued and continue to be so issued at the rate of 1½ million per year.

3. A mobile exhibition which has so far been on display in 70 towns. The exhibition and its opening also generate publicity in local newspapers. The signs have also been featured at Motor Shows, Road Safety and other exhibitions.

4. The distribution of a leaflet through the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). Some 4¼ million have been issued.

5. Production, through RoSPA, of a wall-chart for schools, garages, hotels, libraries, etc., over 75,000 of which have been sold, plus 25,000 copies of smaller wall charts for children, and also a variety of other visual aids for all ages.

6. The production of 27 short films for showing in public service time on television.

7. Use of the new signs in road maps, diaries, calendars, and other material produced by manufacturers, such as tea towels, cushions, wrappings, serviettes, boxes, cartons, competitions, games and toys.

8. The R.A.C. have produced an 8-page booklet and the A.A. feature the signs in their handbook. The signs have also been featured very widely in the press, motoring papers, and in house journals. Many newspapers and magazines have produced "a sign a day", and a weekly selection.

This adds up to a substantial campaign which continues to increase in weight and effect. In all we estimate that probably about 20 million items of publicity have been produced—some of them expendable—of which some 10 million would be currently in use, and the figure is increasing daily. I think you will agree that knowledge of the signs will gradually accumulate, especially as more of the signs appear on the roads. I can promise you that we will use every opportunity to expand the publicity within the means at our disposal."

asked the Minister of Transport what progress is being made regarding the proposed by-pass for Carlisle.

My right hon. Friend will announce her decision on the route of the by-pass later this month.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what action she proposes to take on the provision of zebra crossings on the stretch of roadway between the Bull's Head Hotel and Houldsworth Square, at Gorton Road, North Reddish, Stockport; and what are the final arrangements to provide adequate safety measures on this roadway after consultations with the regional road engineer and the county borough of Stockport, in view of the high and unsatisfactory accident record;(2) when approval will be granted for the installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Longford Road, West, and Gorton Road, North Reddish, Stockport; and when she expects such controls to be operational together with the provision of guard rails at this section of roadway, as referred to in recent correspondence with the hon. Member for Stockport, North.

On the need for zebra crossings on Gorton Road I cannot usefully add to what I said in my letters of 20th January and 15th February. Additional safety measures in the form of "No Waiting" orders have recently been introduced from Furnival Street to Station Road and from Houldsworth Square to Priory Lane by the Stockport County Borough Council who are the highway authority.I understand that the provision of guard rails and the installation of traffic signals are still under consideration by the Council.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress she is making in implementing her policy of the co- ordination of transport; and if she will make a statement.

As my hon. Friend knows, proposals will be put before the House as soon as possible. But, as my right hon. Friend has already announced, she is re-examining the rôle of the railways and intends to set up a national freight authority to integrate the road and rail services of the public sector. She is paying particular attention to regional transport needs: for London she has already set up a Transport Co-ordinating Council which brings together the main bodies responsible for transport there.

asked the Minister of Transport which of her Parliamentary Secretaries is handling the traffic problems of Greater London; what facilities this Parliamentary Secretary has available; and if she will make a statement on the progress achieved.

In discharging her responsibilities for transport in London my right hon. Friend is assisted primarily by myself. I have available the services of the Division of the Ministry that is solely concerned with London matters. My right hon. Friend has recently set up the Transport Co-ordinating Council, which brings together for the first time all the main organisations with responsibilities for transport in London. The Groups under the Council are actively considering London's transport problems.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the local hardship which will be caused, she will reconsider her decision to close Alnwick Railway Station.

My right hon. Friend has taken no such decision.The Transport Users Consultative Committee will be reporting to her on hardship. It may also make proposals for alleviating it, for example through additional alternative services. Before reaching a decision she will consider both the effect on users and the economic planning implications.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list showing all the appointments, whether whole or part-time, made by him to

The information requested is as follows: