asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is the estimated increase in manpower in the construction industry since 20th July, 1966 to the latest convenient date.

Minus 15,000.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is the present level of stocks of damp-proof course slates in Great Britain.

1·03 million at the end of September, 1966.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is the present level of stocks of stoneware conduits in Great Britain.

16,000 tons at the end of September, 1966.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what estimate he has made of the number of roofing slates likely to be produced in Great Britain in 1966.

About 1 million square yards.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is the present level of stocks of pitch fibre pipes in Great Britain.

6,500 tons at the end of September, 1966.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he is aware that the delay in building the Government office block in Pegs Lane, Hertford, is causing delay in the building programme of the Hertford inner relief road and inconvenience to the people of Hertford; and what steps he is taking to hurry forward this work.

The Ministry is keeping in touch with the developer to ensure that remaining work is carried out as quickly as possible. Staff from buildings on the line of the new relief road should start moving in about the middle of January.

asked the Minister of Social Security whether, in the light of recent medical research, she will amend the Industrial Injuries (Prescribed Diseases) Regulations to provide for the payment of benefit to persons suffering from prescribed industrial diseases, particularly asbestosis, which were contracted before the appointed day but which have only recently become manifest.

Those who suffer from asbestosis as a result of employment before 5th July, 1948 can already claim benefit under the provisions of the Industrial Diseases (Benefit) Act, 1954. New legislation would be required to cover industrial diseases which were not scheduled under the Workmen's Compensation Act.

asked the Minister of Social Security whether she will now include emphysema in the prescribed industrial diseases which give entitlement to benefit.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Ince (Mr. McGuire) on 8th August.—[Vol. 733, c. 987–8.]

asked the Minister of Social Security whether she will alter the appropriate regulations so as to allow a pensioned widow who remarries and whose second husband dies before they have been married for three years, to draw again the widow's pension which she was receiving before her second marriage.

No. The regulations already enable a widow who had a National Insurance widow's pension before her second marriage to draw a pension on her second husband's insurance in these circumstances. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind, I should of course be pleased to look into it.

asked the Minister of Social Security whether she will take the necessary steps by legislation or other wise to enable married women living as housewives to draw sickness benefit when they would have qualified for such benefit had they been employed persons.

We are examining the whole question of the insurance position of married women, including housewives, in our general review.

asked the Minister of Social Security what are her plans with regard to pensioners who find their retirement pensions inadequate in view of the present economic conditions.

For the immediate future the most important development will be the new scheme of supplementary benefits. From the end of this month, this will provide, as of right, increased benefits for those who need them most. I am happy to inform my hon. and learned Friend that, as a result of the publicity for the scheme, some 450,000 old people not receiving National Assistance have already put in a claim for supplementary pension.

asked the Minister of Social Security whether she will now initiate a special review of the provisions made, both under the National Insurance scheme and by way of tax relief, for disabled persons, such a review to be completed within three months.

The Government are already examining the needs of the disabled in the review of the social services.

asked the Minister of Social Security how many were in receipt of social security benefit in the Brighton area at the latest available date; how many of these were unemployed or on sickness benefit; and in how many of these cases the National Assistance benefit is reduced by the wage stop procedure.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to payments made under the existing National Assistance Scheme. The following table shows the information at 27th September, 1966, the latest date for which figures can be given for persons receiving sickness benefit or affected by the wage stop.

	National Assistance allowances in in payment to:—
	Unemployed Persons		Persons receiving Sickness Benefit
All weekly NationalAssistance allowances in payment	Total	Wage Stop	Total	Wage Stop (2)
10,323	399	29	551	1

1. The figures quoted relate to the two former Brighton Area Offices of the National Assistance Board which deal exclusively with the County Borough of Brighton.2. In addition to the 551 persons receiving National Assistance in supplementation of sickness benefit on 27th September there were 650 sick or disabled persons receiving National Assistance who were not in receipt of insurance benefit. It is not known whether the one temporarily sick person affected by the wage stop had sickness benefit.3. At 25th October, 1966, there was a total of 10,574 weekly National Assistance allowances in payment of which 518 were received by unemployed persons.4. In addition to those receiving National Assistance allowances a further 42 persons were in receipt of non-contributory old age pension.5. Some of the allowances provided for the needs of more than one person, e.g. man and wife.

asked the Minister of Social Security if she will allow the earnings-related benefit payment period of 156 days to commence on 6th October 1966.

A claimant whose period of sickness or unemployment begins after the start of the new scheme on 6th October 1966 can get up to 156 days' supplement. The intention of the supplement is to provide for the early months of absence from work and the extent to which it is payable to a claiment who was already getting flat-rate benefit at the start of the new scheme must accordingly depend on the length of time for which he had then been sick or unemployed.

asked the Minister of Social Security when she will announce plans for introducing legislation to change the graduated pensions scheme.

This is a matter which is being considered as part of our review of social security.

asked the Minister of Social Security if she will place Dupuytren's contracture on the prescribed list of industrial injuries.

No. This condition does not satisfy the requirements for prescription as set out in Section 56(2) of the Industrial Injuries Act 1965. The consensus of medical opinion is that the condition is constitutional in origin and is not associated with occupation.

asked the Minister of Social Security if, in view of the recent increase in the price of coal, she will issue a special Christmas bonus to pensioners in order that they may purchase an extra supply of coal.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Devon, North (Mr. Thorpe) on 15th November.—[Vol. 736, c. 90–1.]

asked the Minister of Social Security whether she will now announce her plans for assisting children in those families where total earnings are lower than National Assistance rates for the unemployed.

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

asked the Minister of Health if he will review the National Health Service practice whereby wives require their husbands' permission for medical operations to be carried out.

I do not consider it undesirable that the agreement of the patient's spouse should be sought before certain operations are performed.

asked the Minister of Health what proposals he has for supplementing the contribution of over £7,000 raised by the League of Friends of Cossham Hospital, Bristol, to meet the total cost of £10,000 needed for extra beds; and if he will make a statement.

None. I am grateful to the League of Friends for this splendid effort but the Hospital Management Committee have already contributed £2,000 and the South Western Regional Hospital Board £250 out of non-Exchequer funds, and the Board have agreed to meet the revenue costs of the extra beds. Any further contribution by the Board would be at the expense of other developments planned for Bristol.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the difficulties caused by the shortage of geriatric beds in hospitals in Southampton; and what action he proposes to take to overcome this problem.

Yes. The Wessex Regional Hospital Board plan to use some existing acute beds for geriatrics when new acute beds are provided at the Southampton General Hospital. In addition a psycho-geriatric assessment unit will be opened at Moorgreen Hospital next year and a geriatric day hospital in 1968.

asked the Minister of Health what extra hospital accommodation has been provided to deal with old people who may be seriously affected by winter conditions.

The increased facilities that are being provided by the hospital building programme are available to all classes of patients, according to their various needs.

asked the Minister of Health what are the figures for road accident casualties treated by King's Lynn and West Norfolk and King's Lynn General hospitals in each of the last three years; and what evidence he has of an increase in serious injuries.

Road accident casualties in the King's Lynn area are referred to the West Norfolk and King's Lynn Hospital. The figures for 1963, 1964 and 1965 were 502, 482 and 555 respectively. The numbers of patients too seriously injured to be treated as outpatients were 188, 198 and 258.

asked the Minister of Health if his Department intend to encourage in other areas health check clinics similar to that recently opened for a week in Epsom, Surrey, details of which have been sent to him.

The screening clinic at Epsom was planned as a trial, and I shall be interested to see the evaluation of its results when available. As I said in reply to my hon. Friend on 27th June, I am not satisfied on present evidence that this method of detecting disease should be recommended to health authorities generally.

asked the Minister of Health what is his estimate of the deaths last year from lung cancer if the official figures were corrected to the extent revealed in the investigation reported in Accuracy of Certification of Cause of Death issued by the General Register Office.

On the basis of the findings of this investigation the Registrar General's figure for deaths from lung cancer in England and Wales in 1965 might be increased by around 15 per cent., from 26,398 to some 30,000.

asked the Minister of Health if he will initiate research into the reasons why lung cancer is diagnosed as the cause of death less frequently by doctors than is found by autopsy.

No. The report of the General Register Office's survey of "Accuracy of Certification of Cause of Death" shows that the main reason is the difficulty of determining the site of the primary growth when the disease is advanced.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made towards setting up the General Practice Finance Corporation.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have made an Order bringing into operation from today the provisions of the National Health Service Act, 1966, which relate to the General Practice Finance Corporation, and I am pleased to announce that the following have accepted invitations to serve on the Corporation:

Chairman—Sir Frederick Hoare, Bart.

Deputy Chairman—Sir William Mullens, D.S.O., T.D.; The Lord Crook; F. Lishman, Esq., O.B.E., M.B., B.S.; Sir William Murrie, G.C.B., K.B.E.; A. E. Orchard-Lisle, Esq., F.A.I.; S. Wand, Esq., M.B., Ch.B.

It is not proposed at present to appoint the further member for whom the Act allows. I understand that the first meeting of the Corporation is due to take place this week.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been drawn to the impending closure of the E.N.V. engineering factory at Willesden, arising out of a dispute between management and shop stewards; and if he will institute an inquiry.

We are aware of the problems which led to the company's decision to close the factory. The Ministry has stressed the desirability of avoiding closure if at all possible, but the final decision rests with the company. We do not think an inquiry would be useful.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is satisfied that the bulk of the male and female workers will obtain satisfactory comparable employment upon E.N.V. Company, Willesden, gear-cutting specialists, closing down; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. We are satisfied that they will obtain suitable employment though not necessarily with the same opportunities for high earnings. The first 24 placed by our Employment Exchanges have all gone into jobs in their own trade.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the heavy demand, he will now increase the number of places in the Government industrial training centre in Sheffield.

Yes. An additional class in motor repairing is opening today and a class in electric welding is due to open in the spring. These two classes will provide a total of 28 additional places. It may be possible to introduce a further electric welding class later next year.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the recent increase in the number of technicians, particularly draughtsmen, styling themselves as self-employed despite using both the equipment and the working premises of employers; whether he is aware of the attractiveness of such labour to employers anxious to avoid unionisation and their other responsibilities; and whether he will introduce legislation to end this practice.

We are aware of this problem. The Ministry has discussed the difficulties arising from the spread of labour-only sub-contractors, particularly the self-employed kind, with representatives of employers and trade unions in the construction and engineering industries. My right hon. Friends the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Public Building and Works are considering an inquiry and what its scope might be. But we do not favour legislation at this stage.

asked the Minister of Labour how many self-employed British draughtsmen and allied technicians are currently working on contract in this country for United States-based aircraft and aero-engine companies; what percentage increase this represents compared to the previous year; and how their average hourly earnings compare with those of other draughtsmen employed in this country on similar work.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the reason for the delay in the publication of the Licensed Non-resident Establishment Wages Council's Proposal, No. LNR 68, on which agreement was reached in advance of publication on 23rd September and could have been announced and in operation before 20th July.

These proposals were not agreed by the Council until 21st July, 1966 and could not, therefore, have become operative before the prices and incomes standstill. No undue delay occurred between the settlement meeting of the Council on 21st July and the publication of the proposals on 23rd September.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the numbers of unemployed building operatives in the North-West; what increase there has been monthly since July; and what trades they are in.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of unemployed building workers in the Northwest Region; and what steps are being taken to find employment for them.

On 10th October, there were registered as unemployed in the North-Western Region 6,544 workers whose last employment was in the construction industry. A table of figures showing the monthly changes since July and the breakdown by occupations, which is available for wholly unemployed

OCCUPATIONAL ANALYSIS OF WHOLLY UNEMPLOYED MEN, AND TOTAL NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED, IN NORTH WESTERN REGION WHOSE LAST EMPLOYMENT WAS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
	July 1966	Aug. 1966	Change July-Aug.	Sept.1966	Change Aug.-Sept.	Oct. 1966	Change Sept.-Oct.
Men wholly unemployed
Foreman and manager in civil engineering and contracting	21	21	—	17	-4	18	+1
Shutterer	6	3	-3	13	+10	8	-5
Carpenter, joiner	72	83	+11	131	+48	194	+63
Bricklayer	50	55	+5	71	+16	126	+55
Mason, stone carver	2	2	—	4	+2	3	-1
Slater, tiler, thatcher, roofing felt fixer	12	18	+6	20	+2	32	+12
Plasterer	39	34	-5	51	+17	59	+8
Floor and wall tiler, layer, etc.	6	12	+6	11	-1	30	+19
Painter, decorator, signwriter	151	136	-15	219	+83	318	+99
Hot water fitter, heating and domestic engineer	13	4	-9	10	+6	22	+12
Plumber, gas fitter, etc.	59	70	+11	84	+14	113	+29
Glazier	3	7	+4	5	-2	6	+1
Pavior, road, etc. surface layer	12	17	+5	15	-2	22	+7
Steel bender and fixer	31	25	-6	18	-7	39	+21
Scaffolder	27	16	-11	20	+4	48	+28
Miscellaneous building and civil engineering workers	126	192	+66	160	-32	206	+46
Steel erector, sheeter	58	49	-9	96	+47	131	+35
Electrician, etc.	82	68	-14	85	+17	103	+18
Mechanical handling plant, etc., operator	32	41	+9	45	+4	58	+13
Elector, millwright, maintenance fitter	17	7	-10	28	+21	34	+6
Labourer to above occupations	1,387	1,472	+85	1,882	+410	2,033	+151
General labourer	1,097	1,152	+55	1,382	+230	1,614	+232
All other occupations	556	621	+65	717	+96	934	+217
All wholly unemployed Men	3,859	4,105	+246	5,084	+979	6,151	+1,067
Temporarily stopped Men	2	5	+3	9	+4	14	+5
All Men	3,861	4,110	+249	5,093	+983	6,165	+1,072
Boys	173	232	+59	323	+91	320	-3
Women	31	36	+5	37	+1	47	+10
Girls	2	4	+2	3	-1	12	+9
Total Register	4,067	4,382	+315	5,456	+1,074	6,544	+1,088

asked the Minister of Labour how many men are registered as unemployed in the areas of South-West and North-West Durham; and what percentage of those unemployed is over 50 years of age.

At 10th October, 1966, total numbers of men

asked the Minister of Labour how many men registered as fully unemployed in The Hartlepools have been offered industrial training courses in the past year; and what proportion of these was over 40 years of age.

During the 12 months ended 16th November, 1966, 27 men registered as wholly unemployed in The Hartlepools were accepted for training at Government Training Centres. Of these 22 per cent. were over 40 years of age.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the extent of unemployment in the printing industry on Merseyside; and what notification has been received by his Department of impending closures in the printing industry in that area.

The total number of persons registered as unemployed at the Merseyside Employment Exchanges whose last employment was in printing industries was 74 on 10th October.Our local officers have been informed of the closure of a printing works in the Liverpool area due to take place during the first quarter of 1967. I understand that production will be transferred to other branches and that the firm hope to offer alternative work to many of the employees affected by the closure.

asked the Minister of Labour what effect his acceptance of a pay rise of 9s. 3d. per week for 77,000 bus workers from 14th January will have upon inflation; and what percentage rise in the cost of living he expects for 1967.

This increase, which was deferred for six months in accordance with the standstill arrangement, will have a very slight effect on the wage rate index. I do not issue forecasts of general movements in the cost of living.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if she will give an assurance that the construction of a ring road in Newhaven between the bridge over the Ouse and the junction of the A259 with the A275 is now included in the classified road programme; and what time schedule she has under consideration for the construction of this road;(2) what progress has been made in her discussions with the authorities concerned about the Newhaven relief road, of which the suggested ring road forms a part; and if she will make a statement.

These are both classified road schemes for which the East Sussex County Council is the responsible highway authority.Discussions about the Newhaven relief road are proceeding and several alternative schemes are now being considered in detail.Without prejudice to this my right hon. Friend is prepared to make grant available for the construction of the southern section of the ring road between the swing bridge and the A259/A275 junction just as soon as a scheme can be made ready.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals she has to improve road safety and pedestrian crossing facilities at Frimley Road, Mytchett; and when these will be implemented.

A scheme to widen the road and instal central refuges is now under consideration by Surrey County Council who are responsible as the highway authority. Until these plans are finalised, no indication can be given as to when the work will be carried out.

asked the Minister of Transport if she is aware that confusion still exists about the purpose of the school entrance box markings outside certain schools; and, in so far as the purpose is that this area should be kept clear of stationary vehicles, if she will erect signs to make this clear.

We are investigating to what extent these markings are generally misunderstood or ignored and how far this is by parents taking children to and from school or by the general public. In the light of this inquiry we will consider what further measures are necessary and I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will set out a list of the

Company		Percentage proportion of ownership	Date of Acquisition of holding	Nominal value of holding
				£
Transport Holding Company
B.R.S. Federation Ltd.*	…	—	16.8.63	—
B.R.S. (Contracts) Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	100
Anglo Continental Container Services (Belfast) Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	5,000
Anglo Continental Container Services (London) Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	5,000
British Road Ferry Services Ltd.	…	100	17.12.63	600,000
Lawther and Harvey Ltd.	…	100	2.5.66	2,000
Harold Wood & Sons Ltd.	…	100	23.9.65	150,000
Tayforth Holdings (1965) Ltd.	…	75	26.8.65	12,000
D. McKinnon (Transport) Ltd.	…	75	30.9.65	6,000
H. & G. S. Bell Ltd.	…	75	30.9.65	11,250
Hanson Haulage Ltd.	…	75	30.9.65	99,783
Road Services (Caledonian) Ltd.	…	75	30.9.65	300,000
Road Services (Forth) Ltd.	…	75	30.9.65	262,500
Scottish Parcel Carriers Ltd.	…	75	30.9.65	18,750
Siddle C. Cook Ltd.	…	75	30.9.65	3,486
Watsons (Carriers) Ltd.	…	75	30.9.65	15,000
Arthur Holland & Co. (Scotland) Ltd.	…	75	30.9.65	75
Buttercup Dairy Co. Ltd.	…	75	30.9.65	225,000
Dundee Cold Storage Co. Ltd.	…	75	30.9.65	22,500
Edinburgh Ice & Cold Storage Co. Ltd.	…	75	30.9.65	8,167
Thomas Howden Ltd.	…	75	30.9.65	24,000
British Road Services Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	100
B.R.S. Parcels Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	7,000,000
Pickfords Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	100
Tilling Association Ltd.*	…	—	1.1.63	—
Eastern Counties Omnibus Co. Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	2,100,000
Eastern National Omnibus Co. Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	1,750,000
Tillings Transport Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	150,000
Lincolnshire Road Car Co. Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	1,000,000
Mansfield District Traction Co.	…	100	1.1.63	300,000
Midland General Omnibus Co. Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	200,000
Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Traction Co.	…	100	1.1.63	281,030
United Counties Omnibus Co. Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	1,500,000
Cumberland Motor Services Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	500,000
Durham District Services Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	140,000
Otley Omnibus Stations Ltd.	…	53	1.1.63	5,339
United Automobile Services Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	3,150,000
West Yorkshire Road Car Co. Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	2,000,000
Crosville Motor Services Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	2,800,000
Bath Electric Tramways Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	230,000
Bath Tramways Motor Co. Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	60,000
Bristol Omnibus Co. Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	2,900,000
Cheltenham District Traction Co	…	100	1.1.63	96,000
Red and White Services Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	1,230,710
Southern National Omnibus Co. Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	900,000
United Welsh Services Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	600,000
Western National Omnibus Co. Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	2,790,000
Brighton, Hove and District Omnibus Co, Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	600,000
Hants and Dorset Motor Services Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	1,450,000
Newbury and District Motor Services Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	15,000
South Midland Motor Services Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	8,400
Southern Vectis Omnibus Co. Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	515,000
Thames Valley Traction Co. Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	1,100,000
Wilts and Dorset Motor Services Ltd.	…	100	1.1.63	800,000

The information for the nationalised transport industries up to 31st December, 1965 is:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much accommodation he will be able to provide for wives and families of Service men returning from Aden.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the Answer that my hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Surbiton (Mr. Fisher) on 16th November.—[Vol. 736, c. 99.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many married quarters for the Services there are in the United Kingdom; how many more are needed to meet the current needs in the United Kingdom; and how many are now occupied overseas, including official hirings.

About 84,500; 29,000; and 46,000, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will introduce legislation to amend the law so as to allow a retired naval rating, who is unfit but not in receipt of a disability pension, to commute part of his pension.

No. Legislation would not be required to amend the regulations, but the health of pensioners is a factor which affects the actuarial value of the pension. In borderline cases we may be able to offer commutation at a rate which takes account of the poorer expectancy of life; but in most cases we cannot offer terms which would satisfy an unfit pensioner without penalising his healthy fellow-pensioner, and there are other difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the frozen chicken used by Royal Air Force messes in the Far East is produced in Great Britain; what percentage is produced in Denmark; what percentage in the United States of America; and what percentage elsewhere.

These birds are supplied by a contractor in Singapore and we do not keep records of how many come from where.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the report of the committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Frederick Seebohm, which is reviewing the local authority personal social services, to be available.

I understand from the Chairman that the Committee will do its best to report in the early summer of 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the window bars on the third and fourth floors of A, B and C Wings of Wormwood Scrubs Prison were strengthened; and on what date similar precautions were taken on the third and fourth floors of D Wing.

This work was completed for A Wing on 4th November; for B Wing on 30th October; for C Wing on 28th September; and for D Wing on 30th October.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reports he has received of alleged illegal plying for hire in the Metropolitan area during the 12 months ending on the latest convenient date; how many prosecutions were instituted; and how many convictions were obtained.

Reports of alleged illegal plying for hire are normally made to local police stations. Figures of complaints are not really available; but during the twelve months ended 30th September, 1966, there were seven prosecutions for illegal plying for hire in the Metropolitan Police District, all of which resulted in convictions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why fixed penalty notices are being served on licensed taxi-drivers who have left their cabs to deliver parcels; and how many such notices have been served during the 12 months ending on the latest convenient date.

Fixed penalty notices are served on taxi drivers as on others if they appear to have committed a parking offence. But it is open to any driver who considers that he has been wrongly served with a notice to make representations. I regret that separate figures in respect of licensed taxi drivers are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many licensed taxi-drivers have been prosecuted for failing to be in attendance with their cabs during the 12 months ending on the latest convenient date; and how many of those prosecuted were taking meals at the relevant time.

Ninety-nine in the Metropolitan Police District during the 12 months ended 30th September, 1966. No information is available as to how many of the drivers concerned were taking meals at the relevant time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many summonses have been issued, under Section 33 of the London Hackney Carriage Act 1843, against licensed taxi-drivers for plying for hire elsewhere than at some standing or place appointed for the purpose during the 12 months ending on the latest convenient date.

46 during the twelve months ended 30th September 1966.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many licensed hackney carriages have been towed away for alleged infringement of parking regulations during the 12-month period ending on the latest convenient date.

I regret that separate figures in respect of licensed hackney carriages are not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to prevent over-fishing of sea fishing grounds; and if he will make a statement.

The United Kingdom plays an active part in the work of the International Commissions which are responsible for the conservation of fish stocks in the North Atlantic area. British vessels are required to comply with the measures prescribed by these Commissions to prevent over-fishing.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that lambs were sold last week in the Louth Cattle Market at 2s. 2½d. per lb. as compared with 2s. 8½d. per lb. a year ago, that beef fetched only 2s. 6d. against 3s., and that breeders are going out of the industry because of their heavy losses; and what new steps he is taking to put this situation right.

During the week commencing 7th November, certified lambs at Louth market sold at between 2s. 1d. and 2s. 7d. per lb., averaging about 2s. 4¼d., and certified cattle sold at between 116s. and 164s. per live cwt., averaging about 140s.Market prices generally are now lower than at the corresponding time last year. But because of this the deficiency payment which producers receive is higher, so that overall returns from market and guarantee together are at present only a little lower than they were a year ago. This lower return arises because the deficiency payment is subject to an abatement; but as my right hon. Friend told the House on 3rd November he is proposing to give preferential treatment in distributing the expected end-of-year payment under the Graduated Deficiency Payments Scheme to those who have marketed their cattle in the period of market depression through which we are passing.We shall, of course be looking at profitability and prospects for cattle and sheep along with other relevant factors, as we always do, at the Annual Review.—[Vol. 735, c. 700.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether his Department or the Arts Council will provide expert assistance to help restore works of art in northern Italy damaged by the recent floods.

I have taken a close personal interest in the assistance that we can provide, both as urgent first aid and on a longer term basis, and my hon. Friend will know of the Committee that was established last Wednesday under the chairmanship of Sir Ashley Clarke to act as a channel for assistance. An appeal for immediate financial aid has also been launched.The Director-designate of the Victoria and Albert Museum has left for Italy to report on the type of expert assistance that can best be provided. Meanwhile urgent supplies to help to reduce the damage suffered by these art treasures are already on their way. There will be no delay in providing all the assistance we can.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the amount of grants to encourage the arts which have been made in each of the last five years to local organisations in Heywood, Royton, Crompton, Milnrow, Wardle, Littleborough and Whitworth; and if he will supply the same information for the North-West, for other regions and for the country as a whole.

Government support for the encouragement of the arts is channelled largely through the Arts Council of Great Britain who are free, within the terms of their Charter, to allocate the funds placed at their disposal as they decide.No grants during the last five years have been made to, or requested by, local organisations in Heywood, Royton, Crompton, Milnrow, Wardle, Little-borough or Whitworth.The Arts Council do not collect information about their grants on a regional basis, save where, in a particular case, a Regional Arts Association exists. There has hitherto been no such Association in the North-West.Grants in the country as a whole during the past five years have been as follows:—

		England	Scotland	Wales
		£	£	£
1961–62	…	1,745,000	123,267	78,345
1962–63	…	2,190,000	144,666	108,290
1963–64	…	2,730,000	174,600	140,432
1964–65	…	3,205,000	202,789	155,575
1965–66	…	3,910,000	270,390	209,922

Detailed information about grants and guarantees given by the Arts Council to individual organisations and groups is contained in the Annual Report published by the Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action has been taken on the future of the Camborne School of Mines in the light of the Minister of State's recent visit to Cornwall for discussions with representatives of the school and the Cornwall Education Authority.

I have asked the governors of the school and the Cornwall Education Authority to consider proposals under which the school could continue at Camborne under a governing body of its own, in close association with the Cornwall Technical College, and with grant aid from the Authority. I understand that the Governors and the Authority are examining these proposals urgently.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will give particulars of the places at which multiple disseminated sclerosis is the subject of exclusive research in the United Kingdom; by whom this is being done; and how it is being financed; (2) whether he is satisfied that the finances at present available are sufficient to enable the necessary research to be carried out into the cause of and the possible cure of multiple disseminated sclerosis; and if he will make a statement; (3) what proposals he has to increase financial support for those undertaking or willing to undertake research into multiple disseminated sclerosis.

The Medical Research Council is supporting a sizeable programme of research on multiple (or disseminated) sclerosis. Research on this disease forms the entire programme of the Council's Demyelinating Diseases Research Unit at Newcastle upon Tyne, whose investigations include experimental work and clinical trials carried out in collaboration with the University Department of Neurology. Other related studies supported by the Council are in progress at Guy's Hospital Medical School, the Middlesex Hospital Medical School and in the University of Leeds. Further research is undertaken in a number of universities, and in hospitals under the National Health Service. The Multiple Sclerosis Society and the National Fund for Research into Poliomyelitis and other Crippling Diseases also provide voluntary support for research into this disease.In addition to the projects specifically directed towards the problem of multiple sclerosis, work in the general field of neurobiology and more fundamental research is being undertaken with the help of Government funds in MRC establishments and universities. This work may also help to advance our knowledge of the aetiology of multiple sclerosis.The allocation between fields of research of the grant-in-aid to the Medical Research Council is a matter for the scientific judgment of the Council. Multiple sclerosis presents very difficult problems and I am assured that any promising new proposals for research submitted for support by the Council will receive sympathetic consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is aware that students studying architecture are faced with special expenditure on books and equipment; and when he will extend their allowances to those now granted to medical-dental students.

The standard grant for maintenance to students includes an element of £35 per annum for books, instruments, stationery and materials. In the light of advice received from the Standing Advisory Committee on Grants to Students, after their 1965 review, we are not proposing to make any special additional provision for students of architecture.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he will give of the total value of gold coins sold as a result of S.I., 1966, No. 438.

No estimate can be given of total sales. The value of sales to the five members of the London gold market is in excess of £100,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have been prosecuted under S.I., 1966, No. 438, for not having handed in their gold coins.

None, but some reported cases are under investigation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the approximate cost of making a full study of the relationship between the total revenues accruing to the Exchequer from Scotland, England and Wales, respectively.

This would depend on how full the study was. It seems inevitable that in the last resort, as the Catto Committee (Cmnd. 8609) found in 1952, it would be necessary within the bounds of practicability to make certain assumptions. These would reduce the reliability, and therefore the value, of the results.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of full- and part-time civil servants employed in tax offices throughout the United Kingdom in July, 1965 and July, 1966.

36,629 full-time and 854 part-time staff were employed in the Chief Inspector's Branch in July, 1965, and 39,214 and 894 respectively in July, 1966.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants have been employed by Her Majesty's Government in 1965 and 1966, following the creation of new Departments.

New Departments were initially formed by transferring staff, and certain functions, from other Departments. I would refer the hon. Member to the table of staff numbers in all major Departments given in answer to a Question from the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow) on 4th November, 1966.—[Vol. 735, c. 194.]

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many rent officers have been appointed in the administrative county of Lancaster; and what has been the cost of salaries and administrative expenses to date.

One senior rent officer and eleven rent officers have been appointed, with a further four part-time rent officers of whom three are employed on relief duties only. The amount claimed in respect of the rent officer service in the administrative County of Lancaster up to the end of September was £30,538.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many applications have been made to rent officers in the administrative county of Lancaster; and of those how many have resulted in an increase in rentals, and how many in a decrease.

284 applications for registration of rent had been received up to 12th November, 1966, and 241 of these had been determined. The original rent was reduced in 157 cases, unchanged in 31 and increased in 53.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if, in view of doubts which have arisen over the meaning of usual residence, he will amend the Rating Act, 1966 so as to make it clear that people in hospital who pay rates but leave their property unoccupied are eligible for rate rebate.

I take it that my hon. Friend is referring to a case in his constituency about which he wrote. My right hon. Friend does not know of any similar case, and he has no reason to suppose that attempting statutory definition of what is essentially a commonsense matter would be an improvement.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the number of local government officials employed full- and part-time throughout the United Kingdom in July, 1965 and July, 1966.

The latest available figures are those for June, 1965, which are published in the Ministry of Labour

	Percentage shareholding	Date of acquisition of shares	Book value of holdings
			Shares £	Debenture £	Total £
			£	£	£
Electricity Council*
London Associated Electricity (Properties) Ltd.	100	All holdings vested in the British Electricity Authority in 1948	10,000	172,500	182,500
Central Electricity Generating Board†
Lower Thames Land Development and Construction Co. Ltd.	100		100,000	—	100,000
West Devon Mining and Power Co. Ltd.	100		20,009	—	20,009
National Coal Board‡
J. H. Sankey & Son Ltd.	60	Feb. 1965	1,050,000	—	1,050,000
Whittlesea Central Brick Co. Ltd.	96	Feb. 1966	1,908,919	30,000	1,938,919
Barcross Ltd.	—	Nov. 1964	—	207,500	207,500
Benzole Producers Ltd.	2	Vesting	1	—	1
Brick Development Association	2	1964	—	—	—
British Creosote Co	27	1955	3,277	—	3,277
Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation	50	1952	101	—	101
Coalpaint Ltd.	50	June 1965	1	269,190	269,191
Coal Services (Sheffield) Ltd.	50	Dec. 1965	50	2,500	2,550
Creosote Producers Association Ltd.	4	Vesting	1	—	1
Farmway Ltd.	—	Vesting	201	—	201
Omnia Concrete Sales Ltd.	50	Feb. 1966	1	2,500	2,501
Pitch Polymer Products Ltd.	50	Nov. 1964	500	14,000	14,500
Yorkshire Tar Corporation Ltd.	12	1954	1	—	1
Thomas Ness Ltd.	100	Dec. 1957	55,310	—	55,310
Gas Council
Information in respect of the Gas Industry's holdings beyond that already published in the Boards' Accounts (Schedule 13) is not available centrally. I have asked the Chairman of the Gas Council to write to the hon. Member when it has been collected.
NOTES:
* The Electricity Council also has investments in certain quoted overseas and unquoted U.K. companies. The value of the holdings at 31st March 1966 appears in the books of the Council as £67,233 and £45,300 respectively.
† The Central Electricity Generating Board also has two housing associations for the benefit of Board employees.
‡ In addition to the companies listed above the National Coal Board have investments in Housing Associations and a Hostels Corporation solely engaged in providing services for employees of the Board, and certain wholly-owned non-profit making subsidiaries formed in connection with the Board's business. In some cases in the table only part of the holding was acquired on the date shown; the remainder was taken up at later dates.