asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the forthcoming elections in Barbados will be held in accordance with the Report of the Boundaries Commission.

The Barbados Government are not yet able to say when it will be practicable to implement the changes recommended in the 1964 Boundaries Commission report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the numbers and composition of the Commonwealth observers team for the coming election arrangements in Mauritius.

The members will be Sir Colin McGregor (Jamaica) as Chairman, Mr. A. N. Kashyap (India), Mr. Charles Ross (Canada) and Mr. Maurice Abela (Malta). The Registration of electors will begin on 5th September and some members of the team will be present from the outset.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the security and constitutional position in Basutoland.

The security position in Basutoland is normal, and work is proceeding on the drafting of the independence constitution.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the purpose of his extended tour of British possessions formerly controlled, administered or coming within the purview of the Colonial Office; what is the estimated cost; and whether, in view of the need for economy, he will cut down on such tours abroad.

To gain firsthand insight into the problems of these far-flung territories, and to hold discussions. My right hon. Friend will also be visiting Canberra for talks with Australian Ministers on matters of common concern in the region. The estimated cost, including that of accompanying officials, is £6,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Her Majesty's Government propose to make a special grant to the Government of St. Lucia towards the budget deficit incurred in the last year in which the territory was in receipt of budgetary aid from Her Majesty's Government.

Yes. The outturn for that year showed a budget deficit of $WI.238,000, and Her Majesty's Government has agreed, subject to Parliamentary approval, to make a grant of that amount to the St. Lucia Government. An advance is being obtained from the Civil Contingencies Fund pending submission of the necessary supplementary estimate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy with regard to the granting of industrial development certificates for light industry in the Chippenham area.

Subject to the needs of the development areas, I am prepared to consider applications for industrial development certificates for projects suited to the resources of the Chippenham area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps the Government propose to take to improve facilities and help for small exporters.

Much of the Government's present export promotion work is designed to meet the needs of the small exporter. Additional measures which have the small exporter specially in mind are under consideraion but I am not able to make any immediate announcement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what support Her Majesty's Government are giving to the establishment of a British Centre in Paris; and if he will make a statement.

Proposals have been put to the Board of Trade for a Government financial guarantee in connection with investment in property intended to be developed as a Centre for British Exporters in Paris. I am not convinced that this would be justified.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from firms in this country who transact business with firms in Israel, concerning the intention of the League of Arab States to boycott them; and what replies he has sent.

None, but I have received representations on behalf of one firm already on the blacklist from several hon. Members. In reply, I have reaffirmed Her Majesty's Government's strong disapproval of any outside interference with the freedom of British firms to trade. It is for each firm to decide on its attitude to the boycott in the light of its own commercial interests.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what figures are available to the most recent convenient date giving an approximate estimate of the volume by numbers and by value of the export of animals other than domestic pets, farm livestock and animals due for slaughter for human consumption.

The following is the information:—

United Kingdom Exports Twelve months ending 30th June, 1966
	Number	Value £'000
Horses (including ponies)*	8,588	7,280
Asses, mules and hinnies	37	1
Greyhounds *	643	116
* Animals exported temporarily for racing, breeding or other purposes are included in these headings.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to promote the use of the identification mark Sterling Area on appropriate goods sold in shops, so as to indicate that the purchase of such items would not be a drain on the balance of payments.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet received the Monopolies Commission's Report on the proposed mergers of the Dental Manufacturing Company or the Dentists' Supply Co., New York, and the Amalgamated Dental Co. Ltd.; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. I received the Commission's Report on 18th July. The Commission concluded that neither of the proposed mergers would operate or might be expected to operate against the public interest.I accept these conclusions and have made an Order revoking the Restriction of Merger (No. 1) Order 1966 and the Restriction of Merger (No. 2) Order 1966. The Commission's Report is being published today.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received concerning the financial stability of certain motor insurance companies; and what action he is taking.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has recently received from the British Insurance Association concerning motor insurance companies without satisfactory financial backing; and what reply he has sent.

The Board of Trade has received representations from time to time from the British Insurance Association and others about the solvency of certain motor insurance companies. The Board keeps a constant watch on insurance companies of which the solvency is in doubt and has explained this, where appropriate, in reply to the representations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the intentions of the insurance companies to increase car insurance premiums; and what action he will take to bring these proposals within the Government's prices and incomes policy, as recently announced.

The nature of insurance requires some flexibility in relating premiums to risks and I have agreed that the changes, already announced by insurers, in the rates of premium, in some cases upwards and in others downwards, for the insurance of private cars may be brought into effect. The insurers have informed me that they will not increase premiums to recoup themselves for increased costs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many persons were given new jobs in Government sponsored factories in Wales in each of the years 1955 to 1965.

I have been asked to reply.The information required is:

Year					Total present employment
1955	…	…	…	…	297
1956	…	…	…	…	280
1957	…	…	…	…	99
1958	…	…	…	…	Nil
1959	…	…	…	…	151
1960					64
1961	…	…	…	…	1,490
1962	…	…	…	…	228
1963	…	…	…	…	2,758
1964	…	…	…	…	285
1965	…	…	…	…	292

These figures relate to the present employment in factories built by the Board of Trade and completed in the years shown.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the Commonwealth Games are to be held in Edinburgh in 1970, he will expedite the construction of a second runway at Edinburgh (Turnhouse) Airport.

No. I consider that the existing main runway will be adequate for all the likely traffic in 1970.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the necessary inquiries were not made by the Registrar of Companies when the name of Fine Fabrics (Huddersfield) Limited was registered in 1963.

Through an oversight the usual inquiry was not made. The Board of Trade was subsequently assured, however, that it was the intention of the company to operate from Huddersfield.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider introducing amending legislation allowing him to direct a company to change its name after the six-month statutory limit when it is obvious the title of the company was based on an erroneous judgment.

I will consider this proposal when the time comes to propose amendments to Section 18 of the Companies Act, 1948, but it is not my intention to propose amendments to that Section in the Companies Bill which I hope to introduce in this Session.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that already five persons have died whilst boating in the Norfolk Broads this year; and if he will increase Government assistance to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents so that it may continue and expand its Learn to Swim and its Lifejackets campaigns.

I regret the accidents which take place on the Norfolk Broads and elsewhere, but I am not satisfied that financial assistance by the Board of Trade to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents would be appropriate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the changed circumstances brought about by Her Majesty's Government's recently announced economy measures and the need to conserve foreign currency, he will seek to restrict the import of one-armed bandits, juke boxes and other unnecessary items of a like character.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated cost, as submitted to him in the course of his consultations with the Airports Authority, of modifying the passenger handling facilities at London, Prestwick and other United Kingdom international airports to handle expeditiously the 400 or more passengers to be carried by the British Overseas Airways Corporation's Boeing 747s.

It is difficult to isolate the capital expenditure solely attributable to the use of very large jets by B.O.A.C. and other airlines as distinct from that required by the general growth of traffic; but the Authority has tentatively put it at about £5 million. It confidently expects a good commercial return on it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what inspections have taken place since the coming into force of the Merchant Shipping Act 1964, of passenger vessels carrying more than twelve people, giving the number of failures and the reasons and the number of successes.

More than 1,400 surveys of passenger ships have been carried out by the Board's surveyors since 26th May, 1965. The normal practice is for deficiencies to be made good during the course of the survey. Ten vessels were not brought up to the required standard; the deficiencies related to the hull (six), the engine (one), stability (one), general poor condition (one) and failure to produce plans (one).

asked the President of the Board of Trade what prosecutions have taken place for contravention of Section 17 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1964.

Two.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now set up an inquiry under the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 to examine existing licensing procedure and its enforcement in respect of pleasure boats, whether carrying more or less than 12 passengers, with power to recommend whether and if so what amendments should be made to the present law.

I would prefer to await first the conclusions of the inquiries to be held into the accidents to the "Darlwin" and the "Prince of Wales".

asked the President of the Board of Trade at what time on Monday 1st August Air-Sea Rescue Command at Plymouth was first advised that the pleasure boat "Darlwin" had been reported missing; and what steps were taken to effect a search.

At 05·50 hours. Details of the air search were given to the House by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Air Force on Wednesday, 3rd August, and Friday, 5th August.

asked the President of the Board of Trade at what time on Monday 1st August the coastguard stations were first advised that the pleasure boat "Darlwin" was overdue at Falmouth; and what steps were taken to effect a search, and by whom.

At 02·45 hours. All Coastguard Stations between Falmouth and Fowey and the lifeboats at Falmouth and Fowey were informed about the missing boat and a broadcast to shipping was requested in order that searches could be started at daybreak. An air search was requested at 05·50 hours. Intensive searches were made during this and the succeeding two days.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why his private office informed the hon. Member for Bodmin on 3rd August that the Shackleton aircraft to be used that afternoon to recommence the search for the pleasure boat "Darlwin" had developed engine trouble; and why that office subsequently informed the hon. Member that the aircraft had been repaired and that the search would be resumed at 3.30 p.m. British Summer Time.

Because these were the facts, which were given to the secretary of another hon. Member to be conveyed to the hon. Member for Bodmin (Mr. Bessell).

asked the President of the Board of Trade why his private office informed the hon. Member for Bodmin on 3rd August, 1966, that the Shackleton aircraft from St. Mawgan which had been used in the search for the pleasure boat "Darlwin" had been recalled for other duties.

Because these were the facts. The aircraft was engaged on the search throughout Monday, 1st August, until dusk. The search was resumed by another Shackleton aircraft the following morning, 2nd August, at 8·07 a.m.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the coastguard stations between Fowey and Falmouth were fully manned between the hours of 17.00 hours and 24,00 hours on Sunday 31st July.

The regular Coastguard Stations at Falmouth, Gorran Haven, Mevagissey and Polruan were manned between 17.00 and 24.00 hours on Sunday, 31st July. Bad weather watch was set at the lookouts at Gorran Haven at 18.00, and at Mevagissey and Polruan at 19.00. Constant watch is kept at the Falmouth lookouts.The lookouts at the auxiliary Coastguard Stations at Portscatho and Portloe are normally not manned until the wind reaches Force 7 Beaufort scale. The lookout at Charleston is manned at Force 6. These conditions did not prevail during the hours mentioned in the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which users of the National Reference Library for Science and Invention have open access to the library in the present temporary and divided quarters.

The National Reference Library for Science and Invention is at present located in Bloomsbury (at the British Museum), and in Holborn (in the former Patent Office Library). There is at present open access only to that part of the collection housed in Holborn.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to recruit staff for the National Reference Library for Science and Invention in order to meet the planned programme for expansion and development; how many new staff have been recruited this year; and if he is satisfied with the rate of recruitment.

The recruitment of extra staff for the National Reference Library of Science and Invention is in the hands of the trustees of the British Museum, who use the Civil Service Commission, the Ministry of Labour and Press advertisements. Thirty-eight new staff have been recruited since 1st January, 1966. Sixteen of these were for additional posts and 22 for vacancies and wastage. The quality of the staff recruited has been very satisfactory but for some of the posts recruitment has been slow, and difficulty has been found in recruiting clerical staff. I am satisfied that the trustees are doing everything possible to expedite recruitment.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what inquiries are currently taking place into aspects of comprehensive education; what are their terms of reference; and when they will be completed.

I have set on foot a programme of long-term research into methods of organising and running comprehensive schools. I am sending the hon. Member copies of statements released to the Press on 30th September and 16th December, 1965, which describe the objects of this research and the way it is being organised. The work will extend over several years and no date has been fixed for its completion. Progress reports will be published from time to time.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to publish the three parts of the annual statistics of his Department.

Part I will be published this month and Part II in November. The date for the publication of Part III is not yet fixed but it should be early next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will now arrange that payments are made for the use of school premises by Cadet Corps.

This is a matter for the local education authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) when it is expected to establish a sixth form in the proposed Wetherby comprehensive school; and what provision for sixth-form education subject to what conditions of entry will be made for Wetherby pupils who wish to pursue further education at this level pending the establishment of such a sixth form at Wetherby;

The West Riding Authority's secondary reorganisation proposals for Wetherby were submitted only last week. There has been no time to consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why he is not aware that advertisements have been placed in the national Press for appointments in educational establishments quoting salary scales under review and salary awards pending, contrary to Her Majesty's Government's wage and salary standstill, in view of the fact that such advertisements were on display in the Daily Telegraph on Friday 29th, July; and whether he will take action to have such advertisements amended.

If my hon. Friend will let me know which advertisements he has in mind, I will write to him about them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will refer to the National Board for Prices and Incomes the proposed increases in prices of meals at his Department's staff restaurant.

The notices setting out proposed increases in prices of meals have been withdrawn.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how long it has been the practice to require the holders of Ministry of Labour vouchers or entry certificates to provide particulars of dependants entitled to enter the United Kingdom with them or to follow later; how many dependants will thus be entitled to enter this year; and how many have so far done so.

The arrangement was announced last August, in paragraph 19 of the White Paper "Immigration from the Commonwealth" (Cmnd. 2739), and was put into practice last October. We are making a statistical survey of the particulars notified at our posts overseas, but we do not know how many of the dependants named in pursuance of this arrangement were among the Commonwealth citizens admitted as dependants since October.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will conduct an inquiry into the security risks involved in the current retail distribution of miniature frequency modulation wireless transmitters in the United Kingdom.

My right hon. Friend has this problem under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to amend the Obscene Publications Act, 1959 so that the intention of Parliament in introducing the concept of literary merit as relevant to prosecutions under this Act may not be frustrated by persons who seek to avoid such a test, and trial by jury, by initiating summary proceedings in a magistrates' court.

There is already an entitlement to raise a defence of literary merit on any proceedings under the Obscene Publication Acts; but I sympathise with my hon. Friend's concern that the right to trial by jury should also apply in every such case. There are some difficulties in writing any automatic entitlement to jury trial into the forfeiture procedure; but my right hon. Friend intends to have the matter re-examined when opportunity for legislation occurs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what decision he has given in regard to the London Borough of Brent proposals for alterations in the borough's ward boundaries; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has, with slight modifications, accepted the borough council's proposals. The Town Clerk and all interested parties were informed by Home Office letter dated 3rd August.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reply he proposes to send to the report sent to his Department last week by the Brighton Fire Brigades Committee of the Brighton Council concerning the safety conditions for 200 people in St. Michael Place, Brighton; and whether he will make a statement.

A letter giving some account of this matter was sent recently by the Town Clerk to the Department of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, but this did not call for a reply. The way in which the Council exercises its statutory powers relating to fire precautions is within its own discretion and there are no grounds, in this case, on which my right hon. Friend could intervene.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a large number of firemen who will be compulsorily retired from the fire service in the coming year will have their pensions permanently reduced as a result of the wages standstill; and whether he will amend the firemen's pension scheme so that when the current wages settlement negotiated by the Fire Brigades Union ultimately becomes effective their retirment pensions might be correspondingly adjusted.

Under the firemen's pension scheme made under the Fire Services Acts, pensions are calculated on the average of the actual pay received during the last three years of service (in some cases, the last year of service).I have no plans to amend the scheme in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that overcrowding at bingo halls results in fire hazards; and if he will introduce legislation to enable him to prevent such overcrowding.

I have very much in mind the need for further measures for the protection of life in the event of fire in various kinds of premises, including bingo halls, and I hope to introduce appropriate legislation when there is opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up a committee to which proposals for the alterations in borough ward boundaries can be referred to ensure there is no political party majority discrimination.

The statutory procedures already provide for public local inquiry by an independent commissioner with complete discretion as to the recommendations he should make.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will refer the price of coffee sold in catering establishments to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

No.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans his Department has prepared for the reintroduction of food rationing.

None, except for a war emergency.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the estimated retail prices of the principal items of food in the United Kingdom based on a strict adherence to the new Community agricultural policy and assuming the present distribution margins.

No precise answer is possible to this hypothetical question. But it is clear from the decisions which the European Economic Community have taken that adoption by the United Kingdom of the Community's agricultural system and price levels would add materially to the cost of food to our consumers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to halt the recent increase from 7¾ per cent. to 8½ per cent. in the interest rates of the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 5th August to the hon. Member for Norfolk, South-West (Mr. Hawkins).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what authority the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation is raising its interest rate to 8½ per cent. as was announced on 30th July.

The authority for the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation's interest rate rests with the Corporation's board of directors. The Government's views were however sought as to the propriety of raising the rate for new loans. I have already explained why the increase was regarded as necessary in my reply on 5th August to the hon. Member for Norfolk, South-West (Mr. Hawkins).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to take in view of the report of the committee of investigation into the award of second quality eggs to 12 producers in the United Kingdom.

My right hon. Friends and I are considering the report and have invited the formal comments of the British Egg Marketing Board on the Committee's recommendations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will entertain applications for beef cow subsidy submitted after 1st August.

I am prepared, exceptionally, to consider delayed applications this year, but farmers who have not yet applied should lose no further time in doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what study he has made of the latest budget introduced by the Rhodesian authorities.

Our conclusion, after a close study of such figures as the régime has thought fit to publish, is that this budget is a deliberately slanted and misleading document which is more noteworthy for what it omits than for what it reveals.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will state the names of British journalists who have been expelled from Commonwealth countries within the last two years, giving the countries from which they were expelled, in which cases his Department made protests; and what were the results of such protests.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how long the option on the South Bank site for the National Reference Library for Science and Invention will remain open.

My Department is negotiating for this site as the location of a permanent building for the Library, but there is no option on it.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what consideration has been given to using critical path planning technique for progressing the successful development of the National Reference Library of Science and Invention as a complete project, including the construction of the new building on the South Bank and the move from temporary quarters to the permanent building; and if he will make a statement.

My Department uses the critical path analysis technique for all major construction projects. The ways in which the technique will be used for the National Reference Library scheme will be considered when the outline requirements are known.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is the latest estimate of the cost of rebuilding Knightsbridge Barracks; and if, in view of the need for economy and as a contribution both to the reduction of defence costs and to preserving the visual amenity of Hyde Park, he will reconsider this project and, in particular, that vart of it which consists of a tower nearly 300 feet high.

About £3·4 million. I have considered the points raised in the second part of the Question, but the need for this project remains unchanged, and the married quarters to be provided in the Tower are an essential part of it. The Royal Fine Arts Commission have said that the design is acceptable to them.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what consideration he has been giving to the possible need for further safety precautions to protect industrial and other monuments since the recent fire at Chatham Dockyard; what extra safeguards are needed; and what steps he is taking to have these carried out.

Safety precautions in Ministry of Defence premises of historic interest are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. The requirements in comparable buildings in my right hon. Friend's charge are kept under constant review and periodical inspections are made by the Ministry's Fire Officers. To ensure close co-operation between the two Ministries on fire matters generally, a Standing Committee on Fire Precautions was recently set up. The report on the Chatham fire will be examined in that Committee.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he is aware that the building workers agreed after negotiations with the employers to accept a 3½ per cent. increase in wages, such increase being budgeted for in new building contracts; and whether, in view of the fact that the wage standstill means that this increase will not be received by the workers, he will take steps to ensure that all building contracts are reduced by the equivalent of the wages cost of 3½ per cent. per man hour involved in such contracts.

I have nothing to add at present to the Answer which I gave on 1st August to the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen).

asked the Minister of Transport when the hon. and learned Member for South Buckinghamshire may expect to receive a reply to his letter of 13th June, 1966, concerning a request that she should meet certain hon. Members on both sides of the House, and to his letter of 13th July requesting an answer to the above letter of 13th June.

I am sorry for the delay, which is due to staff shortage and exceptional pressure of work. I have written to the hon. Member, stating that my right hon. Friend has asked me to receive the hon. Members when they have outlined their suggestions in writing.

asked the Minister of Transport what changes she proposes to make in the regulations for parking unlit vehicles in towns at night, especially on bus routes, following the consideration of this problem by her last two predecessors, as announced on 28th July, 1964.

The Department has been studying the possibility of devising a single set of rules which could be made applicable throughout the whole country to govern the parking of unlit vehicles in towns at night. The conclusions resulting from this study have been sent to chief officers of police whose comments are expected shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will make regulations to allow a man and wife, or parent and child, to travel in a three-wheeled invalid car.

If an invalid vehicle is to attract the various concessions which apply to an "invalid carriage" as defined in the Road Traffic Act, 1960, it must be used solely by the invalid. My right hon. Friend has no power to vary that provision.Carrying additional passengers in other vehicles driven by an invalid would appear to be banned by law only if in the particular circumstances there were an infringement of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations requirement that the number of passengers carried in a motor vehicle and the manner in which any passengers are carried shall be such that no danger is caused or is likely to be caused. She would not be justified in exempting vehicles used by invalids from this requirement.The presence of passengers in a vehicle specially designed and constructed to carry only an invalid can give rise to danger.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress is being made to improve the junction of A232 with A21; and if she will make a statement.

An improvement for this junction was planned by the former London Traffic Management Unit of the Department in conjunction with the former Orpington Urban District Council who received grant approval in March, 1965. On the 1st April, 1965, the Greater London Council became the highway authority for both roads and assumed responsibility for implementing the scheme. The Greater London Council have recently sought my right hon. Friend's approval to additional grant and to some modifications to the scheme. She hopes to give an early decision.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of paragraph 37 of the White Paper on Transport Policy, she will now authorise an earlier start on the Kingsworthy Link Road, so that heavy industrial traffic from the Midlands to Southampton Docks can avoid passing through the city of Winchester.

The necessary Orders for this scheme will be advertised on 12th August. Work will begin as soon as the procedures are completed.

asked the Minister of Transport if she is aware that a further serious accident occurred at the junction of the A6 and the A510 at Finedon, Northamptonshire, on Saturday, 6th August, 1966; and if she will now order an inquiry to be held to consider the need for traffic signals or a roundabout at that junction.

I am very sorry about this accident; the Ministry's Divisional Road Engineer is looking into the suggestions made by my hon. Friend and I will write to him as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will take steps to have notices placed on motorways indicating to lorry drivers that they must not normally use the third lane.

My right hon. Friend has no evidence to suggest that this regulation is not generally known to lorry drivers and she would prefer not to add to traffic signs on the motorways.

asked the Minister of Transport if she is aware that the British Railways Board has announced that the Northampton to Wellingborough line will be closed to all traffic with effect from 1st October next; and if she has agreed to the disposal of the assets or if the formation of the lines is to be retained in case of future need.

I am told that the Railways Board has recently withdrawn the remaining freight services from this line and my right hon. Friend is now examining their request to dispose of it. In deciding whether there may be a future need for the line she will consider the advice of the Regional Economic Planning Council.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will issue a directive to the Governor of the Bank of England to avoid the use in future of the Bank's name as an agent for the issue of foreign and incorrectly described stock, as for example the recent issue of Ireland 7½ per cent. stock on 4th August, 1966.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what authority the Bank of England issued £5,000,000 of Ireland 7½ per cent. stock on 4th August, 1966; if he will seek and publish information from the Bank as to the amount of such stock subscribed by the public; and what part the Government broker played in this transaction.

By the authority of the Government of the Irish Republic. The whole of the stock was taken up by the public. The Government broker played the normal part of any broker to a new issue.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state, at the latest convenient date, the percentage increase in production since November, 1964, the percentage increase in the cost of living since November, 1964, the change in the internal purchasing power of the pound sterling since that date, and the percentage increase in average earnings during the same period.

The Index of Industrial Production, seasonally adjusted, increased by about 2 per cent. from November, 1964, to May, 1966. During the same period the Index of Retail Prices rose by nearly 7½ per cent. and correspondingly the purchasing power of the pound, taken as 20s. in November, 1964, declined to 18s. 8d. Average earnings of employees covered by the Ministry of Labour index increased by nearly 11 per cent. during this period.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what restrictions are imposed on civil servants as regards writing to the Press, making public speeches and taking part in local political activities; whether this applies to all grades of the Civil Service including messengers; and if the rules are the same under Colonial Civil Servants Regulations.

The general rule is that the private activities of civil servants must not conflict with their official duty. Messengers are free to engage in political activities: with others it depends on their grade. A civil servant must resign before becoming a Parliamentary candidate. The regulations for Colonial Civil Servants are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends the proposed 10 per cent. surcharge on Surtax for 1965–66 to apply in calculating Capital Gains Tax payable on the alternative basis under Section 21 of the Finance Act 1965.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much cash British residents in the United Kingdom are allowed to take out to non-sterling areas on leaving these shores; whether it is the previous £25 or less; whether it is included in the £50 annual allowance; and whether those with Diner's Cards or American Express Cards use the £50 allowed to such holders whilst abroad, in addition to the normal £50 to be marked on their passports.

The amount in sterling notes which a traveller may take with him has been reduced from £25 to £15. This is in addition to the basic current allowance of £50 in foreign exchange. As with other expenditure payable in sterling, credit cards may for the time being be used abroad in accordance with existing rules but, as my hon. and learned Friend, the Financial Secretary said in reply to the hon. Member for Louth on 2nd August, credit card holders will in due course be subject to the same restrictions as other people.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources what are the reasons for further delay in the introduction of the measure to change the law relating to leasehold tenure of dwellinghouses; and on what date he proposes to introduce this Bill.

The preparation of legislation on such a complicated matter inevitably takes time. As to its date of introduction, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies I have recently given on this point to my hon. Friends the Members for Smethwick (Mr. Faulds) and Lewisham, South (Mr. Carol Johnson).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many P1127 aircraft are to be ordered for the Royal Air Force.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter) on 3rd August.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence at what time weather conditions improved on 3rd August to an extent sufficient to enable the air search for the pleasure boat "Darlwin" to recommense.

At about 3 p.m. Weather information from the log of the Rescue Co-ordination Centre shows that at 11.13 a.m. the weather was unsuitable for search but that it was thought that conditions might improve by late afternoon. Even at 3 p.m. the weather was still extremely poor. The Shackleton during its search reported 6/8ths cloud cover at 500 feet with visibility varying from 0 to 6 miles, frequent showers, and a heavy swell. The captain of the Shackleton reported that these conditions precluded close investigation of the coastline.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence from which Royal Air Force station the Shackleton aircraft used to recommence the search for the pleasure boat "Darlwin" on 3rd August was sent to the search area; and why a Shackleton from St. Mawgan was not used for this purpose.

The Shackleton used in the search operation on Wednesday, 3rd August was from R.A.F. Kinloss, and was airborne at 12 p.m. It was due to arrive in the search area at 3 p.m. but was delayed in the air by a hydraulic leak for twenty minutes. It is for the Air Commander to decide how best to use his aircraft resources to meet his operational and training commitments and on this occasion he decided to use an aircraft from Kinloss in the knowledge that there would be enough time for the aircraft to reach the search area before the weather improved sufficiently to enable the search to be renewed. If, contrary to expectations, it had become possible to renew the search before 3 p.m. by using an aircraft from St. Mawgan this would have been done. I would add that on Thursday, 4th August and Friday, 5th August Shackleton aircraft from Ballykelly were used in the search, while on Monday, 1st August and Tuesday, 2nd August aircraft from St. Mawgan were used.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons he has established the Systems Analysis Panel.

I have not established a Systems Analysis Panel.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether, in view of the present economic situation, he intends to proceed with the Anglo-French variable geometry project and the European air bus.

I have nothing to add to the Answer given the hon. Member for Tiverton on 6th July regarding the European airbus and as regards the V.G. project, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given by the Secretary of State for Defence on 10th August to the right hon. Member for Mitcham (Mr. R. Carr).

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what guidance he has given to the building societies about the changes in mortgage rates planned before publication of the White Paper on the Prices and Incomes Standstill.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the right hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter) on Tuesday, 9th August.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) whether he is aware of the difficulties caused to the building societies by the uncertainty over Her Majesty's Government's policy regarding building society mortgage interest rates; how Her Majesty's Government propose to freeze these interest rates; when the National Board for Prices and Incomes are due to publish their findings on this subject; and whether he will make a statement;(2) if he will make a statement on the further increases in building society mortgage rates by a number of building societies in relation to Her Majesty's Government's prices policy; how this increase will affect the Government's target of 500,000 houses; how it will affect the Government's policy of eventual 3 per cent. interest rates on mortgages; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the right hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter) on Tuesday, 9th August.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what decision he has arrived at in the appeal of Mr. Sawyer, of Stoodleigh, Tiverton, Devon, reference APP/2431/A/4626/ HPI (V); or, if he has not decided this case, when his decision will be made and announced.

My right hon. Friend's decision will be announced next week. I will write to the hon. Member then.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will state the total area of office accommodation completed since 1960 in the former London County Council area, and the rest of the Greater London area, respectively; and how much of each is still unoccupied.

This information is not available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what reply he has sent to the Urban District Councils Association's representations for an amendment to the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1963, to make it necessary for planning approval to be obtained before an existing retail shop is converted for use as a snack bar or cafe.

My right hon. Friend has told the Association that he does not think further discussions with them would prove useful unless they have fresh evidence to support their proposal. Their arguments were considered in detail on an earlier occasion and a full reply was then sent.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what advice he has given or intends to give to water undertakings concerning proposals for increases in water rates during the prices standstill.

My right hon. Friend is about to issue a circular on this matter to all water undertakers. A copy will be sent to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he proposes to implement the recent agreed pay award to assistant design engineers employed by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, in view of the fact that other drawing office grades of employees have had their pay awards implemented and back dated to 1st January, 1965.

I understand from the Authority that the pay of the assistant design engineer grade was the subject of a commitment that had not been implemented. Payment has therefore been deferred in accordance with Cmnd. 3073.

asked the Minister of Technology if he is aware that Messrs. Sedgley Rentals Limited, Droylesden, Manchester, have increased as from 26th July their television rental charge from 5s. to 7s. per week to existing customers; and if he will take steps to stop this price increase.

I am taking this up with the firm concerned and will let my hon. Friend know the outcome.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the Jost Report.

Yes. In December, 1964, at the invitation of my noble Friend the former Minister of State for Education and Science, a Working Group was formed under the Chairmanship of Mr. H. Peter Jost with the following terms of reference:

"To investigate on an informal basis the present state of lubrication education and research and to give an opinion on the needs of industry in respect thereof".

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science and I have now considered the recommendations contained in the Working Group's Report which was published earlier this year. We are satisfied that there is considerable scope for savings in this field and we accept the Working Group's recommendations in principle as useful indications of ways in which the needs of industry might be met. My right hon. Friend has drawn the attention of the educational authorities concerned, and the appropriate Training Boards, to the recommendations in the Report which are of interest to them.In accordance with the Report's recommendations I propose to set up a Committee on Tribology, a word which the Working Group has used to cover lubrication and bearing technology and associated fields. It will include members from industry, the universities and professional institutions, as well as from the government departments and other agencies chiefly concerned. The functions of the Committee will be to advise me on how the objectives of the Report can be most effectively pursued. The Committee will also be able to advise government departments and other bodies as requested. In particular, I will ask the Committee as a matter of priority to consider whether the use in industry of the latest technologies and best designs can be most successfully fostered by the establishment of one or more Institutes of Tribology or by other means.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will refer the disproportionately high prices charged for gas appliances and gas appliance fittings by the Scottish Gas Board to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

No. The Board is already making a vigorous attack upon costs.

asked the Minister of Power what arrangements he will make to ensure that private electrical contractors paying Selective Employment Tax on their employees will be able to ascertain that competing branches of the nationalised electricity boards engaged in similar work are making charges which reflect an equivalent financial handicap.

This matter is being pursued in consultation with the industries concerned.

asked the Minister of Power whether he has received the Report of Sir Robert Wynne-Edwards on the failure of gas supplies in the West Midlands last winter; and whether the Report is to be published.

Sir Robert Wynne-Edwards has presented his Report and I expect it to be published in about two months' time. Copies will be placed in the Library.