asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what are the extent and value of work currently being undertaken by civilian contractors at Her Majesty's Dockyard, Portsmouth, which is suitable for completion by the Ministry's own direct labour force.

The size of the Ministry's direct labour force at H.M. Dockyard, Portsmouth, is related to long term commitments. This force is now fully employed and any question of its taking over work currently being executed by contractors is therefore hypothetical.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the possibilities inherent in a Clyde barrage scheme, he will institute a feasibility study of such a project; and if he will make a statement.

The possibilities of a Clyde barrage scheme at Greenock were the subject of a technical appraisal commissioned by Greenock Corporation in l964. This showed that because of technical engineering considerations impounding could not be justified economically, and the local authority withdrew its support from the project. In the absence of any new evidence I see no reason for instituting any further study.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has now completed his review of the question whether the notional rent of council houses for the purpose of this year's Exchequer Equalisation Grant should be lowered.

Yes. I propose to submit for the approval of the House an Order reducing the notional rent of council houses for Exchequer Equalisation Grant purposes from 95 to 90 per cent. in respect of the current year.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the percentage change in the value of net new export orders of machine tools for the most recently available date in the current year compared with the corresponding period in 1965; and if he will make a statement.

The value of net new export orders for the period January-September, 1966 was 14 per cent. lower than for the corresponding period of 1965.I regret that I gave an incorrect Reply to a similar question by the hon. Member on 15th November relating to the periods January-August, 1966 and the correponding period last year. The correct figure should have been 15 per cent. lower and not 10·8 per cent. lower as stated in my original Reply.—[Vol. 73, c.

asked the Minister of Technology if he is aware of the difficulties which have been experienced in the formulation of standards for pressure vessels; and what plans he has for dealing with this.

I am aware of the difficulties in this area, and at the request of B.S.I. and after consultation with the C.B.I., and other interested bodies I have appointed an expert and independent Committee of Inquiry with the following terms of reference: "To recommend ways of improving pressure vessel technology, including standards, design and manufacture." The following members have been appointed:

1. Professor J. L. M. Morrison, C.B.E., Chairman, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Bristol University, and Chairman of the B.S.I. Engineering Division Council.

2. Dr. P. J. Palmer, Managing Director of Harvey Fabrications Ltd.

3. Mr. R. W. Nichols, Deputy Head of the Reactor Materials Laboratories, U.K.A.E.A.

4. Mr. H. Goodger, Consultant—formerly Technical Chief of the National Boiler and General Insurance Co.

5. Mr. W. R. D. Manning, Consultant—formerly Assistant Chemical Engineering, I.C.I.

6. Mr. C. S. Tanner, Group Manager, Engineering Department, Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd., Agricultural Division.

7. Dr. K. J. Irvine, Research Manager, United Steel Co.

8. Mr. L. F. Robinson, Managing Director of Power Gas Corporation Ltd.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the total value of grants received by the National Trust from the Historic Buildings Council.

Grants to a total value of £1,007,748 have been made to the National Trust on the advice of the Historic Buildings Council for England, since the Council was set up in 1953.

asked the Minister of Health what representations he has received from the Church Assembly Hospital Chaplancies Council; and if he will reconsider his decision to retain the limitation of appointments of full-time chaplains to hospitals with an average of 750 patients.

I have had no representations direct from the Council but I understand that a joint committee of the churches, whose representatives met the Parliamentary Secretary in April, 1965, is considering proposals for the revision of hospital chaplaincy arrangements generally. In the light of these representations I have reviewed the conditions for whole-time appointments, but I have decided to maintain the present arrangements.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that due to staff shortages the operating theatre at Queen Mary's Hospital, Stratford, had to shut down during the weekend of 26th–27th November; and, as the shortage of staff is due mainly to the poor wages and salaries received by these hospital workers in particular and the National Health Service employees in general, what action he proposes to take to increase these wages and salaries.

The closure was due primarily to the sickness of two theatre nurses. The pay of National Health Service employees is agreed by the various Whitley Councils for the Health Service. Nursing staff received an increase of about 11 per cent. in 1965 and the pay of ancillary staff is at present being considered by the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has recently accepted, in lieu of estate duty, any work of art under Section 34 of the Finance Act, 1956.

Yes. Agreement has been reached between Her Majesty's Government and the executors of the estate of the late Charles Maresco Pearce for the acceptance, in part-satisfaction of Estate Duty, of the painting by Gauguin, "Landscape Le Pouldu", also known as "Le Moisson au Bord de la Mer". The cost to the National Land Fund, after allowing for Estate Duty exemption, is £47,000. The advice of the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries was sought on its disposal; and, in the light of the known wishes of the late owner, it has been decided that the picture should remain in the Tate Gallery, to which it was lent in 1964 by the late Mr. Pearce.

asked the Chancellor of the Exhequer what is the total value of Estate Duty lost to the Exchequer through gifts of land, buildings and chattels to the National Trust made during the life times of the disposers.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total value of property including chattels accepted by the Inland Revenue in satisfaction, or part satisfaction, of death duties and subsequently vested in the National Trust.

About £2,150,000 at cost of acquisition.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost to the balance of payments of United Kingdom imports of tobacco from the United States of America and Canada in 1965; and what is his estimate of the corresponding figures for 1966 and 1967, respectively.

I have been asked to reply. I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many hire cars and private cars, respectively, registered in Southern Ireland, entered Northern Ireland for the first time in each of the months in the period commencing on 1st January and ending 20th September, 1966.

The only figures available are for hire vehicles driven by residents of the United Kingdom (other than Northern Ireland) and for other private vehicles. Those for hire vehicles relate to first importation by each new hirer. I hose for private vehicles relate to first entry or renewal of an annual permit. They are:

1966				Private vehicles	Hire vehicles
January	…	…	…	2,452	63
February	…	…	…	2,244	73
March	…	…	…	4,037	128
April	…	…	…	4,401	195
May	…	…	…	5,782	255
June	…	…	…	6,826	352
July	…	…	…	8,075	407
August	…	…	…	12,861	443
September	…	…	…	6,660	299

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many hire cars and private cars, respectively, registered in Southern Ireland entered Northern Ireland in each of the months in the period commencing on 1st January and ending on 30th September, 1966.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why, arising out of the arrangement made following the Monopolies Commission report, the retailer as a result of the new price structure for Kodacolor X127 reel film has to sell 13 films to make the same profit as six previously, an increase of 116·3 per cent., while Kodak Limited only have to sell 13 to get the same return as on 12 previously, an increase of 8·3 per cent., in view of the fact that the tax liability remains constant.

The Monopolies Commission made separate recommendations about Kodak's own selling prices and the discounts that it allowed to retailers. The reduction by Kodak of approximately 20 per cent. in the level of their recommended prices is the effect of an average reduction of 12½ per cent. in prices to dealers and a reduction in discounts to dealers. The selling price to the public is no longer determined by Kodak, who have abandoned retail price maintenance; but I am informed that the discounts vary according to quantities purchased, and that the great majority of dealers get a discount of 22½, per cent., compared with 30 per cent. previously.I understand that the purchase tax on a Kodacolor X127 film is now 1s. 4d. compared with 1s. 6d. before the price reduction.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when negotiations will be resumed for the conclusion of an Anglo-Italian cinematograph films co-production agreement; and when such an agreement may be expected to come into force.

Negotiations were resumed early this year. Progress has been made and I am hopeful that certain outstanding matters will be settled satisfactorily. I cannot, however, yet say when an agreement will come into operation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give examples showing the effect which the latest change in investment allowances will have on the rate of return on capital invested in a typical project or projects on a discounted cash flow basis and on a simple rate of return basis, respectively.

It is not possible to identify a typical project for this purpose since the proportions of expenditure on plant and machinery, on buildings, and for the provision of working capital, and also the rates of return, vary widely from case to case. The following table shows the cash recoveries from investment grants and tax reliefs in respect of £100 investment in machinery or plant which qualifies for investment grants.

	Cash recoveries not discounted	Cash recoveries discounted at 7 per cent. p.a.
	£	£
National
Standard 20 per cent. rate of grant
(a) on introduction	52·0	40·1
(b) when in full operation	52·0	41·4
Temporary 25 per cent. rate of grant	55·0	43·3
Development Areas
Normal 40 per cent. rate of grant
(a) on introduction	64·0	52·7
(b) when in full operation	64·0	55·2
Temporary 45 per cent. rate of grant	67·0	55·8

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many Departmental staff are wholly or mainly employed with the administration of investment grants; and what is the total annual cost so involved, taking into account salaries, pensions, provisions and all other overheads.

As my right hon. Friend explained to the hon. Member for Gloucestershire, South (Mr. Corfield) on 22nd July, 1966 about 1,200 staff will administer investment grants. Total annual staff costs will be approximately £2·3 million.—[Vol. 732, c. 163.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade what instructions are issued to British ships with regard to compliance with the Egyptian Government's claim to rights to search all shipping passing through the Suez Canal.

None.

asked the Minister of Transport what consideration she is giving to the experiments into the effect of ingestion of milk on concentrations of blood alcohol, carried out by Professor John Yudkin and others in the University of London, a copy of which has been sent to her; whether she will be issuing any advice to motorists about conclusions to be drawn from these experiments; and if she will make a statement.

I am considering the published report of this experiment and seeking scientific and medical advice as to whether it will be possible or helpful to give advice to motorists about the conclusions to be drawn.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the help it would give planning for exports, she will propose international discussions to establish minimum safety standards for all new motor vehicles.

There is already machinery in the Economic Commission for Europe for developing international standards for the construction of vehicles, and a World Conference will be held in the Spring of 1968 which, among other things will consider further safety requirements for vehicles. A working Party or the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Industry Committee is meeting next week in Paris to consider the new U.S. Vehicle Safety Standards. The Ministry of Transport, and representatives of the motor industry, play a full part in these international discussions.

asked the Minister Transport (1) whether she has carried out the inquiries which she undertook to make concerning the problems of public transport for the inhabitants of Ross-on-Wye;(2) what are the results of the inquiries she has made concerning public transport for the inhabitants of Ross-on-Wye.

We have looked into the complaints which have been received about the inadequacy of the alternative services since the rail service from Ross-on-Wye was withdrawn. These principally concerned the arrangements for the bus/rail interchange at Gloucester for journeys onwards to London. We did not find that any alterations were justified and replied to the complainants accordingly.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will now publish the Report of the Clayton Survey on transport integration in West Cardiganshire.

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales said on 2nd December, this was one of a series of pilot studies of transport undertaken at our request by the Economic Planning Councils. It was not intended that these should necessarily be published. If, in this case, the authors, the University College of Wales, wish to publish, we should have no objection.

asked the Minister of Transport when the decision to build the Leeds-Sheffield motorway was made; when work was started on it; what is the total price of the contract; and when it is expected the new road will be completed and available for use by the public.

The decision to survey the route was taken in 1959; work started in April, 1965; the total price of the eight contracts is £40 million; it is expected that the road will be completed and opened by the autumn of 1968.

asked the Minister of Transport when the decision to build the new Yorkshire-Lancashire motorway was taken; when work was started on it; what is the total amount of contracts now let for its construction; and when it is expected that the new road will be completed and available for use by the public.

The decision to survey the route was taken in 1961. Advance works were started in March, 1966 and contracts to the value of £13¼ million have now been let. The motorway is expected to be in use by the early 1970s.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made since 6th July last in her consideration of the proposed by-pass relief road at Rye.

Discussions about the main road framework for the town map have reached an advanced stage between the Ministry's Divisional Road Engineer and the East Sussex County Council, which is primarily responsible as planning and highway authority.

asked the Minister of Transport what is her timetable for carrying forward her proposals for the London—Cambridge motorway, M11, and for further discussions with the local authorities and others affected.

A draft scheme has been published and is open to representations from local authorities and others affected. There will be separate consultations on the route south of Chigwell and on side road proposals.The timeable will depend upon the progress made with the statutory processes.

Line Authorised for closure to passenger services		Date of Minister's consent	Date of closure	Mileage
Halwill-Torrington	…	29.12.64	1. 3.65	20
Sunderland-South Shields	…	29.12.64	14. 6.65	1½
Southport-Pool Hey Junction via Blowick	…	20. 1.65	14. 6.65	1¾
Dunstable North-Hatfield	…	29. 1.65	26. 4.65	20¼
Bradford (Exchange)-Mirfield-Huddersfield	…	5. 2.65	14. 6.65	7½
Bradford (Exchange)-Halifax-Huddersfield	…
Dumfries-Kirkcudbright	…	9. 2.65	3. 5.65	10¼
Thornton Junction-Crail-Dundee (Tay Bridge)	…	11. 2.65	6. 9.65	28
Barnstaple-Torrington	…	15. 2.65	4.10.65	14
Eridge-Hailsham	…	26. 2.65	14. 6.65	16
Selby-Driffield	…	26. 2.65	14. 6.65	31¼
Christ's Hospital-Guildford	…	1. 3.65	14. 6.65	15½
St. Helens (Shaw Street)-Earlestown-Warrington Bank Quay	…	4. 3.65	14. 6.65	2
Aviemore-Forres	…	24. 3.65	11.10.65	36
Hamilton-Strathaven/Coalburn	…	25. 3.65	4.10.65	18¼
Ulveston-Lakeside	…	30. 6.65	6. 9.65	4
Oxford-Bletchley-Bedford-Cambridge	…	8. 7.65	—	77
Glasgow (Buchanan Street)-Stirling-Oban	…	14. 7.65	1.11.65	40
Earby-Barnoldswick	…	19. 7.65	27. 9.65	2½
Farnley Junction-Spen Valley Junction, via Heckmondwike	…	19. 7.65	2. 8.65	13¾
Pye Bridge-Kirby-in-Ashfield East	…	21. 7.65	6. 9.65	5
Killin Junction-Killin	…	21. 7.65	1.11.65	4
Chippenham-Calne	…	23. 7.65	20. 9.65	5¼
Ryde (Pier Head>-Cowes	…	23. 7.65	21. 2.66	11¾
Shanklin-Ventnor	…		18. 4.66
Rosegrove-Todmorden	…	28. 7.65	1.11.65	10¼
Manchester Victoria-Horwich	…	30. 7.65	27. 9.65	1
York-Hull	…	3. 8.65	29.11.65	31
Lincoln Central-Grantham	…	18. 8.65	1.11.65	20
Aberdeen-Ballater	…	31. 8.65	28. 2.66	43
Lancaster Castle/Lancaster Green-Ayre-Heysham	…	31. 8.65	3. 1.66	½
Yeovil Town-Yeovil Pen Mill	…	31. 8.65	29.11.65	½
Yeovil J unction-Yeovil Town	…	31. 8.65	3.10.66	2
Leeds-Skipton-Morecambe-Heysham	…	31. 8.65	3. 1.66	18½
Bath Green Park-Bournemouth West	…	6. 9.65	7. 3.66	80
Highbridge-Evercreech Junction	…
Bath Green Park-Bristol Temple Meads	…
Seaton Junction-Seaton	…	6. 9.65	7. 3.66	4
Axminster-Lyme Regis	…	6. 9.65	29.11.65	7
Shoreham-by-Sea-Christ's Hospital	…	6. 9.65	7. 3.66	16½
Cheltenham Spa (Malvern Road)-Cheltenham (St. James)	…	6.10.65	3. 1.66	½
Patney and Chirton-Holt Junction	…	22. 8.66	22. 8.66	20
Rugby-Peterborough East	…	17.12.65	6. 6.66	40
Seaton-Stamford	…
Leicester London Road-Peterborough	…
Sidmouth Junction-Sidmouth	…	22.12.65	—	8
Tipton St. Johns-Exmouth	…	22.12.65	—	11
Halwill-Wadebridge	…	22.12.65	3.10.66	30
Okehampton-Bude	…	22.12.65	3.10.66	45
Southampton-Fawley	…	22.12.65	14. 2.66	9½
Royton-Royton Junction	…	22.12.65	18. 4.66	1
Glasgow St. Enoch-Dalry-Kilmarnock	…	22.12.65	18. 4.66	10
Barrhead-Kilmarnock	…	22.12.65	7.11.66	16¾
Kilmacolm-Greenock Princes Pier (part of proposal=	…	22.12.65	14. 2.66	8
Workington-Keswick (part of proposal)	…	10. 1.66	18. 4.66	21

asked the Minister of Transport how many railway line closures have been authorised since October, 1964; and whether she will give the date of decision, date of implementation and length of line in each case.

The following is the information required:

asked the Minister of Social Security what discussions she has had, with whom, and with what results, about the case of a claim for compensation for an industrial injury by Mr. Arthur Chamberlain, of Valetta Grove, Plaistow, E.13; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Chamberlain's claim for industrial injury benefit for papilloma of the bladder has been rejected by the independent statutory authorities on the ground that he has not worked in a prescribed occupation since July, 1948, when the industrial injuries scheme came into operation. I understand that he attributes the disease to employment before July, 1948, and this is a matter between employer and employee in which the Minister cannot intervene. I would also refer my hon. Friend to the Reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wood Green (Mrs. Joyce Butler) on 21st November.—[Vol. 736, c. 934–5.]

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of places for training and retraining in Government training centres in Yorkshire; whether vacancies exist; and whether it is intended to provide additional centres or additional places.

On 14th November there were 487 places at Government Training Centres in Yorkshire, of which 88 were vacant. 32 additional places have been opened since that date and a further 54 places will be opened shortly. I have no plans to provide additional centres in Yorkshire at present.

asked the Minister of Power if he will list the committees, working parties and the like which are currently sitting, but excluding those which are composed only of civil servants, showing the number of civil servants who have been allocated to work full-and halftime, respectively, on each.

The information is as follows:

• Ministerial Co-ordinating Committee.
• Advisory Council on Research and Development.
• Safety in Mines Research Advisory Board.
• Industrial Coal Consumers' Council.
• Domestic Coal Consumers' Council.
• Nuclear Safety Advisory Committee.
• Energy Advisory Council.
• Mining Qualifications Board.
• National Joint Pneumoconiosis Committee.
• Organising Committee for the National Steel Corporation.
• Explosives in Mines Committee.
• Advisory Committee on Rescue Work and Rescue Apparatus.
• Electrical Measurement Technical Advisory Committee.
• Committee for the Siting of Power Stations. Working Party on the Standardisation of Electrical Plant.

One civil servant is employed full time for the Organising Committee for the National Steel Corporation and three halftime for both the Industrial Coal Consumers' Council and the Domestic Coal Consumers' Council. Staff of my Department are also concerned part-time (not amounting to half-time) with the other bodies mentioned above as well as in day-to-day contacts and discussions with the industries for which I am responsible.

asked the Attorney-General why, having had forwarded to him by the Director of Public Prosecutions a letter from the hon. Member for Oldham, West, dated 8th November, for reply, he has not replied.

I have been making inquiries into the subject matter of my hon. Friend's letter, to which I have now replied.

asked the Attorney-General whether he has now received from the Director of Public Prosecutions his Report on the investigation into the affairs of Rolls Razor Limited and former members of its board.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 9th November, 1966. Police investigations are continuing.—[Vol. 735, c. 287.]

asked the Attorney-General whether he has now received a Report from the Director of Public Prosecutions on Arctic White Laundries Limited and associated companies.

This matter is now under consideration by the Board of Trade and decisions as to action with regard to it will be taken by that Department.