asked the Minister of Power if he is satisfied that enough coal will be available for power stations in the south of England next winter; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Power if he will now make a statement on the estimated inland demand for coal in the 12 months to the end of March, 1967, and the estimated output of coal, deep-mined and opencast, in the same period.

I have had detailed discussions with the Chairman of the National Coal Board, who has advised me that the overall level of coal supplies should be adequate to meet demand next winter. Total output this year is expected to be between 170 and 175 million tons, and inland demand to be in the same range. Ample stocks of industrial small coal are available in the Board's undistributed stocks as a supplement to current production. The seamen's strike interrupted necessary stocking at sea-supplied power stations and gas works in Southern England. It also depleted stocks in Northern Ireland. A major effort is now being made to build up these stocks before the winter.The National Coal Board is confident that special steps it has taken to maintain the proportion of large coal in total production will result in sufficient supplies of house coal. An exceptionally severe winter like that of 1962–63 would, however, inevitably give rise to special problems.I shall keep in close touch with the Board, and can assure the House that if, contrary to present expectations, further measures appear necessary, they will be taken.

asked the Minister of Power if, in view of the Government's policy of regional development, he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board to cease sending recruiting vans into the West Cumberland coal area to recruit men for the Midlands when these men are required for their own area.

No. The National Coal Board's policy of encouraging the movement of trained miners to the profitable coalfields has my support.

asked the Minister of Power what reductions in the demand for electricity, coal and gas, respectively, he estimates will arise during the current financial year as a result of the measures being taken to defer investment in the public sector; and if he will make a statement.

The effect on the demand for fuel and power in the current financial year of the measures to defer investment in the public sector cannot yet be estimated but is likely to be very small.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will issue a general direction to the Gas Council to ensure that when natural gas becomes available to domestic users regional savings are passed on in regional costs.

No. In any case regional savings in the cost of transmitting bulk supplies to Boards is only one of the elements in the cost of supply and on present information not likely to be a major one.

asked the Minister of Power upon what information regarding the production costs to companies drilling in the North Sea for natural gas, he will base his conclusions on the price which the Gas Council should pay to such companies for such gas as is extracted.

If I am called upon to exercise my functions under Section 9 of the Continental Shelf Act, I shall base my conclusions on all relevant information, including estimated costs of exploration and production in the North Sea and a fair rate of return on the licensees investments, and the costs of distribution and marketing.

asked the Minister of Power what is the quantity of North Sea gas under discussion between the Gas Council and Shell/Esso.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 1st July, 1966.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what plans he now has to link institutes of further education in the United Kingdom with similar institutes in developing countries in order to facilitate exchange of staff.

Institutes of Education in Britain and Commonwealth Governments overseas have been informed of our willingness to arrange and finance a scheme for the exchange of staff. This is one of three new schemes designed to encourage links between Institutes of Education in Britain and overseas. There are of course longer-standing arrangements for the encouragement of links between technical institutions.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will give details of any reduction in overseas aid tied to the purchase of goods from the United Kingdom following the Government's new economic measures; and whether he will estimate the value and volume of exports likely to be so affected.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 26th July to the hon. Members for Woking (Mr. Onslow), Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Ridley) and Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Hastings). The hon. Gentleman will understand from that reply that I am not in a position to give the details which he seeks.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what was the total number of civil servants employed by his Department full time and part time, respectively, at the last convenient date; and what increases or decreases these figures represent on the comparable figures for October, 1964, and August, 1965.

Headquarters staff numbered 1,379 full-time and 124 part-time on the 1st July, 1966. This represents increases of 441 full-time and 32 part-time since October, 1964, including 106 full-time and 7 part-time since August, 1965.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development why a member of the Central Office of Information has been seconded to the Zambian Government to assist with their broadcasting services.

Because the Zambian Government asked for this help.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what changes have recently been made in the composition of the United Kingdom National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

I have reconstituted the National Commission, in the light of our current needs, following the transfer of responsibility for British relations with U.N.E.S.C.O. from the Department of Education and Science to my Department.The Commission meets under my chairmanship, and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry is its vice-chairman. The other members of the Commission are:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have been recruited into the Civil Service outside the normal channels since October, 1964, and for what Departments; and how many personal appointments paid from public funds, without Civil Service status, have been made for the same period; and to what Departments they have been attached.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much it would cost to give the same breakdown of the sums spent on international organisations for 1956 and 1947, respectively, as he has published for 1965; and whether he will now give this information.

About £70. The answer to the second part is "No".

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will seek powers to enable building societies to release more of their reserve funds for house purchasing, thus enabling the interest on mortgages to be lowered and more people with modest incomes to buy their own homes.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 1st August to my hon. Friend the Member for Whitehaven (Mr. Symonds).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how many the Inland Revenue staff has now been increased since October, 1964.

By 4,036 at 1st July, last. 1,650 of these were due to cuts in hours following an arbitration award in July, 1964.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what additions to the Inland Revenue staff will be required to deal with the extra work imposed by the Corporation Tax and Capital Gains Tax.

1,850 by 31st March, 1967.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on his official discussions with other Finance Ministers at The Hague on proposals to increase world liquidity.

Although substantial differences still exist, further progress was made at The Hague on the principles of creating additional liquidity and on the next steps to be taken to widen the discussions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on his recent visit to The Hague.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for York (Mr. Alexander W. Lyon) this afternoon.

asked the Prime Minister how much of the £95 million reduction in the investment programme of the nationalised industries is to be in the development areas.

I have been asked to reply.Final details will not be available until the discussions with the Chairmen of the nationalised industries on the full effect of the reductions have been completed.

asked the Prime Minister what consultations took place with the chairman of the nationalised industries before the recent announcement deferring £95 million of public sector industrial investment.

I have been asked to reply.The reductions in nationalised industries investment in 1967–68 were decided on by the Government after a careful scrutiny of information submitted by the industries in the context of this year's annual investment review. The co-operation of the Chairmen was sought and obtained before the decision was announced and arrangements were made to settle the precise details in consultation with them. These consultations are now in hand.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on his recent visit to Bonn, and to what extent his discussions with the representatives of the West German Government have ensured that the whole of Great Britain's foreign exchange commitments in keeping troops in Germany will be met by the West German Government either in actual hard currency or West German Deutsche Mark purchases from this country.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) on 1st August.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many forms of P.11D were returned by employers to the Inland Revenue for the year to 5th April, 1949, and for the year to 5th April, 1965; how many people in the Inland Revenue are now engaged on checking these forms; what proportion of the forms is in fact checked; and what yield of tax arose in the year to 5th April, 1965, from information revealed in the forms.

For the year 1948–49, Form P.11D was not in use. For the year 1964–65, 378,000 forms were received by the Inland Revenue. All such forms are examined by the Revenue in the course of the normal annual review of the liability of the individuals to whom they relate, but it is impossible to state the number of staff who carried out this particular work.The aggregate income assessed to tax for 1964–65 in consequence of reports on Forms P.11D was some £20 million, on which Income Tax and Surtax was about £10 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the educational apparatus known as Abastics being manufactured at Lavant are chargeable for Purchase Tax under group 20 along with toys and games, when this particular apparatus is solely designed for the teaching of arithmetic and is to be sold only to approved educational authorities.

These articles cannot be distinguished from other toys and playthings which also have an educational value.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what criteria he decides, in framing legislation to tax gambling, which forms of gambling should be included.

The criterion, which my right hon. Friend applied in his Budget this year, is to tax organised gambling generally, both betting and gaming.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy towards banks making future loans to those farmers who are making a direct effort in reducing the deficit in the balance of payments.

Within the general policy of credit restraint I am sure the banks will recognise the contribution made by agriculture towards our economic strength. Government backing is still available for guaranteed loans made to agriculture and horticulture.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the yield of petrol duty in Scotland in the last year expressed as an average per registered vehicle;(2) what was the yield of petrol duty in England and Wales in the last year expressed as an average per registered vehicle.

The average yield of duty on road fuel per registered vehicle in 1965–66 in England and Wales was about £52 and in Scotland about £59.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has authorised payments in sterling or other currencies for the transport of copper from Zambia through Rhodesia.

No. United Kingdom residents may make such payments, but only in sterling to Rhodesian sterling account.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now take steps to ensure that all companies, public and private, publish details of directors' emoluments, including all fringe benefits, at regular intervals, as a contribution towards the implementation of the prices and incomes policy.

Section 196 of the Companies Act, 1948, requires companies to disclose in their accounts the aggregate amount of the directors' emoluments, distinguishing between emoluments in respect of services as director and other emoluments, and defines "emoluments" widely for this purpose. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade proposes to add to these provisions in the Companies Bill which he hopes to introduce in the present Session.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what increase there has been in the numbers of non-industrial civil servants between October, 1964, and the latest available date; and what is the additional cost of their salaries.

Excluding the Post Office the increase to 1st April, 1966, was 14,900. In a full year their salaries would be of the order of £10 million.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he is taking to control the fumes from oil burners used for central heating.

I assume the hon. Member has in mind the smell which sometimes arises from oil burners in domestic central heating installations.An advisory panel has been set up by the Warren Spring Laboratory of the Ministry of Technology to which local authorities can refer cases of this kind where the cure is not readily apparent. I understand that with the assistance of the oil companies the trouble can usually be remedied. No special control is called for.

asked the Minister Housing and Local Government whether he will now publish a circular to local authorities to advise them on how best they can help to establish housing associations and co-operatives.

Local authorities know that my right hon. Friend is anxious that they should do all they can to help and encourage housing associations and he does not think further advice on the subject is called for at present.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will undertake to publish the findings of the review being undertaken on his behalf by the District Auditing Society into the audit problems of direct works departments of local authorities; and whether the Society will be able to call upon the service of qualified building estimators and quantity surveyors to assist them in their work.

The review will cover the organisation and management, and the operational and financial control of direct works departments. When I have the report, I will consider whether it would be appropriate to publish any broad conclusions which the review panel reach. Arrangements have been made for the panel to have the assistance of the Department's architects and quantity surveyors.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what decision he has reached with regard to the proposals of the Local Government Commission for the West Yorkshire Special Review Area; if he will make a statement; and what steps he is taking to inform the local authorities concerned of his decision.

I have been carefully examining the outstanding proposals of the Local Government Commission to decide which I should implement in the period before the Royal Commission on Local Government reports.The problems of local government in the West Yorkshire Special Review Area exemplify many of those likely to be at the heart of the Royal Commission's studies. Before therefore I reach firm conclusions on the proposals of the Local Government Commission for that area in the light of the reports of the Inspectors who held the local inquiries, I intend to consult the Royal Commission, to make sure that my general approach to the proposals is compatible with the broad thinking which they are developing.No change could take effect before April 1968, at the very earliest.I propose to bring this answer to the attention of the councils in the area.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) what effect he anticipates the announced economies in central Government support of local government expenditure will have on the town expansion programme of Haverhill;(2) what effects he anticipates the announced economies in central Government support of local government expenditure will have on the town expansion programme of Newmarket;(3) what effect he anticipates the announced economies in central Government support of local government expenditure will have on the town expansion programme of Mildenhall;(4) what effect he anticipates the announced economies in central Government support of local government expenditure will have on the town expansion programme of Bury St. Edmunds.

Essential work in connection with these town expansion schemes will not be held back by the announced reductions in capital expenditure.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing the total number of officers and workmen employed by local councils, except in educational departments, in each year in the last 10 years, the total actual wage and salary bill for them in each year and an adjusted wage and salary figure making allowance for the changed value of the £ sterling, and the total actual expenditure other than wages and salaries and a similarly adjusted figure for each year.

The latest information available for salaries, wages and other expenditure of local authorities is for 1963–64. The figures for that year and

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what economies he is expecting in the expenditure of local authorities in local government offices, recreational facilities and other local government services in the administrative county of West Suffolk.

My right hon. Friend will apply the measures announced in my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's statement on 20th July in West Suffolk as elsewhere. It is too early to say which projects will be affected.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the total number of civil servants employed by his Department full time and part time, respectively, at the last convenient date; and what increases or decreases these figures represent on the

On 1st July, 1966, 3,800 full time and 84 part time, making 454 more full time and 15 more part time than in August, 1965, and 640 more full time and 21 more part time than in October, 1964. Of the additions made since October, 1964, 114 full time and 14 part time are attributable to a transfer of staff, with their responsibilities, to my Ministry. A further 370 full time and 3 part time were needed to staff the new regional offices of the Ministry and to serve the Rent Assessment Panels set up under the 1965 Act. This leaves a balance of 156 full time and 4 part time added to the Headquarters of my Ministry and to the audit service.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether, as a result of his correspondence with British High Commissioner in Nairobi, he has decided whether and on what terms provision should be made for the continuance of the Kenya Settlers' Compassionate Fund Trust beyond the end of 1966.

I have now received a report from our High Commissioner. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and I are considering it.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will tabulate the establishment of the High Commissions in Canberra, Ottawa and Wellington as they were on 1st January, 1966, and as they are planned for 1st January, 1967.

On 1st January, 1966, there were 39 home-based and 61 local staff in the High Commission in Canberra, 20 home-based and 32 local

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will show in table form the former and present names of those members of the Commonwealth which have been granted independence since 1945 and the dates on which it was obtained.

I give below the information requested:

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what was the total number of civil servants employed by his Department full time and part time, respectively, at the last convenient date; and what increases or decreases these figures represent on the comparable figures for October, 1964 and August, 1965.

On 1st July, 1966, there were 401 Civil Servants employed full-time and 25 employed part-time in the Commonwealth Relations Office. The formation on 1st January, 1965, of a joint Administration Office for the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth Relations Office makes any direct comparison with the figure for October 1964 impossible; but the total number of staff employed by the Diplomatic Service as a whole in London is now 72 fewer than it was in October 1964. Since August, 1965 there has been a reduction of 16 in the number of staff employed in the Commonwealth Relations Office itself.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works when he will introduce new machinery to increase the output of the construction and building supply industries.

The machinery is being steadily improved and I intend to see that further improvements are made when necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many graduates have left the teaching profession in Scotland to take posts in industry and to take teaching posts, respectively, outside Scotland during each of the years 1945 to 1965.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the number of uncertificated teachers employed by each local education authority at the most recent convenient date, the percentage these figures represent of the total number of teachers employed and the number of vacant teaching posts in each education authority area.

The following table shows the position as at 13th September, 1965:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many men teachers were in service in Scotland on 30th June 1966; and how many were in the pensions scheme for widows and children, voluntary and compulsory, respectively.

About 17,000, of whom 4,992 have elected to join the scheme and 2,433 are compulsorily included.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the cost of production of one unit of electricity in the area of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board, as a proportion of the average cost of one unit to industrial and domestic consumers, respectively, in the same area.

Full details of the operating costs of the Board and of the receipts per unit from various classes of consumer are shown on pages 32 and 39 of the Board's Report for 1965–66 which my right hon. Friend presented to the House in May.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will instruct the Iron and Steel Training Board to shorten and simplify Documents ISTB, 1, ISTB 1, part A, and ISTB 2, part B.

No. 1 assume that the documents in question are ISTB 1 and ISTB 2 (Parts A & B) issued by the Board for completion by employers. I approved the general nature of the information required by these forms. The detail is for the Board itself to decide. Information about employment and training is essential to the Board for the discharge of its functions.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the total number of civil servants employed by his Department, full time and part time, respectively, at the last convenient date; and what increases or decreases these figures represent on the comparable figures for October, 1964, and August, 1965.

The total number of staff in my Department on 1st July, 1966, was 22,412 full time and 2,120 part time, an increase of 1,746 full time and 11 part time since August, 1965, and an increase of 1,982 full time and 149 part time since October, 1964.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will publish figures showing the ages of new entrants into agricultural industry for 1955 and 1965 by counties and by region.

The only information collected by my Department about new entrants into agriculture and horticulture, or any other industry, relates to young persons aged under 18 years entering their first employment after leaving school.Figures for counties are not available. The following tables give regional figures for 1955 and 1965 in respect of new entrants into agriculture and horticulture for the regions as constituted at the reference dates. Changes in regional boundaries between the two years do not substantially affect comparability for regions of the same name and the 1955 figures for Midland, North Midland and East and West Ridings, taken together, are roughly comparable with the sum of the 1965 figures for Midlands and Yorkshire and Humberside.Following is the information by region for 1955:

asked the Minister of Labour if he will introduce legislation to establish a minimum national wage.

I have no present proposals for such legislation.

asked the Minister of Labour what action his conciliatory officers have taken in the strike of 1,300 dock members of the Transport and General Workers Union which has paralysed the Tilbury Docks, because modern machinery costing £250,000 with 16 men can unload timber in half the time previously taken by 60 men, in view of the fact that an agreement to work the new machinery was reached between the Port of London Authority and the Transport and General Workers Union; and if he will make a statement.

None. Normal working was resumed at Tilbury Docks on 21st July following intervention by union officials.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the estimated level of one and a half to two per cent. of unemployment expected to result from recently announced policies is the national average figure; and by how much he expects the Scottish figure to exceed this.

The Answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes". An estimate of unemployment for Scotland cannot be given, but one of the main aims of the Government's policies is to reduce the difference between the rates of unemployment and the national average in areas where the rate has been persistently above average.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will provide a list of grants to local Boy Scouts Associations in Lancashire.

The undermentioned Boy Scouts units in Lancashire have had offers of grant in the financial years from 1960–61 to 1965–66:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give a progress report on the development of the British Satellite U.K.III and details of its precise mission.

Development is proceeding satisfactorily and the satellite should be complete early in 1967.Its mission is to put into orbit scientific equipment, designed by Britsh university and Government Scientists, to examine certain features of the ionosphere, the upper atmosphere, and radio emissions from natural sources in the lower atmosphere and in space.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is aware that advertisements have been placed in the national Press for various appointments in educational establishments for which he is responsible quoting salary scales which are presently under review with a view to increases being paid; and, as this is contrary to the Government's declared wages and salary standstill, whether he will take steps to amend these advertisements.

I am not aware of any such advertisements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now announce his decision on the refund of Selective Employment Tax to agricultural and horticultural co-operative associations and companies wholly owned by growers.

I have carefully considered the position of these co-operative bodies, and am satisfied that it would not be consistent with the objective of the Selective Employment Payments Bill to provide for refunds to those engaged primarily in marketing. Those that are engaged in production will, under the provisions of the Bill, be eligible for consideration for refund in the light of their individual circumstances.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what efforts he is making to impress upon the public the need to keep out of the rural areas of Northumberland affected by the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

An appeal issued on the 22nd July within a few hours of the confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease asking the public to avoid the rural areas and the National Park in Northumberland, received satisfactory publicity on radio, television and in some national and regional newspapers. Because of the proximity of the outbreaks to the National Park the Youth Hostels Association co-operated by displaying notices at hostels in Northumberland and neighbouring counties, and the Scottish Information Office has helped to publicise our appeal in Scotland.This appeal was repeated on 28th July because many people were starting holidays about 30th July. This has been publicised in some radio programmes and included in some national newspapers. I understand that the response by the public has been good.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many sheep have been injured by dogs during each of the last five years.

The numbers of sheep reported injured by dogs in England and Wales during the years 1961 to 1965 are as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many sows were slaughtered in the first six months of this year and how many in the same period last year.

222,000 sows and boars were slaughtered in the United Kingdom in the first six months of this year compared with 176,000 in the corresponding period in 1965. Sows are not separately recorded.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, following his review of the Meat Inspection Regulations, he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and I yesterday jointly laid the Meat Inspection (Amendment) Regulations, 1966, which will come into effect on 30th September.

asked the Minister of Health how soon the hon. Member for Barking may expect a reply to his letters of 6th and 9th June, and subsequent telephone calls, regarding the case of a spastic child whose parents allege serious neglect in a hospital.

I have now been able to reply to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he has taken to ensure that the composition of hospital management committees in Northamptonshire is broadly representative of the social and political interests of the county.

Oxford Regional Hospital Board assure me that in making appointments to Management Committees they take full account of the need to ensure that the membership is broadly representative of the communities they serve.

asked the Minister of Health what was the number of deaths from lung cancer in Great Britain during 1965; what increases there have been in such deaths since 1960; and what preventative action is being taken.

Twenty-nine thousand three hundred and seventy-seven, or just over 80 a day; since 1960 the increase has been on average nearly 1,000 a year. The most important single known cause is cigarette smoking. Our health education campaign is being vigorously pursued and action has been taken to limit the advertising of cigarettes. There is an encouraging increase in the number of non-smokers, particularly among young people.

asked the Minister of Health what is the total cost to the public funds in the latest year for which figures are available for supplying each of the following welfare foods, namely,

asked the Minister of Health what is the cost to his Department, including packing and distribution, of a tin of national dried milk, a bottle of cod liver oil, and a bottle of orange juice, respectively.

37·0d., 11·8d. and 16·1d., respectively, excluding the costs incurred by local health authorities, in distribution and collection, storage and administration.

asked the Minister of Health on what dates the recent award on remuneration of doctors will come into effect in relation to the different sections and grades of the profession.

The detailed application to doctors of the policy set out in the White Paper on the Prices and Incomes Standstill is at present being considered in consultation with representatives of the profession.

asked the Minister of Health whether, following his announcement about the Standing Advisory Committee, he will now make a statement about the other recommendations in the Brain Committee's Report. national dried milk, cod liver oil, and orange juice.

The cost of supplying welfare foods (other than liquid milk) to beneficiaries in England and Wales in the financial year ended 31st March, 1965, was as set out below:

There are already centres for the treatment of addicts and more beds could be made available if the demand increases. A conference of doctors experienced in the treatment of drug addicts is being convened in order to pool the medical knowledge of the subject. Steps are being taken to set up a unit in which research into the problems of drug dependency can be undertaken.The Government are preparing legislation to implement the Committee's recommendation for the compulsory notification of addicts by doctors, and for limiting the authority of doctors (other than those at treatment centres) to prescribe or supply heroin and cocaine to addicts except where it is required for the relief of pain due to organic disease or following injury or operation. The details will be discussed with the medical profession. The Government have, however, decided not to provide initially for the detention of addicts at treatment centres, but would reconsider the position if experience showed that such powers were essential.

asked the Prime Minister what effect the latest restrictions on public expenditure will have on the purchase of military and civil aircraft from the United States of America.

I have been asked to reply.As regards military aircraft, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence to a Question from the hon. Member for Gloucestershire, South (Mr. Corfield) on 1st August, 1966. As regards civil aircraft I would refer the hon. Member to my statement today.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his total estimate of the sum likely to be spent during the next year on military aircraft and Polaris missiles, etc., from the United States of America.

About £45 million in 1967–68.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about the date for introducing the new constitutional arrangements for Antigua, St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenada.

It is Her Majesty's Government's intention to introduce the necessary legislation into Parliament in good time to enable its passage before Christmas and to bring the new Constitutions under which these territories will become Associated States of the United Kingdom into force in February, 1967. Her Majesty's Government regret that, largely owing to the amount of drafting work which requires to be done, it will not be possible to bring these arrangements into force before the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made with the Order in Council to incorporate into the legal system of the Falkland Islands the enlarged Admiralty jurisdiction conferred on the High Court of the United Kingdom by the Administration of Justice Act, 1956; and if he will make a statement.

The Admiralty Jurisdiction (Falkland Islands) Order 1966 (S.I. 1966/686) came into effect on the 10th June, 1966.

asked the Prime Minister what is the estimated period ahead for which money income increases have already been pre-empted on account of the relative growth of incomes and production since 16th December, 1964.

I have been asked to reply.Between the final quarter of 1964 and the first quarter of 1966 the real gross domestic product increased by about 3 per cent. while domestic factor incomes rose by about 7 per cent. The period for which past increases in incomes might be said to have pre-empted future increases depends on what assumption is made about the future rate of growth in output. As the Prime Minister made clear in his statement to the House on 20th July, in recent years money incomes have been increasing at a rate far faster than could be justified by increasing production.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how he proposes to obtain the increased national productivity necessary to make Her Majesty's Government's policy of prices and incomes effective; and if he will make a statement.

Higher national productivity depends on more effective management, the more efficient use of resources and the abandonment of restrictive attitudes on both sides of industry. We shall be examining a number of specific proposals to achieve this, with leading representatives of management and the unions at the National Productivity Conference next month.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, in view of the fact that barristers are able freely to negotiate briefs through their clerks and that with refresher briefs some counsel receive large sums of money for cases which last for a few weeks, in what way the Government's plan for a wage salary and fee scale standstill will be applied to the legal profession.

I would refer my hon. Friend to paragraph 29 of the White Paper (Cmnd. 3073) published on 29th July, which makes it clear that the standstill is intended to apply to all forms of professional fees.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether the Government's policy on the wage, salary and prices standstill will apply to any proposed increases in local authority rates, and road and rail fares.

The standstill is not intended to apply to local authority rates for the reasons set out in paragraph 14 of Cmnd. 3073. The standstill does apply to rail fares and to road fares in both the public and private sectors.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that experience has shown the need for modification of the measures announced in paragraph 19 of the White Paper, Immigration from the Commonwealth, under which dependants of Commonwealth immigrants are not normally given entry certificates unless the head of the household has previously furnished particulars of his dependants to his Department or a British post abroad; and what action he will take.

Yes. I am satisfied that the part of the scheme that affects the dependants of Commonwealth citizens already in this country is administratively burdensome and can be discontinued without detriment to the immigration control. I have decided to bring it to an end forthwith. We are, however, maintaining the arrangements for new immigrants to furnish particulars of their dependants to posts overseas.