asked the Minister of Social Security whether she will review the position of those who have paid into the graduated pension scheme and are now in receipt of retirement pension.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) on 21st November.—[Vol. 736, c. 215.]

asked the Minister of Social Security what steps she is taking to produce a modern definition of subsistence for the purposes of her administration.

The standard of living provided by our benefits is already kept under review in the light of the general standards of the country. I do not think any further measures are called for.

asked the Minister of Social Security what action she is taking to restore the position of those industries which applied for supplementary benefits and now find that the wages related benefits are cancelling this out.

I understand that my hon. Friend is referring to the colliery workers scheme for supplementing industrial injury benefits. Changes made in the scheme on the introduction of earnings-related short-term benefits were agreed by both sides of the industry and my right hon. Friend sees no reason to intervene.

asked the Minister of Social Security if she will give the most recent figures showing the number of people injured, and the number of deaths, respectively, from home, work, road, and other industrial causes; and, in view of the fact that accidents and deaths in the home are higher than in any other category, what steps the Government are taking to help those injured in their homes.

The latest available information, which relates to 1965, is set out in the following table:

	Injuries	Deaths
Accidents in home or residential institution	Not available	8,487
Accidents at work	845,000*	l,098†
Road accidents	390,000	7,952
Other	Not available	Not available‡
* New spells of injury benefit commencing in the year ending 5th June, 1965 and payable under the accident provisions of the Industrial Injuries Acts.
† Deaths occurring at work but not necessarily caused by work. In 1965, 661 deaths from accidents were notified to the Ministry of Labour and there were 256 fatal accidents in mining and quarrying.
‡ The figures in the Table are taken from different sources and no "residual" figure can be derived from them. The total number of deaths from accidents recorded by the General Register Offices in 1965 was 20,682.

Subject to the satisfaction of the usual conditions, the cash benefits of the National Insurance and supplementary benefits schemes are available in respect of people who are injured or who die as the result of accidents at home. The services of the National Health Service are available to help all who are injured and welfare services are also provided by local authorities for the permanently and substantially handicapped.

asked the Minister of Social Security how many new applicants she has had for supplementary benefits since the new Ministry of Social Security was established; and what the cost has been to date.

The vast majority are claims to supplementary pension, some two-thirds of which are resulting in pension awards. The first payments are being made today so that no figures of actual cost are yet available.

asked the Minister of Social Security what increases in family allowances would be necessary to reduce the number of families affected by the wage stop by 50 per cent 75 per cent., and 90 per cent., respectively.

I regret this information is not available. It will be some time before we can get the necessary particulars of the families affected by the wage stop under the new scheme of supplementary benefits which starts today.

asked the Minister of Social Security what information she has from international sources as to which of the Common Market countries have higher family allowances than Great Britain, as a proportion of average earnings; and in which of these countries the allowances are subject to a means test.

Family allowances are higher in all the six Common Market countries than in this country, both absolutely and as a proportion of average earnings. There is a means test for family allowances only in the Federal Republic of Germany in respect of the allowance for the second child in any family where there are no more than two children and in a Netherlands scheme for self-employed persons in respect of the allowance for the first two children in any family.

asked the Minister of Social Security how many owner-occupiers received National Assistance grants last year; how many of these were over retirement age; and what was the average value of the properties.

In November, 1965, 223,000 owner-occupiers were receiving regular weekly National Assistance allowances, of whom 178,000 were over pension age. The average value of the properties is not known.

asked the Minister of Health when he expects the new maternity unit at Copthorne Hospital, Shrewsbury, to be in use; and when he expects the out-patient and accident departments, ward accommoda- tion and supporting services to be completed and in use.

The new unit is expected to be in use by late summer next year. It is too early to say when the out-patient and accident departments, ward accommodation and supporting services will be in use.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to end the statutory fee for emergency hospital treatment in cases of people injured in road accidents.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Hampstead (Mr. Whitaker) on 14th November, 1966.—[Vol 736, c. 34.]

asked the Minister of Health if he will hold an inquiry into the proposal to change the hospital serving the constituency of Hornsey under the Mental Health Act 1959 from the Friern Barnet Hospital to the Hill End hospital at St. Albans some 20 miles away from the patients' families and friends.

No. I understand a meeting is being arranged between the Regional Hospital Board and the London Borough of Haringey which I hope will lead to an acceptable solution.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will now make a statement on the strengthening of the security arrangements at Broad-moor Hospital consequent upon the escape of Anthony Amis on 24th October.

Amis escaped because he was able to conceal himself in the outside courts when other patients were called in for the day, because he was not then missed, and because he used part of a wooden shelter bench to surmount two walls. A new procedure for clearing the courts has been introduced, the interval between evening counts of patient has been shortened, and all shelter benches in the courts have been removed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will put on public exhibition his plans, and model if any, for hospital development adjoining Sydney Street, Chelsea.

Detailed planning of the Chelsea Post-graduate Medical Centre has not reached the stage at which this would be possible, but I will consider the hon. Member's suggestion at the appropriate time.

asked the Minister of Health how the numbers on the waiting list at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, compare with the figures for each October in the last five years.

The number was 4,630 at 30th September this year. This compares with 2,043, 2,502, 3,216 and 3,866 in the years 1962–65 respectively.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make representations to the nursing association concerned to reduce the age of entry to the nursing profession.

Date			Cost of Living Index	Staff Nurse (Male) Minimum Index	Ancillary Staffs Council Basic Grade (Male) Index	Staff Nurse (Male) Actual Minimum Annual Salary	Ancillary Staff Council Grades (Male) Actual Weekly Pay
1948 = 100·0
						£	s.	d.
5th July, 1948	…	…	100·0	100·0	100·0	276	86	0
1st July, 1950	…	…	103·6	125·0	116·3	345	100	0
1st July, 1955	…	…	136·4	159·4	165·7	440	142	6
1st July, 1960	…	…	155·0	199·5	206·6	550	177	8
1st July, 1964	…	…	176·5	242·8	239·1	670	205	8
1st July, 1966	…	…	192·5	268·1	263·6	740	226	8

asked the Minister of Health how many geriatric and maternity beds, respectively, are available in the South Bedfordshire area; and what steps he is taking to increase the supply.

The General Nursing Council decided in 1965 not to reduce the age of entry to student or pupil nurse training but to keep the question under review. The Council is aware that I favour a reduction.

asked the Minister of Health what action has been taken to end the work-to-rule by limb fitters at Roehampton following the recent appeal made by Her Majesty's Government.

The employers and the union have met again and negotiations continue. I am keeping in close touch with the Ministry of Labour and the employers. Meanwhile I am doing everything possible to lessen the inconvenience to patients attending the Roehampton centre.

asked the Minister of Health how the rates of pay of staff in mental hospitals compare with the rise of the cost of living, in 1939, 1945, 1950, 1955, 1960, 1964, and 1966.

The table below gives figures for two representative grades of staff since the start of the National Health Service:

One hundred and fifty-three beds for geriatric and chronic sick, and 111 maternity beds. Work is expected to start on site next year on 46 additional geriatric beds, and early in 1968 on 73 additional maternity beds. There may be further small increases in the number of geriatric beds and the Regional Hospital Board plan to establish later a 25–30 bed general practitioner maternity unit.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will undertake a comprehensive review of the styles of spectacle frames available under the National Health Service.

I have conducted such a review and have concluded that extension of the range of frames for adults whilst desirable cannot be given high priority in present circumstances. I am still considering the question of frames for children.

asked the Minister of Health how many deaths from primary cancer of the lung there were in 1945, 1955, and 1965.

In England and Wales deaths from cancer of the lung specified as primary numbered 11,073 in 1955 and 18,300 in 1965. 6,125 lung cancer deaths in 1955 and 8,098 in 1965 were not specified as either primary or secondary but I am advised that most of these are likely to have been primary. Comparable figures for 1945 are not available.

asked the Minister of Health what representations he has had from medical officers of health regarding the effect of advertisements encouraging children to eat sweets between meals and last thing at night; and what reply he has sent.

None recently. But I welcome this opportunity of stressing the importance of dental health education in promoting sound habits of diet and dental care.

asked the Minister of Health when he proposes to decide on the future of dental auxiliaries.

The Government accept that dental auxiliaries have a valuable contribution to make to the dental health of the community and is about to consult with the General Dental Council on the steps necessary to establish this class of auxiliary on a permanent basis in the light of the terms of the Dentists Act 1957.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to increase the supply of general practitioners in Wales.

I expect the service in Wales, as in England, to benefit from the improvement in pay and conditions under the new contract I have recently negotiated with the profession; and also eventually from the expansion in the number of places in medical schools.

asked the Minister of Health whether the review of the services for the elderly, the chronic sick and the handicapped announced by the then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in the House of Commons on 10th November 1965 has been completed; and whether the findings will be published.

This was a review carried out by officials to assemble material for consideration by Ministers. It is complete, but it is not the practice to publish the results of such reviews.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to ensure that all families, whether in receipt of social security benefits or not, are aware of the conditions of entitlement to free welfare foods.

A leaflet explaining entitlement to free welfare foods is supplied with each welfare milk token book. These leaflets are issued also to health service authorities for distribution by medical officers, health visitors, midwives, nurses and others concerned with care of mothers and young children, and posters are displayed in clinics and elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will send a circular to local welfare authorities to encourage them to provide non-residential centres for elderly people to provide meals and snacks at a subsidised cost.

In their development plans published last June local authorities showed their appreciation of the importance of these centres, and my right hon. Friend does not think that a circular is necessary at present.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the unemployment figures in the Bathgate area at the last available date; and what percentage of the employee population this represents.

On 14th November, 1966 there were 943 persons

INDUSTRIAL ANALYSIS OF THE NUMBERS OF PERSONS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED AT EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES AT YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OFFICES IN SCOTLAND
	10th October, 1966			11th October, 1965			12th October, 1964
Industry
	Males	Females	Total	Males	Females	Total	Males	Females	Total
Agriculture and Horticulture	1,743	262	2,005	1,532	256	1,788	1,674	293	1,967
Fishing	1,448	9	1,457	1,242	10	1,252	1,450	2	1,452
Bacon curing, meat and fish products	206	171	377	235	190	425	293	239	532
Shipbuilding and Ship repairing	1,056	41	1,097	1,112	44	1,156	1,550	48	1,598
Spinning and doubling cotton, flax and man-made fibres	123	89	212	115	135	250	121	208	329
Bricks, pottery, glass, cement, etc.	779	115	894	669	101	770	707	96	803
Timber	339	26	365	272	27	299	329	25	354
Construction	9,877	137	10,014	8,665	119	8,784	10,210	123	10,333
Sea transport	1,028	21	1,049	1,075	24	1,099	1,226	26	1,252
Distributive trades	4,273	2,813	7,086	3,837	2,923	6,760	4,649	3,462	8,111
Entertainment and Sport	629	156	785	601	172	773	743	212	955
Catering hotels, etc.	1,759	1,713	3,472	1,589	1,734	3,323	1,864	1,992	3,856
Private domestic service	95	486	581	93	567	660	97	584	681
Local government service	2,165	277	2,442	2,149	305	2,454	2,551	295	2,846
Other industries and services	25,143	10,301	35,444	19,459	10,334	29,793	23,276	12,903	36,179
Total, all industries and services	50,663	16,617	67,280	42,645	16,941	59,586	50,740	20,508	71,248

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state by trade the figures for unemployment in Scotland in general, and in Aberdeen in particular, during each of the last five years and up to the latest convenient date.

At 14th November, 1966 there were 78,079 persons registered as unemployed in Scotland, including 2,030 in Aberdeen.The latest figures of which an industrial analysis is available are those for 10th October. Below is a table giving the information relating to Scotland. Comparable figures for Aberdeen were given in my reply to the hon. and learned Member on 24th October.—[Vol. 734, c. 94–6.]Following is the information:

asked the Minister of Labour (1) if he will give the number of vacancies existing in the Wombwell and Mexborough employment exchange areas;(2) if he will give the numbers of persons in their various categories who are registered as unemployed in the Wombwell and Mexborough employment exchange areas.

Following is the information:

TOTAL NUMBERS REGISTERED AT THE WOMBWELL AND MEXBOROUGH EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES AND ASSOCIATED YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OFFICES ON 14TH NOVEMBER, 1966
		Men	Boys	Women	Girls	Total
Wombwell	…	149	10	30	7	196
Mexborough	…	469	47	211	50	777

asked the Minister of Labour if he will publish a table showing the total numbers and the percentage unemployed in Scotland and in the rest of the United Kingdom in each year from 1945 to the latest convenient date.

Following is the information:—

TOTAL NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED AT EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OFFICES IN SCOTLAND AND IN THE REST OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
		Scotland		Rest of United Kingdom
		Total Register	Percentage Rate	Total Register	Percentage Rate
12th November, 1945*	…	50,509	3·5	240,257	1·9
11th November, 1946*	…	77,871	4·8	317,354	2·3
10th November, 1947*	…	51,088	3·1	241,935	1·7
15th November, 1948	…	62,020	3·0	292,639	1·6
14th November, 1949	…	64,159	3·0	286,433	1·5
13th November, 1950	…	61,728	2·9	264,361	1·4
12th November, 1951	…	56,297	2·6	266,662	1·4
10th November, 1952	…	72,135	3·4	378,181	2·0
16th November, 1953	…	61,490	2·9	296,817	1·5
15th November, 1954	…	55,464	2·6	237,587	1·2
14th November, 1955	…	48,689	2·2	206,749	1·0
12th November, 1956	…	50,819	2·3	242,572	1·2
11th November, 1957	…	56,443	2·6	293,825	1·5
17th November, 1958	…	94,823	4·4	480,676	2·4
16th November, 1959	…	91,444	4·3	372,090	1·8
14th November, 1960	…	74,796	3·4	310,243	1·5
13th November, 1961	…	69,374	3·2	353,918	1·7
12th November, 1962	…	93,427	4·3	485,539	2·3
11th November, 1963	…	92,690	4·2	415,272	1·9
9th November, 1964	…	71,498	3·3	305,290	1·4
8th November, 1965	…	61,545	2·8	287,306	1·3
14th November, 1966 (Provisional)	…	78,079	3·5	497,468	2·3

asked the Minister of Labour if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of persons unemployed in Penzance, St. Ives, St. Mary's, in Helston, and in Cornwall, respectively, in November for each of the last 15 years, including November 1966.

Following is the information:

TOTAL NUMBERS OF PERSONS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED
	Penzance, St. Ives and St. Mary's	Helston	Cornwall
10th November, 1952	592	129	2,939
16th November, 1953	676	138	3,560
15th November, 1954	769	177	3,669
14th November, 1955	983	178	3,607
12th November, 1956	864	175	3,658
11th November, 1957	940	220	4,738
17th November, 1958	1,124	270	5,965
16th November, 1959	1,141	304	5,856
14th November, 1960	922	237	4,985
13th November, 1961	1,032	226	4,637
12th November, 1962	1,004	275	6,129
11th November, 1963	1,064	257	5,836
9th November, 1964	878	217	4,273
8th November, 1965	864	276	5,515
14th November, 1966	1,101	407	6,513

asked the Minister of Labour what were the terms of the settlement following the trade dispute in which

The agreement made between Bristol Siddeley Engines Limited and the Draughtsmen and Allied Technicians' Association relates to draughtsmen employed at Patchway, Bristol. It provides for the implementation following the six months deferment required by the standsill of pay increases, and for additional holidays which were agreed prior to the 20th July, 1966. It also provides for future negotiations which must be subject to incomes policy requirements as to content and dates of implementation. We are satisfied that this agreement is not a breach of the standstill.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give figures for employment vacancies in Birmingham, classified in a manner so as to indicate categories of vacancy which may be suitable for men made redundant by the British Motor Corporation.

The industrial experience of former B.M.C. workers varies widely and it is not possible to classify vacancies in this way. On 9th November there were 3,704 notified vacancies for men in the Birmingham area.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will carry out a survey to discover the number of registered disabled persons, whether employed part-time or full-time, in respect of whom the Selective Employment Tax is payable.

No; a reasonably close estimate is that the Selective Employment Tax is payable in respect of 600,000 registered disabled persons of whom about one-third are employed in the service and construction industries and therefore do not qualify for the refund of premium.

asked the Minister of Labour what proposals he has to induce market research companies to train graduates; and if he will seek to make financial grants.

None.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the employees of the British Motor Corporation in Birmingham recently made redundant have been placed in alternative employment by his Department; what proportion of them have been placed in the manufacturing industry; how many are known to be unemployed; and what estimate he makes of the number who have found new jobs without the help of his Department.

In Birmingham, 452 of these workers have been placed by the Ministry and of that number 71 per cent. have gone into manufacturing industries. There are 1,874 registered as unemployed. 614 workers are known to have found jobs without the help of the Ministry but there are approximately 1,700 others about whom no information is available. It is probable that the majority have found employment.

asked the Minister of Labour how many applications his Department has received for registration of establishments entitled to premiums or refunds of the Selective Employment Tax.

53,151 applications for registration of establishments were received by my Department up to the end of October, 1966. It is important that registrations should be completed by 31st December so that work in connection with the first repayments can go ahead as quickly as possible. I would therefore urge employers who may be eligible for repayments and who have not so far applied to register their establishments to do so without further delay.

asked the Minister of Labour why he has not yet made a statement on his plan for off-the-job adult retraining.

I am hoping to make a statement during the debate on economic affairs later this week.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that millions of days more are lost in industry through sickness and injury than through strikes; and, in view of this fact, what priority he is giving to the establishment of an occupational health service.

We are aware that losses of time through sickness and injury greatly exceed losses through strikes.The Ministry tries to ensure that industrial conditions and processes are kept safe and healthy for people working in industry. It is not possible to say what proportion of absence from work in industry is due to ill-health or injury caused by industrial conditions or processes.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of those recently made redundant in Linwood have been found employment.

Fifty-nine had been placed by 21st November a further 71 were known to have found work for themselves.

asked the Minister of Labour how many professional people who voluntarily retired before the normal retirement age of 65 years are now drawing unemployment benefits.

I regret the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour how many factories and plants have established medical and nursing services for their employees; and how many factories and plants have not introduced such services.

At the last census in September, 1964, the total number of factories covered by the Factories Act, 1961, was 208,200. Information about the extent of voluntary medical and/or nursing supervision in factories is collected on a continuing basis by H.M. Factory Inspectorate. At the last review in February, 1965, 1,443 factories were known to employ a medical officer alone; 3,620 to employ both a medical officer and nursing staff; and 2,376 to employ nursing staff but no medical officer. The trend is for an increasing number of factories providing medical and/or nursing services.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the percentage increase or decrease in the retail price index between June and September in each of the years 1960 to 1964.

The percentage change in the retail prices index between June and September in each of the years 1960 to 1964 was

1960	…	…	…	-0·4 per cent.
1961	…	…	…	+0·8 per cent.
1962	…	…	…	-1·3 per cent.
1963	…	…	…	-0·6 per cent.
1964	…	…	…	+0·4 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken by Her Majesty's Government with a view to re-establishing diplomatic relations with the United Arab Republic and to improving Anglo-United Arab Republic relations.

In the light of indications that the United Arab Republic Government might have expressed interest in resuming diplomatic relations with this country I have instituted certain inquiries. As my visit to the Soviet Union coincided with that of Field Marshal Abdul Hakim Amer, I also took the opportunity to have an informal word with him. I cannot forecast whether or not these contacts will lead to a resumption of relations. Her Majesty's Government desire to improve Anglo/United Arab Republic relations but as the House is aware there has to be good will on both sides.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what discussions he had during his visit to Bonn on reconciling the Government's wages and incomes policy with the provisions of the Treaty of Rome so as to facilitate the United Kingdom's entry into the European Economic Community.

None. There is nothing in the Treaty of Rome nor in the arrangements made under it that would limit the freedom of the Government to pursue their prices and incomes policy, so that my hon. Friend's question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the result of his visit to Moscow.

This visit was a continuation of the talks I had with Mr. Gromyko in New York, but it also provided an opportunity of talking with Mr. Kosygin and Mr. Gromyko together. We talked about international and bilateral questions.My general thought about these talks is that they were refreshing in the frankness that came from both sides. After my visit I am strengthened in my conviction that although we both recognise that there are important differences between us we can do business and we are developing the mutual confidence and trust that is essential to this.Much of our time was devoted to Vietnam. I want to emphasise that this was not a negotiation. Neither of us was in a position to negotiate, or presumed to do so. It was an attempt to exchange thoughts. I think the exchange was useful, and I believe the Soviet side thought so too. It would not be helpful for me to say more, and I must ask the House to excuse me doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent visit to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

This visit was a continuation of the talks I had with Mr. Gromyko in New York, but it also provided an opportunity of talking with Mr. Kosygin and Mr. Gromyko together. We talked about international and bilateral questions.My general thought about these talks is that they were refreshing in the frankness that came from both sides. After my visit I am strengthened in my conviction that although we both recognise that there are important differences between us we can do business and we are developing the mutual confidence and trust that is essential to this.Much of our time was devoted to Vietnam. I want to emphasise that this was not a negotiation. Neither of us was in a position to negotiate, or presumed to do so. It was an attempt to exchange thoughts. I think the exchange was useful, and I believe the Soviet side thought so too. It would not be helpful for me to say more, and I must ask the House to excuse me doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his visit to Moscow.

This visit was a continuation of the talks I had with Mr. Gromyko in New York, but it also provided an opportunity of talking with Mr. Kosygin and Mr. Gromyko together. We talked about international and bilateral questions.My general thought about these talks is that they were refreshing in the frankness that came from both sides. After my visit I am strengthened in my conviction that although we both recognise that there are important differences between us we can do business and we are developing the mutual confidence and trust that is essential to this.Much of our time was devoted to Vietnam. I want to emphasise that this was not a negotiation. Neither of us was in a position to negotiate, or presumed to do so. It was an attempt to exchange thoughts. I think the exchange was useful, and I believe the Soviet side thought so too. It would not be helpful for me to say more, and I must ask the House to excuse me doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his visit to Russia.

This visit was a continuation of the talks I had with Mr. Gromyko in New York, but it also provided an opportunity of talking with Mr. Kosygin and Mr. Gromyko together. We talked about international and bilateral questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his talks with Mr. Gromyko on South Vietnam.

This visit was a continuation of the talks I had with Mr. Gromyko, in New York, but it also provided an opportunity of talking with Mr. Kosygin and Mr. Gromyko together. We talked about international and bilateral questions.My general thought about these talks is that they were refreshing in the frankness that came from both sides. After my visit I am strengthened in my conviction that although we both recognise that there are important differences between us we can do business and are developing the mutual confidence and trust that is essential to this.Much of our time was devoted to Vietnam. I want to emphasise that this was not a negotiation. Neither of us was in a position to negotiate, or presumed to do so. It was an attempt to exchange thoughts. I think the exchange was useful, and I believe the Soviet side thought so too. It would not be helpful for me to say more, and I must ask the House to excuse me doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to strengthen the British mission to the European Communities.

None at present, but I am keeping the position under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received the Spanish Government's reply to the proposal to refer the Gibraltar issue to the International Court.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the continued restrictions at the Spanish-Gibraltar frontier will be included in the matters to be submitted to the International Court.

The imposition of the frontier restrictions has raised a legal issue; and we have proposed to the Spanish Government that all the legal issues in dispute concerning Gibraltar should be referred to the Court.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further steps he has taken in consultation with foreign statesmen with a view to achieving an agreed peace in Vietnam.

During my recent talks in Moscow with Mr. Kosygin and Mr. Gromyko much of our time was devoted to Vietnam. I want to emphasise that this was not a negotiation. Neither of us was in a position to negotiate, or presumed to do so. It was an attempt to exchange thoughts. I think the exchange was useful, and I believe the Soviet side thought so too. It would not be helpful for me to say more, and I must ask the House to excuse me doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent discussions with Rumania on her bonded debt; and what steps he is taking to have further talks with Hungary on similar problems.

The negotiations with the Rumanians, which opened in Bucharest on 21st November are still in progress. On the Hungarian Bonded debt I have nothing to add to the replies of 24th October and 14th November by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now make a statement on Mr. Roderic Bowen's report on Aden.

I hope to make a statement on Mr. Bowen's report very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received for the establishment of a new medical school at the University of Hull; and what reply he has sent.

The University Grants Committee is examining this proposal together with similar ones received from a number of other universities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidance he gives to the headmasters of day schools as to the amount of homework they give their pupils.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what building programme it is estimated will be approved by his Department for the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, by 1970.

The allocation of the university building programme is a matter for the University Grants Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the value of approved school building projects in Wales for each year in the period 1955–66.

The value of approved building programmes for the period is as follows:

Financial year		Major projects	Minor projects
		Thousands of £'s
1955–56	…	3,774	619
1956–57	…	3,763	620
1957–58	…	1,469	602
1958–59	…	2,016	720
1959–60	…	1,770	920
1960–61	…	3,153	1,285
1961–62	…	3,877	1,000
1962–63	…	3,550
1963–64	…	2,535	934
1964–65	…	3,549	950
1965–66	…	5,400	1,500
1966–67	…	5,400	1,730

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the strengthening of the bars on the windows in D Wing at Wormwood Scrubs Prison was among the recommendations which the Director of Prison Security submitted with his report on 29th April 1966; and why this work had not been carried out by 26th October 1966.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners escaped from Wormwood Scrubs Prison between 29th April 1966 and 30th October 1966.

Six.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date in June 1966 he gave instructions for additional security measures at Wormwood Scrubs Prison.

On 22nd June.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in the period of severe restraint, he will ensure that all employed in the State Management Scheme, whose increases were delayed, will be granted their increases at the earliest opportunity; and if he will make a statement.

Any increases in pay for the staff concerned will be subject to the provisions of the White Paper "Prices and Incomes Standstill: Period of Severe Restraint".

asked the President of the Board of Trade what studies he has made of the possibilities of trade distortion if Austria establishes a customs union with the European Economic Community whilst still remaining a member of the European Free Trade Association.

I see no reason to make a detailed study of this question in present circumstances.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in establishing the administrative machinery necessary to administer the investment grants under Part I of the Industrial Development Act 1966; and when application forms will be available to industry.

Application forms for investment grants, and a free explanatory booklet about the scheme, may now be obtained from the five Investment Grants Offices whose addresses are given below. These Offices will be ready to receive applications from 16th January, 1967, in respect of expenditure incurred by applicants during the period 17th January to 31st March, 1966. Payment of grants will begin in July, 1967.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the sum of capital expenditure on industry in Wales for each year in the period 1955 to 1966.

The following is the information:

Capital expenditure by manufacturing establishments in Wales
					£ million
1955	…	…	…	…	53
1956	…	…	…	…	49
1957	…	…	…	…	67
1958	…	…	…	…	62
1959	…	…	…	…	60
1960	…	…	…	…	91
1961	…	…	…	…	124
1962	…	…	…	…	97
1963	…	…	…	…	59*
1964	…	…	…	…	57*
1965	…	…	…	…	56*
*Provisional figures. An estimate for 1966 is not yet available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give a brief description of the glide paths normally used by aircraft landing at London Airport, and of the direction normally used by aircraft on take-off.

When taking-off and landing at Heathrow, aircraft are normally heading due west. The slope of the glide paths for landing under instrument approach procedures is three degrees. When traffic is heavy aircraft are required not to descend below 2,000 feet before intercepting the glide path at about 6 n.m. from touchdown point. When traffic is light aircraft are kept at 2,500 feet or more before intercepting at about 8 n.m.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the amount, in tons, of imported steel for the years 1961 to 1965, respectively.

The following is the information:

United Kingdom imports of finished and semi-finished steel products*
Year					Thousand tons
1961	…	…	…	…	450
1962	…	…	…	…	760
1963	…	…	…	…	1,190
1964	…	…	…	…	1,540
1965	…	…	…	…	560
* Includes ingots, blooms, billets, slabs; coils; rails; plate and sheet; bars; rods; sections; hoop and strip; tubes, pipes and fittings; castings and forgings.

Note: The figures for 1961 and 1962 are not strictly comparable with those for later years because of small differences in classification.

IMPORTS IN 1965
				£ million
Commodity		S.I.T.C. Code (a)	Sterling Area (b)	North America	European Economic Community
Food and beverages	…	Section 0 + Division 11	752	221	178
Raw materials	…	Sections 2 + 4	584	218	161
Manufactured goods:
chiefly for further processing	…	Sections 5 + 6	328	338	303
finished manufactures	…	Sections 7 + 8	90	278	336
(a) Standard International Trade Classification (Revised).
(b) Including Rhodesia and Burma, on the definition used in the Overseas Trade Accounts. When Rhodesia and Burma are excluded the figures are £743, £578, £327 and £89 million respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the values of imports of manufactured goods into the United Kingdom during the year 1965 from the sterling area, North America, and the European Economic Community, respectively;(2) what were the values of raw material imports into the United Kingdom during the year 1965 from the sterling area, North America, and the European Economic Community, respectively;(3) what were the values of imports of food and beverages into the United Kingdom during the year 1965 from the sterling area, North America and the European Economic Community, respectively.

The following is the information:—