asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement following the consulations he has had with the Minister of Transport on the question of the upkeep of certain private or unadopted roads which are in a state of disrepair.

My right hon. Friend's consultations have confirmed that the only satisfactory answer to this problem is for these roads to be made up and adopted by the street works authority.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what proposals he has for consulting the larger local authorities about the appointment of Municipal Commissioners of Administration or Ombudsmen; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to what was said by my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council during the debate on the Second Reading of the Parliamentary Commissioner Bill.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is his estimate of the total financial benefit to ratepayers in the City of Manchester from the Rating Act, 1965; and how this compares with the total financial benefit to the ratepayers in the City of Manchester from the Rating (Interim Relief) Act, 1964.

For the first half-year, rebates totalling some £86,000 have been granted, of which the Exchequer pays £65,000. In three years the city's claims under the 1964 Act have been £240 for individual relief, together with £154,000 for grants in aid of rates generally, including commerce and industry.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will issue a circular to rating authorities to urge that as a general rule they should exercise their discretion to grant full rebates to those who would be entitled to them if they had applied sooner.

No. I think it is already widely known that my right hon. Friend hopes rating authorities will use their discretion generously at least in this first year of the scheme.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is satisfied with the response to the Rate Rebate Scheme in the city and county of Kingston-upon-Hull; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that 7,150 applications for rebates were made in the first half year. It is too early to judge the effect of the present publicity campaign.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, whether he is satisfied with the response to his appeal on rate rebates in the borough of Redbridge; and if he will make a statement.

If my hon. Friend is thinking of the message which my right hon. Friend sent out to all ratepayers in the fourth week of September, I can tell him that in Redbridge in that week 475 fresh applications for the first rebate period were made, compared with 4,335 up to then. My right hon. Friend is glad that these people were brought to apply, and he intends to go forward with added publicity as seems necessary.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give the number and value of rate reliefs granted to ratepayers under the provisions of the Rating Act, 1965 to the latest available date.

The total number of those who have applied for the first and second rebate periods is not yet known. But for the first half of the financial year the indications are that about a million people in England and Wales will have been granted rebates averaging £7 12s. 6d. each.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he will decide on the scheme for the extension of Ticehurst sewage works submitted by Battle Rural District Council on 24th November, 1965 and revised on 17th March, 1966, since when the Council has received no communication notwithstanding four requests for an early reply owing to the block of 18 flats occupied on 15th October, 1966 and 51 houses due for occupation from early December.

The revised scheme was approved in principle on 26th October.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will introduce legislation to give additional financial assistance to local authorities which are situated in national parks areas where the local planning authority insist on the use of local natural stone instead of artificial stone for outer wall surfaces for building of council houses and old people's bungalows.

Additional financial assistance for the use of special materials in building council dwellings in order to preserve the character of the surroundings is already available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what measures have been taken by his Department and local authorities in the clearance of derelict sites in coal-mining and other areas; and what was the total amount of expenditure involved.

Comprehensive information is not available about the extent to which local authorities made use of their powers to treat derelict sites before 1964, when they were asked to make annual returns. The returns show that in 1964 2,076 acres and in 1965 2,061 acres were treated. My right hon. Friend has no information about the total expenditure of local authorities on the clearance of sites. As my right hon. Friend is aware, grant may be paid towards expenditure in development areas. Since 1960 78 schemes have been approved involving 1,003 acres and a grant commitment of £794,667. This excludes expenditure under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what advice he has given to local authorities which have made known their long-term redevelopment proposals before the areas involved have been officially designated, thus inhibiting the sale of property without allowing the usual opportunities for compensation.

In 1959 local authorities were advised that if they were asked to buy properties in cases which fell outside the statutory blight notice provisions, they should exercise a reasonable discretion to buy land in advance of requirements, so long as they were satisfied that the property was blighted as a result of a proposal for acquisition by them and that there was genuine hardship.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now make a statement on the operation of the Rating Act, 1966.

As a measure to reduce the impact of rates on ratepayers with small incomes, the Act seems to be doing its job. My right hon. Friend hopes to see its provisions becoming increasingly well known to all who could benefit.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he estimates the Royal Commission on Local Government will report.

I hope in about two years.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he will make a statement about the future of Stansted Airport.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when the inquiry on Stansted Airport will be published.

I am urgently considering the report with my colleagues. It will be published as soon as the Government has reached a decision. I will make a statement then.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what his proposals are for a study of the Ashford region; by whom this study will be made; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend hopes to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware of the substantial efforts already made by local authorities and volunteers to fence disused mine shafts in Cornwall and elsewhere; whether he will now provide financial help to local authorities to accelerate this work, where the owners cannot be traced; and whether he will issue a circular to local authorities and extractive industries laying down standards for rendering disused mineral workings safe for the public.

My right hon. Friend is aware of what is being done; local authorities qualifying for rate deficiency grant will receive grant on the cost of this work; they are best able to judge what is needed in each case and he does not think a circular is called for.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he is taking to discourage local authorities from raising rates during the period of severe restraint.

Local authorities have been asked to ensure the utmost possible economy in their expenditure in this financial year and the next. In addition, the Local Government Bill, at present before Parliament, should help to keep down the rates for householders.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware of the decision of the council of the London Borough of Lewisham to set up a policy committee of the council specifically excluding members of the minority group; and, in view of this abuse of the machinery of local government for party purposes, whether he will direct the district auditor to make a special report as to the legality and propriety of the expenditure involved.

I know of nothing illegal in this action. However, if the law is being broken the District Auditor will no doubt call attention to it.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he sought the views of the North-West Regional Economic Planning Council before coming to his recent decision regarding the proposal of the Birkenhead County Borough to construct a by-pass at Rock Ferry.

No.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that a public inquiry into the effects of coal extraction under the City of Manchester was held in April of this year and that the planning for future production from Bradford Colliery, Manchester, is now hampered pending the report of that inquiry; if he will expedite the report; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has received the Inspector's report and appreciates the importance of reaching a decision as soon as possible on the National Coal Board's application to extend their workings at Bradford Colliery.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to make a decision on the compulsory purchase order for the Lowestoft beach area; on what date he received the inspector's report on the public local inquiry; and whether he is yet aware of the local concern that a quick decision should be reached so that redevelopment can take place.

This is a complicated matter involving an amendment to the development plan and two compulsory purchase orders as well as an order under the Housing Acts. The Inspector's report on the combined inquiry was received on 19th April. Decisions will be announced as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what applications he has received to develop a hoverport north or south of the Thames to serve the industrial Midlands.

The only application before my right hon. Friend for a hoverport on the east or south-east coasts relates to Pegwell Bay, Ramsgate.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will issue a circular to all county boroughs and boroughs in England and Wales with direct labour building departments, recommending them to pass a resolution under the terms of Section 239(1)(a) of the Local Government Act, 1933, so that their accounts, including the accounts of the direct labour department, may be subject to the scrutiny of a district auditor.

No.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what proposals he has for altering the present system by which professional auditors, appointed by resolution under Section 239(1)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1933, have no powers of disallowance and surcharge, in view of the inadequacy of the arrangements for the audit of direct labour departments of municipal boroughs under the existing provisions.

None. But as the hon. Member may know, the Society of District Auditors is already inquiring into the audit problems of direct labour departments.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement on the reorganisation of local government on Tyneside.

My right hon. Friend received the Inspector's Report of the Inquiry and it is now being considered.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why 350 tons of pebbles are being annually removed from the Chesil Beach, Portland, by a private firm; how long the agreement lasts; if he is aware of the danger to the sea wall and annoyance to local residents; who checks the weight; and if he will make a statement.

This is a matter for the local authority.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what proposals he has for the reform of the town and country planning system.

I refer the hon. Member to my Answer today to the hon. Members for Sutton Coldfield (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd), for Dorset, West (Mr. Wingfield Digby) and for Chippenham (Mr. Awdry).

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he proposes to introduce legislation to amend the law on improvement grants.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I have today given to Questions by the hon. Member for Northants, South (Mr. Arthur Jones) and the hon. Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Costain).

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will consult the President of the Board of Trade about co-ordinating house building with industrial development in the Swindon area, in the light of the recently announced plans for Swindon's population expansion.

Yes. There will certainly be close co-operation to make sure that house building and industrial development keep in step.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many, and which, local authorities have started improvement area schemes to install baths, inside water closets and hot water systems in non-council houses needing them; and what steps he proposes to take to increase this number.

Details of schemes started under the Housing Act, 1964, are given below. These show that a total of 150 areas have been declared by 79 local authorities.The Ministry's Regional Offices take every opportunity to encourage local authorities to initiate systematic area improvement.

LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN ENGLAND AND WALES WHO HAVE REPORTED THE DECLARATION OF IMPROVEMENT AREAS—UP TO 18TH OCTOBER, 1966
		Number of areas declared
NORTHERN REGION
Tynemouth C.B.	…	1
YORKSHIRE AND HUMBERSIDE REGION
Doncaster C.B.	…	1
Rotherham C.B.	…	1
Sheffield C.B.	…	5
Morley B.	…	2
Ripon B.	…	3
Bentley-with-Arksey U.D.	…	2
Horsforth U.D.	…	2
Thorne R.D.	…	2
Wetherby R.D.	…	1
NORTH WEST REGION
Bury C.B.	…	1
Salford C.B.	…	3
Colne B.	…	1
Eccles B.	…	6
Hyde B.	…	2
Rawtenstall B.	…	1
Cheadle and Gatley U.D.	…	1
Ormskirk U.D.	…	2
Wilmslow U.D.	…	1
Runcorn R.D.	…	2
Neston U.D.	…	2
EAST MIDLAND REGION
Derby C.B.	…	1
Kettering C.B.	…	2
Grantham B.	…	1
Mansfield B.	…	1
Carlton U.D.	…	1
Corby U.D.	…	2
Beeston and Stapleford U.D.	…	1
Heanor U.D.	…	2
Long Eaton U.D.	…	4
Oakham U.D.	…	1
Matlock U.D.	…	3
Sutton-in-Ashfield U.D.	…	1

			Number of areas declared
WEST MIDLAND REGION
Birmingham C.B.	…	…	6
Dudley C.B.	…	…	2
Walsall C.B.	…	…	1
Warley C.B.	…	…	4
Evesham B.	…	…	1
Halesowen B.	…	…	2
Leamington Spa B.	…	…	2
Stourbridge B.	…	…	2
Sutton Coldfield	…	…	8
Atherstone R.D.	…	…	1
EASTERN COUNTIES
Southend-on-Sea C.B.	…	…	1
Bury St. Edmunds B.	…	…	1
Watford B.	…	…	2
Wisbech B.	…	…	4
Brentwood U.D.	…	…	1
Burnham-on-Crouch U.D.	…	…	1
Harlow U.D.	…	…	1
Hitchin U.D.	…	…	2
GREATER LONDON
Bromley L.B.	…	…	1
Croydon L.B.	…	…	3
Haringey L.B.	…	…	2
Islington L.B.	…	…	1
Lewisham L.B.	…	…	1
SOUTH EASTERN COUNTIES
Hastings C.B.	…	…	1
Epsom and Ewell B.	…	…	1
Sandwich B.	…	…	3
Worthing B.	…	…	2
Herne Bay U.D.	…	…	2
Walton and Weybridge U.D.	…	…	1
Woking U.D.	…	…	2
Bridge Blean R.D.	…	…	1
SOUTHERN COUNTIES
Portsmouth C.B.	…	…	1
Reading C.B.	…	…	2
Henley-on-Thames B.	…	…	2
Wokingham B.	…	…	1
Alton U.D.	…	…	1
Beaconsfield U.D.	…	…	1
Farnborough U.D.	…	…	1
Amersham R.D.	…	…	2
Winchester R.D.	…	…	3
Wing R.D.	…	…	6
WALES
Abercarn U.D.	…	…	1
Milford Haven U.D.	…	…	1
Cowbridge R.D.	…	…	1
Llanfyllin R.D.	…	…	1
Rhyl U.D.	…	…	1

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what proposals he has to increase the output of the most suitable kinds of industrial building.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what measures he proposes to take for ensuring the necessary volume and continuity of demand to promote efficient industrialised building.

We have given authorities 3 or 4 year programmes and, together with the National Building Agency, are helping them with the selection of sites, the use of the best methods including industrialised systems, programming, and the development of consortia.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many houses were started in the public sector in the first six months of 1966; and what was the equivalent figure for 1965 and for 1964.

I would refer the hon. Member to the appropriate tables in the Monthly Digest of Statistics and in Housing Statistics.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will state the numbers of permanent houses completed in the first eight months of 1965 and 1966.

I would refer the hon. Member to the appropriate tables in the Monthly Digest of Statistics.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he is taking to publicise the provisions of the Rent Act, 1965, and, in particular, the protection available to the tenant under the Act.

Posters are being prepared and my right hon. Friend is considering newspaper advertising also, in the provinces. At present he does not think further publicity is required in London, and he has no evidence that further national publicity is needed on security of tenure.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is satisfied that the provisions of Section 13 of the Rent Act, 1965, are giving adequate protection to second successors; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend Friend has no reason to think that these provisions are not answering their purpose.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what representations he has received from the building and construction industries asking him to withdraw his Circular No. 50 of 1965 dealing with house building by direct labour organisations.

None.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he will take to restore residential buildings in the old metropolitan area of London from office to housing uses, particularly in the inner central area.

A number of such buildings are being used for offices with temporary planning permission. My right hon. Friend is sure the planning authorities will be anxious, when these permissions expire, to ensure that the buildings are restored to residential use, if they are still suitable for it.Where, however, buildings have permanent permission for office use, the authorities would have to buy them, or pay compensation to ensure their return to residential use. My right hon. Friend doubts whether the cost of doing this would normally be justified, especially as many of the buildings would be expensive to adapt for modern living conditions.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what consideration is being given to the suggestion of the Milner Holland Committee on London housing that areas of special control should be established in the older districts of the metropolis.

My right hon. Friend thinks that local authorities are better placed to deal with such areas than any special authority of the type suggested by the Milner Holland Committee; the powers required are being considered by a group of officers from the Greater London Council, the London Boroughs, and my Department.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when the Central Housing Advisory Committee will report on standards of housing fitness; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The report will be published tomorrow. My right hon. Friend and his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales are now studying it.Copies of the report are being sent to local authorities and my right hon. Friends intend to consult with local authority interests about its recommendations in due course.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is yet ready to introduce legislation setting out when and on what basis mortgage interest repayments of 3 per cent. will be made available to house purchasers.

The building societies saw difficulties in the practical administration of the scheme originally announced in March, but in subsequent

STANDARD GRANTS—ENGLAND AND WALES
	Local Authority Dwellings*				Private Dwellings†
Period	Number of dwellings	Baths or Showers	Hot Water supplies	Water closets	Number of dwellings	Baths or Showers	Hot Water supplies	Water closets
Six months ended 31.8.66	8,381	1,103	8,047	1,393	21,597	16,439	18,058	19,163
Twelve months ended 31.8.66	13,979	1,880	13,307	2,915	46,963	35,773	38,970	41,517
* Numbers in all standard grant applications approved during the period.
† Numbers in all standard grant applications where works completed. It is not known how many of the dwellings in which these installations were made were owner-occupied or tenanted. Of all standard grants approved for private houses during the twelve months ended 31.8.66 27½ per cent. were for private landlords.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what machinery exists for the co-ordination at regional level of the work of his Department with that of the Ministry of Transport.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many houses have had baths, inside water closets or hot water systems installed with the aid of standard improvement grants in the last six or 12 months; how many of these were houses owned by private landlords; why this number has fallen far short of the 200,000 houses a year aimed at in 1964; and what steps he proposes to accelerate improvement work.

The figures are as giver below.The rate of house improvement with standard and discretionary grants is running below that of recent years; my right hon. Friend is considering what changes may be desirable in the legislative provision and in the arrangements for administering and publicising improvement grant schemes to achieve and maintain a higher rate of house improvement, but he is not yet ready to make a statement.

Both Departments have regional organisations through which close and regular contact is maintained on day-to-day planning matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what is the purpose, and cost to date, of impounding the Rhodesian passports of Rhodesians who wish to retain them and of issuing other travel documents to such Rhodesians.

Documents purporting to be passports issued by the illegal régime are not recognised by Her Majesty's. Government, nor by most other countries. Rhodesian passports issued before I.D.I. become invalid if renewed by the illegal régime. These documents are impounded and can be replaced by British passports. My predecessor dealt with the question of passport facilities for known active supporters of the illegal régime in his statement to the House on 25th January last.The cost of impounding these passports is negligible. The usual fees are charged for replacement.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what complaints he has received about incitement to violence in Rhodesia broadcast by Zambia Radio; what reply he has made; and what other action he has taken.

My Department has received various representations including a number from Members of this House, and has replied to the effect that, apart from two isolated examples last May, extreme broadcasts of the kind complained of do not seem to have occurred for a very long time. I do not consider that any further action is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give an assurance that independence will not be granted to Rhodesia except on the basis of universal adult suffrage, one man one vote, as required in the resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations passed on 22nd October with the support of 86 nations.

The British Government's position on the granting of independence to Rhodesia is made clear in the communiqué of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Meeting contained in a White Paper laid before the House on 12th October.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will give an assurance that the time limit given to the illegal régime in Rhodesia for the acceptance of Her Majesty's Government terms for independence will not be extended.

Her Majesty's Government have repeatedly made it clear that their position is as set out in the communiqué of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Meeting. We intend to stand by this.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what is the total cost to Great Britain in expenditure, grants, loans, loss of trade, military movements, etc., and the resultant extra expenditure due to increased prices, for example of copper, of the sanctions campaign against Rhodesia to date.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave on 25th October to the hon. Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison).

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by Her Majesty's Government to co-operate in the further development of hydro-electricity schemes at Kariba.

The present installations at Kariba represent only the first stage of the hydro-electric complex which the Central African Power Corporation planned to construct there on both sides of the Zambesi. Under stage two of the plan a second power station would be constructed on the north bank.Since the illegal declaration of independence by Rhodesia, the Higher Authority for Power, whose approval is required for all capital expenditure by the Corporation, has been unable to function because there are no lawful Ministers of the Government of Rhodesia. Her Majesty's Government recognises that there is a genuine need in these circumstances to find some way of authorising the Corporation to proceed with capital expenditure on stage II of the Kariba project. We, and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, who have an active interest in the project, have been pursuing the question. Her Majesty's Government is ready, subject to certain assurances, to assist in reconstituting the Higher Authority for Power as quickly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will seek to initiate discussions with the Prime Minister of Singapore about the use of the Singapore base for a United Nations Force.

As no firm proposals have been made for the establishment of a United Nations Force in the area it would be premature to raise this with the Commonwealth Governments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the value of Bechuanaland's imports from Rhodesia for the 12 months from October, 1964 to October, 1965 and for the 12 months from October, 1965 to October, 1966, respectively.

Published figures show that Rhodesian domestic exports to Bechuanaland in the 12 months from October, 1964 to October, 1965 were valued at £1,591,000. There are no reliable figures available for the equivalent period from 1965 to 1966.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what was the cost of the British information services in Australia during the past three financial years, respectively; and what sum is projected for the next financial year.

The cost in the current year, including a notional allocation of C.O.I. expenditure, is estimated at £268,000. Corresponding figures for 1965–66 and 1964–65 were £275,000 and £346,000. I cannot of course quote any figures for the next financial year before the Estimates are laid before Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the fact that Zambia is bearing the brunt of the burden consequent on Her Majesty's Government's policy on Rhodesia, he will consider as a matter of urgency the granting of increased financial and technical aid.

Her Majesty's Government have offered the Zambian Government further aid up to a total of £13·85 million for expenditure up to the 30th June, 1967. Discussions on this offer are still taking place through our Acting High Commissioner in Lusaka.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now discuss with the Gibraltar authorities the proposal that Gibraltar be given associate status with the United Kingdom, similar to that of the Isle of Man.

It is the view of Her Majesty's Government, which is shared by the elected members of the Gibraltar Legislative Council, that a constitutional change of this sort is not at present desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Her Majesty's Government will support Gibraltar against any threats or intimidation by Spain.

I invite the hon. Member's attention to the replies which my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave to the House yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now give an assurance that there will be no transfer of the sovereignty of Gibraltar against the wishes of the people of Gibraltar.

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why, in view of the problems and difficulties connected with Gibraltar, he did not, during his overseas visits between 29th July and 3rd September, 1966, visit Gibraltar.

A visit to Gibraltar could not have been fitted into my right hon. Friend's Pacific and Far Eastern tour. He had always intended to pay the visit now taking place in the early autumn, after the conclusion of the present round of talks with the Spaniards.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what charges were brought against those Argentine nationals who were responsible for the illegal landing of an Argentine airliner on the racecourse of the Falkland Islands on 28th September, 1966.

The Argentine Government dissociated themselves from the incident immediately after it occurred and declared that those responsible would be brought to justice. In these circumstances no charges were brought against them in the Falkland Islands. I am informed that they are now in close confinement in Tierra del Fuego under the orders of the Argentine Federal Judge who is considering the case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give a breakdown of the estimated £6,000 expenses incurred by him and his officials on the tour which they undertook from 29th July to 3rd September; and who was included in the various overseas visits in addition to himself.

My right hon. Friend was accompanied throughout by his wife. Two officials were in the party which visited the mid Pacific islands and Australia and three accompanied him to Hong Kong.The breakdown of the expenses is as follows:

				£
Cost of travel	…	…	…	5,484
Subsistence	…	…	…	565

asked the Minister of Power whether he is satisfied that all the coal tips in Leicestershire are safe; and what is the method of inspection.

Following the Aberfan disaster the National Coal Board has supplemented its normal inspection procedures and a special inspection has been carried out at all tips for which they are responsible. I have been assured by the Board that none of its tips in the Leicestershire area constituted a danger to life or property.With regard to the method of the inspection, I have asked the Chairman of the National Coal Board to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Power to what extent pneumatic stowing systems are being employed by the National Coal Board for the disposal of waste into the void left by the extraction of coal from the face; and what are the limitations of this method of disposal.

Pneumatic stowing systems are used as a method of roof control on 2 per cent. of coal faces. I am advised that their use is costly, and that there are technical limitations. Stowing machines cannot match the rate of extraction of modern power loading machines and it would be extremely difficult to transport to the face the large quantities of waste which arise elsewhere underground and from preparation plants on the surface.

asked the Minister of Power (1) at what capital cost the Coventry plant for the production of Homefire smokeless fuel was completed; on what date its building was commenced; and on what date it was commissioned or operational output commenced;(2) what information he received, in considering the National Coal Board's application for approval of capital expenditure at the Coventry plant, regarding the forecast full production output of Homefire smokeless fuel from the plant per year, and per week, respectively; and when this output level will be reached;(3) what has been the total output of Homefire smokeless fuel from production plants.

I understand that the National Coal Board notified the Minister of Power of its plans in 1963, and told him that the output of this plant was to be 650,000 tons per annum, 13,000 tons per week. Construction started in March, 1964. I am informed that the plant is now substantially complete, but that engineering difficulties have delayed the start of production, and full production is not likely to be reached for at least a year. The total cost cannot be stated exactly until all work has been finished, but the National Coal Board's latest estimate is that it will be of the order of £12 million.Coventry is the only production plant for Homefire smokeless fuel. For the reasons given above it has not yet produced commercial quantities.

asked the Minister of Power what consultations he has had with the trade unions concerned on appointments to the proposed National Steel Corporation.

I have received from the trade unions concerned a number of suggestions, which I welcome, on appointments to the National Steel Corporation. I am, however, personally responsible for these appointments and formal consultation would not be appropriate.

asked the Minister of Power if he will introduce legislation to merge the gas and electricity industries in order to cut down expense.

The size and complexity of these industries is already such that I do not consider any useful improvement in efficiency could be achieved by merging them. The possibility of providing joint consumer services in certain fields has been considered from time to time but the balance of advantage has appeared to lie in leaving these functions within the responsibility of each industry. The scope for further co-operation is, however, being kept under review.

asked the Minister of Power how many zones are available for the exploration for oil or natural gas in the Irish Sea; how many have been allocated and to whom; and if he will make a statement on the progress of such exploration in this area to date.

Applications were invited in 1965 for 65 Blocks amounting to about 5,000 square miles off the coast of Great Britain from the Solway Firth to North Wales. Five Blocks, amounting to some 500 square miles, have been licensed to Gulf Oil (Great Britain) Limited.Some seismic surveys of the Irish Sea have already been carried out.

asked the Minister of Power what representations he has received concerning the application of the staff superannuation scheme to all employees of the electrical supply industry and when the Electricity Supply (Manual Workers) Superannuation Scheme will be amalgamated with the Staff Scheme (Supply).

I have received representations from two branches of the Electrical Trades Union. Changes in the pension schemes are, in the first place, matters for consultation between the unions concerned and the Electricity Council. I cannot, at this stage, say whether any changes are likely.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the net cost to the reserves of the new Bank of England policy of forward intervention in the foreign exchange market between October, 1964 and October, 1966; whether he is satisfied with the effectiveness of this policy; and if he will institute an official inquiry.

The Bank of England has operated effectively in the forward market on behalf of the Exchange Equalisation Account, not to the cost, but to the benefit of the reserves.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he gave in the negotiation of the recent double taxation agreement with the United States of America to the fact that the cost of this agreement to the balance of payments will be in the region of £80 million.

The effect was fully considered. It is impossible to quantify it, but I am satisfied that the figure quoted by my hon. Friend is quite wrong.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what percentage the standard of living will be reduced before the nation will be living within its income; how soon that reduction will be achieved; and if he will make a statement.

It is the Government's intention to restore the balance of payments as quickly as possible, and to secure a surplus in 1967. This is likely to entail a slackening in the rate of increase of the standard of living; I do not expect an absolute reduction.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has held with leaders of industry and trade unions about the need to give fresh incentives to individuals.

I am continuously in touch with leaders of industry and the trade unions on both a formal and an informal basis.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of recent action by Spain regarding Gibraltar, he will withhold facilities for obtaining Spanish currency for travel to Spain; and if he will make a statement.

No. I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer which my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Goole (Mr. George Jeger) on 18th October.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the recent development of Government policy by which 2 per cent. is accepted as a general level of unemployment on a permanent basis, he will instruct all Ministers responsible for spending Departments to take urgent steps to reinflate the economy so as to bring about a rapid fall in unemployment.

It would be premature to reinflate the economy before the measures taken have served their purpose of remedying our balance of payments position.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) why the unearned income of dividends is not statutorily treated in the same way as the earned income of wages in the measures taken to freeze incomes;

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, South-East (Mr. Park) on 25th October, 1966.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the names of the 12 companies whose dividends have so far violated the incomes standstill; what was the unjustified percentage increase in each case; and what action he proposes to take against them and against any further company which declines to co-operate voluntarily.

Details of the twelve companies are as follows:

Company	Per cent. dividend
	Last Year	This Year
Bulex Ltd.	7·50	90·0
Distillers Co. Ltd.	10·42	11·00
Jetinga Valley Tea Co., Ltd.	5·00	10·00
Kinta Kellas Rubber Co., Ltd.	20·83	30·00
London Rubber Co., Ltd.	33·00	35·00
Cyril Lord Ltd.	19·00	22·50
Metal Traders Ltd.	100·00	200·00
David S. Smith Ltd.	12·00	1500
Stewart Plastics Ltd.	25·00	26·00
Stocklake Holdings Ltd.	10·50	12·00
West of England Trust Ltd.	15·00	18·00
Westward Television Ltd.	40·00	50·00

As was stated by my right hon. Friend in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 20th October, 1966, investigation has established that these increased dividends were paid under a misunderstanding of the precise effect of the standstill policy in their individual cases, and no further action is proposed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total value of post-war credits still remaining to be repaid as at the latest convenient date.

About £210 million, plus about £40 million accrued interest, at the beginning of October, 1966. Some £530 million have been repaid, plus some £12 million accrued interest.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he now has to accelerate the repayment of outstanding post-war credits.

My right hon. Friend cannot at present contemplate any such acceleration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he received a request from the directors of Aire Wool Limited for guidance on their dividend policy; what guidance he intends to give; and when he will give it.

A letter was received from Aire Wool Company Limited on 26th October, and a reply has been sent which for the present I prefer to treat as confidential.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what grades of civil servant are not permitted to undertake additional paid employment outside the Civil Service.

Any Civil Servant is permitted to undertake additional paid employment outside the Civil Service provided the employment does not require his attendance during normal official hours, there is no conflict with the interests of his department or inconsistency with his position as a public servant, and the outside activity does not impair his usefulness as a public servant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the Government's policy of redeployment has been successful in the Civil Service; and by how many the Civil Service staff has either risen or fallen during the past two years and since 20th July, 1966.

Some thousands of civil servants have been redeployed in carrying out many new Government policies. As to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Harwich (Mr. Ridsdale) on 25th October.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will detail in HANSARD particulars of overseas visits made by Ministers of his Department during the past two years; for what purposes

Data	Name of Minister	Country visited	Purpose of visit	Total Cost (including officials)
1. 1st–3rd December, 1964	Chancellor of the Exchequer	France	OECD Meeting	£411
2. 14th December, 1964	Chancellor of the Exchequer	France	NATO Meeting	£238
3. 7th–9th March 1965	Chief Secretary	Germany	Offsetting foreign exchange costs of British Forces in Germany	£164
4. 11th–12th May, 1965	Financial Secretary	Switzerland	Speech to the British Swiss Society	£140
5. 26th June–1st July, 1965	Chancellor of the Exchequer	Canada and United States of America	To discuss International Liquidity	£2,467
6. 28th–29th June, 1965	Chief Secretary	Switzerland Germany	Offsetting foreign exchange costs of British Forces in Germany	£96
7. 22nd–23rd July, 1965	Chancellor of the Exchequer	France	To see French Finance Minister	£66
8. September 1965	Chancellor of the Exchequer	Jamaica and the United States of America	Commonwealth Finance Ministers and IMF/ IBRD Meetings	£8,520*
9. September, 1965	Financial Secretary	United States of America	IMF/IBRD Meeting	£282
10. 14th–16th December, 1965	Chancellor of the Exchequer	France	NATO Meeting	£198
11. 26th–28th April, 1966	Chief Secretary	France	ELDO Conference	£57
12. 20th–21st July, 1966	Chancellor of the Exchequer	Germany	Mixed Commission on BAOR costs	£930
13. 24th–25th July, 1966	Chancellor of the Exchequer	Holland	European Ministers Meeting	£144
14. 30th August–22nd September, 1966	Chief Secretary	Italy, Ghana, India, Singapore, Thailand and Laos	To consider standards of diplomatic accommodation	£2,000 (estimated)
15. September. 1966	Chancellor of the Exchequer	Canada and the United States of America	Commonwealth Finance Ministers and IMF/ IBRD Meetings	£5,000 (estimated)
* The expenses of the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the IMF/IBRD meetings were met by the IMF/IBRD.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the visits of the Chief Secretary to the Treasury during the Summer Recess to Rome, Accra, New Delhi, Singapore, Bangkok and Vientiane, for the purposes of considering the standards of diplomatic accommodation; which diplomatic accommodation he visited in each country: and what economies he now proposes to make as a result of these visits.

My right hon. Friend's visit was made at my request with a view and at what costs these visits were made; and what have been the results of such visits.

The details are as follows:to effecting economies in public expenditure. He visited a representative sample of accommodation at these places. His report will be of great value in framing estimates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total number and cost of staff who have accompanied Ministers on official trips abroad since 20th July.

The information is being collected. I will publish it in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as it is available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the Royal Commissions, departmental committees, interdepartmental committees, working parties and the like, which are currently sitting, showing the number of civil servants who have been allocated to work full- and half-time, respectively, to each.

It is not customary to list committees, etc., which are composed only of civil servants. Other bodies in which my Department is concerned, by being responsible either for their activities or for their expenditure, are:

	Civil Servants allocated:—
Title	Full-time	Half-time or part-time
Royal Commission on Trade and Employers' Associations	10	—
Royal Commission on Medical Education	8	—
Royal Commission on Tribunals of Inquiry	3	1
Royal Commission on Local Government in England	23	—
Royal Commission on Local Government in Scotland.	12	—
Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England)	72	—
Royal Commission on Ancient Monuments in Wales and mouthshire	15	—
Royal Commission on Ancient Historical Monuments in Scotland	18	—
Royal Fine Art Commission (England)	6	—
Royal Fine Art Commission (Scotland)	2	—
Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries	2	—
Boundary Commission	6	—
Historical Manuscripts Commission	14	—
Committee on the Home Civil Service	5	4
Capital Issues Committee	1	—
Civil Service Efficiency Committee	—	10
Working Party on Management Training in the Civil Service	—	6
Advisory Committee on the Queen's Award to Industry Agents	—	2
Advisory Panel to advise the Chancellor of the Exchequer under s. 468 of the Income Tax Act, 1952	—	2
Royal Mint Advisory Committee on the Design of Coins, Medals, Seals and Decorations	—	2
Advisory Committee on the Appointment of Advertising	—	1
National Selection Panel for Overseas Film Festivals	—	4
Advisory Committee on the Selection of Low Priced Books for Overseas	—	1

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what will be the criteria for the selection of firms for the experiments in plant bargaining discussed at the recent Productivity Conference.

As my hon. Friend was informed on 27th October, the scope for these experiments will be considered by the Working Party of the National Economic Development Council.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what plans he has to extend the use of plant productivity committees after his recent discussions with both sides of industry.

The scope for such committees will be considered by the Working Party of the National Economic Development Council which has been set up to follow up the National Productivity Conference.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what has been the total cost of Government hospitality in each of the last five years; what steps he is taking, in view of the economic crisis, to reduce this expenditure; and if he will make a statement.