asked the Minister of Transport whether she will take steps to make the use of amber headlights compulsory on all motor vehicles.

No. My right hon. Friend's Working Party on vehicle lighting has recommended that headlights should be white.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will set up an authority to check the safety of motor vehicle designs; and if she will seek power to make it an offence to sell vehicles whose safety standards have not been approved.

It is an offence under the Road Traffic Acts to sell a vehicle for use on the roads which does not comply with my Construction and Use Regulations. The White Paper on Road Safety legislation last December announced the Government's intention to seek powers to introduce a system of type approval for new goods vehicles, and that we would be ready to consider its extension to passenger vehicles later.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will institute an inquiry into the transport situation in Strathspey and over Dava Moor during the winter months.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will introduce legislation to deal with the ever-increasing number of abandoned cars.

As far as cars abandoned on roads are concerned, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 28th April to the hon. Member for Woolwich, West (Mr. Hamling). The disposal of cars abandoned elsewhere is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government; his Department issued a circular to local authorities in February of last year which has led, in many cases, to improved arrangements for dealing with this problem.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will seek powers to ensure that public service vehicles are fitted with up-to-date equipment, and that efficient heating apparatus is included in this equipment.

My right hon. Friend already has power to prescribe the equipment to be carried by public service vehicles. Heating equipment, however, is left to the bus operators' discretion. She has no general evidence to suggest that it should be made a prescribed requirement.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the percentage of first time passes in the driving test.

The records do not distinguish between first and subsequent tests, but checks made over short periods suggest that the pass rate for candidates taking the test for the first time is about 45 per cent.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will introduce legislation for the compulsory registration of driving instructors, in the interest of road safety.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the need for higher standards of driving on the roads, she will take steps to reform and regulate the present methods of giving driving instruction.

The National Road Safety Advisory Council has recently advised me to make the registration of professional driving instructors compulsory. Discussions about this are being undertaken with the interests concerned; they will be carried forward as quickly as possible. In the meantime I cannot give any undertaking about the introduction of legislation. I have, however, decided to enlarge the scope of the register by admitting part-time instructors to it.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will make regulations in respect of tyre pressure gauges connected to compressed air equipment in garage forecourts; and whether she will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has no power under present legislation to make such regulations.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will make a statement regarding bus and rail subsidies.

I will state my plans for public transport in the forthcoming White Paper on transport policy.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will seek to make it compulsory for motorists to carry a sign which can be placed 100 yards back on the road in the event of breakdown.

The use of such a sign on the highway is at present illegal, but, following consultations with interested organisations, I propose shortly to make regulations allowing their use. I have no powers under existing legislation to require motorists to carry such signs.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress is being made towards the co-ordination of public transport services in Scotland.

The proposals for the co-ordination of transport I intend to bring before the House will of course apply to Scotland. Meanwhile the Scottish Economic Planning Council, under the Chairmanship of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, are ex- amining a number of Scottish transport questions, including the possible scope for greater co-ordination of certain rural services on the basis of a pilot study which they are undertaking of the transport needs of Galloway.

asked the Minister of Transport to which organisations the 130 bus drivers employed by London Transport are supplied, either individually or on sub-contracting work.

Commercial arrangements of this kind are a matter for the London Transport Board. If the hon. Member writes to it, I am sure it will do what it can to help him.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the proposed closure of the railway service covering Widderington, Pegswood, and Alnwick in the County of Northumberland, and the proposed modification of the service between Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Berwick, and of the inadequacy of existing alternative transport services, what action is being taken to ensure adequate transport facilities; and whether she will make a statement.

In this case, as in other proposed rail closures, my right hon. Friend will carefully study the existing alternative services and any additions that may be suggested before reaching her decision. She will take account of the report of the Transport Users Consultative Committee on possible hardship and of any advice the Regional Economic Planning Council may give on the planning implications of the proposal. If she were to give her consent to the closure she would ensure that adequate alternative services were provided and that they were available before the closure took place.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will add the Hurst Green to Lewes line to those commuter services which British Railways will not be permitted to close.

In accordance with normal arrangements my right hon. Friend has asked the Economic Planning Council for the South East for its comments on the broad planning implications of the closure of this service.She will decide whether or not to allow publication of the proposals as soon as possible after receiving its report.

asked the Minister of of Transport if she will now announce her decision on the proposed closure of the Oldham-Rochdale railway line and the stations at Royton, Crompton and Milnrow, in view of the number of new housing estates going up in the latter areas.

My right hon. Friend is awaiting further information from the Railways Board about alternative services. She will announce her decision as soon as possible after receiving it.Consent to the closure of Royton station was given by her predecessor on 22nd December.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will make a statement on the future of the railway lines from Inverness to Wick and Kyle of Lochalsh, in view of the description of them, in paragraph 293 of the White Paper on the Scottish Economy, as extensions existing at least for the immediate future.

There are no proposals before us at present affecting the future of these lines, but my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Transport will be taking special account of any recommendations that the Highland Transport Board may put forward in their studies of the transport needs of the Highlands and Islands.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that it is now her policy not to agree to railway closures where they conflict with Her Majesty's Government's regional planning, she will now announce that she will not approve the withdrawal of passenger services from the Edinburgh-Hawick-Carlisle line, in order to assure the line's part in the economic development of the Borders.

My right hon. Friend's review of the Railways Board's request to pubish this proposal is almost complete, and she hopes to announce her decision before long.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she has yet received a proposal from the Railways Board to close the railway line from Reedham to Yarmouth, Vauxhall; and what decision she has reached.

My right hon. Friend has received no such proposal.

asked the Minister of Transport how her policy that unprofitable lines will not necessarily be closed will affect the Boston-Grimsby line; if Louth Station will be kept open for passenger traffic; and if she will make a statement.

The Railways Board has not yet completed the revision of its proposals for closing passenger services in East Lincolnshire to which my right hon. Friend referred in her Answer of 21st February. Until it has done so and the Transport Users Consultative Committee has reported to her on hardship she cannot say what her decision will be.

asked the Minister of Transport if, for her guidance in dealing with future requests for major capital expenditure on the raliways, she will seek to arrange for a detailed study of the commercial and social benefits and costing of the electrified railway operations between London, Liverpool and Manchester; and if she will make the study results available at an early date.

The Railways Board will be assessing the commercial effects of the new electrified service between London, Liverpool and Manchester with a view, particularly, to the evaluation by the Board and by my Department of further electrification projects. My Department's current studies of road and rail transport cost and demand are comprehensive, including social costs and benefits, and will certainly take account of the effect of the new electrified services. It is too soon to say what results will be published, or when.

asked the Minister of Transport how her new policy on railway closures will affect the Shanklin to Ventnor section of the Isle of Wight railway.

I must remind the hon. Member that my right hon. Friend has not yet declared her railways policy. She hopes to let the House know it before long. Until then she cannot anticipate its application, but I would not encourage the hon. Member to believe that her predecessor's decision will be affected.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will make a statement on her policy with regard to the reopening of railway lines where the economic factors affecting their operation have materially altered since their closure.

I and my predecessor have sanctioned closures only where there were no economic developments in prospect sufficiently firm and important to warrant retention.If the national and regional plans now being evolved with the help of the Economic Planning Councils show a real need for reopening a closed line, I shall take whatever steps are necessary to meet the situation.

asked the Minister of Transport what action is being taken to improve the transport services available to London commuters.

I have set up the Transport Co-ordinating Council to help Lon- don travellers. I am writing to the right hon. Member about measures in hand, in the Council and elsewhere. I have just approved British Rail's plans for investing almost £500,000 in improvements giving 20 per cent. more peak-hour seating capacity on Southern Region commuter services.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the increased number of travellers who are compelled to work in trains on their way to and from work, she will give a general direction, in the public interest, to British Railways to set aside readers' compartments where travellers will be free from disturbance by persons engaged in conversation.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will give a general direction, in the public interest, to British Railways to reduce the number of first-class carriages on their main line trains, or to allow second-class passengers to use first-class compartments when there is no second-class accommodation available and the first-class carriages are not fully occupied.

No. These are matters for the Railways Board.

asked the Minister of Transport what is her decision in regard to the proposed closure of the Oldham-Rochdale rail passenger service.

I refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Heywood and Royton (Mr. Barnett).

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will reconsider the opening of the Beverley to York railway on a single-track basis with the system of tokenless block working.

My right hon. Friend has no power to require the Railways Board to reopen any line which has been closed. The Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways would, however, be glad to consider with the Board the use of tokenless block working if it wished to reopen the line.

asked the Minister of Transport what consideration is being given to the use of different colourings on road markings for guidance at difficult corners and junctions as are being used in other countries.

Wider use of the new Worboys markings, including the "Give Way" double broken white lines, should considerably reduce hazards for drivers and be more effective than coloured markings.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will now give the dates for the start of construction of the South Orbital Road to Swanley and for the immediate planning of the next section to the Orpington by-pass.

We hope that work will start in this financial year on the section between the A2 and the A20 at Swanley which is already programmed. A statement on the rest of the route will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport when she expects to publish the draft lines of the Godstone-Reigate stretch of the south orbital road and the Hooley-Horley section of the London-Brighton motorway.

This autumn.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if she will now publish the surveyors' report on the structure of Bideford Bridge;(2) what consultations she has had with the trustees of Bideford Bridge; and what plans she has for safeguarding the free flow of all traffic over this bridge.

As the hon. Member knows, the Bideford Bridge Trustees have, at my right hon. Friend's request, been considering the feasibility of widening the carriageway on the bridge. As further information on the consulting engineers' report is being sought there would be no advantage in making a statement now. My right hon. Friend is considering an objection to a proposed Order to restrict waiting on certain approach roads.

asked the Minister of Transport when the Wombwell by-pass road scheme will be included in the roads programme.

We see little prospect of this county council scheme being included in the roads programme within the next few years.

asked the Minister of Transport when she expects work to start on the M5 motorway from Tewkesbury south.

Work is planned to start on the Bredon Bridge and approaches in spring 1967, and on the main roadworks on the length as far south as Eastington by the end of that year.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will ensure that before legislation is introduced on advance warning triangles, exhaustive research is carried out into the use of manual and automatic electrical devices fitted into vehicles.

The use of advance warning triangles has been recommended internationally. I propose shortly to make regulations under the Road Traffic Act, 1962, permitting their use. I have no power to make them compulsory.I have also recommended that vehicles should be fitted with a device to enable all the direction indicator lights to flash simultaneously in an emergency, and am considering whether such a device should be made compulsory.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will give the accident and casualty record, to the latest convenient date, of the A217 between Hookwood roundabout and Reigate.

There were 20 personal injury accidents in 1964 and 38 in 1965. These caused 1 fatal, 11 serious and 25 slight casualties in 1964, and 4 fatal, 10 serious and 51 slight casualties in 1965.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps are being taken to improve the Maidstone–Chatham road, A229, and the Maidstone to Chatham road via Bredhurst; when a vehicle census was last taken on these roads; and how many vehicles use them daily.

The Kent County Council is preparing the scheme already programmed for A229 between Bluebell Hill and Sandling. It is studying the possible improvement of the road via Bredhurst at Dunn Street. The Chatham Borough Council expects to start the junction improvement with A229 at Shirley Avenue soon.Vehicle censuses were last taken on the A229 in December, 1965, and on the road via Bredhurst in January, 1965. The average total traffic then was 20,000 and 1,550 vehicles respectively.

asked the Minister of Transport what record of fatal and serious accidents there has been on the A61 Leeds-Harrogate road in the last two full years; and to what extent there is an upward accident trend on this road.

There were 32 fatal and serious injury accidents in the year ended 31st March this year and 39 the previous year. No upward trend seems to be indicated.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she is aware of the heavy traffic congestion on the A41 between King's Langley and Tring; and what will be the cost of each of the several improvements needed to remedy this.

We are aware of the present overloading of this road. Road widening at a cost of £88,000 is now in progress. Improvements costing £¾ million are also to be carried out. By-passes ultimately required at Hemel Hempstead and King's Langley, Berkhamsted and Tring will cost £3½ million, £2¾ million and £0·9 million respectively.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will replace the panda crossing removed from Elmers End Road by a pedestrian crossing, in view of the increased flow of traffic in this road following the completion of road works at Birkbeck Bridge.

The London Borough of Bromley, which is the local authority responsible, has submitted a report on the conditions here, which we are urgently considering so that an early decision can be given on the need for a pedestrian crossing.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in order to remind the public of the importance of road safety, she will organise a ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the first fatality caused in a motor accident, which occurred at Crystal Palace in August 1896.

No. There are better ways of using our resources to bring home to people the tragedy of accidents on the road.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will take immediate steps to authorise the installation of a pedestrian-operated traffic signal controlled crossing in Queens Road, Richmond, Surrey.

The Department's engineers have looked into conditions on the spot and have made some specific suggestions for improving pedestrian facilities which we wish to discuss with the borough council. I will let the hon. Member have details.

asked the Minister of Transport when she proposes to announce modifications of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1964 in so far as they relate to direction signs for public footpaths.

Amending Regulations made on 25th April and laid before Parliament yesterday, omit direction signs for public footpaths from those prescribed as traffic signs.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans she has to construct a road bridge across the River Wyre between Shard Bridge and Fleetwood; and when such plans are likely to be implemented.

None. It would be for the Lancashire County Council as highway authority to initiate a scheme for a new road bridge here. I understand that they have no such scheme in mind at the present time.

asked the Minister of Transport on how many days the A6 road over Shap Fell was closed to traffic through inclement weather in each of the last five winters.

It was not closed at all in 1961–62. It was closed for periods of up to three hours on six occasions in 1962–63, four in 1963–64 and four in 1964–65. Last winter it was closed during most of the week of the November blizzard and for a few hours on three subsequent occasions.

asked the Minister of Transport if she has reached a decision on whether a public inquiry should be held as requested by the Aylesford Parish Council, before the line of the Ditton by- pass has been decided; and if she will make a statement.

The matter is still under consideration. I hope to announce my decision soon.

asked the Minister of Transport when the Christmas accident figures were published.

On 17th March.

asked the Minister of Transport what investments she has authorised in the nationalised docks and in the non-nationalised docks, respectively, since her appointment.

Under Section 9 of the Harbours Act, 1964, my right hon. Friend has authorised two schemes in the nationalised ports: one at Hull costing £6·75 million; the other at Newport (Monmouthshire) costing £2·5 million. She has not yet authorised any investment in the non-nationalised ports.

asked the Minister of Transport, if she will investigate the question of the levy of port rates on exported goods, with a view to removing any impediment to the export drive.

The level of port charges is small in relation to the total cost of exports. Measures for speeding the movement of exports to eliminate costly delays are, however, one of the main aims of the Economic Development Committee on the Movement of Exports; and much has already been done by the port authorities with the encouragement of the National Ports Council.The reform and simplification of the ports' charges structures are being examined by the National Ports Council. A standardised and simplified form of export documentation has recently been recommended by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the Minister of Aviation what decisions have been reached regarding the future of the European Launcher Development Organisation, following his recent discussions in Paris; and if he will make a statement.

At the Conference in Paris on 26th-28th April, we had a thorough exchange of views with our partners on the problems facing E.L.D.O., including the increased cost of the current launcher development programme. It was agreed that the means of adapting the programme to possible user requirements and the technical and financial aspects of these proposals required more detailed studies. The Conference was therefore adjourned until 9th June to allow time for these studies.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will take steps to prohibit the import of live and dead salmon, sea trout and ova of any kind from Eire and Ulster until such time as he is satisfied that the virulent disease now affecting the rivers in Ireland cannot be transmitted by these means;(2) if he will act immediately on the resolution of the Fisheries Committee of the British Field Sports Society sent to him on 20th April, supported by representatives of the Salmon and Trout Association, Flyfishers Club, and the National Federation of Anglers, about the menace to salmon, sea trout and coarse fish caused by the virulent fish disease now affecting Irish rivers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the disease columnaris now affecting Atlantic salmon and large numbers of salmon entering the rivers of Ireland; and what action he will take to prevent the disease affecting salmon in this country.

As regards the nature of the disease affecting salmon in certain rivers in the Republic of Ireland (which on present information does not seem to be columnaris), I have nothing to add to the statement which my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary made on 26th April in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow).As regards the prevention of the spread of the disease, a number of measures are already in force. Firstly, under the Diseases of Fish Act, 1937, the importation of live salmon and trout into Great Britain is prohibited.Secondly, no licences are being issued for the importation of eggs of salmon and trout into either Great Britain, or under separate legislation, into Northern Ireland.Thirdly, the Irish authorities themselves have arranged for all affected fish to be destroyed. In addition they have introduced a systematic inspection of all the licensed dealers' premises from which fish are exported and they do not permit dead salmon to be exported by persons other than licensed dealers.I believe that these measures should effectively prevent the spread of the disease to this country through imports of fish or eggs, but I am watching the situation closely and am continuing to keep in touch with the Irish authorities.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications for the farm improvement grant he has approved, to the latest convenient date, which would qualify for payment under the terms of the Agriculture Bill.

Applications cannot be approved under the Agriculture Bill but to preserve applicants' rights to claim grant under the Appropriation Act or the Agriculture Act in due course written agreement is being given to a start of work meanwhile if the farmer so wishes. From mid-November 1965 to the end of April 1966 written agreement has been given to a start of work on 6.659 improvements in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has yet completed his consideration of the proposals to add to the number of health centres in North-East Scotland in addition to that established at Huntley last September.

I have no firm proposals before me at present for the provision of additional health centres in this area.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made under his authority with his plans for refresher courses to encourage married women doctors to return to practice.

I have just sent executive councils, for transmission to all general practitioners, particulars of arrangements for providing refresher training for doctors who wish to enter or re-enter general practice after a period of absence, and of the financial assistance available for this purpose. Information about these arrangements has also been sent to women doctors in Scotland not at present engaged in medical work.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why teachers who are married to the headmasters of the schools in which they teach are not entitled to holiday pay.

There is no such rule. If any such teacher is employed on a temporary basis, she is paid like other temporary teachers only for days of actual attendance at school. But she is paid at a higher daily rate and over a full year would receive exactly the same salary as if she were employed permanently.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his plans to stem the drift away from Scotland of skilled craftsmen and women; and what are the figures of movement away from Scotland for each of the last five years of men and women, respectively.

The reduction of net emigration is one of the dominant objectives of the Government's economic policy for Scotland, and a wide range of measures to secure this objective and to achieve planned expansion and growth is set out in the White Paper on the Scottish Economy.Comprehensive statistics about the movement of skilled manpower are not available. It is estimated, however, that the average annual net loss of employees of all kinds from Scotland to the rest of Great Britain over the period 1960–64 was 9,600 men and 3,800 women.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the total estimated commitments outstanding on 31st March last and the total estimated new commitments in 1966–67 in respect of new construction and major improvements for trunk roads and for classified roads and loans to highway authorities, respectively.

The estimated commitments for major improvement and new construction outstanding at 31st March, 1966, were £43·5 million made up of:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state, giving the mileage in respect of each, those motorways or lengths of motorway for which no line had yet been proposed, a draft scheme had been published, a scheme had been made, tenders had been invited, a contract had been placed, which were under construction, and which were in use, respectively, as at 30th April.

As the Answer consists of a table I shall, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the official inquiry into transport needs in Galloway will include co-ordination of bus, train and steamer timings.

The primary aim of the pilot study which I announced after the last meeting of the Scottish Economic Planning Council is to investigate the problems of co-ordinating adequate and economic transport services, with particular reference to freight and parcels, within the rural area west of Dumfries. This will necessarily involve at the appropriate stage a study of the co-ordination of timing of services.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the matrons of old people's homes under county welfare departments in Scotland frequently receive lower remuneration for longer hours than domestic servants employed in the same establishments; and what steps he will take to rectify the matter.

I understand that in certain circumstances this can happen although the basic salary scales for matrons are a good deal higher than for domestic servants. The negotiation of salary scales is a matter for the appropriate joint negotiating machinery.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many British Service men have been exchanged with Service men of the United States of America since October 1964.

158.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the terms for the retention of the Singapore base, arising from the recent visit of the Prime Minister of Singapore to the country.

Terms for the retenion of the Singapore base were not discussed during the visit of the Prime Minister of Singapore.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what visits by Her Majesty's ships to South African ports have been cancelled or deferred, and for what reason.

A routine visit to Durban which was to have been made by H.M.S. "Puma" on 25th April was deferred for operational reasons.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many British Service men have been sent to any part of Vietnam as part of an exchange agreement with the United States of America.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many numerically controlled machine tools are installed in Her Majesty's ordnance factories.

Twenty-five.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what amount has been spent by the West German Government on military purchases under the offset agreement.

Payments for military purchases under the current offset agreement in the two years 1st April, 1964 to 31st March, 1966, amount to approximately £41·4 million (464 million deutschemarks). This is a provisional total which is likely to increase a little when final returns become available in June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the review of the regulations governing the transport of dangerous substances, including petroleum products, necessitated by the provisions of the European Agreement on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road, will be completed; and what consultations on the subject have taken place with both sides of industry.

This review will take some time, partly because there are many technical details of the European Agreement still under negotiation and partly because of the great range of substances to be covered. As a first step, the Standing Advisory Committee on Dangerous Substances will shortly be considering proposals for statutory controls over the carriage by road of over 200 dangerous inflammable liquids. We are already in touch with technical representatives of the manufacturers and transport undertakings concerned and both sides of industry will be fully consulted once firm proposals have been prepared.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons convicted of crimes of violence escaped from custody in 1963, 1964, and 1965, respectively; and how many are still at large.

The figures for prisoners are given below. Corresponding figures for borstals are not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions were brought under Section 64(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1960, during the years 1962, 1963, and 1964, respectively; and how many convictions were obtained in each year.

The information available about prosecutions for various motor vehicle use, weight and equipment offences is related to types of offence, not to the legal provisions contravened. Many of these offences are also offences under other Acts and regulations. I regret that there are no separate figures for breaches of regulations to which Section 64(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1960, applies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers were attacked by prisoners in 1963, 1964, and 1965; and how many of the officers needed hospital treatment.

Statistics for 1965 are not yet available. The total number of offences, including attempted offences, of violence against prison officers dealt with under the Prison Rules and the Borstal Rules during 1963 and 1964 were 225 and 226 respectively.The number of cases dealt with under the Rules as gross personal violence or taken in the courts for 1963 and 1964 were 50 and 41 respectively.Separate statistics of the number of officers needing hospital treatment as a result of violence are not kept.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of unlicensed road vehicles in the West Riding of Yorkshire licensing area were reported to the authorities between 1st April, 1965 and 31st March, 1966.

3,099 within the area of the West Riding Constabulary, and approximately 4,500 within the areas of the city and borough police forces of the West Riding.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how the capital and recurrent grants to the Scot- tish universities over the years 1963 to 1966, expressed in terms of pounds per student, compare with the money granted to the English universities over the same years, expressed in the same form.

The recurrent and capital grants to the Scottish Universities and comparable figures for universities in England and Wales are given below for the years 1963–1966.Figures are given for recurent grants in terms of pounds per student but these should be interpreted with caution as the cost per student depends on the balance of different types of student and course in each institution.Capital expenditure in any particular year is in respect of projects started in a number of years and is not related to student numbers in that year. Figures for capital expenditure in terms of pounds per student would therefore not be meaningful.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how the capital and recurrent grants to the University of Strathclyde for the years 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1966, expressed in terms of pounds per student enrolled, compare with the capital and recurrent grants for the Royal College of Science and Technology, Manchester, and Imperial College, London, over the same years, expressed in the same form.

The following are the available figures of Exchequer grants, recurrent (excluding rates on university buildings) and capital, to the University of Strathclyde, in comparison with those made to the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what approaches have been made to him for financial help to the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, 1970; and what action he proposes to take.

Following discussions last September between representatives of the Edinburgh City Council and myself, the Department of Education and Science and the Scottish Education Department have been following the progross of the plans for the games. I have now been asked that the Sports Council should consider recommending a grant towards the building of a swimming pool, and I understand that a similar application is likely in respect of the proposed stadium.

asked the Attorney-General whether the Government will introduce legislation to set up further Crown courts to deal with criminal matters, including one at Preston, and so relieve pressure on the existing Crown courts at Manchester and Liverpool and the assizes at Lancaster.

The Government do not consider that it would be desirable to set up further Crown Courts in Lancashire at the present time. Steps have already been taken to relieve the pressure on the Crown Courts at Liverpool and Manchester, where the county court judges sit in rotation to assist the Recorders, and arrangements are now being made to give further help of this kind at Manchester.

asked the Attorney-General whether the Government will introduce legislation to set up permanent courts in provincial centres with High Court jurisdiction to deal with all civil cases arising in the areas which they would serve.

My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor is at present considering the best means of improving the arrangements for the trial of civil actions outside London, but no final decisions have yet been reached.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the statement made by Dr. Kaldor to the Economic Research Council with regard to the taxation of close companies was made with his authority; and if he will make a statement on Government policy on this matter.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave yesterday

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what consideration he has now given to creating an economic development committee for the motor car and motor cycle industry to work in conjunction with the National Economic Development Council; and if he will make a statement.

The matter is still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health how many children have died through accidentally taking drugs, tablets or household fluids over each of the past four years.

The information is not available in the form asked for, but the following table shows:

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to improve the postal services in the Greenisland area of County Antrim and to abate the delays referred to in the cornmunication set to him by the hon. Member for Antrim, South.

There has been considerable residential development in the Greenisland area and the postal services were remodelled last October. As a result the times for completion of the first and second deliveries were brought forward. The delays referred to in the how and learned Member's communication have been caused by heavy sick absences among the regular staff in recent months, and difficulties in obtaining temporary staff to fill the gaps.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will issue a special postage stamp to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the National Savings movement.

I did consider this suggestion very carefully before settling the 1966 special stamp programme, but it did not prove possible to meet it.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) how many telephone circuits will be working between London and Hanover during the forthcoming air exhibition in Germany;(2) how many telephone circuits will be operating between London and Turin by the time of the Turin Air Show in June.

Calls to Hanover from this country are switched through the Dusseldorf or Hamburg automatic centres with which we have 96 and 89 circuits respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the unemployment rate in the Blackpool area at the latest convenient date; and if he will give the average unemployment figure for the same date for the United Kingdom.

The percentage rate of unemployment in the area covered by the Blackpool Employment Exchange at 18th April, 1966, was 3·7. The corresponding figure for the United Kingdom was 1·4 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what factories have been built on the Bellshill industrial estate; what factories are likely to be built in the next two years; and how many new jobs will arise.

Three factories are now being built on the Government's Bellshill industrial estate. These are two advance factories of 12,500 sq. ft. and 40,000 sq. ft. respectively, and a 41,000 sq. ft. factory for Wheway Watson & McLean Ltd.; the smaller advance factory is expected to be completed by September and the other two factories by October. It is hoped that when these three factories are occupied they will provide about 350 jobs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he now has for the reintroduction of the Protection of Consumers (Trade Descriptions) Bill.

I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Palmer) on 2nd May.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what new jobs have been created in North Lanarkshire since 1964; and how many new jobs will arise in the next two years.

I have no comprehensive information about all the new jobs which have been created. However, estimates provided by applicants for industrial development certificates in North Lanarkshire show that 3,700 and 2,900 jobs were likely to arise from projects completed in 1964 and 1965 respectively; and that a further 6,000 jobs in the next three years is likely to be provided by projects approved but not yet complete.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken to increase and improve the transport services between Aberdeen and northern European ports.

The development of these services is a matter for the shipping industry, in the exercise of its own commercial judgment.