asked the Minister of Aviation when he expects the new generation of British European Airways jet civil aircraft to take over the services to Turnhouse Airport; and what steps he is taking to adjust the runways and other services to be ready in time.

B.E.A. has not yet submitted for my consideration proposals for investment in new jet aircraft or details of the routes on which any such aircraft would be used. When it does so any implied requirement for additional capital expenditure at Turnhouse or any other United Kingdom aerodrome is one of the many factors I shall have to consider.

asked the Minister of Aviation what steps he took to enable Middle East Airlines to take over the British Overseas Airways Corporation's order for three VC10 aircraft, thereby saving the latter a substantial proportion of the £2·5 million cancellation charges thereon.

The Government took every practicable step to secure the sale of VC10s to Middle East Airlines. The cancellation of the VC10s was, as I explained in my statement to the House on 9th March, a commercial matter between B.O.A.C. and Vickers.

asked the Minister of Aviation what annual revenue will be received from the United States Air Force for the use of civil airports.

Airport charges are not levied on U.S.A.F. aircraft landing at airports owned and managed by my Department. As indicated in the answer which I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Ayr (Mr. Younger), the question of landing charges at the British Airports Authority's airports is under consideration. I have no ready means of ascertaining what charges are or will be levied at other non-Government airports, but the U.S.A.F. makes little use of such airports at present.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will estimate how many people will be employed on aircraft construction and missile work by Short Brothers and Harland in December, 1966, and December, 1967, respectively.

On the basis of present orders and workload, about 6,000 in December, 1966, and 3,500 in December, 1967. In addition there are likely to be about 400 workers employed in general engineering at both these dates.

asked the Minister of Aviation what progress is being made in the inquiry into the British European Airways Vanguard crash at London Airport in the autumn of 1965; and when he expects the report to be published.

The public inquiry into this accident opened in London on Monday last, 9th May. The report will be published after the court has submitted it to me.

asked the Minister of Aviation what account has been taken, in assessing the economics of very large aircraft such as the Boeing 747, of the costs of providing the necessary extra passenger handling facilities at British international airports.

The costs of providing these facilities and the possible returns are, I understand, under consideration by the British Airports Authority. B.O.A.C. has not yet submitted to me any proposals for capital investment in large subsonic aircraft.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he is satisfied with the present arrangements under the district controller for co-ordinating the efforts being made by his Department, the National Air Traffic Control service and the British Airport Authority towards the abatement of aircraft noise; and if he will make a statement.

Detailed arrangements have been made by my Department with the British Airports Authority regarding the control of noise from aircraft using the Authority's airports. I am satisfied that these arrangements will prove effective, but I shall naturally keep their working under review.

asked the Minister of Aviation what steps his Department and the airport authorities are taking in consultation with the aero-engine manufacturers to ensure that they reduce the noise of new aircraft both on the ground and in the air; and whether the need for collaboration at the design stage is to be considered at the forthcoming international conference which he is sponsoring.

My Department and the British Airports Authority keep closely in touch on all noise control matters affecting the B.A.A.'s airports. My Department is also actively engaged in sponsoring research to assist manufacturers in the design and production of quieter aircraft. The International Conference, in which manufacturers will participate, will certainly consider the need for the production of quieter aircraft and how this can be achieved.

asked the Minister of Aviation what steps he is taking, as Minister responsible for aircraft noise, to encourage the design of mufflers for the new generation of aircraft having about twice the engine thrust of large aircraft of today.

We are sponsoring the development of mufflers for current and projected military aircraft. In many cases these have to cover engine reheat conditions which are more severe than the non-reheat conditions encountered in civil operations so that the results of this development work can usefully be applied to the new generations of civil aircraft also. The results will be made fully available to the operators.

asked the Minister of Aviation what results were achieved by the recent experiments at Gatwick with minimum noise procedures.

The experiments did not provide sufficient information to enable a decision to be made regarding permanent arrangements. Further and more extensive trials will start a week before Whitsun.

asked the Minister of Aviation when the mufflers used at Gatwick for reducing aircraft noise on the ground will come into full operation; and what effect he expects that they will have.

One muffler for VC10 and one for BAC 1-11 aircraft are already in operation. The work of fitting roofs should be completed by 1st July, 1966, and this addition is expected to improve attenuation by 4–5 decibels. It is hoped that full attenuation will then be 20–25 decibels over the greater part of the audible range. Tests will be carried out by my Department when the work is completed, on behalf of the airlines.

asked the Minister of Aviation what inquiries have so far been received from the United States Government for the purchase of products manufactured by the British aero-space industry as part of the dollar offset agreement in connection with the purchase of F111 aircraft.

Some 50 different products of the British aero-space industry have already been identified by the United States Department of Defence as of possible interest to their Services and are now being examined in detail by them.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will introduce legislation to empower him to fix landing charges at municipally-owned airports, to encourage inter-city air travel.

By virtue of Article 62 of the Air Navigation Order, 1960, I already have powers to regulate charges at any aerodrome licensed for public use. I should, however, hesitate to exercise them in any way which might impose additional burdens on local rates.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement on the future of the Concord supersonic aircraft.

Design and construction of the two prototype aircraft are now well under way. The next important phase, on which a decision remains to be taken involves the manufacture of two test airframes and the two pre-production aircraft.

asked the Minister of Aviation, in view of the fact that the privately-operated airline has withdrawn its service between the South-West and London Airport, if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to British European Airways to extend their services to the South-West; and if he will make a statement.

No. Decisions on new services are a matter for operators' commercial judgment. It is open to either B.E.A. or any independent airline to apply to the Air Transport Licensing Board for the necessary air service licence, if they consider that the demand for services on the route is sufficient.

asked the Minister of Aviation what assistance he is giving to British pilots to compete in the aerobatic championships to be held in Moscow this year.

None. It would not be appropriate for me to give financial assistance towards the promotion of this sport. I understand, however, that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science is considering a request for assistance from the organisers of the United Kingdom aerobatic team.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will introduce legislation to revise the power of the Air Transport Licensing Authority in order to reserve more powers to himself.

No.

asked the Postmaster-General why the election addresses of candidates in the Wembley, North, election were not delivered in the Colindale, N.W.9 area before election day; and if he will make a statement as to the numbers concerned.

I understand that delivery of candidates' election addresses in the Colindale, N.W.9 area was completed on the afternoon of 30th March.

asked the Postmaster-General for what reason he authorised a special issue of pictorial postage stamps on 2nd May.

To meet a general desire for stamps showing the beauty of our countryside.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will seek to have the rules laid down in the Convention of the Universal Postal Union altered so as to enable a 15 cents international reply coupon, which in the United States of America costs the same sum as a foreign air mail letter, to be exchanged for a similar air mail letter in the United Kingdom.

No. The essence of the International Reply Coupon system lies in its simplicity, enabling each coupon to be used in any country of the Universal Postal Union to cover the postage on an ordinary single-rate letter for abroad.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will take steps to prevent sub-postmasters being held responsible for financial losses and deprived of their sub-post offices, unless criminal proceedings are involved or gross negligence proved.

No. Under the terms of employment a sub-postmaster is made responsible for all losses caused by his own negligence, carelessness or error, but this principle is interpreted with due regard to the circumstances. Only in very serious cases is a Sub-Postmaster deprived of his office.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will reconsider the petition sent to him by residents in the Parkgate area of County Antrim requesting that a sub-post office be set up or that a method of paying pensions and allowances through a Post Office representative be started at Parkgate for one hour on one day in the week; and if he will make a statement.

I have reconsidered this matter; but I am afraid that I should not be justified in adopting either of the arrangements to which the hon. and learned Member refers. It might, however, help the hon. and learned Member's constituents to know that any pensioners who find the journey to the nearest sub-post office too difficult can nominate a friend or some other person to collect their pensions for them.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to improve the Post Office service in North Battersea since the closing of the sub-office at 268 Battersea Park Road S.W.11.

Various efforts have been made to open an alternative sub-post office; but, up to now, it has not been possible to find a candidate with suitable premises. I much regret any inconvenience caused to local residents, and I can assure my hon. Friend that we shall improve the present position just as soon as we can.

asked the Postmaster-General how many copies of the book, "Rhodesia Accuses", have been confiscated by his Department after having ben sent through the post from Rhodesia.

None. In this country there has been no censorship or confiscation of mail sent to or from Rhodesia.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the increased danger to shipping following the creation of additional radio pirate stations, he will now take immediate steps to alleviate the problem.

I am well aware of the danger of interference from these ships to radio communications between ships and shore and, as I have told the House, legislation to put a stop to pirate stations around our shores will be introduced as soon as practicable.

asked the Postmaster-General what machinery he has set up to deal with television test transmissions made without permission from pirate broadcasting ships.

The legislation which the Government intends to introduce will enable me to take action against all pirate broadcasting including television.

asked the Postmaster-General what approaches he has had from the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority in relation to the televising of the Clay-Cooper boxing title fight.

asked the Postmaster-General what official communication he has received from the British Broadcasting Corporation on the television transmission of the forthcoming world heavyweight title fight in London on 21st May; what reply he sent; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Postmaster-General what action he has taken in regard to wider television coverage of the Henry Cooper-Cassius Clay world heavyweight championship fight.

I have had a number of representations on this matter and met all the interested parties. As a result a live sound commentary and a television recording for showing on the day after the fight were offered by the promoters, the terms to be negotiated. The B.B.C. and independent television undertook to consider such an offer.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will erect a telephone kiosk on the Oakfield Estate, Shrewsbury.

Most of the houses on the Oakfield Estate are within a quarter of a mile of an existing telephone kiosk. Whilst I would not be justified in providing one on the estate at present, I am keeping the position under review.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will have further public telephones installed in the Bridge Hall Estate, Stockport, where at present only one public telephone is provided for the many hundreds of persons on that estate.

Although the provision of more kiosks could not now be justified I will keep the matter under review.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the difficulty which subscribers in the Bolton area experience in obtaining subscriber trunk dialling numbers outside that exchange during business hours; and whether he will increase the number of lines to that exchange in the near future.

Subscriber trunk dialling traffic from Bolton has increased considerably and this led to some overloading. Additional circuits have been provided and the service should now be satisfactory.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will cause a telephone kiosk to be placed on the Heath Farm Estate, Shrewsbury.

The kiosk near the railway bridge in Mount Pleasant Road will be moved near to the Heath Farm Estate Shopping Centre as soon as a site is ready.

asked the Postmaster-General when he expects the new junction cable and additional equipment to be provided for the Bedford Telephone Exchange.

Several new junction cables are being provided in the Bedford area. If the hon. Member is referring to the Bedford-Sandy cable, this will be ready by October. At Bedford exchange additional temporary equipment will be ready this month enabling service to be given to most of the present waiting applicants.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what information has so far been obtained from the researches carried out at the salmon fishery trap on the River Axe; and what is the annual cost of the installation;(2) when he intends to close the salmon fishery trap on the River Axe; and what compensation he proposes for interested parties adversely affected by the operation of the trap.

The information obtained covers such matters as annual fluctuations in runs of migratory fish, the effects on them of differing river conditions, and the number of smolts produced each year. The current annual cost of maintaining the trap and hatchery is £9,500.The main purpose of this experiment is to enable the effects of artificial restocking to be scientifically assessed by comparing the data obtained before and after restocking. The restocking phase of the experiment started this year, and closure of the trap would nullify the investigations which are of the greatest importance in relation to the proper management of salmon rivers.There are several factors unconnected with the working of the trap which could account for the decline in catches in recent years. My Department has furnished all relevant information to an expert engaged by the local fishing association to assess independently the effects of the trap, and will be ready to have discussions with them if they should so wish.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek to bring up to date the work of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea by issuing a report of the recent migrations of North Sea fish as a result of the drilling for oil and gas in that area.

I am not aware of any recent migrations of fish which could be attributed to drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea. There is therefore no ground for making a report to the International Council at the present time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discoveries have been made since his Department undertook the collection and study of the eyes of fish for biological purposes as is done in the United States of America; and what progress has been achieved with special reference to the behaviour of fish in relation to light and their avoidance of nets and gear and also in relation to the possible benefits to people with defective eyesight.

The Medical Research Council by their research into the visual pigments in fishes' eyes have assisted the investigations of the Scottish Government Fisheries Laboratory at Aberdeen into the reactions of fish to trawls and other gear. Whilst the research has not so far produced any results applicable to human eyesight the information acquired from such studies is providing essential background for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the recommendations contained in the Brambell Report for the protection of farm animals are to be implemented.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I are still considering this Report and taking into account the views expressed by those concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the progress of the adoption of a statutory minimum prices scheme for the white fish industry.

The White Fish Authority is discussing its proposals with the interests concerned in the industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce a special farm price review to take account of the Selective Employment Tax as soon as this tax comes into effect.

No. The method of repaying the tax will be discussed with the Farmers' Unions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an estimate of the cost of the Selective Employment Tax to those horticultural growers whose produce is not included in the Annual Price Review.

About £4 million a year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether he will give an estimate of the quantity of cauliflowers which has been ploughed in, or otherwise wasted, during the last 12 months;(2) whether he will give an estimate of the quantity of onions which has been ploughed in, or otherwise wasted, during the last 12 months;(3) whether he will give an estimate of the quantity of carrots which has been ploughed in, or otherwise wasted, during the last 12 months.

There are no estimates of the acreage or potential output of crops sown but not harvested. The difference between the quantity harvested and the quantity sent to market in any year is largely accounted for by lower grade produce or deterioration in storage. The difference in the past 12 months was normal for cauliflowers and carrots but was higher than usual for onions because bad weather during harvesting seriously affected keeping quality.

aked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has obtained from his negotiations with the Agriculture Ministers of the Common Market about how the level of production costs of milk in the United Kingdom compares with the European costs of production.

I have had no such negotiations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now introduce a Government eradication scheme to deal with the problem of brucellosis in dairy cattle.

I regret that I cannot yet add to my reply to the hon. Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Kitson) on 28th April.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what authority the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation Limited charge a redemption fee of one guinea per cent. when a mortgage to the Corporation is redeemed.

A borrower has no legal right to repay a loan from the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation Limited other than in terms of the mortgage agreement, which provides for repayment only by half-yearly instalments. Nevertheless the Corporation will always consider earlier repayment on terms to be arranged with him at the time. Such terms may include a redemption fee as a contribution towards the cost of reinvestment and, if the rate of interest on the repaid loan was higher than can be obtained on relending, towards compensation in respect of the loss sustained.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the drop in British fisheries catches during the last five years compared with those in earlier similar periods; if he will state the cause and locations of those drops; and what are his plans to improve catches by British fishermen.

Catches have been affected by decreasing stocks on all the main grounds. Nevertheless, they have increased since 1961 from 775,000 tons to 911,000 tons in 1965—the highest figure for nine years. We are intensifying research on fish stocks and catching techniques, and actively pursuing international agreement on more effective conservation measures. In addition, further assistance is being given for the development of the fleet.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an assurance that the Government still accept the obligations inherent in paragraph 20 of Command Paper No. 23 of 1956.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many juvenile offenders are at present in detention centres, remand homes, approved schools of each category and Borstal institutions; if he is satisfied that the necessary places are available for the detention, treatment and reform of the young offender; and if he will make a statement as to his future plans.

The answer to the first part of the Question is set out in the table below.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received with regard to the voting powers of councillors appointed by large burghs to the county council; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

The Town Councils of Dumbarton and Clydebank have represented to me that the law should be changed to enable the representatives of large burghs to vote in the election of conveners and chairman of committees of county councils. The reply to Dumbarton Town Council rehearsed the terms of the statute governing these matters and suggested that any question of a change in the law should await the report of the Royal Commission on Local Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he hopes to complete his consideration of the Hunter Committee Report; and when he expects to introduce legislation.

I have not yet completed my consideration of the Report and the many representations that have been submitted to me by interested individuals and

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what improvements are planned on the A.814 between Dumbarton and Garelochhead, in view of the volume of traffic arising from the siting of the Polaris base.

In addition to diverting A.814 at Faslane, as has already been done, Dunbarton County Council has plans for improving this road, with grant-aid, between Shandon and Rhu and from Craigendorran southwards. There will shortly be discussions between the Council, the Ministry of Defence and the Scottish Development Department about how these plans can be implemented most expeditiously.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many primary and secondary teachers are needed to bring the teaching staff in Glasgow up to full strength in 1966; what proportion this is of the total; and how this compares with the other three cities in Scotland.

At the date of the last count, in September, 1965, the education authorities concerned estimated that to fill

			Primary		Secondary		Total
			Teachers required	As percentage of posts	Teachers required	As percentage of posts	Teachers required	As percentage of posts
Glasgow	…	…	785	20·0	496	13·4	1,281	16·8
Aberdeen	…	…	4	0·5	26	3·5	30	2·0
Dundee	…	…	37	5·5	127	16·0	164	11·1
Edinburgh	…	…	19	1·3	83	6·5	102	3·8

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state his plans with regard to salmon fishing after the expiry of the Salmon and Migratory Trout (Prohibition of Drift-net Fishing) (Extension) Order, 1965, which has been extended for the period of one year from 15th February, 1966; and what steps he plans to take with regard to the Report of the Hunter Committee in this regard.

This matter is being considered in relation to the other recommendations

SCOTLAND—INCREASE OR DECREASE IN POPULATION BY SEX AND AGE
		1960–61		1961–62		1962–63		1963–64		1964–65
Age
		Males	Females	Males	Females	Males	Females	Males	Females	Males	Females
0–4	…	+2,916	+3,378	+3,999	+3,172	+2,540	+1,985	+1,113	+1,386	+1,690	+1,351
5–9	…	+1,216	+1,499	+3,023	+3,071	+4,066	+3,643	+3,482	+3,216	+3,821	+3,029
10–14	…	+2,048	+1,594	-11,505	-11,097	-5,989	-5,362	-3,865	-3,111	-2,107	-1,603
15–19	…	+3,295	+2,066	+12,977	+11,929	+6,111	+5,045	+3,330	+2,914	+3,269	+2,826
20–24	…	+1,557	-1,358	+3,583	-436	+3,332	+899	+2,841	+538	-696	-311
25–29	…	-3,544	-3,569	-1,769	-1,486	-1,287	-562	-2,275	-625	-907	-1,184
30–34	…	-3,697	-2,944	-1,033	-1,867	-2,199	-2,737	-2,604	-3,014	-3,214	-3,209
35–39	…	-4,457	-5,617	-4,429	-4,270	-2,835	-3,058	-3,340	-2,799	-3,032	-2,377
40–44	…	+4,279	+4,437	+6,053	+5,048	+5,699	+4,702	+5,684	+3,572	-6,358	-7,614
45–49	…	-5,697	-5,167	-6,297	-6,158	-8,523	-8,579	-7,761	-8,348	+2,619	+2,271
50–54	…	+620	+953	-244	-400	-1,217	-940	-2,561	-1,463	-1,437	-91
55–59	…	+893	-103	+880	+330	+646	+1,023	+1,626	+1,192	-434	-565
60–64	…	+4,220	+2,938	+4,178	+1,795	+4,979	+2,203	+3,060	+1,549	+1,755	+1,052
65–69	…	+332	+1,303	+712	+1,836	+58	+1,224	+1,733	+1,907	+2,644	+1,955
70–74	…	-44	+1,203	-61	+859	+239	+1,447	-181	+1,224	+707	+2,678
75–79	…	-398	+934	-719	+626	-330	+975	-44	+1,656	-844	-39
80–84	…	-213	+398	-281	+567	-530	+217	-75	+859	-78	+1,119
85+	…	+278	+629	+207	+399	+39	+578	+201	+883	+99	+715
All Ages	…	+3,604	+2,574	+9,274	+3,918	+4,769	+2,703	+364	+1,536	-2,503	+3
Both Sexes		+6,178		+13,192		+7,472		+1,900		-2,500

NORTH-EAST SCOTLAND
No breakdown by sex and age is available for North-East Scotland which has been taken to comprise the Counties of Aberdeen (including Aberdeen City), Banff, Kincardine, Moray and Nairn. The increase or decrease in the population of this area is as follows:—
			1960–61	1961–62	1962–63	1963–64	1964–65
North-East Scotland	…	…	-1,549	-260	+806	-721	-1,452

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the increase or decrease in the population of Scotland during each of the last five years by sex and age, with particular reference to North-East Scotland.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what revised estimate he has made of the rate of emigration from Scotland, following the introduction of the proposed Selective Employment Tax.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the effect of the proposed Selective Employment Tax on the harvesting costs of potato growers and raspberry producers in Perthshire.

It is not possible to make a meaningful estimate of the amount of tax which might be payable in respect of employment in specific operations in connection with individual crops in specific localities.

asked the Secretary of of State for Scotland what consultations he has held with the Highland Development Board about the effect of the proposed Selective Employment Tax on employment in the Highlands.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further steps he will take to give assistance in developing Aberdeen and Deeside as tourist resorts.

The enlargement of the former development districts to include Deeside will mean that new and expanding hotels and catering establishments there will be eligible, as in Aberdeen, for Board of Trade building grants and loans.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent military communications are to be conducted by means of space satellite; and whether he will make a statement.

No decision has yet been reached on this matter. In the meantime, as the House was informed on 2nd February, we are participating with the Americans in an experimental military satellite communications system and are contributing three ground terminals to it. The first ground station was handed over at the Signals Research and Development Establishment, Christchurch, Hampshire, last week.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the first F111A is due to fly; when deliveries to the United Kingdom are due to commence; and when the first planes are expected to enter service with the Royal Air Force.

Thirteen F111 aircraft are now flying and 561 flights, totalling 918 hours, have been made including some above Mach. 2·0. Deliveries of the aircraft we have ordered will begin at the end of 1968, and aircraft will enter R.A.F. service progressively from the early months of 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of Service men and women in each of the three Services eligible to vote by proxy at the recent General Election failed to appoint proxies; and approximately how many in each service failed to enter their names on the Electoral Roll.

Only the electoral registration officer could give the answer to the first part of this Question. The answer to the second part is—

Royal Navy	about 17,000
Army	about 70,000
Royal Air Force	about 27,000

Some of these were still qualified as civilians.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to give the widest possible publicity in unit orders and by other suitable means in order more fully to bring to the attention of service men their rights to proxy votes and how to register these at the appropriate time when the Electoral Roll is being compiled.

General guidance on electoral matters is given in Queen's Regulations and specifically at election time or when by-elections take place. An annual check is carried out by the Services to ensure that personnel eligible to vote have been given the opportunity of making the necessary declaration as a Service Voter. This declaration includes provision for the appointment of a proxy. Notice Board information is given which also advises those already registered to check their nominated proxies and qualifying addresses and, if necessary, to bring them up to date.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what precautions he is taking against the danger of fire in nuclear warships and warships carrying nuclear weapons in the Holy Lock and Firth of Clyde.

All R.N. warships are designed to minimise fire risk and a permanent highly trained organisation is at readiness on board all ships at all times to detect and deal with fires. Ships' companies are instructed and trained to avoid dangerous practices. No additional special precautions are needed on nuclear warships.There is no possibilty that any fire could lead to a nuclear explosion of a weapon or in a nuclear propulsion plant. There are also highly trained staff both on board and ashore to deal with any other nuclear hazard caused by this or any other form of accident.The responsibility for the safety of U.S.N. vessels rests with the United States. Nevertheless, a permanent organisation exists in the Clyde area to protect the public from the consequences of any nuclear accident, even though the possibility of such an accident occurring is extremely remote.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what regulations he makes about the powers of arrest of the Army in peacetime; and whether he will make a statement on the use of these powers in recent episodes in. Wales during a military exercise; (2) what warning was given to the general public, during the recent military exercise in Wales, that they could be stopped and questioned and expected to produce evidence of identity; (3) if he will take steps to give redress to civilians who are arrested by soldiers and forced, by physical threat, to accompany them for interrogation during military exercises; (4) how many complaints have been received in the last five years that the army has arrested and questioned members of the public without prior warning; (5) if he will take steps to ensure that the recent incidents in Wales, in which members of the public were stopped, questioned and arrested during a military exercise, are not repeated.

A military exercise in escape and evasion techniques began in the Brecon area of Wales on 4th May and is due to finish on 16th May. Chief Constables were told, in confidence, about the exercise, but no general warning was given to the public. Officers and men taking part were briefed on their conduct towards civilians and private property, and were told particularly that they had no powers of arrest over civilians. The only incident that has been confirmed is that of an officer, in civilian clothes, who was captured and, in an attempt to escape, claimed that he was a civilian and telephoned the local police.Any complaints that are received will be fully investigated and where necessary appropriate action taken. I would naturally regret any inconvenience that may have been caused to civilian residents in the area.I have been able to find only two cases in the past five years in which civilians have complained about being arrested and questioned without prior warning; in both cases they were thought to be deserters.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many British or foreign surface-to-surface missiles are being developed for the Royal Navy; and in each case the year in which the particular development started.

None. We are still considering what development would best suit the needs of the Royal Navy in the future.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will introduce legislation to bring in new forms of democratic management in the railways industry.

I want to have the advice of representatives of the workers at the formative stage in the evolution of the Government's new policies for the railways and I am already having talks with the Unions concerned. It is too early to say precisely what legislation will be needed to give effect to these policies. Better co-operation between management and staff is also one of the aims of the discussions on which the Government is now engaged with representatives of the British Railways Board and the Unions.

asked the Minister of Transport if she is aware of the nuisance caused for many years by the level crossing at Wareham; and whether she will now abolish it.

The Dorset County Council is the highway authority for this road. Any proposals made by it will be considered in relation to the priorities for the country as a whole.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will introduce legislation to provide for concessionary fares for retired persons on British Railways.

No. The British Railways Board already has discretion to give fares concessions where it thinks fit.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will invite the London Transport Board to reconsider their decision not to proceed with the proposed extension of the Bakerloo Line to Lewisham, as indicated in the Annual Report of the Board for 1965.

The tube railway proposals mentioned in the Report are those to which the Board attaches the highest priority. Other extensions of the system are not ruled out.

asked the Minister of Transport what consultations she has had with outside bodies in framing the ideas and principles of her new transport policy.

In working out my policies I am in constant touch with the chairmen of the nationalised transport undertakings and the National Ports Council. I have also had consultations with the chairmen of the Regional Economic Planning Councils with members of the Nationalised Industries Committee of the Trades Union Congress and with representatives of transport unions.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will lay before the House a White Paper containing a summary of the reports she has received in the last 12 months concerning the overloading or defective maintenance of freight-carrying motor vehicles, the number of such vehicles involved in accidents, and the number of such vehicles which belonged to British Road Services.

The Annual Reports of the Licensing Authorities, copies of which are available in the Library, give information about enforcement work and the maintenance of goods vehicles. The next Reports will be published on Friday.It would not be practicable to provide separate information about vehicles belonging to British Road Services or other undertakings.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps she is taking to halt the deterioration in standards of service, hygiene and catering in the catering establishments in the motorway service stations.

I have bi evidence to suggest that there is any general deterioration. If the hon. Member sends me specific details, I will be glad to have them examined.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans she now has for the compulsory registration of driving instructors and driving schools; and whether she will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given on 4th May to my hon. Friend, the Member for Huddersfield, West (Mr. Lomas) and the hon. Member for Essex, South-East (Mr. Braine).

asked the Minister of Transport if, in the interests of proper driving instruction and road safety, she will now introduce legislation to make registration of driving instructors compulsory.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given on 4th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Huddersfield, West (Mr. Lomas) and the hon. Member for Essex, South-East (Mr. Braine).

asked the Minister of Transport if she will issue a general direction to the London Transport Board to bring down bus and Underground fares in order to attract the travelling public back to public transport and so relieve the overcrowded roads in London of the mass of cars that prevent the flow of traffic which frequently includes lines of almost empty buses.

My right hon. Friend is progressively dealing with London's transport problems in the comprehensive way which my hon. Friend's Question implies is needed. As one interim measure, she is seeking powers to provide further financial assistance to the London Transport Board. Meanwhile, the reasons why the Government decided late last year not to ask for further deferment of fares increases proposed earlier still stand.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will issue a direction to the Greater London Council under Section 10 of the London Government Act 1963, requiring it to take urgent steps to keep traffic moving freely between the House of Commons and Marble Arch.

No.

asked the Ministee of Transport if she will take steps to ensure the fitting of vehicles with automatic second accident prevention devices.

My right hon. Friend has accepted a recommendation made by the National Road Safety Advisory Council that she should encourage the fitting to motor vehicles of a device whereby all the amber flashing direction indicator lamps on the vehicle can be made to flash simultaneously as a warning signal during enforced stops. She issued a Press notice about this on 21st March.On the recommendation of the Council she has asked the Working Party, which is reviewing the vehicle lighting regulations, to consider proposals for making it compulsory for new motor vehicles, and subsequently for existing motor vehicles to be equipped for making this signal.

asked the Minister of Transport why she has given approval for the eastern part of the proposed Western Avenue extension to be built with dual two-lane carriageways and not to the full motorway standard of dual three-lane carriageways.

The eastern part is designed for a traffic capacity matching that of a dual two-lane Harrow Road Flyover and the Marylebone Road with which it connects, whereas duel three-lanes will be needed to accommodate additional traffic west of the connecting slip roads at Westbourne Terrace.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will outline the progress made in the preparation of the plan for further motorways in the decade from 1970; and when the plan will be announced.

The Department has consulted the Regional Economic Planning Councils and other planning bodies concerned, about its assessment of the need for the development of the interurban road system in the 1970's. This assessment is now being studied by the Government and in the meantime it is not possible to say when any statement about it might be made.

asked the Minister of Transport what has been the result of the consultations her Department has had with Mr. Terrell on the matter of accident prevention on the roads; what consultations she has had with police authorities on the matter; and if she will introduce legislation to give effect to his proposals.

We have reached the conclusion, for reasons which have been given in detail to the hon. Member, that Mr. Terrell's plan does not offer a practicable way of dealing with road accidents.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what has been the relationship between the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Zambian broadcasting services over the last two years; and what moneys, what equipment and what advice have been given or lent to them.

Relations between the British Broadcasting Corporation and Zambia Radio are no different from those between the British Broadcasting Corporation and all other broadcasting organisations which are members of the Commonwealth Broadcasting Conference.The British Broadcasting Corporation inform me that no moneys or equipment have been given or lent during the past two years. Some assistance on broad-casting matters has been provided on a scale commensurate with assistance to other newly independent Comonwealth countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what is the latest available figure of the cost of the airlift to Zambia; how much oil has been transmitted; how much per gallon it has cost; and what landing charges at Lusaka have been made for each flight.

At 8th May, the latest date for which figures are available, the British civil and R.A.F. airlifts had cost about £3,330,000, and had delivered some 12,000 tons of oil to Zambia. It is misleading to calculate on a cost per gallon basis in view of the many complex factors involved.No landing charges have been made at Lusaka.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in view of the overcrowding now experienced at the Southwater County Primary School, he will give his consent to the construction of a new school in the 1967–68 programme.

My right hon. Friend is now considering proposals made by local education authorities for inclusion in the second part of the 1967–68 school building programme. Those put forward by the West Sussex authority include a project to replace the Southwater County Primary School but he cannot come to a decision on it until he has compared its merits and urgency with those of the other proposals before him.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of the national income was devoted to education in 1935, 1950, 1960 and 1965; and what is estimated for 1970.

Total educational expenditure in the United Kingdom, as a percentage of the gross national product, has increased as follows:

1950–51	2·9
1960–61	4·1

Final figures for 1965–66 are not yet available, but the percentage in 1964–65 was 5·1.There are no official figures of the gross national product for 1935 but educational expenditure is estimated to have been then about 2·2 per cent. of G.N.P.The estimated percentage for 1969–70, based on the National Plan and assuming consistency of estimation of the factors concerned between now and then, will be of the order of 5·6 per cent.To these percentages one could add, for the post-war years, about 0·3 per cent. of the G.N.P. as expenditure on school meals and milk.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now recommend to local authorities that, in view of the forthcoming Selective Employment Tax and the need to economise in manpower at garages and petrol stations, they should immediately consent to the use of latched automatic cut-off petrol nozzles.

A revised draft of the model code of practice, which includes a reference to these devices, will be circulated within the next few days to the Standing Advisory Committee on Dangerous Substances. I must await the Ccmmittee's advice before recommending any new code to licensing authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on the use of latched automatic cut-off nozzles at petrol stations; and whether the recommended model code of practice on this subject will now be published.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have given today to his other Question about the use of latched automatic cut-off petrol nozzles.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Irish Republican Army prisoners remain in United Kingdom prisons; and how long they still have to serve.

No record is kept of whether prisoners in England and Wales are members of the I.R.A.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many coloured children who arrived in this country during the past 12 months with the intention of joining their families have been refused entry on the grounds that they were over the age of 16 years.

The information is not available, at least in the form in which my hon. Friend wants it, for our records do not distinguish between coloured and other people refused admission; but I am writing to him to inquire which of the obtainable statistics he would wish me to provide.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East, was compelled to take one hour and ten minutes—from 6.45 p.m. to 7.55 p.m.—to drive from the House of Commons to Marble Arch on Wednesday 4th May, along the route via Birdcage Walk, Constitution Hill and Hyde Park; and whether, in view of the Sessional Order requiring free access to and from the House to be preserved, he will give instructions to the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to ensure that the roads from the House are kept clear.

The Commissioner of Police informs me that between 4.40 p.m. and 8.20 p.m. on the day in question the carriageways between Hyde Park Corner and Marble Arch were blocked owing to heavy traffic, rain, and seven accidents. Five police stations assisted in dealing with the resulting traffic congestion and a warning was broadcast by the B.B.C.I am satisfied that the Commissioner of Police makes every endeavour to comply with the terms of the Sessional Order. I consider that further instructions of the kind suggested by my hon. Friend would be both inappropriate and without practical effect.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the cost of the proposed Selective Employment Tax to employers in agriculture and other service industries, respectively, in the Perth and Blairgowrie Employment Exchange areas.

Figures for employment exchange areas do not distinguish between the categories in paragraph 10 of Cmnd. 2986, and so no reliable estimate can be made for small areas.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will so draft the Finance Bill as to exempt air training schools approved by the Ministry of Aviation from the proposed Selective Employment Tax.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date in November the import surcharge will expire.

At midnight on 30th November, 1966.

asked the Minister of Health what evidence he has about the relationship between the contraceptive pill and cancer.

I have no evidence of any association between oral contraceptives and cancer in women. The Committee on Safety of Drugs is engaged on studies of possible hazards from the long-term use of oral contraceptives and publishes advice to doctors from time to time. They are unlikely to overlook this aspect of the matter.

asked the Minister of Health if he will review the method and selection of members of the various hospital boards.

No. Present methods of selecting members of Hospital Boards are designed to secure a suitable range of knowledge and interests, including local interests, and I see no reason for changing them.

asked the Minister of Health when he will publish a revision of the Hospital Plan 1963.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Dorset, West (Mr. Wingfield Digby) on 9th May.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give a list of the 128 local authorities selected for top priority for housebuilding.

130 local authorities have now been selected for top priority in housebuilding. They are as follows:—

Authority: Northern Region
Darlington C.B.	Thornaby-on-Tees B.
Gateshead C.B.	Wallsend B.
Middlesbrough C.B.	Billingham U.D.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne C.B.	Bishop Auckland U.D.
South Shields C.B.	Blaydon U.D.
Sunderland C.B.	Eston U.D.
Tynemouth C.B.	Felling U.D.
West Hartlepool C.B.	Hebburn U.D.
Hartlepool B.	Longbenton U.D.
Jarrow B.	Newburn U.D.
Redcar B.	Whickham U.D.
Stockton-on-Tees B.

Authority: Yorks, and Humberside Region
Bradford C.B.	Ossett B.
Dewsbury C.B.	Brighouse B.
Halifax C.B.	Pudsey B.
Huddersfield C.B.	Spenborough B.
Kingston-upon-Hull C.B.	Bingley U.D.
	Colne Valley U.D.
Leeds C.B.	Elland U.D.
Sheffield C.B.	Rothwell U.D.
Wakefield C.B.	Shipley U.D.
Batley B.	Sowerby Bridge U.D.
Morley B.	Stanley U.D.

Authority: North West Region
Birkenhead C.B.	Farnworth B.
Blackburn C.B.	Hyde B.
Bolton C.B.	Middleton B.
Bootle C.B.	Radcliffe B.
Liverpool C.B.	Sale B.
Manchester C.B.	Stalybridge B.
Oldham C.B.	Stretford B.
Preston C.B.	Swinton and Pendlebury B.
Rochdale C.B.
Salford C.B.	Audenshaw U.D.
Stockport C.B.	Chadderton U.D.
St. Helens C.B.	Cheadle and Gatley U.D.
Wallasey C.B.
Altrincham B.	Huyton-with-Roby U.D.
Ashton-under-Lyne B.
Bebington B.	Litherland U.D.
Crosby B.	Urmston U.D.
Eccles B.	Whitworth U.D.
Ellesmere Port B.

Authority: East Midlands Region
Leicester C.B.	Beeston and Stapleford U.D.
Nottingham C.B.
Arnold U.D.	Carlton U.D.

Authority West Midlands Region
Birmingham C.B.	Wolverhampton C.B.
Dudley C.B.	Halesowen B.
Smethwick C.B.	Stourbridge B.
Solihull C.B.	Sutton Coldfield B.
Walsall C.B.	Aldridge-Brownhills U.D.
West Bromwich C.B.

Authority: Southern Counties
Portsmouth C.B.	Southampton C.B.

Authority: Greater London Area
Greater London Council.	Hounslow.
	Islington.
Barking.	Kensington and Chelsea
Barnet.
Bexley.	Kingston upon Thames.
Brent.
Bromley.	Lambeth.
Camden.	Lewisham.
City of London.	Merton.
Croydon.	Newham.
Ealing.	Redbridge.
Enfield.	Richmond.
Greenwich.	Southwark.
Hackney.	Sutton.
Hammersmith.	Tower Hamlets.
Haringey.	Waltham Forest
Harrow.	Wandsworth.
Havering.	Westminster.
Hillingdon.