asked the Minister of Overseas Development what guidance was given to the British delegation to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation General Conference, with special reference to the countering of Communist attempts to use the United Nations Educational and Scientific Cultural Organisation for propaganda purposes and with special reference also to the granting of consultative status to Communist front organisations.

Full guidance on all political matters was provided by the Foreign Office, and a member of the United Nations Department of the Foreign Office is attached to the delegation attending the present session of the General Conference.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will now state the Government's policy towards financial support for the University College in Salisbury.

I cannot add at present to the Answer which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Gentleman on 18th October.—[Vol. 734, c. 29.]

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will make a statement on the progress of the scheme for purchasing farms of British nationals in Kenya who are regarded as compassionate cases.

My right hon. Friend announced on 18th October in reply to a Written Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead (Mr. Whitaker) that an interest-free loan would be made to the Kenya Government for this purposese. Since then I understand that offers of purchase have been made for the farms of the 18 outstanding cases.—[Vol. 734, c. 29–30.]

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will make a statement on the progress of the 400,000 acre scheme in Kenya.

The arrangements agreed between Her Majesty's Government and the Kenya Government, to which I referred in my Answer of the 9th August to the hon. Gentleman, have been described in broad outline to the expatriate farming community in Kenya. By and large they appear to have been well received.The Kenya authorities are now preparing detailed proposals for the first year's purchase programme. Some complicated issues are involved but it is expected that letters inquiring whether prospective vendors wished to sell will be issued by the Kenya Agricultural Development Corporation this month.—[Vol. 733, c. 1366.]

asked the Minister of Overseas Development, in view of the facts that average industrial wages in Great Britain are £20 a week and that 270,000,000 Indians are living on 3½d. a day, by how much he plans to increase the 1 per cent. of Great Britain's gross national product given in overseas aid; and what effect this will have on the United Kingdom's standard of living.

Within our programme India has always received very sympathetic treatment. We unfortunately cannot increase our aid programme in our present economic circumstances.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development why Colonel Ralph Harris, Indian Army pensioner, of Alverstoke, Gosport, has not yet received the two routine tax forms for which he sent application on 26th October last, as acknowledged on 8th November, and a reminder on 18th November, in view of the fact that remittances used to be made within a week.

Colonel Harris applied for these tax forms on 4th and 18th November, but they had been sent before the latter was received. I regret that on this occasion pressure of work caused delay.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will give the number of and reasons for the resignations of chairmen of Little Neddies in the first 10 months of 1966.

One, owing to pressure of other business.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs when the National Economic Development Office report on the Value Added Tax will be available.

The Committee set up by the National Economic Development Council is expecting to report to the Council within a year.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what steps he intends to take during the period of severe restraint to restrain prices and so prevent an undue burden being placed on wage and salary earners.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the prices section of the White Paper Prices and Incomes Standstill: Period of Severe Restraint (Cmnd. 3150) published on 22nd November.As in the standstill period, the Government will examine rigorously any proposals for price increases against the criteria of this White Paper. The statutory powers under Part IV of the Prices and Incomes Act will remain in force.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will give instructions to economic planning councils not to proceed with consideration of regional plans until they have been appraised of plans to close British Railways freight depots.

No. The Railways Board is under no statutory obligation to consult regional Planning Councils or anyone else about closure of freight depots, but the Chairman of the Railways Board has arranged for planning councils to be given, from time to time, general information about the Board's plans for freight services.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what was the total cost of compiling, printing and distributing the 130-page Review of Yorkshire and the Humberside; how many people were engaged in its production, and for how long; what consent he has received from the Lindsey County Council of Lincolnshire that its functions should be absorbed by Yorkshire; what civil servants he has promised shall head this new organisation; how many new civil servants will be required to work it; and what will be the annual cost.

This valuable review was prepared over a period of about a year by members of the Economic Planning Council, who are unpaid. Regional staffs of Government Departments gave assistance, but no useful estimates can be made of cost or the number engaged. The cost of printing and publishing was £6,520 against which should be set the sales proceeds. Economic planning councils are advisory and do not diminish the powers of local authorities. The review in no way affects the functions of the Lindsey County Council.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, since the introduction of the Selective Employment Tax, unemployment in Dorset has increased by 645 or about 41 per cent.; and whether he will take steps to reduce this unemployment by making Dorset a development area.

I see no justification on present evidence for making Dorset a Development Area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the practice of some motor repair garages who insist on a satisfaction note being signed before a vehicle may be taken away even though the owner is dissatisfied with the repairs undertaken; and whether he will bring forward early consumer protection legislation to safeguard car or van owners.

The owner already has certain legal rights in relation to goods delivered for repair. I am not satisfied that further legislation is required to help car or van owners.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he intends to publish the report on the John Bloom affair.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the report on the John Bloom interests in the travel trade separately from the main report; and when such a report could be expected.

The report of the inspectors who inquired into the affairs of Rolls Razor Limited was referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions under Section 169(1) of the Companies Act, 1948. Police investigations are in progress, In the circumstances I cannot say at present when it will be possible to publish the report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the percentage profit made on the ex-bond price of tobacco and spirits sold at duty-free airport shops; and by how much these percentages have been increased since November, 1964 to 20th July, 1966.

There are no duty-free shops at aerodromes administered by my Department. It is, however, apparent that the amount of profit earned depends to a large degree on the amount paid by the concessionaire to the airport authority for the right to sell duty-free goods. Subject to observation of Government policy relating to prices, it would not be right for me to inquire into the commercial agreements between aerodrome authorities and their concessionaires.

asked the President of of the Board of Trade what assurances he sought, when giving his sanction for the acquisition by British European Airways of a 50 per cent. holding in the B.K.S. airline company about that company's provision of services, particularly at Woolsington Airport, Newcastle.

None. British European Airways have kept me informed of developments leading to its increased holding in B.K.S. Air Transport Ltd., but the form and extent of the investment was determined by the Corporation acting on its commercial judgment. The increase can be regarded as a demonstration by B.E.A. of its concern for the maintenance of B.K.S. services at Newcastle and elsewhere.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will refuse an import licence for the American gramophone record, Christmas in Vietnam, by Charles Bowery, which is due to be released in Great Britain within the next few weeks.

There are no licensing restrictions on imports of gramophone records from the U.S.A.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what discussions have taken place with his Department regarding the progress of Operation Stabiliser with the Association of British Travel Agents; and if he will make a statement on the events which have taken place since the introduction of Operation Stabiliser.

The Association has periodically reported to me on the progress of this scheme. Since it was introduced, I am informed that no customer of a member of the Association has suffered loss of his holiday through the insolvency of a travel agent or a tour operator.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what discussions have taken place with the hotel industry following his announcement in July, 1966, of financial assistance to aid in the development of the tourist trade; what grants have been made; and to whom they have been paid.

The Board of Trade has discussed the proposals with the hotel industry, and a further announcement will be made shortly. Grants are not in question, and no loans have yet been made under this scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the withdrawal of the Cunard Steamship Company from the merger with British Overseas Airways Corporation; what were the financial terms of entry into the merger; what was the sum involved in the withdrawal; and what profits accrued from the transaction.

On the proposal of the Cunard Steamship Company Limited B.O.A.C. agreed in September of this year to acquire Cunard's holding in B.O.A.C./Cunard Limited. This company was formed in 1962 with an issued capital of £28 million which has since increased. B.O.A.C.'s share was 70 per cent. and Cunard's 30 per cent. The agreed price paid by B.O.A.C. for the Cunard share is £11½ million which is related to the estimated current net asset value. Up to 31st March, 1966, B.O.A.C./Cunard Limited earned profits of £7·7 million after provision for taxation; of this £2·7 million were paid as net dividends to the two partners.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of the Government's expenditure on roads was spent in Wales from 1956 to 1966; and what proportion is to be spent in Wales from 1966 to 1971.

It averaged 7 per cent. between April, 1956, and April, 1966, and is expected to be the same in 1966–67. Expenditure from April, 1967, onwards has still to be decided.

asked the Minister of Transport whether a road construction unit will be set up in Wales.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will establish in Wales a road construction unit for the whole of Wales similar to, but separate from, any of the road construction units operating in England.

I have been asked to reply. I have been kept fully informed by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Transport of her discussions with the county councils' associations and I am considering whether it would be advantageous to make similar arrangements in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will give an assurance that the value of the major school building programmes for 1968–69 and 1969–70 for the Inner London Education Authority and for each of the Greater London Boroughs will be no less than the value of the programmes authorised for 1967–68.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans his Department has made to encourage agricultural building research.

Much of the research supported by the Agricultural Research Council is relevant to the improvement of the efficiency of farm buildings. The investigations are concerned not only with the buildings but also with the environmental needs of the plants, animals or products to be housed in them. The Council has recently appointed a Standing Committee to review the situation and advise on specific needs for further research.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will name the local education authorities which have submitted proposals for secondary reorganisation which involve the transfer of pupils from primary to secondary education at an age other than 11-plus;(2) if he will name the local education authorities which have submitted proposals involving the establishment of middle schools.

The authorities listed below have submitted proposals for the establishment of one or more middle schools and the transfer of pupils from primary to secondary education at an age other than 11-plus.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when it will be possible to estimate the number of children in the area of the Inner London Education Authority and in each of the Greater London boroughs for whom additional school accommodation will be required when the school leaving age is raised in 1970–71.

By the end of 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many children in the London Borough of Havering were moved from grammar schools to secondary modern schools in the appropriate collegiate without taking a General Certificate of Education examination in each of the years 1961 to 1965;(2) how many children in the London Borough of Havering were moved from secondary modern schools to grammar schools in the appropriate collegiate in each of the years 1961 to 1965;(3) what proportion of children were selected for grammar school education in the London Borough of Havering in each of the years 1961 to 1966;(4) how many children in the London Borough of Havering left grammar schools before taking General Certificate of Education examinations in each of the years 1961 to 1965.

I regret that this information is not available in the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of resignations from the police force in each of the years 1960 to 1966; and what further steps he is taking to improve recruitment.

For the years 1960–65 resignations of policemen from forces in England and Wales totalled 2,616, 1,691, 1,804, 1,707, 2,166 and 2,119. The total for the first nine months of this year was 2,301. These figures do not include ordinary retirements, deaths, dismissals, secondments or transfers.A vigorous recruitment campaign is in progress, in supplementation of local efforts, and recruitment remains at a record level.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the detailed report by the Home Office Research and Planning Branch on last year's West Country experiment in the use of traffic police has been completed; and whether it will be published.

The report has been completed and is being considered by the Working Party on the Policing of Motorways and Trunk Roads in England and Wales, which has asked for further consideration to be given to certain aspects of the problem. In the meantime no decision has been taken as to publication.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on how many occasions warrants have been issued for the tapping of solicitors' telephones, either professional or private lines who are engaged professionally in criminal causes where considerations of national security are not involved; if he will give an assurance that no such warrants will be issued; and if he will state the policy governing the tapping of lines where it involves breaching confidential communications between solicitor and the interests of the client;(2) on how many occasions warrants have been issued for the tapping of barristers' telephones, either their chambers or private lines, who are engaged professionally in criminal causes where considerations of national security are not involved; if he will give an assurance that no such warrant will be issued; and if he will state the policy governing the tapping of lines where it involves breaching confidential communications between barristers and those whom they advise.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made it clear that his statement on 17th November was a unique exception to the normal practice whereby my right hon. Friend and I are unable to answer Questions on these matters. I have nothing to add to that statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions are given and precautions taken to ensure that New Scotland Yard or any particular branch thereof do not engage in unauthorised tapping of telephone lines allegedly in pursuit of the prevention of crime.

It would not be appropriate to publish details, but I am satisfied that there are adequate safeguards against such unauthorised tapping.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs (1) what aid is being granted to Zambia in the current year to offset the effects on Zambia of sanctions imposed on the illegal régime in Rhodesia;(2) what further representations have been received from Zambia on the need for financial and material aid in providing alternative outlets by road for Zambia's import and export trade.

Since December, 1965, assistance to Zambia for the development and utilisation of alternative supply routes has amounted to some £3·8 million. In addition British civil and R.A.F. oil airlifts were mounted at a total cost of some £6 million.As I stated on 1st November, Her Majesty's Government have offered the Zambian Government further assistance up to a total of £13·85 million for expenditure up to 30th June, 1967.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether, in view of attacks by Egyptian trained terrorists against British forces in Aden and in Aden Protectorate, he will ensure that any work on any Egyptian aeroplanes now in progress in this country is discontinued.

No work on Egyptian aeroplanes is being undertaken in this country. Small quantities of aircraft equipment are being exported but these amount to less than £50,000 a year.

asked the Minister of Health whether, under the Food Hygiene (Markets, Stalls and Delivery Vehicles) Regulations, 1966, paper bags will be treated as adequate covering within all sections of the regulations.

I would expect that the local authorities, who will be responsible for enforcement of the regulations, will not regard food in closed paper bags as "open food" provided that the paper used is suitable to protect the particular food adequately.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the Brain Report on drug addiction.

A conference of doctors experienced in the treatment of drug addiction has considered some of the medical problems relating to provision of treatment centres, and the further development of hospital treatment facilities is being discussed with hospital authorities. One or more units for research into the problems of drug dependence are being planned. Proposals for legislation on the compulsory notification of addicts and on the limitation of doctors' authority to prescribe or supply heroin and cocaine to addicts have been put before the medical profession and I await their comments. The Advisory Committee on Drug Dependence has been formed and will meet as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Power if he is aware that the Barnoldswick Co-operative Society have increased the price of coke from 12s. 3d. to 13s. 6d. per hundredweight from 1st November; and to what extent this is compatible with the Government's prices and incomes policy as set out in the Prices and Incomes (General Considerations) Order No. 1021, 1966.

I understand that the Society increased its prices by 1s. per cwt. on 1st November when the summer discount ended. There was also an increase of 3d. a cwt. in September, about which I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on his efforts to help towards a settlement of the car delivery strike at the British Motor Corporation, Long-bridge, Birmingham.

Officers of my Ministry have been in almost daily touch with the parties. On two occasions, they have had meetings with representatives of both sides at the Ministry's Birmingham Regional Office. Yesterday, they held further extensive discussions with both sides to see whether there was any possibility of reaching a settlement. Throughout

				Men	Boys	Women	Girls	Total
11th November, 1963	…	…	…	39,632	3,992	12,369	2,310	58,303
9th November, 1964	…	…	…	28,378	2,170	8,244	1,301	40,093
8th November, 1965	…	…	…	24,278	1,351	6,392	875	32,896
14th November, 1966 (provisional)	…	…	…	34,902	1,889	8,448	1,522	46,761

Analyses of the unemployed by duration of unemployment in sufficient detail to identify those who have been unemployed for more than thirteen weeks are made in January, April, July and October only. At 10th October, 1966 when a total of 28,139 men were unemployed, 43 per cent. (12,090) had been unemployed for more than thirteen weeks.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the increase in food prices per week for a family of four today compared with the prices before October, 1964.

The increase in retail food prices between the third quarters of 1964 and 1966 was 6·6 per cent. This represents an increase in expenditure of about 7s. 6d. per week on average for a family of two adults and two children.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further ideas he has received from the British Bacon Curers' Association for remedying the worsened situation in the bacon-curing industry; what consideration he has given to them; and if he will now make a clarifying statement on his intentions as to the future of the industry.

Representatives of the British Bacon Curers' Federation met me last week and put proposals to me for meeting the present difficulties of the curing industry. I undertook to consider them as quickly as possible, and this I am doing. I can say nothing more at this stage.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he will announce his decision on the appeal, which was heard on 19th October, 1965 under Section 29(5) of the Countryside Act, 1949, concerning the footpath Manley 15; and what is the cause of the delay.

The decision will be issued within the next week. My right hon. Friend greatly regrets the delay, which he cannot excuse.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources what percentage of leasehold houses in London would be excluded from leasehold enfranchisement if this were limited to those with a rateable value not exceeding £400.

About 1·5 per cent., to judge from the ratio of houses over the limit to the total number of houses in London.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources which towns outside London have the six highest percentages of leasehold houses that would be excluded from leasehold enfranchisement if this were limited to those with a rateable value not exceeding £200; and what percentages are involved in each case.

I regret that the information is not readily available, but on such information as we have I can say that Cambridge seems likely to be the town with the highest percentage.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources what is the national average percentage of leasehold houses which would be excluded from leasehold enfranchisement if this were limited to those with a rateable value not exceeding £400 in London and £200 elsewhere, together with the estimated number of leasehold houses and the estimated number which would be excluded from leasehold enfranchisement if these limits applied.

About 1 per cent., to judge from the ratio of houses over the limits to the total number of houses, but the actual numbers of leasehold houses are not known and could not be estimated without a disproportionate amount of work.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the formula on which the supplementary subsidies under Section 3 and Schedule 2 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1962 are calculated; how much will be paid per house; and how much the four counties of cities will receive in supplementary subsidy for the year 1966–67.

The formula set out in the Second Schedule to the Act determines both which authorities will qualify for supplementary subsidy and the amount payable per house. The information required to enable the formula to be applied to the cities for 1966–67 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board has agreed to defer disposing of the fishings which it owns on the rivers Conan and Blackwater.

Yes. As my hon. Friend the Minister of State stated on 25th May in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty (Mr. Alasdair Mackenzie), I asked the Board to defer disposing of these fishing rights pending consideration of the Hunter Report and I am glad to say that it has agreed to do so meantime.—[Vol 729, c. 470–1.]

asked the Postmaster-General what he currently estimates the capital expenditure will be on telecommunications during 1966–67, analysing it into the same sub-divisions and on the same basis as the estimates published in March in paragraph 67 of Command Paper No. 2931.

The current estimates are:

		1966–67 £ million
Plant:
Trunk and Junction circuits	…	47·7
Local lines	…	49·4
Subscribers' circuits	…	45·1
Exchange equipment	…	66·6
Inland Telegraph equipment	…	4·3
Overseas services	…	6·5
Miscellaneous	…	1·3
Accommodation	…	24·0
Motor Transport	…	3·7
Office Machinery	…	2·2
Total	…	250·8

asked the Minister of Transport how much has been invested in British Railways; how much it has received further in loans and bank guarantees; what profits and/or losses have been made since nationalisation; and how much has been paid in taxation from profits from this industry.

The figures for investment and profits and losses are given below. On vesting date, 1st January, 1963, the British Railways Board assumed a debt of £1,562 million to the Minister of Transport on the transfer to the Board of part of the property, rights and liabilities of the British Transport Commission. Since vesting date the Minister has lent to the Board £50 million. The Treasury at present guarantee the Board's temporary borrowing from bankers up to a maximum of £25 million. The only unrecovered tax payment is one of £619,000 payable in respect of 1965–66 by certain subsidiaries of the Railways Board.

BRITISH RAILWAYS (UNDER THE BRITISH TRANSPORT COMMISSION)
			Investment Expenditure (a)	Net surplus or deficit on revenue account (b)
			£m.	£m.
1948	…	…	38	8·2 (deficit)
1949	…	…	41	23·4 (deficit)
1950	…	…	41	10·8 (deficit)
1951	…	…	45	0·7 (deficit)
1952	…	…	39	3·7 (surplus)
1953	…	…	53	2·4 (deficit)
1954	…	…	65·0	21·6 (deficit)
1955	…	…	70·9	38·2 (deficit)
1956	…	…	88·4	57·5 (deficit)
1957	…	…	125·6	68·1 (deficit)
1958	…	…	140·7	90·1 (deficit)
1959	…	…	167·6	84·0 (deficit)
1960	…	…	162·8	112·7 (deficit)
1961	…	…	145·9	135·9 (deficit)
1962.	…	…	115·3	159·0 (deficit)

BRITISH RAILWAYS BOARD
			investment Expenditure on British Railways (a) £m.	British Railways Board's results on revenue account (c) £m.
1963	…	…	90·8	133·9 (deficit)
1964	…	…	101·1	120·9 (deficit)
1965	…	…	113·9	132·4 (deficit)

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is the Government's policy to retain the railway line between Perth and Inverness until 1977.

I have nothing to add to the Answer given to the hon. Member on 7th February this year.—[Vol. 724, c. 14.]

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will make a statement on the progress and use of freight liner terminals; and what use is being made of British Railways workshops to provide equipment.

3,908 freightliner containers were dealt with during October 1966 at the four terminals which were then in operation. A fifth terminal at Aberdeen was opened on 31st October. All 175 freightliner wagons and 575 of the 625 containers at present in use have been built in British Railways' workshops.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will introduce legislation to clarify the position about the interest charge intended to be imposed by Schedule 12 to the Finance Act 1965, on companies which fail to pay over to the Inland Revenue by the due date Income Tax deducted from distributions and annual payments.

I have had this matter under consideration. Legal advice which the Inland Revenue have received suggests that the interest provision in Schedule 12 does not wholly achieve its purpose, and that, while the Inland Revenue could claim interest in most cases of delay or default, they could not do so in cases where the company makes a return by the due date but fails to pay the tax. Clearly we will need to rectify this, and I will bring forward legislation in the next Finance Bill to ensure that interest will run in all cases of delay or default with effect from the due date for payment, i.e. the 19th of the relevant month. In fairness to those companies who pay promptly, I propose that the new provision should apply with effect from this month's due date, i.e. 19th November. And in all the circumstances I am instructing the Inland Revenue not to pursue interest charges on arrears of Schedule 12 tax for the period up to 19th November and where interest for that period has been paid already they will arrange to refund it.