asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inspectors are now attached to his Department for the inspection of experiments on living animals.

Eight. An increase is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the existing penalties for breaches of the Obscene Publications Acts, 1959 and 1964 are inadequate to deter those involved in pornography; whether he will take the necessary steps to strengthen the Obscene Publications Squad at Scotland Yard in order to deal with this trade; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend considers the penalties adequate for their purpose; and he understands that the Commissioner of Police is satisfied that the number of officers allocated to the enforcement of the Acts is sufficient, considering the manpower position of the Force and its many other responsibilities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the results of experiments in the use of traffic police in the West Country.

A detailed report by the Home Office Research and Planning Branch on last year's West Country experiment will shortly be completed, but it is too early to say whether publication would be appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered the introduc tion of a voluntary scheme of marking road tank vehicles containing dangerous substances; and if he will make a statement.

Yes; but preference is being given to a statutory scheme, and, as I stated on 3rd May in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport, North (Mr. Gregory) draft regulations will shortly be submitted to the Standing Advisory Committee on Dangerous Substances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what qualifications and special training, other than an ordinary driving licence, are required under his regulations for persons setting up a public car-hire business of the minicab type in the Metropolitan area; and to what extent his regulations require that the public using such hire cars are fully protected by law and insurance in the event of mishap, as is a passenger in a fully-registered London taxicab.

None. My right hon. Friend has no power to extend the controls which he exercises over London taxicabs to private hire cars which may not ply for hire. The compulsory insurance of passengers is governed by section 203 of the Road Traffic Act, 1960, which applies equally to hire cars and to taxis.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Miss Diane Harvey, of Australia, was not allowed to enter the United Kingdom when she applied at London Airport in May.

The immigration officer was not satified that Miss Harvey's financial resources were sufficient for her support.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what answer he has sent to the Yorkshire North Riding County Council's request to him for the restoration of flogging for crimes of violence; as this is also supported by a petition signed by 40,000 people in Shropshire, if he will introduce legislation to implement this policy immediately; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend does not consider that corporal punishment is an appropriate or effective remedy for offenders, and he has so informed the council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will initiate a study into the connection between crime and literature of a sexually stimulating or sadistic nature.

As I said in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Dorset, South (Mr. Evelyn King) on 24th May, my right hon. Friend will keep in mind the possibility of research into this subject, but those matters are exceptionally difficult to investigate satisfactorily.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will institute a study to investigate and to make proposals for diminishing cruelty to children.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary have been kept in touch with recent medical studies by the British Paediatric Association, and a memorandum from the Association has been brought to the notice of the local children's, health and hospital services. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary would be glad to consider any proposals for further research.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give an assurance that, pending the repeal of the Fugitive Offenders Act, no further persons will be deported under this legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what principles, pending the introduction of legislation, he will exercise the discretion conferred upon him by the Fugitive Offenders Act in respect of the return of alleged offenders fugitive from members of the Commonwealth.

The Government intend to introduce legislation this Session on the lines of the scheme recommended by the recent Meeting of Commonwealth Law Ministers. If any case comes to me for decision in the meantime, I shall exercise my discretion in the light of all the relevant circumstances, including this intention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the Littlewood Committee was not asked to consider and report on the export of animals bred for research purposes and that this practice is repugnant to a great number of people in this country; and if he will take steps to bring it to an end.

I have nothing to add to the replies I gave on 26th May and 16th June to Questions by the hon. Member on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will have reduced by half the number of licences held by London taxicab operators, in view of the improvement of the flow of traffic and of driving conditions in the metropolis on Tuesday, 14th June.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated total number of immigrants illegally in this country; how he calculates this figure; and how accurate it is.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest estimate of illegal entry of Commonwealth citizens and aliens by means of forged passports or false pretence.

No reliable estimate is possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to withdraw the power to increase sentences on applications for appeal.

I understand that the hon. Lady has in mind the provisions under which time in custody as an appellant may, in certain circumstances, not count towards sentence. I would refer her to the Answer I gave on 20th May to a Question by the hon. Member for Coventry, South (Mr. William Wilson).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received a communication from the Police Committee of the North Riding of Yorkshire relating to his proposals for the amalgamation of police areas under Section 21 of the Police Act 1965; and what is the substance of his reply.

Yes: I have replied to the police committee indicating that I cannot support its alternative proposal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the result of his consideration of the suggested change of date of the London borough elections in 1967, in view of the facts that candidates for these elections are now being selected and preparations are being made by everyone concerned, including the returning officers department.

My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make an announcement, but he hopes to do so soon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made with his consideration of the question of the purpose of committal proceedings in criminal cases; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is urgently considering this important question but he is not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the number of convictions in the last 12 months under Section 8 of the gambling Act, the number of convictions for a third or subsequent offence, the average fine imposed in such cases, and the number of sentences of imprisonment imposed.

I regret that information of convictions under Section 8 of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1963, is not readily available except for the Metropolitan Police District, where there has been one prosecution during the past 12 months. This was for a first offence and resulted in a fine of £20.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give details of his proposals to make finger-printing obligatory for the adult population; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Chelmsford (Mr. St. John-Stevas) on 16th May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the amalgamation of the River Tyne Police into the proposed Tyneside police forces reorganisation.

I agree that there would be advantage in transferring the functions of the River Tyne police force outside the docks to the local police authorities and I am considering when this could best be done.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to amend the School Crossing Patrols Act, 1963 in such a way as to provide that school crossing patrols shall be under the control of local education authorities rather than local authorities.

No. My right hon. Friend has no reason to believe that any change is called for in existing arrangements. A local authority may, if it wishes, delegate its power to provide school crossing patrols to any of its committees, including the Education Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that insufficient protection is given to schoolchildren under 16 years of age against being tattooed at seaside resorts without their parents' consent; and if he will take steps to improve this protection.

I can well understand the views of those parents and others who are concerned about the tattooing of school children and my right hon. Friend is keeping the matter under review; but he can hold out no early prospect of Government legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women have been sent to Her Majesty's Prisons as (the result of 'the action taken under the Street Offences Act, 1959, since its inception; and whether the number has increased or decreased annually.

The numbers of women sentenced to imprisonment for prostitution offences were 443 in 1960, 339 in 1961, 435 in 1962, 324 in 1963, 233 in 1964 and 198 in 1965. The great majority would be offences under the Street Offences Act, 1959, but it is not possible, without disproportionate expense, to give separate figures for these.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what review he is making of the present arrangements for the private fostering of children with a view to improving the law on this subject.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer which my right hon. Friend the Minister of State gave on 16th June to Questions by the hon. Member for Louth (Sir C. Osborne).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the present arrangements for private fostering of children with a view to improving the law on this matter.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave today to a Question by the hon. Member for Beckenham (Mr. Goodhart).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men and women were imprisoned for contempt of court in the last two years following the non-payment of a court order.

6,909 men and 160 women were received into prison in 1963 on committal by the High Court or a County Court following civil process, and 5,112 men and 160 women in 1964. 3,624 men and 45 women were received in 1963 on committal, by magistrates' courts, for non-payment of sums adjudged by court order to be paid, and 3,741 men and 34 women in 1964. Figures for 1965 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in view of the fact that 242 prisoners have escaped so far this year, and of the advice recently given to him by the Prison Officers' Association, if he will end the type of régime which facilitates prison escapes; in view of the demand by the general public that prisons be made more places of punishment, if he will consult with the prison officers on the means by which this can be achieved; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to my replies to Questions by the hon. Member for Essex, South-East (Mr. Braine) and other right hon. and hon. Members earlier today. I have no reason to suppose that the Prison Officers' Association dissents from the view that a positive and constructive régime for prisoners can be consistent with the maintenance of a proper degree of security.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) approximately how many adult male employees of the Prison Commission at the latest convenient date were earning less gross than £10, £11, £12, £13, and £14 per week, respectively;(2) approximately how many adult male employees of his Department were at the latest convenient date earning less gross than £10, £11, £12, £13, and £14 per week, respectively.

The figures for all Home Office (including prison) staff are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a general grant from the profits of the State Management Schemes to those areas where the profits are made, so that they can be used for improvements as may be necessary in the area.

No. The monies required to operate the Carlisle State Management Scheme are voted annually by Parliament and improvements to the Scheme's property are financed from the profits. There is no power under the Licensing Act, 1964, to make general grants for purposes unconnected with the Scheme and any excess revenue is payable to the Exchequer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now make arrangements for payment of subsistence allowances for magistrates who reside less than three miles from their courts.

The Government are considering the question of allowances for unpaid local public service in the light of the interim report of the Committee on Management in Local Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consult the Chief Commissioner of Police and chief constables on ways by which to stop the burning and desecration of churches, graveyards and church schools by members of fascist bodies.

I have been closely in touch with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis about offences against synagogues and I am satisfied that the police are fully aware of the problem and that every effort is being exerted to deal with it. The Commissioner knows of no similar offences committed by members of fascist organisations against schools or graveyards.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, before the interview between the Parliamentary Under-Secretary and Brady in Durham Prison, the prisoner's consent was obtained; and whether he will make a statement on that visit and interview.

In accordance with the practice followed by myself and other Home Office Ministers of speaking to prisoners when visiting prisons, my noble Friend spoke to this prisoner and others during a recent visit to Durham prison. No question arises in such circumstances of obtaining a prisoner's prior consent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recommendations have been made to him for deportation of immigrants by the courts; and how many of these he has not confirmed.

Following are the figures for deportations under Part II of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act. 1962, between 31st May, 1962, when it came into force, and 31st May, 1966: and to deportations under Article 20(2)(a) of the Aliens Order, 1953, during the same

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many establishments breeding animals for research purposes now exist in the country; by whom they are owned; and when they were set up.

This information is not available in my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the position in Gibraltar since the Anglo-Spanish talks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there has been any change in the restrictions at the Gibraltar-Spain frontier since the talks with the Spanish Government commenced.

There has been no significant change in the position either in Gibraltar or at the frontier since the Anglo-Spanish talks commenced. Recent reports that the importation of certain goods from Gibraltar into Spain through Algeciras had been prohibited have been denied by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what representations he has now had from the Government of Gibraltar regarding the talks with Spain.

I have been kept fully informed of the views and feelings period. Earlier figures relating to aliens are not readily available.of the people of Gibraltar through the Governor with whom I am in close touch. As the House is aware I met the Chief Minister of Gibraltar and his Deputy when they came to London for consultations at the beginning of May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what decision he has taken, in order to put additional experience at their disposal, on the appointment of the Governor of the Bahamas, in his personal capacity, as Governor of the Cayman Islands; and what extra staff he will provide to allow these duties to be properly carried out.

None. We should be guided by local opinion, and a Committee of the Legislative Assembly is considering constitutional changes. I am awaiting its report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether agreement has been reached with the United States authorities for the use by non-scheduled service aircraft of the landing facility at Grand Turk Island.

Agreement was reached in 1961. Relaxation of some of the procedures is under negotiation and I hope it will be possible to introduce revised arrangements shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the Basutoland Constitutional Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the decision to grant independence to Basutoland.

The Basutoland Independence Conference agreed that Basutoland should become independent on 4th October, 1966, as the sovereign independent state of Lesotho. The Paramount Chief will be Head of State. The report of the Conference is being published as a White Paper today.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about the industrial and other troubles of the Seychelles.

The Governor informed me on 10th June that in the course of wage discussions the Transport and General Workers Union of Seychelles had rejected an interim award of an 11 per cent, wage increase and called a strike for 13th June. On 14th June the Governor reported that there was a complete strike of Government public works and marine workers and private building workers and that over 2,000 people were involved. There was increasing intimidation of essential and other workers, the situation was deteriorating, and outside assistance was needed.H.M.S. "Carysfort" was accordingly diverted to the Seychelles and arrived on 16th June. There was an immediate improvement in confidence and in the situation generally. Negotiations were resumed with the Union on 17th June and sufficient agreement was reached to lead to a resumption of work on 20th June.The immediate threat to security has now receded and discussions between government and the unions are continu- ing. The Overseas Labour Adviser, Mr. G. Foggon, has already left for Seychelles to assist in these.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet decided to call a further conference to discuss the Banwell Commission Report on Mauritius with the political leaders in the colony; and when this conference will be held.

In view of representations made by Mauritius Ministers on the subject of the recommendations of the Banwell Report on the electoral system, I have decided that the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Mr. John Stonehouse, should visit Mauritius to examine on the spot the various points raised and views expressed in the Mauritius Legislative Assembly and report to me on their implications.Mr. Stonehouse will arrive in Mauritius on Monday, 27th June.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to prohibit the sale of tickets for sporting and other events by unofficial persons at more than the official prices.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the progress he has made so far in examining the changes to be made in Sections 2 and 4 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894, dealing with conditions of service of merchant seamen and fishermen, respectively.

Extensive consultations between officials of the Board and Seafarers' and Shipowners' Organisations about revision of Part II of the Merchant Shipping Act of 1894, relating to merchant seamen, have resulted in a considerable measure of agreement, but further work and discussion will be necessary before legislation can be introduced. Proposals for the amendment of Part IV, relating to fishermen, are in course of preparation, but these have not yet been discussed with the appropriate organisations in the fishing industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what measures he is taking to improve communications at sea following his recent investigations into this matter.

I have written to all fishing vessel associations strongly recommending that radio-equipped fishing vessels should be in touch with their owners or someone ashore, preferably once every 24 hours but at least once every 48 hours.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer to the Monopolies Commission the manufacturing of electric copper cables.

I shall bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind when new references to the Monopolies Commission are being considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will refuse consent to the export of the manuscripts of Gilbert and Sullivan operas.

No. Manuscripts, documents and archives are not subject to export licensing control if they are less than 100 years old.An application for a licence to export any manuscript within the control would be subject to the normal procedure for such manuscripts as set out in the Notice to Exporters on the Export of Works of Art and Antiques dated 13th February, 1961, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade approximately how many adult male employees of his department were at the latest convenient date earning less gross than £10, £11, £12, £13, and £14 per week, respectively.

The numbers in the Board of Trade and the Export Credits Guarantee Department at 9th June, 1966, were:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of imports into this country in the first five months of 1964, 1965 and 1966 in the categories of raw materials, industrial machinery and equipment, and consumer goods, respectively.

Detailed figures for May, 1966 are not yet available; imports for the first four months were:

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what percentage of British imports from each Commonwealth country the United Kingdom granted Imperial preference; and what was the average margin of that preference.

This information for the year 1962, the latest for which it is available, is given in the Board of Trade Journal of 31st December, 1965.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what percentage of British exports to each Commonwealth country the United Kingdom received Imperial preference in 1965; and what was the average margin of that preference.

This information for the year 1961, the latest for which it is available, is given in the Board of Trade Journal of 11th June, 1965. In general, the changes since are believed not to have been substantial, though they may have been significant in particular countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received the report of the Monopolies Commission on the supply of household detergents; and when it will be available to Parliament.

I received the Commission's report on 10th June. I am now considering it, and shall lay it before Parliament and publish it as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the total value of urban road schemes on which forward planning and preparation could start in the near future which have been submitted by local authorities following the request by his Department.

Approximately £81·5 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales approximately how many adult male employees of Welsh local authorities at the latest convenient date were earning less gross than £10, £11, £12, £13, and £14 per week, respectively.

This information could only be obtained at disproportionate expense.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales approximately how many adult male employees of his Department were at the latest convenient date earning less gross than £10, £11, £12, £13, and £14 per week, respectively.

At 15th June, 1966, the numbers of adult male employees in the Welsh Office earning less gross than £10, £11, £12, £13, and £14 per week respectively were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he consulted the regional planning councils before he drew up A Plan for Polytechnics and Other Colleges.

No, but as the White Paper explains, my right hon. Friend will consider any views submitted by Regional Economic Planning Councils before deciding to proceed with proposals to establish Polytechnics.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will appoint a chairman to the National Advisory Council for the Supply and Training of Teachers; whether he proposes to recall the Council; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to what my right hon. Friend said on this subject during the debate on the Address on 25th April.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will set up a Teachers' Council for England and Wales in order that there will be opportunity for the teachers to achieve a united policy on the problems of the profession.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, approximately how many adult male employees of his Department were at the latest convenient date earning less gross than £10, £11, £12, £13, and £14 per week, respectively.

On the most recent representative pay days (17th June for weekly paid and 31st May for monthly paid staff) the approximate numbers were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of staff in his Department currently compared with the corresponding period in 1965.

The number of staff in my Department on 1st June, 1966, was 4,076½ compared with 3,814 on 1st June, 1965.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the results of the trial borings made in the West Okement area of Okehampton.

The trial borings are not yet complete and I regret that there is nothing I can add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 2nd May.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what investigations are in progress into the intensiveness of use of university laboratories and teaching facilities; and whether he will ask the University Grants Committee to institute such investigations.

As I informed the House on 26th January, my Department's economic adviser is engaged, in collaboration with the University Grants Committee, on a background study of the implications of a number of different organisational and procedural patterns. Arising out of this, the University Grants Committee have been discussing with the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals the possibility of undertaking in the universities a number of detailed studies of particular problems relating to the intensity of use of university buildings and equipment. These studies are now being put in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now announce the terms of reference and membership of the committee of inquiry into football.

The terms of reference of the departmental committee which the Government have set up to inquire into the state of association football are:

"To inquire into the state of association football at all levels including its organisation, management, finance and administration, and the means by which the game can be developed for the public good; and to make recommendations."

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek statutory powers to appoint university chancellors himself.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names and titles of the chancellors of all universities.

Yes.Following is the information:CHANCELLORS OF UNIVERSITIES IN GREAT BRITAINUniversity of Aston in Birmingham—The Lord Nelson of Stafford, Bt., MA.University of Birmingham—The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Avon, K.G., M.C.University of Bristol—His Grace the Duke of Beaufort, K.G., P.C., G.C.V.O. University of Cambridge—Marshal of the Royal Air Force the Rt. Hon. The Lord Tedder, G.C.B., Hon. LL.D.*City University—The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of the City of LondonUniversity of Durham—The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Scarbrough, K.G., G.C.S.L, G.C.I.E., G.C.V.O.University of East Anglia—The Rt. Hon. The Lord Franks of Headington, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., C.B.E.*University of Essex—The Rt. Hon. The Lord Butler of Saffron Walden, C.H., M.A.University of Exeter—The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, G.C.V.O., C.B.E., Hon. LL.D.University of Hull—The Rt. Hon. Lord Middleton. K.G., M.C.University of Keele—H.R.H. The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, C.I., G.C.V.O., D.Litt.University of Kent—H.R.H. The Princess Marina, Duchess of KentUniversity of Lanchester—H.R.H. Princess AlexandraUniversity of Leeds—H.R.H. The Duchess of KentUniversity of Leicester—The Rt. Hon. Lord Adrian. O.M.University of Liverpool—The Most Hon. The Marquess of Salisbury, K.G., J.P.University of London—H.M. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother*Loughborough University of Technology— Sir Harry Pilkington, Kt.University of Manchester—His Grace the Duke of Devonshire, P.C., M.C.University of Newcastle—His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, K.G., T.D., D.C.L.University of Nottingham—His Grace the Duke of Portland, K.G., Hon. LL.D.University of Oxford—The Rt. Hon. M. H. Macmillan, F.R.S.University of Reading—The Rt. Hon. The Lord Bridges, K.G., G.C.B., G.C.V.O., M.C.University of Sheffield—The Rt. Hon. The Lord Butler of Saffron Walden, C.H., M.A.University of Southampton—The Lord Murray of Newhaven, K.C.B.*University of Sussex—The Rt. Hon. The Lord Shawcross, Q.C.*University of Warwick—The Rt. Hon. The Viscount Radcliffe, G.B.E.University of York—The Earl of Harewood, M.A.University of Wales—H.R.H. The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh, K.G., K.T., G.M.B.E.*University of Aberdeen—The Rt. Hon. The Lord Polwarth, T.D.University of Edinburgh—H.R.H. The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh, K.G., K.T., G.M.BE.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the effect on the United Kingdom agricultural industry of the new agricultural policy reached by the countries of the European Economic Community, he will make a statement on the Government's agricultural policy.

The main lines of the Government's agricultural policy are set out in the 1966 Annual Review White Paper (Cmnd. 2933), and in the White Papers on the Marketing of Meat and Livestock and the Development of Agriculture (Cmnd. 2737 and 2738) which are being put into effect by the Agriculture Bill now before Parliament. Recent developments in the European Economic Community have no immediate bearing on this policy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now make a statement on the recommendations of the Brambell Committee with regard to battery hens.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I are considering these, along with the Committee's other recommendations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the losses among flocks of sheep and the persistent nuisance caused by marauding dogs, he will seek to amend the law to impose heavier penalties in such cases.

Legislation to raise the present maximum fine of £10 for a first offence will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time permits.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food approximately how many adult male employees of his Department were at the latest convenient date earning less gross than £10, £11, £12, £13, and £14 per week, respectively.

I regret this information is not centrally available, and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost of time and money.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated number of employees engaged in agriculture and horticulture whose employers will have to pay the Selective Employment Tax.

About 420,000 in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the extra number of civil servants that will be required to deal with the refunds of Selective Employment Tax to farmers; and what is the estimated cost of their salaries.

It is estimated that from 60 to 70 extra staff will be required to deal with the refunds of Selective Employment Tax to farmers, growers and forestry employers at an approximate cost of £100,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many horticultural growers have taken advantage of the existing horticulture improvement schemes to the last convenient date; and how many more growers with four acres, or four adjusted acres, are estimated to be eligible for grants but have not availed themselves of the scheme.

Up to the end of April, 1966, some 17,000 applications for grant under the Horticulture Improvement Schemes (1960 and 1964) have been received, of which some 2,000 have been withdrawn or rejected and some 14,000 approved. Many growers have made more than one application. To ascertain the actual number of growers who have made one or more applications would involve unjustified expense. It is estimated that in all some 25,000–30,000 growers might be eligible for grant. These figures relate to the whole of the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the horticultural growers who have made use of the horticulture improvement schemes have needed to use adjusted acres, as opposed to actual acres, to bring their holdings within the required size limit.

The information is not readily available. To obtain it would involve unjustified expense.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will revive the Capital Issues Committee.

The Capital Issues Committee is still in existence.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what extra staff will be required to be employed in the eight Departments named and the other Departments to be designated, which will be responsible for carrying out the provision of Part VI of the Finance Bill and of the Selective Employment Payments Bill.

The estimate for the four Departments listed individually in paragraph 14 of the Explanatory and Financial Memorandum to the Selective Employment Payments Bill is 950. The needs of other Departments are expected to be very small.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps have been taken by him to protect the copyright in France of Her Majesty's Stationery Office in Mr. M. R. D. Foot's book on the Special Operations Executive; to whom the copyright has been granted; and on what terms.

Crown copyright in S.O.E. in France is protected under the Brussels Copyright Convention, 1948, and the Universal Copyright Convention, 1952, to both of which the United Kingdom and France are signatories. Negotiations are well advanced with a French publisher for the grant of French-language volume rights. It is not the practice to disclose the terms of such agreements.Action was recently taken in the French Courts to avert a threatened infringement of Crown copyright in this book.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated cost of collecting dog licences; and what would be the estimated yield if the licences were increased to £1, £2 and £5, respectively.

Costs of collection and administration are not available for England and Wales; in Scotland they are estimated at about 25 per cent, to 30 per cent, of receipts. Receipts in 1964–65 were £1,073,933. 2,863,947 licences were issued in that year. For this number the yield, if licences were increased as suggested, would be about £2·9 million, £5·7 million, and £14·3 million respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer approximately how many adult male employees of his Department were at the latest convenient date earning less gross than £10, £11, £12, £13, and £14 per week, respectively.

Under £10, none; £10 and under £11, none; £11 and under £12, one; £12 and under £13, sixteen; £13 and under £14, sixteen.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the average deduction by the Inland Revenue on every £100 of profit earned on United States investment in Great Britain prior to the application of the latest Anglo-American Double Taxation Agreement; and what will be the comparable deduction when this agreement has come into force.

I have not made an estimate of the average, which would depend, for example, upon the status of the investor, the value of the investment and the proportion of income distributed as dividends.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates will be the average percentage deduction by the United States of America from distributed profits on British investments in the United States of America, and the average percentage deduction by the United Kingdom Revenue from distributed profits on United States investments in the United Kingdom, with corporation tax at 40 per cent., under the terms of the Anglo-American Double Taxation Agreement.

The rate of tax chargeable on dividends under the revised United Kingdom/United States double taxation agreement will be 15 per cent, in both cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of staff in his Department currently compared with the corresponding period in 1965.

1,649, compared with 1,572. The current figure includes 14 who were transferred with their duties from elsewhere during the year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer from what Act he derives the authority to refuse housekeeper allowance to a student daughter resident with a widowed parent.

Section 214 of the Income Tax Act, 1952.

asked the Minister of Aviation approximately how many adult male employees of his Department were at the latest convenient date earning less gross than £10, £11, £12, £13, and £14 per week, respectively.

I regret that this information is not readily available.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he is aware of the disruption of British European Airways' scheduled services to Scotland because of the unserviceability of aircraft; and whether, in the public interest, he will give a general direction to British European Airways to consult the independent airlines with a view to seeking to operate combined schedules, in order that an adequate air service may be maintained.

I am aware of recent delays to and cancellation of some of the Corporation's services resulting from engine failures and the shortage of engine spares for Vanguard aircraft. I much regret the inconvenience caused to the public. I have asked for a report of the situation from B.E.A. and I understand that remedial measures have already reduced these delays. I see no need for the special measures suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (1) approximately how many adult male employees of his Department were at the latest convenient date earning less gross than £10, £11, £12, £13, and £14 per week, respectively;(2) approximately how many adult male employees of his Department were at the latest convenient date earning less gross than £10, £11, £12, £13, and £14 per week, respectively.

I have been asked to reply to Questions 76 and 77 which are addressed respectively to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and to myself.At the end of May, the numbers of adult male employees, industrial and non-industrial, employed by the Diplomatic Service—i.e. the combined Foreign and

Commonwealth Services—in the following five categories of gross taxable pay were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence approximately how many adult male employees of his Department were at the latest convenient date earning less than £10, £11, £12, £13, and £14 per week, respectively.

I regret that the information required is not available and, as there are many paying authorities at home and abroad, could not be readily obtained.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what is the number of staff in his Department currently compared with the corresponding period in 1965.

530 on 1st June, 1966 compared with 505 on 1st June, 1965.

asked the Minister of Health what he is doing to encourage more married women doctors to find part-time work in the National Health Service.