asked the Minister of Transport whether the line for the M4 from Maidenhead roundabout to Luddington has now been decided; when tenders for construction will be called for; and when this section of the M4 will be completed.

My right hon. Friend is now considering objections to her proposals for the eastern 19 miles of the route published last February, and she expects to publish her proposals for the remainder of the route within the next few months. It is too early to say when tenders will be called for, but we expect the whole motorway to be in use by 1971.

asked the Minister of Transport when she now expects the M5 from Tewkesbury to Thornbury to be completed.

In 1970.

asked the Minister of Transport why the A31 project between Tricketts Cross and the Hampshire county boundary, Dorset, originally scheduled to start in October, 1965, has been postponed for more than six months.

There was virtually no delay. The contract was let three days after the expiry of the deferment period.

asked the Minister of Transport what information she has about measures taken by local authorities to relieve traffic congestion, to provide both on-street and off-street parking, and about the costs of various types of parking schemes now in operation, including costs borne by the police or traffic wardens; and if she will collate this information and either publish it in a circular to be made available to local authorities or in a White Paper.

Local authorities are required to give my right hon. Friend only the minimum information necessary for the exercise of her statutory powers of control. We see no point in publishing it.

asked the Minister of Transport what effect the cut-back in the road programme will have on the M1 Yorkshire motorway; and if she will publish in the Official Report the completion date agreed in the placing of contracts for each section of the motorway under construction, and the revised dates resulting from the cut-back.

None. The final two contracts for the Sheffield-Leeds section of the M1 were let three weeks ago.Following is the further information requested:

Contract		Completion of Work
East Ardsley-Stourton	…	August, 1967
Horbury-East Ardsley	…	August, 1967
Darton-Horbury	…	August, 1968
Tankersley-Darton	…	August, 1968
Blackburn-Tankersley	…	June, 1968
Meadowhall-Blackburn	…	June, 1968
Tinsley Viaduct	…	October, 1967
Aston-Tinsley	…	October, 1967

asked the Minister of Transport if she has considered the representations made to her by the South Essex Traffic Advisory Committee on the traffic congestion and delays to public transport caused by vehicles using the Dartford-Purfleet tunnel; if she is aware that the proposed doubling of this tunnel will aggravate the congestion still further; and if she will expedite the construction of the north orbital road between the A12 and the A13, as a prerequisite to the construction of the second tunnel.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what is the nature of the representations made to her by the South Essex Traffic Advisory Committee regarding the traffic congestion engendered by the use of the Dartford-Purfleet tunnel;

The Committee refers to delays to bus services in its area caused by existing tunnel traffic. It considers that the proposed duplication of the tunnel will aggravate this congestion and has therefore advocated early construction of the A12 to A13 section of the north Orbital road.These problems will be discussed at a meeting of the Department's officials with those of the County and other local authorities on 15th August.

asked the Minister of Transport when work will begin on the motorway links between M1 and M6.

Construction is proceeding in sections. Work on the northern 8¼ miles was completed in March, and the next 6 miles will be completed later this year. I expect to let a further contract at the end of the year and the remaining sections will follow as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport when the first eight miles of the High Wycombe bypass will be open to traffic; when work will start on the construction of the second part of the bypass, including the Loudwater viaduct; and when this work will be completed and the entire bypass opened.

My right hon. Friend still cannot give a definite date, but work has progressed faster recently. Work on the second part began in June except for Loudwater viaduct which will start in September. The entire bypass is due to be opened by the summer of 1968.

asked the Minister of Transport what effect the imposition of the Selective Employment Tax will have on the cost of construction of the High Wycombe by-pass road; what applications for authority to increase tenders already accepted have been agreed by her; and for what amounts these tenders are.

The precise effect cannot be ascertained at this stage. The answer to the second part of the question is none, but an application for an increase of a tender under negotiation at budget date was accepted. The amended tender figure is £3,456,880.

asked the Minister of Transport why the Al Long Bennington by-pass, Kesteven, Lincolnshire, which was originally scheduled to start in December 1965, has been postponed for more than six months.

The delay has been caused by the need to resolve local objections to our proposals. My right hon. Friend now intends to let a contract by the end of the year.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the Government's economic policy, she will give an assurance that the provision made in the White Paper on Transport Policy for Exchequer expenditure on new roads and major improvements in Great Britain to rise to £280 million, at constant prices, by 1970 will be fulfilled.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave him on Monday, 8th August.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will give the estimated capital expenditure on roads in urban areas in Great Britain annually from 1960–61 to the latest convenient date, by the Exchequer and local authorities, respectively.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given on Monday 8th August to the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare (Mr. Webster).

asked the Minister of Transport (1) why the A38 Drumbridge-Chudleigh Knighton Bridge project in Devon, originally scheduled to start in November 1965, has been postponed for more than six months;(2) why the A38 project between Cut-well Cross and Carew Arms, Ugborough, Devon, which was originally scheduled to start in November, 1965, has been postponed for more than six months;(3) why the A38 Ashburton by-pass in Devon, originally scheduled to start in November, 1965, has been postponed for more than six months.

The delay to these three schemes since the end of the deferment period is due to difficulty in acquiring the necessary land.

asked the Minister of Transport why the A38 project between Blue Linhay Hill and East Caton Cross at Ashburton, Devon, originally scheduled to start in October 1965, has been postponed for more than six months.

There was no delay. Work started on 4th April, 1966.

asked the Minister of Transport when she will announce the new route of the A6 so that local authorities in the Kettering division of Northamptonshire can plan ahead.

The plan to divert A6 away from the centre of Kettering is shown in the approved Town Map. My right hon. Friend's proposals to reroute A6 in the centre of Desborough were made public in May and she hopes to reach a decision on that project by the end of the year.More details about traffic are to be obtained to show whether any other improvements are needed and if so what form they should take.

asked the Minister of Transport how many people were killed in accidents on the M1 between 1st July, 1965 and 30th June, 1966.

Thirty-five.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps she is taking to reduce the number of accidents at Amotherby crossroads on B1257 in view of the number of serious accidents that have occurred there in the last three years.

As my hon. Friend told the hon. Member on 3rd August we consider that the new "Give Way" signs with double broken white lines will reduce the danger here.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations she has received from the makers of road rollers and from local authorities responsible for their use in connection with the repair of footpaths concerning the amendment of the Vehicles (Conditions of Use on Footpaths) Regulations 1963 as set out in Statutory Instrument No. 864, 1966; and why it took three years to obtain amendment of the former Regulations.

Manufacturers of footpath maintenance equipment and local authorities objected to the 3 ton weight limit which the 1963 Regulations imposed on such equipment. The local authorities also represented that the requirements of those Regulations as to the authorisation of the use of such equipment were too onerous. My right hon. Friend has received no representations since the amending Regulations were made.The time taken in making the amending Regulations has been employed mainly in getting agreement between the gas undertakings and local authorities on the provisions of the new Regulations and on procedures for working them.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will ensure that a spur road to Didcot is included in the scheme for realignment of the A34 from Hinksey to Chilton by-passing Abingdon.

The need for a spur road to Didcot from the proposed Abingdon by-pass will be assessed as part of the studies leading to the publication of the draft Order for the by-pass. These have not progressed far enough for a decision to be taken yet.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if, in consequence of her investigations into this matter, she is now satisfied that the road-works on the A5 road at Oakengates, Shropshire, were adequately signposted on the night of 20th-21st June, 1966; and if she will make a statement;(2) if her investigation into the signposting of the roadworks on the A5 road at Oakengates, Shropshire, on the night of 20th-21st June, 1966, included consultation with the local residents.

My right hon. Friend's investigations, which did not include consultation with local residents, have shown that there were four signs on each side of the roadworks. Their wording, positioning and visibility were such as to give drivers adequate warning of the works. We are, however, now considering whether the steepness of the ramp around a manhole cover was a contributory factor in the accidents which have occurred.

asked the Minister of Transport why the Southern Link Road, Hatfield New Town, which was originally scheduled to start in October, 1965, has been postponed for more than six months.

There was no delay. The contractor started preparatory work in April and main works started two days after the expiry of the deferment period.

asked the Minister of Transport whether a report has been prepared concerning the successful results achieved by the parking disc scheme in Cheltenham; and when it will be published.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I have today given to the hon. Member for Wycombe (Mr. John Hall).

asked the Minister of Transport if she is aware that the London Road Traffic Survey, Volume II, states the need for the D Ring Road in North-West London, and that the traffic forecast for the section between the M1 at Bushey and the M4 is the heaviest of all sections; and, in view of the hold up of improvements to the A312–4090 road, whether she will give an assurance that the report of her consultants, Messrs. Brandt and O'Dells, will be accepted or a final alternative announced within six months.

In the light of information emerging from the London Traffic Survey the Greater London Council has suggested that alternative routes for the ring road not so far out should be considered. This will be done as quickly as possible, but I cannot yet set a date for a line to be published.

asked the Minister of Transport if she has made an estimate of the cost of putting the proposed motorway from Swiss Cottage to Primrose Hill road in a tunnel.

The proposed motorway is a project of the Greater London Council. The council is investigating the route and the most appropriate form of construction.

asked the Minister of Transport why the South-West Economic Planning Council was not consulted about the proposals in the recent White Paper on Transport before its publication; if she is aware that this action has caused doubts about the seriousness of the Government in securing local co-operation for its regional policy; and whether she will give an undertaking not to issue further policy statements before taking into account the views of the representatives of the people most affected.

It is my right hon. Friend's policy, as Chapter V of the White Paper indicates, to consult Regional Economic Planning Councils on all transport matters which directly affect them and before reaching any decisions she invariably gives the most serious attention to their views. But it is probably inevitable from time to time, as for example in the case of Portbury on which she was of course aware of the views of the South-West Council, that regional views will not coincide with wider national considerations which must of course prevail.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will give a general direction to the London Transport Board that ticket booths on the London Underground system shall be continuously manned.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents within the last 12 months have occurred involving small commercial vans where the absence of possible additional side windows may have been a contributory factor; and what statistics are kept by her Department to keep a check on such possibilities.

The national statistics do not give this information, but a special study of vans in accidents is to be made.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will seek powers to enable her to make it a condition of the issue of A, B or C carriers' licences for commercial vehicles that the applicant should have sufficient parking space on his own premises for his vehicles and should use such parking space for the vehicles when not in use.

My right hon. Friend will bear this in mind in her review of the carriers' licensing system, but it would touch only part of the problem. Local authorities already have powers under the Road Traffic Acts to control or prohibit parking on the street by commercial vehicles.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will take steps to ensure that the area traffic commissioners refuse any application for an increase in fares on public transport during the period of the prices standstill.

I have no doubt that the Traffic Commissioners will have regard to the principles of the standstill.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will give an assurance that the proposed emergency economies in railway investment will not affect the orders for new coaching stock at the railway workshop in Derby.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether she will make a statement on the present position of the railway line from Wiven-hoe to Brightlingsea; and whether she will reopen this line on the grounds of social necessity;(2) what she estimates would be the cost of reopening the Wivenhoe-Brightlingsea branch line.

Consent to the withdrawal of passenger services on this line was given and closure effected under the previous Government. My right hon. Friend has no powers to require the Railways Board to reopen the line. This question, and the cost of doing so, is a matter for the Railways Board. She has no evidence that there are real social grounds for reopening.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will now authorise British Railways to construct a loop railway linking Liverpool Central (Lower Level), Lime Street and Exchange Stations, and to construct a burrowing junction at Birkenhead Hamilton Square Station.

This proposal to improve the Mersey railway is being developed by the Steering Committee on Merseyside Traffic and Transport. I shall consider it when I receive detailed proposals for the project.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of sparse transport services, she will use her statutory powers to cause Pershore Railway Station to be kept open; and whether she will make a statement.

So far the Railways Board has not published a proposal under Section 56 of the Transport Act, 1962, to close this station to passengers. If it does, my right hon. Friend will consider it in accordance with the usual procedures, which would include a full study of the adequacy of alternative services. Until then I cannot anticipate any decision she may be called on to make.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the Railways Board to ensure that excessive hours are not worked by railway signalmen; and if she will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she is aware that there is a shortage of relief signalmen which is causing a danger to rail-users; and whether she will give a general direction, in the interest of safety, to the Railways Board that all signal boxes should be properly manned to prevent any possibility of rail accidents.

The manning of signal boxes is the responsibility of the British Railways Board and I am satisfied that they are alive to this responsibility. A general direction would not be appropriate.

asked the Minister of Transport when a decision on the future of the Three Bridges—Tunbridge Wells line will be made, in view of the Government's White Paper on Transport Policy, Command Paper No. 3057.

My right hon. Friend's examination of this proposal is nearly complete and she expects to give her decision before long now.

asked the Minister of Transport when a decision on the future of the Hurst Green-Lewes line will be made, in view of the Government's White Paper on Transport Policy, Command Paper No. 3057.

The Railways Board has sought my right hon. Friend's agreement to the publication under Section 56 of the Transport Act 1962 of its proposal to discontinue passenger services on this line. She is studying the advice of the Economic Planning Council for the South East and other relevant factors and hopes to give her decision shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport what guarantees the British Railways Board has given to staff made redundant by the introducion of open freight liner terminals; and whether the Board propose to expand their operations from these terminals by the transfer of staff from other freight depots.

The Board has provided the railway unions with all the guarantees sought. In particular, railway cartage staff not required at other freight depots affected by open terminals but prepared to change their place of work will be absorbed.

asked the Minister of Aviation if, in view of the economic crisis, he will give general directions to the British Overseas Airways Corporation and British European Airways to confine their purchases of new aircraft to home manufacturers in the long-term in terests of British aviation.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my statement to the House on 2nd August.

asked the Minister of Aviation why the British Overseas Airways Corporation has been authorised to buy a further Boeing 707–320C for freight purposes, to be delivered in late 1967, rather than being instructed to use a freighter version of the VC10.

Because no all-cargo version of the Super VC10 had been developed nor could have been developed so as to be available at the date when the Boeing aircraft is needed and can be obtained by B.O.A.C.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will give an estimate of whether the cost of the launching aid for the new British European Airways aircraft procurement is more or less than twice the estimated cost of developing the Superbe.

The amount of launching aid will depend upon the aircraft finally selected by B.E.A. but is likely to be about half the estimated cost of developing the airframe of the Superb. There would have been additional engine development costs for the Superb.

asked the Minister of Aviation what steps he is taking to promote increased sales of aircraft and navigation equipment to the United States for military and civil use; and if he will make a statement.

We are giving all the support we can to the manufacturers of these items in their efforts to increase exports to the U.S.A. I expect military sales to increase substantially as a result of the Offset agreement.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will divert further sub contract work to Short Brothers and Harland pending the planned diversification of the factory in order to avoid interim unemployment before fresh work is made available; and if he will make a statement on expected progress over the next four months.

There is no further aircraft or missile work which I am able to allocate or divert to Shorts at the present time.Future employment prospects will be affected by the progress of diversification, for which my right hon. Friend the First Secretary is responsible.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will now make a statement about increasing and improving air services to the Highlands following discussions between the airlines concerned and the Highland Transport Board in view of the difficulty in the summer in obtaining seats even at a week's notice.

The change over from Heralds to Viscounts, which has already begun and will be completed towards the end of this year, should greatly increase the capacity B.E.A. is able to offer on the Scottish Highland services. These and other improvements are matters which are regularly discussed between B.E.A. and the Highland Transport Board.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether the subsidiary investigations, following the interim report on the leaks to the Press about the European Launcher Development Organisation, have shown that any leaks took place from his Department; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Moray and Nairn (Mr. G. Campbell) on 2nd August.

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will provide the latest authoritative estimate of the anticipated total cost of the Concord project; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add at this stage to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd) on 27th July. I will publish this information as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Aviation what estimates he has of the value of technological fall-out to the British economy which will be created by the Concord development programme.

We are undoubtedly deriving from the Concord programme new technical knowledge which could have useful applications for other branches of industry, but it is not possible to put a monetary value to this.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will seek to hold discussions with the Government of the Irish Republic with a view to co-ordinating legislation and administration to implement the Council of Europe agreement designed to prevent the operation of pirate broadcasting stations.

Yes.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the retail distribution of miniature frequency modulation wireless transmitters in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and other parts of of the United Kingdom; whether he will refuse the granting of licences for the use of such equipment; and whether he will make a statement.

I am aware that small radio transmitters are offered for sale in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and elsewhere which are not suitable for any purpose for which I should be prepared to grant a licence. Anyone found using these devices is of course liable to prosecution.

asked the Postmaster-General what technical evidence he has that a black and white picture from a television colour transmission on 405 lines is not satisfactory.

I would refer the hon. Member to the speech I made on 6th July in the debate on Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Postmaster-General what facilities exist for the payment of radio and television licences by instalments; and what steps he is taking to publicise these facilities.

Special savings cards have been introduced to help people to save towards the cost of a television licence. Post Office counter staff and the organisers of savings groups make the availability of the cards known to the public. Over 2 million cards have been distributed.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether he will commemorate the English victory in the World Soccer Cup Final by making a fresh issue of World Cup stamps over printed, England 30th July, 1966, or similar wording.

My right hon. Friend has already arranged to issue a stamp for this occasion, using the design of the 4d. World Cup stamp with the addition of the caption "England: Winners". The stamp will be on sale on 18th August at post offices in England only.

asked the Post master General whether he will defer the proposed increases in postal charges until 20th January, 1967 to conform with the general standstill on prices.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 8th August to my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis).

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that his refusal to establish a sub-post office at Kinsham, Worcestershire, causes substantial hardship to at least 20 retirement pensioners who incur 1s. 4d. per week minimum bus fares to Kemerton or Tewkesbury to draw their pensions, advancing years and infirmity adding to difficulties struggling on and off inadequate omnibus services in a rural district; and whether he will establish a sub-post office or send a General Post Office mini-van to deliver the pensions to pensioners in Kinsham.

I am sorry that I should not be justified in adopting either of the arrangements to which the hon. Gentleman refers. Retirement pensioners who find the journey to a Post Office too difficult can nominate a friend or some other person to collect their pensions for them.

asked the Postmaster-General why he has decided to close the sub-post office at the junction of Broadway and Eastgate Street in Winchester.

Because we could not justify its retention when the large new head post office counter is opened in Middlebrook Street, only some 350 yards away, on 2nd September. The new counter will be equipped and staffed to cater for people who now use the sub-post office as well as for those who use the present head post office counter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will cause an investigation to be made as to how his decision to establish a Government board for the Post Office was prematurely divulged to the Press.

No.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state what savings in money and manpower are expected as a result of the rearrangement of the control of the Post Office.

It is not a question of effecting savings but of putting the Post Office in a better position to meet the big problems of expansion, modernisation and reorganisation it now faces. As I said in my statement in the House on 3rd August, the Government believe that the change in status will make a considerable contribution to the efficiency of the Post Office, and the efficiency of Britain, in the years ahead.

asked the Postmaster-General why a subscriber who changes his address but retains his old telephone number at his new address is treated as a new subscriber for the collection of the extra telephone rental.

A transfer to a new address requires new arrangements, and retention of the old telephone number does not obviate this need.

asked the Postmaster-General why it has recently become difficult to telephone to Gibraltar; why there have been in the last two weeks several cable breakdowns; and what evidence he has that a go-slow movement for telephonic connections via Madrid is being conducted along the lines of the motor car hold up at the Spain /Gibraltar frontier.

Owing to heavy seasonal traffic there is delay on all telephone calls to the Iberian Peninsula. Recently there have been three cable failures, two in France and one in Spain, affecting our service to Gibraltar. There is no evidence of a go-slow movement in Madrid; delay is mainly due to congested conditions there.

asked the Postmaster-General how many outstanding applications for new telephones there were in the United Kingdom on 31st July, 1966.

245,700 of which 128,100 were on waiting lists.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the average percentage increase in the number of telephones in use in Orpington and South Antrim, respectively, between 1955 and 1965.

Orpington approximately 5½ per cent. South Antrim approximately 11 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that new proposals for the labelling of pre-packed cuts of imported meat, which provide for lettering only an eighth of an inch high, will ensure that the necessary information is sufficiently legible to customers, when lettering on cuts not pre-packed is required to be half an inch high; and if he will make a statement.

This was one of the questions considered by the Standing Committee set up under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, in its Report which was published on 26th October last. The proposals for smaller lettering in certain cases are based on the Committee's recommendations, though they have been extended to cover slightly heavier packs of meat. It seems reasonable to permit a lower minimum size for lettering on a label which will be read when the package is held in the hand than for lettering on a ticket displayed with an unpacked article and intended to be read at a distance.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make regulations under the Food and Drugs Acts to require the Egg Marketing Board to mark as such free-range eggs distributed by them; and if he will make a statement.

The proposals for new regulations on food labelling which were issued last September did not include any provision which would require food produced under cerain conditions, including eggs from hens on free-range, to be especially labelled. Comments on this and all other points on the proposals are now being considered and no final decisions have been reached.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the fish disease now affecting roach and other coarse fish in the River Trent; and what similarity it has to the disease now rampant in Eire.

Disease is now occurring mainly among roach in the Lincolnshire, Severn, Trent, and Welland and Nene River Authority areas. In Lincolnshire the disease has been identified by bacteriological test as columnaris disease; in the other areas the results of tests are still awaited. Whilst the symptoms correspond in many respects with those found in Ireland, there are certain differences including that the disease as it affects coarse fish in this country appears to be less lethal.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consult the National Federation of Anglers and other bodies concerned with fishing to ensure that the fish disease now reported in the River Trent is confined to those waters.

The National Federation and other fishery bodies have been informed of the measures which anglers should take to prevent the spread of the disease.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in view of the saving of manpower which would result from the completion of the Covent Garden Market project, if he will ensure that sufficient funds remain avail able to keep the design team together and to purchase the land and complete other essential preliminaries.

Planning for the new market will continue. The consultations referred to by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in his Written Answer of 25 th July (OFFICIAL REPORT—c. 202–203) include consultations with the Covent Garden Market Authority.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the rates of interest payable on loans from the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation from its inception up to the present time; whether the new rate of 8½ per cent. has been approved under the Government's new policy, coming as it did after 20th July, 1966; and whether the rate of 8½ per cent. will be taken as the basis for calculations of the cost of farmers long-term credit in the discussions leading up to the 1967 Agricultural Price Review.

The following is the list of rates of interest on mortgage loans charged by the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation since its inception:

Rate				Operative from
5	per cent.	…	…	19th December, 1928
4¼	"	…	…	16th April, 1934
3½	"	…	…	16th May, 1944
4	"	…	…	4th November, 1949
4¼	"	…	…	17th May, 1951
4¾	"	…	…	26th November, 1951
5½	"	…	…	26th February, 1952
6	"	…	…	7th August, 1952
5½	"	…	…	14th May, 1953
5	"	…	…	26th November, 1953
4½	"	…	…	20th May, 1954
5½	"	…	…	4th August, 1955
5¾	"	…	…	31st July, 1956
6	"	…	…	26th July, 1957
7	"	…	…	10th October, 1957
6	"	…	…	25th July, 1958
5½	"	…	…	23rd April, 1959
6	"	…	…	26th May, 1960
6½	"	…	…	14th July, 1960
7	"	…	…	20th July, 1961
7½	"	…	…	11th August, 1961
7	"	…	…	10th May, 1962
6½	"	…	…	11th October, 1962
6	"	…	…	18th January, 1963
6½	"	…	…	6th February, 1964
6¾	"	…	…	24th April, 1964
7¼	"	…	…	22nd January, 1965
7¾	"	…	…	26th May, 1965
8½	"	…	…	1st August, 1966

As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave on 5th August to the hon. Member for Norfolk, South-West (Mr. Hawkins).As regards the last part—the cost of farmers' long-term credit, by agreement with the Farmers' Unions, is not directly taken into account at Agricultural Price Reviews.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what date he will inaugurate his scheme for the elimination of brucellosis.

As soon as possible after details of the scheme have been elaborated and discussed with interested organisations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from horticultural growers' co-operatives and marketing organisations about the effect of the Selective Employment Tax.

Fourteen horticultural growers' co-operatives have written about the effects of the Selective Employment Tax. In their representations these bodies have asked that, like individual growers, they should have the tax refunded to them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether rises in farm rents already agreed but not yet in force will be permitted to come into effect;(2) whether arbitrators' awards of increases in farm rents due to take effect at the next term date will be permitted to come into being.

The Government have made it clear in Cmnd. 3073 that the principles of the standstill apply to all farm rents. I have today met representatives of the Country Landowners' Association who have assured me that they are advising their members to comply fully with the principles of the standstill and that a circular, the terms of which have been discussed and agreed with the National Farmers' Union, on the action which should be taken, would be issued immediately. Members are being told that increases in farm rents, other than those which are attributable to improvements, should be postponed if they were not effective before 20th July.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a comparison between the minimum retail prices which will result from common producer prices recently agreed at Brussels with those prevailing in the United Kingdom.

. It is not possible to predict what the level of retail food prices will be in the countries of the European Economic Community when the common levels of producer prices that have been agreed come into operation. This will depend amongst other things on distributive margins and a number of other variable factors. But, taken overall, the producer prices agreed for the Community are substantially higher than our own and this must be reflected at the retail stage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average delay in dealing with applications for agricultural building grants.

The time taken to arrange for inspections of applications under the Farm Improvement Scheme and to scrutinise specifications and tenders varies considerably from case to case. At this time of year applications are very numerous and we usually have on hand the equivalent of about two months' applications. No statistics are kept of the length of time taken to reach a final decision on individual cases.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will adjust the subsidy payments so as to ameliorate the difficulties at present being experienced by egg producers.

I am not sure what difficulties the hon. Member has in mind, but I see no necessity at present for adjustments to the existing egg subsidy arrangements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his joint discussions with food manufacturers and others on recent price increases in a wide range of food products; and to what extent these talks have ensured that the Government's price standstill policy will apply so far as these food products are concerned.

During the past week I have met the leading representatives of the main sections of the food and drink industry, namely, manufactured foods, milling and baking, brewing, wines and spirits, fresh meat and poultry, meat products, fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, eggs and dairy products, tea and coffee, and the wholesalers and retailers of groceries and provisions. I explained to them the restraint which I expected them to exercise on food and drink prices in accordance with the White Paper on the Prices and Incomes Standstill, and I am glad to say that the representatives of every section of the industry gave me assurances that they would co-operate fully with the Government in carrying out the policy in the White Paper.It was also agreed that in order to ensure that close touch is maintained between different sections of the industry and my Department during the next twelve months, small informal liaison committees should be set up. These committees will be particularly valuable in the case of those commodities listed in Part B of the Appendix to Cmnd. 2808, whose prices must inevitably go up and down in accordance with short-term variations in supply and demand on the commodity markets. Unless such price changes take place, shortages or surpluses would develop which would be far more harmful to consumers. This is the reason why, under paragraph 10 of the White Paper, such commodities are not subject to a price standstill but instead the prices being charged will be kept under constant watch by my Department. The liaison committees will enable my Department to be kept fully informed and to see, in co-operation with the industry, that no unnecessary price increases occur.In accordance with paragraph 8 of the White Paper, my Department will be reviewing with the different sections of the food and drink industry the existing early warning arrangements which, together with those for constant watch, cover the whole range of prices. I hope, therefore, that we can make good progress with these discussions, so that this strengthened early warning system can be applied to food and drink prices, thus making it possible to replace the arrangements under paragraph 9. I am glad to say that the representatives of many of the leading food and drink manufacturers and processors have given me their assurance that, unless exceptional circumstances arise, they will not raise their food and drink prices above existing levels until at least the end of the year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his discussion with representatives of the brewing industry; and by what authority he purported to enforce a price standstill in beer prices between 20th July and 1st August, 1966.

Discussions with the brewing industry are still continuing and I am not in a position to make a statement.As regards the second part of this question, the standstill on beer prices which with certain exceptions has been operating for some considerable time, rests on the voluntary co-operation of those concerned in the same way as the general standstill on other prices and incomes which was announced by the Prime Minister in his statement to the House on 20th July last.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the danger arising from the fact that a small section of the A74 at Lesmahagow has not been brought up to the standard of that highway; and when he expects work on this section to be undertaken.

I agree that this stretch of road has unsatisfactory features, including the bend near Bonnington crossroads, and, although I have no immediate plans for reconstructing or realigning it, I am considering quicker and less costly ways of improving driving conditions there.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will state the amount of the Exchequer Equalisation Grant received by the counties of Kirkcudbright and Wigtown in 1965–66 and 1966–67; and what is his estimate for 1967–68.

The amounts received in 1965–66 and due to be received in 1966–67 by Kirkcudbright are £175,754 and £185,254, respectively. The corresponding amounts for Wigtown are £243,587 and £292,750. In 1967–68 some balances for earlier years will fall to be paid, but if the Local Government (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Bill is enacted no further Exchequer Equalisation Grant will be paid. Together with other grants it will be replaced by rate support grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the new £340,000 Foresterhill College, Aberdeen, for the education and training of nurses, which is being built under his authority, will be opened; and what is the extent of its accommodation and programme of work and tuition.

In view of the interest which the College has aroused I am making available the following statement:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the number of forged Scottish five pound notes, indicating what steps he is taking to trace and penalise the forger and to compensate those suffering loss thereby.

I have no means of finding out the number of these forged banknotes which have been printed or are in circulation. With regard to the other parts of the Question I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply I gave him to a similar Question yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered further the question of keeping open Eilon Hospital, in view of expanding populations round about as well as in Aberdeen causing pressure on hospital accommodation; and if he will make a statement.

I expect to reach a decision on this matter shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will undertake further studies into the practicability of introducing an optional headage or acreage basis for C grade farmers under the Winter Keep (Scotland) Scheme.

No. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 15th July to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (Mr. Stodart).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to establish the reasons why farmers qualify- ing for C grade winter keep grants fail to receive grants; and if he will make a study of a sample of such farmers for this purpose.

I am considering whether further study of this question could usefully be undertaken without undue expense.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what stage the inquiry into the rationalisation of the supply of food for the Services has reached; and if he will give an assurance that full consideration is being given to the use of civilian organisations such as the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes so as to reduce to the minimum the cost to public funds and the demand on Service manpower and directly employed civilians.

As from 1st April this year the Navy Department assumed responsibility for the supply of food for all three Services and for its distribution not only to the Navy but also to Army Command Supply Depots and R.A.F. units in the United Kingdom and to main depots overseas. The Answer to the second part of the Question is "Yes".

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why Bandsman Alan Bowers, 23725187, of 4th-7th Royal Dragoon Guards was not granted leave to marry Miss Gaskell of Stockport on 13th August, 1966.

He was needed for band engagements, of which he had been given three months' notice; he was told on 13th May that he could be granted leave for his wedding at any time in July or August except 2nd-9th August and 13th August.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when Bandsman Alan Bowers, 23725187, of 4th-7th Royal Dragoon Guards was posted back to Great Britain from Aden; and when he became a key musician in the band to which he is now attached.

On 6th April, 1966; two years ago.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in view of the Army's requirement of 500 air portable fork-lift trucks, costing in the region of £1½ million, whether he has been able to ensure that these requirements are met entirely by British manufacturers using British components; and what action he has taken to prove or disprove by working trials the claim by a company the name of which has been sent to him that their type N.40 fork-lift truck meets the Army requirements.

My right hon. Friend has not yet decided how this requirement will be met; the M/40/9/D truck will be tested as soon as a prototype is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why, and how, the cost of flying Rear-Admiral I. L. M. McGeoch from Lee-on-Solent to Broms-grove School, a distance of some 240 miles, and involving the exclusive use of Naval Helicopter No. WV204, was considerably less than would be charged by a private hire operator.

Because the aircraft was available and the air personnel were on duty, so that the only extra cost of this visit was for fuel.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the cost of Rear-Admiral I. L. M. McGeoch's visit to Bromsgrove School on Saturday, 23rd July is to be recovered from the school.

No, because this was a visit on duty.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements the meteorological services have with the East German meteorological services for exchanging information regarding weather conditions at Schonefeld Airport and London Airport.

The Meteorological Office has no bi-lateral arrangements with the East German meteorological service for exchanging weather information.However, under international arrangements made by the World Meteorological Organisation, which supplies information to and seeks co-operation from non-members such as East Germany, synoptic weather reports are passed from the meteorological office at Schonefeld Airport to a collecting centre at Prague, from where they are passed with other meteorological reports to another collection centre at Paris, from where they are transmitted to Bracknell for onward transmission to the London Airports. Synoptic weather reports for the London Airports also reach Schonefeld Airport by the reverse process.Under similar arrangements made by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, of which again East Germany is not a member, operational weather information for Schonefeld Airport is also passed to a collecting centre at Prague, from where it is transmitted to another collecting centre at Offenbach and then passed to the London Airports via a further collecting centre at Gatwick. Once again the reverse process also exists.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the Cowley Report on the future of the Royal United Services Institution; and what steps he will take to enable the Institution to carry out its work.

The Cowley Report on the future of the Royal United Services Institution was considered by the Committee on Higher Defence Studies whose recommendations my right hon. Friend has accepted. We are at present discussing with the R.U.S.I. how best it may be enabled to carry on its work.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why, in view of Her Majesty's Government's policy on a wages, salary and prices standstill, his Department are still advertising situations vacant at salary scales which are at present under review; and whether he will amend these advertisements to remove this misleading description of salary scales.

Because a few advertisements were published before they could be amended or cancelled. Steps have been taken to quote current salary scales in future.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the Government's wages and salary standstill will apply to other ranks and officers in the Forces; and whether it will also apply to their annual and periodical increases.

Of course the policy announced in Command 3073 applies to the Forces to the full extent. The White Paper states that it is not intended to apply the standstill to the normal arrangements for increasing pay either with age or by regular increments of specified amounts within a predetermined range or scale.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether Great Britain's second strike nuclear retaliatory capacity is to become wholly dependent upon the Polaris submarines now under construction.

The Polaris submarines will provide, from the end of the decade, our contribution to the collectivised strategic nuclear deterrent forces of the West. No other weapon systems are being planned by the U.K. for this rôle.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, to conserve hard currency, he will instruct all those concerned in purchasing for the Forces at home and abroad to buy wherever possible goods of British manufacture, and order Service men to do this so far as their private purchases are concerned.

We naturally prefer to buy British goods and, in holding the balance between the need to reduce foreign exchange expenditure and to contain defence budgetary expenditure, we shall continue to judge cases as they arise in the light of the prevailing situation. Various means of encouraging British Service men abroad to buy more British goods are under active consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Anglo-French variable geometry project remains both operationally and industrially the core of the Government's long-term aircraft programme.

Our attitude to this project has not altered.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what decision has been taken as a result of the recent economic measures on a reduction of the number of P1127 aircraft to be ordered for the Royal Air Force; and if he will make a statement.

No such decision has been taken. As regards the latter part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave on 3rd August to the right hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter).

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the results of the proposed inquiry into the near collision over Abbotsinch Airport between a Comet jet and a Dove aircraft, both carrying passengers, in the interests of maintaining public confidence in the air control system at Glasgow Airport.

This incident is being thoroughly investigated under the procedure set out in paragraph 111 of the White Paper on Aviation Safety (Cmd. 1695 of April, 1962). It is not the practice to publish the results of such inquiries into Airmisses, because this might inhibit both the reporting of such incidents and the processes of investigation into their causes, and hence the prompt initiation of any necessary additional safeguards against repetition. I regret that I cannot depart from the normal rule in this case. I think I can say, however, that it appears to have been an isolated case which need cause no loss of confidence, by either the airlines or their passengers, in the very high standards of our air control system.