asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will take steps to recommend that representatives of parents are elected to the governing bodies of State schools.

I believe that such matters are usually best left to local initiative, but my right hon. Friend will consider whether it would be appropriate for him to give any fresh guidance when he has studied the findings of current research into school management and government.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether all the projects in the 1965–66 major school building programme have now been started.

No. Approximately 28 per cent. of the projects had not started by the end of September. This is about the same figure as in the three previous years.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, what progress is being made in providing nursery classes to facilitate the return of married women teachers.

I am not at present able to add to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State on 6th July to my hon. Friend the Member for Eton and Slough. The next annual returns from authorities about their nursery provision are due in January, 1967.—[OFFICIAL REPORT; Vol. 731, c.74.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the estimates of educational expenditure contained in the National Plan remain a firm commitment, despite the lower rate of economic growth now anticipated by the Government.

It was made clear in the National Plan that the programmes of public expenditure to 1969–70 must be subject to continuous modification in the light of the development of the economy. It is too early to say whether or how the programme for education might be affected by recent changes in the economic prospects.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in the light of recent official announcements of Government policy, whether he will make a statement on his intention to introduce legislation to compel the introduction of comprehensive schooling by local education authorities.

On present evidence I do not foresee the need for legislation in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has yet received the report of the working party on the relationship of the universities and the Government research establishments; and if he will make a statement.

No. But the Working Party is expected to report to the Council for Scientific Policy before the end of the year. My right hon. Friend will then consider whether a statement would be appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to ensure that students in all colleges of education have the opportunity of taking the Bachelor of Education degree; and if he will make a statement.

I am glad to say that all the universities concerned, with the single exception of Cambridge, are proceeding with arrangements for a B.Ed. degree. If the universities are unable to make satisfactory arrangements covering all colleges, I would hope that the Council for National Academic Awards would be able to offer appropriate facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in how many single school areas the only schools available are controlled or aided schools.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the total public expenditure since the passing of the Education Act 1944 on capital grants and current grants, respectively, to controlled and aided schools; and how many of these schools have been rebuilt or enlarged.

Grants from my Department to aided and special agreement schools up to the end of August, 1966 totalled £49·9 million on new buildings, and £24 million on alterations and repairs to existing buildings. Responsibility for all expenditure in controlled schools rests with local education authorities. This is not recorded separately by my Department—nor is expenditure incurred by local education authorities on the maintenance and internal repair of aided schools. The Answer to the last part of the Question is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he proposes to institute an inquiry into the state of boxing in the United Kingdom.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the report of the Plowden Committee on primary schools will now be available to the House and the public.

In the middle of January.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total number of full-time graduates and undergraduates at each university and college of advanced technology in October 1966.

Provisional figures of student numbers for the current session are now in process of being sent to the University Grants Committee by universities and colleges. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as I have received the figures.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many new primary and secondary schools were completed in England and Wales in the fourth quarter of 1965 and in the first three quarters of 1966, respectively.

The information requested is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give details of the provision made to take over the work of the National Foundry College currently operating in Wolverhampton Technical College, now that a Government grant is being withdrawn.

Alternative provision will be needed from September next, and the Governors of the National Foundry College are in consultation with the local education authority for West Bromwich with a view to making arrangements for the Wednesbury Technical College to take over the work of the National College from that date.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many primary school improvement projects in the Inner London Education Authority's area were approved by him after October, 1964, for inclusion in each of the building programmes for 1965–66, and 1966–67.

None for 1965–66; two for 1966–67, bringing the total for that year to eight. Subsequently, at the Authority's request one of the eight was brought forward to start in 1965–66 and another postponed to start in 1967–68.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations were made to him after October, 1964, by the Inner London Education Authority, or its predecessor, for an increase in the allocations for primary school improvements for 1965–66 and 1966–67; and what action was taken.

In March, 1965, the Authority expressed dissatisfaction with their allocation for minor works for both years principally on the ground that it was inadequate to enable them to do enough primary school improvement. In the light of these representations, two additional major primary school improvement projects were added to the programme later in the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total number of primary school improvement projects submitted by the London County Council for inclusion in the 1965–66 and 1966–67 building programmes; and what was the total number approved before October, 1964.

The following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why, in view of the Government's policy of a wage and salary standstill, the Science Research Council were advertising in the Sun on Tuesday, 16th August, situations vacant with annual increments; and what action he proposes to take to amend these advertisements.

I would refer my hon. Friend to paragraph 18(iv) of the Command Paper on the Prices and Incomes Standstill.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is aware of the effect of implementing the recommendations of the Pilkington Report on Further Education in relation to sparsely populated rural areas; and to what extent the extension of further education facilities in rural areas will be delayed because the classes are small.

The new criteria will be applied for the first time to new courses proposed for a start in the academic year 1967–68. Therefore I cannot yet say what the effect will be but the Report recommends that exceptions should be sympathetically entertained in cases in the more scattered country areas where a substantial number of students would be deprived of a course if the normal minimum enrolment was insisted upon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider a scheme for rewarding members of the public who give outstanding help to the police.

There are already arrangements for this, at the discretion of police authorities. In the Metropolitan Police District 150 payments of this nature have been made by the Commissioner of Police so far this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what sum has been contributed to the fund set up by his Department for the dependants of policemen.

In addition to the single donation of £100,000 with which the Fund was started, some £111,000, including £43,000 from Metropolitan Police officers, had been received by 31st October. Further substantial donations are expected when formalities for the registration of the Trust as a charity have been completed. My noble Friend, Lord Stonham has been acting as convenor of the Fund but apart from the Permanent Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, all the Trustees will be serving police officers: and it will be for the Trustees, not for my Department, to run the Trust.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of child cruelty came before the courts as a result of reports by medical practitioners in each of the last three years.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what complaints he has received from prison officers; and what action he is taking to safeguard officers and their families against violence.

I have recently discussed with the Prison Officers' Association the control of violent prisoners and have assured them of the importance I attach to adequate arrangements for this. As regards threats against the families of prison officers, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 19th October to a Question by the hon. Member for Maidstone (Mr. John Wells).—[OFFICIAL REPORT; Vol. 734, c. 55.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he intends to take to reduce the danger of death or serious injury to police and prison officers on duty from the actions of criminals.

I cannot add to the reply I gave on 18th October to a Question by the right hon. Member for Streatham (Mr. Sandys) and to the replies I gave on 20th October to Questions by the hon. Members for Dorset, West and for Louth (Sir C. Osborne).—[OFFICIAL REPORT; Vol. 734, c. 8. and 71.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Commonwealth immigrants were admitted in the first nine months of this year under the following heads, namely, voucher holders, dependants, and students; and how these numbers compare with those for each of the previous three years.

Following are the numbers of Commonwealth citizens subject to immigration control under the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962 who were admitted in each of the categories named during the first nine months of each year from 1963 to 1966:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the recent murders of police officers, he will now seek to amend the 1965 Act relating to firearms, to make it an indictable offence merely to carry and /or possess such weapons.

No. The 1965 Firearms Act created new offences related to the carriage of firearms and prescribed heavy penalties, and I do not consider that a further change in the law along the lines suggested would produce worthwhile results. I am however actively considering new legislation in relation to shotguns.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances he is prepared to confirm sentences of corporal punishment awarded under Section 53 of the Prisons Rules 1964.

I cannot give a categorical answer to a hypothetical question of this kind; if an individual case arose I should have to consider it in the light of the particular circumstances, as I did in the Maxwell case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what answer he has sent to the Prison Officers' Association's representation to him that capital punishment should be retained for the murder of a prison officer whilst on duty; what action he proposes to take to ensure that the prison staffs and police forces remain fully manned, in view of the resignations and declining recruitment resulting from his policy; and if he will make a statement.

I have received no representations about capital punishment directly from the Association, although their views are known to me.I do not accept the assertions in the second part of the Question. Recruitment less wastage for prison officers amounted to 238 in the first nine months of this year compared with 219 in the first nine months of 1964. For the police the similar comparison is 1,313 against 382.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the committee in his Depart

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, due to circumstances over which they have had no

There is no question of general arming of the police. A working party of the Central Conference of Chief Constables has prepared a report recommending greater uniformity than at present exists in the type and scale of arms held for issue in situations of special danger, and improvements in training.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a comprehensive list of all prisoners who have escaped from gaols in Great Britain is compiled; and whether the Press are allowed access to this list.

A comprehensive record is kept of all prisoners who have escaped from prisons in England and Wales since 1st January, 1962, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has similar information in respect of Scotland. Relevant information from these records is given to the Press on request.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in HANSARD the number of jail breaks during the current year from closed prisons, open prisons, outside working parties, while under escort, from hostels or failure to return from parole, respectively; and if he will give similar details for the years 1962 to date.

Following are the figures:control probation officers have been under wage and salary restraint and standstill since 1948; and whether, in this case, he will take action to see that either a salary increase is granted or a special merit award is conceded.

Salaries of all grades of the service have periodically increased and the basic scale salaries have increased by 165 per cent. since 1949; earlier this year a higher salary scale was introduced by agreement for basic grade probation officers. Salary scales for higher grades were still under review on 20th July, and I regret that I can find no grounds for exceping them from the operation of the White Paper on Prices and Incomes Standstill.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the growth of gangs of crooks operating the three card trick in and around the area of Club Row, London, on Sunday mornings; and whether he will arrange for extra plain clothes detectives to be drafted into the area between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sundays.

I am informed by the Commissioners of Police of the Metropolis and for the City of London that as a result of police action, gaming of this type has been reduced in this area in recent months. Additional plain clothes detectives are regularly on duty on Sunday mornings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why a Private Secretary, in addition to the Minister of State, attended the Berlin Police Show and International Police Exhibition at Hanover between 4th and 8th September; what were the results of the visit; and whether he will make a statement.

It is customary for a Minister travelling abroad on official business to be accompanied by a Private Secretary. This visit provided the Minister of State with a valuable opportunity for the study and discussion of police problems and methods.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the visit of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on 8th and 9th October to Holland to attend a meeting of the Steering Committee of the Bilderberg Conference; what was the object of the Conference; and what other activities were undertaken by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary during this visit.

The Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State attended the meeting on 9th October in a personal capacity as one of the two British members of the Steering Committee. The other member on this occasion was the hon. Member for Torquay (Sir F. Bennett). The Steering Committee discussed the agenda for the next Bilderberg Conference, which is a forum for discussion of various international questions. No other activities were undertaken during this visit.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the visits made by the Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State on 8th to 22nd June to Yugoslavia to the Seminar on the Multi-National Society; why it was necessary for two Ministers and a Private Secretary to attend; and what results were obtained by these visits.

As stated in my reply to the hon. Member's Question on 27th October, the two Ministers alternated as United Kingdom representatives at this Seminar; they did not attend simultaneously. Each Minister was accompanied by his Private Secretary, in accordance with normal practice. The United Kingdom Government has given consistent support to these Seminars, and I am sure that our participation has been valuable.—[OFFICIAL REPORT; Vol. 734, c. 214.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why, in view of the Government's wage and prices standstill and severe restraint on increased incomes in 1967, he has promised worthwhile pay rises to 90,000 policemen as from March, 1967; and whether he will make a statement.

An agreement of the Police Council for Great Britain provides for police pay to be reviewed every two years. In accordance with the terms of the White Paper on the Prices and Incomes Standstill, the effective date of any adjustments resulting from the 1966 review will be deferred from 1st September, 1966 to 1st March, 1967. The amount of any adjustments in police pay will fall to be considered in the light of the criteria referred to in paragraph 25 of the White Paper.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how much aid has been given to Zanzibar since the revolution, and for what purposes.

No aid has been given to Zanzibar as such since the revolution; grants of £958,000 were however made to the Government of Tanzania, which includes Zanzibar, to enable that Government in 1964 to assume responsibility for meeting Zanzibar's liabilities to expatriate officers in the Public Service. In addition, approximately £8,000 has been spent on the training of Zanzibaris in this country.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will now allow new productivity agreements to be made for immediate implementation where it can be shown that they will lead to a reduction in prices.

The Government are unable to agree to implementation of new agreements during the period of the standstill. New agreements, including productivity agreements, will be subject to scrutiny under the criteria for the period of severe restraint, before they can be implemented. These criteria will be announced as soon as possible.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what representations have been made to him by the flour and baking industry to increase the price of bread; and what action he is taking, or proposes to take to prevent such increase.

This would be a matter in the first instance for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. No representations have been made to my right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what progress he is making in his discussions with the Trades Union Congress and the Confederation of British Industry concerning the future of the prices and incomes policy; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is continuing consultations with the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress. These consultations have made good progress and my right hon. Friend hopes to complete them soon and to publish a White Paper setting out the criteria for prices and incomes during the period of severe restraint.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economy Affairs if he will make arrangements for Her Majesty's Government to prepare and sponsor a Buy British campaign for 1967.

My right hon. Friend has nothing to add to the Answer given on 25th October by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison).—[OFFICIAL REPORT; Vol. 734, c. 823.]

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will consider appointing a Member of Parliament from a constituency within the region to each regional planning board and council, to ensure greater liaison between the Government, the regions, and Members of Parliament.

No: informal liaison is best achieved in other ways.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with Messrs. Unilever Limited and Messrs. Procter and Gamble Limited, since the publication of the Monopolies Commission Report on the supply of household detergents; whether these companies are prepared to begin to reduce the price of their detergents by 20 per cent. as recommended by the Commission; and what action he is proposing to take.

Discussions with these companies are still proceeding and I am not yet able to make a further statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what further representations he made to the Norwegian and Finnish Governments at the Lisbon Conference following British concern that the European Free Trade Association exporters of important classes of motor vehicles are receiving no benefits over exporters from other countries so far as Norway and Finland are concerned; and what concessions Norway and Finland propose to make, in view of the imminent abolition of Great Britain's 10 per cent. import charge;(2) whether he is aware that the British motor industry could immediately increase its exports by at least £12 million per annum if the spirit of the European Free Trade Association were properly observed in the matter of duty reductions on motor vehicles; and what action he now proposes to take with a view to enabling such an increase in exports to take place.

At Lisbon, I pressed once again that cars, like other industrial products, should receive the benefits of E.F.T.A. tariff treatment in Norway and Finland. My Norwegian and Finnish colleagues have not yet promised any change in existing practice. I shall continue to pursue this question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, following the difficulties of the Rolls Razor company and the inquiry he is conducting into their affairs, he will use his powers under Section 165(b) of the Companies Act 1948 to investigate the affairs of the Imperial washing machine firm, in view of the fact that its business is being conducted in a manner oppressive of its shareholders; and if he will a statement.

On present information there do not appear to be grounds for the appointment of an inspector under Section 165 of the Companies Act, 1948, to investigate the affairs of Imperial Monomark Limited.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the losses of shareholders in Rolls Razor when he will publish his findings following his inquiries under the Companies Act into the bankruptcy of Rolls Razor; and what form his report will take.

The report of the inspectors appointed under Section 165(b) of the Companies Act, 1948, to investigate the affairs of Rolls Razor Limited has been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions under Section 169(1); I cannot say at present when it will be possible to publish the report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the existing arrangements for giving preference in the award of Government contracts to firms in the former development districts will be extended to the whole of the wider development areas under the Industrial Development Act 1966; and how interested firms may participate in the schemes.

These arrangements have been extended to the wider development areas specified in the Development Areas Order 1966. The schemes will also operate in Skelmersdale New Town and Winsford Urban District where development area facilities are also available.Firms wishing to participate in the schemes can obtain information about them and a list of the Government Purchasing Departments from the Distribution of Industry Division at the Board of Trade Headquarters, or from any of the Board's Regional Offices in England or from my Offices for Scotland and for Wales.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further proposals he now has for erecting advance factories in the development areas.

I am proposing to authorise under the Local Employment Acts a further programme of advance factories in the development areas. The total area of the factories will be 475,000 sq. ft. The factories will be capable of expansion and should provide a valuable inducement for industry to develop in the areas where they are located.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what evidence he has of trends in industrial investment in Scotland; and if he will publish a statistical table in the OFFICIAL REPORT showing the quarterly rate of investment, public and private, respectively, for each of the last six years.

Quarterly figures of investment in Scotland are not available. Annual figures from 1960 to 1965 are given in Tables 57 and 58 of the Scottish Digest of Statistics which was issued last month. Applications for industrial development certificates show that new projects are continuing to come forward at a satisfactory rate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he has taken to secure effective control over the conditions under which animals are transported by air; and if he will make a statement.

As stated by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aviation on 11th May, 1966, in reply to the hon. Members for Plymouth, Devonport (Dame Joan Vickers), and for Gillingham (Mr. Burden), this is essentially an international problem. It cannot be solved on a purely national basis. The most promising approach is through the airlines themselves. A special study group which has been set up by the International Air Transport Association is now at work on the problem. My Department is following the progress of their deliberations and we will consider what action, if any, to take in the light of their findings.—[OFFICIAL REPORT; Vol. 728, c. 371.]

asked the Minister of Transport whether she is aware that British Railways hotels are charging 2s. on every meal on account of the Selective Employment Tax, an average of more than 10 per cent.; and, as this exceeds the Government estimate that the extra cost would not exceed more than 1 per cent., if she will refer the matter to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

My right hon. Friend sees no case for doing so. The total estimated yield from the surcharge is within the 3–4 per cent. rise in prices forecast by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and is less than the estimated direct cost of the tax.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will give the number of spot checks carried out, the number

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will now seek power to issue licences to permit school bus contractors in rural areas to carry fare paying passengers in cases where existing rural services are inadequate.

Provided the local education authority concerned agree, an operator who wishes to carry fare-paying passengers other than pupils on a school bus can already seek a licence from the Traffic Commissioners to do so. The Rural Bus Working Party is considering whether further measures are called for.

asked the Minister of Transport how many publicly owned weighbridges exist at the moment.

The figures are:

The total at 1st January, 1966 was 998, of which 438 were owned by local authorities and 560 by nationalised industries.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the total number of vehicles and the number of goods vehicles, respectively, which were licensed in each of the last five years; what was the total number of accidents in each year; and how many involved goods vehicles.

The table includes the number of vehicles involved in accidents as distinct from the number of accidents involving vehicles, since accidents often involve vehicles of more than one kind.Following is the information:

asked the Minister of Transport how many vehicle examiners have been employed by her Department in each of the last five years.

The number of vehicle examiners employed at the beginning of each year from 1962 to 1966 was 316, 326, 316, 345, and 394 respectively. The current total is 427.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will give further details of the two-toned Humber Hawk, No. 117 GMX, found abandoned in Harvist Road, Kilburn; when this vehicle was last tested for a five-year road test certificate; when it was last taxed for road fund licence; and what action has been taken against the last registered owner for breaking the law.

I am informed that the last licence for this vehicle was taken out in May, 1966, and expired on 31st August, 1966. A current vehicle test certificate was produced at the time, but the date of the test to which it referred is not recorded by the Licensing Authority, to whom it is irrelevant. I understand that the Greater London Council has not received any report of unlicensed keeping or use of this vehicle since the last licence expired.

asked the Minister of Transport how many pedestrians were killed or seriously injured in 1965 whilst making use of pedestrian crossings.

1,755, of which 1,430 were on uncontrolled zebra crossings, 287 on light controlled crossings and 38 on police controlled crossings.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans she has for extending the present system of experimental pedestrian crossings.

I believe my hon. Friend is referring to experiments in pedestrian control in the London Boroughs of Ealing, Westminster and Haringey. In these experiments pedestrians are obliged to cross only at specially provided traffic lights and to obey the signals given to them. Experience has shown that the present arrangement of signals has caused increased delays to vehicles without a clear gain in pedestrian safety. As a result modifications to the experiment are being planned. Until the results of these have been evaluated it is not possible to say whether the system will be extended.

asked the Minister of Transport on what criteria she decides on the construction of additional pedestrian crossings when a local authority makes a request.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge (Mr. Robert Davies) on 29th June.—[OFFICIAL REPORT; Vol. 730, c. 289.]

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents over the last five years she estimates to have been caused to some extent by faults in the lay out of the road.

No reliable estimates are available. Road layout is only one of the many factors that contribute to road accidents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action is being taken to pave the existing runway on South Caicos before it deteriorates further.

An engineering survey of the airport on South Caicos was carried out recently and samples of the existing runway materials are currently being tested in the United Kingdom. The Administrator will be advised of the measures needed to improve the runway surface as soon as test reports have been received, which should be within the next few days.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action is being taken to provide an adequate air terminal in Grand Turk Island.

Plans for the construction of a terminal building and an aircraft parking apron have recently been sent to the Administrator and financial approvel has been given for a grant of up to £12,500 from Colonial Development and Welfare Funds.I hope that work on this project will start in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on his visit to Gibraltar.

During my visit I examined, both in discussion and on the ground, the Gibraltar Government's proposals to strengthen their economy by an expanded development programme up to 1970. I told them we were ready to support the general objectives of this programme. In order to enable the Gibraltar Government to start implementing these plans we are allocating immediately a further £600,000 of Colonial Development and Welfare money—this is additional to the £1,000,000 allocated to Gibraltar last year—and I told the Gibraltar Government that we shall be ready to discuss with them the subsequent stages of the programme. This has been welcomed by the Gibraltar Government.More generally, I also conveyed to the Gibraltar Government the assurance of our intention to sustain Gibraltar in its present difficulties which my right hon. Friend gave to the House on Monday. I was happy to extend a warm invitation to the Governor, and to the Chief Minister and his deputy, to come to Britain in the near future for further talks. The exact date will be announced soon.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give figures showing the changes in price of representative cuts of bacon and beef since the end of June; and what impact these changes have had on the Cost of Living Index.

The method of computation of the Index of Retail Prices does not involve the calculation of average prices. I am therefore unable to give changes in the prices of representative cuts of bacon and beef. The effect of the changes in the prices of these commodities between 21st June and 20th September was to reduce the all-items index by nearly 0·1.

asked the Minister of Labour when he now expects to make a statement on off-the-job retraining of adult workers.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 28th October.—[OFFICIAL REPORT; Vol. 734, c. 234.]

asked the Minister of Labour if he will list in adjoining columns in the OFFICIAL REPORT the index of retail prices and that of wages for each of the months from October 1965 to October 1966, inclusive.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made with the establishment of the Hotel and Catering Industry Training Board.

I have laid an Order today establishing this Board to take effect from 7th November. The following have accepted an invitation to become members of the Board:Chairman:

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement about the fire which took place on Sunday 30th October on board the ship 'Toronto City' under construction at Doxford and Sunderland Shipbuilding and Engineering Company which resulted in the death of seven shipyard workers.

The accident has been investigated by H.M. Factory Inspectorate who found that at the time of the fire nine men were working in the afterend of the propeller shaft tunnel on the 'Toronto City'. Work was proceeding on the performance testing of the hydraulic control mechanism of the variable pitch propeller under the supervision of a representative of the maker's agents. During this testing oil under pressure in the system sprayed out when a pipe became disconnected and formed a mist which travelled down the tunnel. Unfortunately, steel plates were being cut by means of an oxy-acetyline burner further down the tunnel. Before the workman using the burner realised the danger the mist reached the flame and became ignited.This is the first incident of this type known to the Inspectorate and involved no breach of the Factories Act 1961 or of the Shipbuilding and Shiprepairing Regulations 1960. H.M. Factory Inspectorate will be considering the lessons to

asked the Minister of Labour whether Selective Employment Tax will be returned to the operators of ferries in Scotland in respect of their employees.

Yes. The operation of ferries in ports and inland waterways is classified under Heading 705 (Port and Inland Water Transport) in the Standard Industrial Classification. Employers will have the tax refunded in respect of all employees of establishments engaged in activities of this kind, provided that more than half of the persons employed are so employed in connection with those activities, and that more than half are not so employed in non-qualifying activities.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the number and the percentage of insured workers registered as unemployed in each Ministry of Labour area in Cornwall at the latest available date.

Following is the information:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what have been the main changes in the prices of foodstuffs since the end of June; and what steps he is taking to apply the price standstill to foodstuffs.

Between 21st June and 20th September (the latest date for which official figures are available) the retail food price index fell by nearly 3 per cent. There was a significant reduction in the price of the group of foodstuffs affected by seasonal variations—particularly in the price of vegetables—accompanied by virtual stability in the prices of other foodstuffs.On the steps taken to ensure that food price changes are in accordance with the policy set out in the White Paper "Prices and Incomes Standstill", I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply that my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) on 2nd November.—[OFFICIAL REPORT; Vol. 735, c.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what urgent steps he is taking to deal with the spread of columnaris disease, which is now affecting salmon in the Solway rivers.

On 27th October, the Cumberland River Authority area was designated as an infected area under the Diseases of Fish Act, 1937. Under the Order, movement of live fish and eggs out of the area is prohibited. My right hon. Friend at the same time authorised the River Authority to use the comprehensive powers provided by the Act to remove infected fish from rivers.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of British military aid to Malaysia.

British aid in defending Malaysia will, so far as we can foresee, continue to be governed by the terms of our Defence Agreement with her.Questions concerning the grant of financial aid to Malaysia for defence purposes should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction in the parishes of Bradwell, Belton and Burgh Castle that no arrangements are made for ambulances to be provided from Great Yarmouth and that the service available from Lowestoft or Beccles is inadequate; and what steps he will take to improve this service.

Yes. As the matter is in the first instance the responsibility of East Suffolk County Council, I am making inquiries of that Council and will write to the hon. Member when they are complete.

asked the Minister of Health what is the dollar expenditure involved in drugs and medicines prescribed and consumed in the United Kingdom during the year to date.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Lord President of the Council when the plastic table mats in the Members' Dining Room will be permanently removed.

The plastic table mats have replaced the table linen which, as was stated in a reply given yesterday to a Question by the hon. Member for Antrim, South (Sir. Knox Cunningham), has been withdrawn as a measure of economy.—[OFFICIAL REPORT; Vol. 735, c. 454.]

asked the Lord President of the Council why hon. Members, in view of the saving in material, cannot now obtain from the stationery store envelopes eight and five-twelfths inches long by three and seven-twelfths inches deep in addition to those of eight and seven-twelfths inches in length and four and two-thirds inches deep.

The present size of envelopes supplied to hon. Members was fixed as the result of a recommendation of the Select Committee on Publications and Debates Reports in Session 1963–64 in response to a request by the Post Office for standardisation of sizes to help with the mechanisation of postal work. The Select Committee on House of Commons (Services) are at present considering alterations and improvements in the range, quality and style of stationery supplied to Members.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware about delays in the parcel post in Bungay, Suffolk; whether he is satisfied that the arrangements for carriage for parcels by rail are adequate; and if he will make a statement.

Parcels to and from Bungay are carried by a combination of road and rail transport. We have had only one complaint from Bungay about delay to a parcel in the past 6 months and my information is that the service is generally satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will arrange for the removal of the pictures on the east wall in the Harcourt Room and from the centre of the south wall and replace them with pictures of artistic merit.

On the advice of the House of Commons Advisory Committee on Works of Art, my right hon. Friend is arranging for two of the pictures in question to be replaced.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what urgent steps he is taking to deal with the spread of columnaris disease, now affecting salmon in the Solway rivers.

As reports of disease in the Scottish portion of the Border Esk have now been confirmed I have today made an Order under the Diseases of Fish Act, 1937 designating this portion of the river and its tributary streams as an infected area. This will complement the Order made last week by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, covering the mouth of the Esk and other rivers in Cumberland.So far there has been no outbreak on any other Scottish river. District Boards have, however, been given all available information about the symptoms and effects of the disease and have been asked to report to my Department whenever there is any suspicion of an outbreak so that arrangements can be made for immediate inspection and any necessary further action.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons entered teacher training courses this autumn; and what is the anticipated entry for 1967, 1968 and 1969.

The figure for the present session is 4,678. The provisional estimate for 1967 is 5,000; for 1968, 5,400; and for 1969, 5,700.

asked the Minister of Social Security (1) what is the estimated number of widows in the United Kingdom in the 40 to 50 age group who would benefit from a reduction of the age entitlement limit from 50 years to 40 years; and what would be the additional cost of providing such widows with a pension entitlement at 40;(2) what is the estimated number of widows in the United Kingdom in the 45 to 50 age group who would benefit from a reduction of the age entitlement limit from 50 years to 45 years; and what would be the estimated additional cost of providing such widows with a pension entitlement at 45;(3) what is the estimated number of widows in the United Kingdom under 50 years of age who would benefit from the complete abolition of the 50-year entitlement age; and what would be the estimated additional cost of providing widows with a pension entitlement at any age instead of at 50 as at present;(4) what is the current cost of providing widows with a pension entitlement at the age of 50; and how many such widows there are in the United Kingdom.

Following are the figures:

asked the Minister of Technology if he will initiate an independent inquiry into the reasons for the sudden spate of redundancies in the motor industry.

The redundancies already announced in some sections of the motor industry arise mainly from reduced forecasts by the firms concerned of their future sales and production. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and I are keeping in close touch with those concerned and I do not think that an inquiry would really help.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now introduce into all Government contracts a clause against discrimination in the contracting company, similar to that enforced by Camden Borough Council, details of which have been sent to him.