asked the Minister of Power on what date he received a letter from the hon. Member for Tyne-mouth on the subject of the future of the Consett Steel Works, in respect of the meeting held by the Tyneside Chamber of Commerce; and why, in view of his undertaking to keep the hon. Member for Tynemouth informed, he has not done so, but has given that information to other Members of Parliament.

Following the hon. Member's letters to me on this subject I agreed to receive a deputation from the Tyneside Chamber of Commerce after, the National Steel Corporation had submitted to me its proposals for the organisation of the public sector of the steel industry. I will keep this undertaking.

asked the Minister of Power what progress has been made in the negotiations for the establishment of a refinery or tank farm on the Firth of Forth between his Department and the Murco Oil Company; and if he will make a statement.

Murco Petroleum Ltd., have been in consultation with my Ministry and other interested Departments about the possible construction of a refinery and associated tank farm in the U.K. One of the locations under consideration is the Firth of Forth, but no conclusions have yet been reached.

asked the Minister of Power, following the theft of £8,000 worth of nuclear fuel cores from Bradwell power station, what steps he is taking to prevent the stealing of radioactive material in future, particularly at power stations where breaches of security are subject to international checking and inspection.

The operators of nuclear installations which are licensed by my right hon. Friend have been asked to review arrangements for the physical security of stores of nuclear material. Bradwell is the only nuclear power station subject to "safeguards" inspection by the International Atomic Energy Authority and in this particular case the missing material was outside the scope of the relevant agreement, because it had not been irradiated. But "safeguarded" stations are not regarded as a special problem. In safety terms, the security of nuclear material is equally important whether or not it is subject to "safeguards".

asked the Minister of Power (1) what was the total amount spent on advertising electricity for domestic uses, including appliances, during the year 1965;(2) what was the total amount spent on advertising gas for domestic uses, including appliances, for the year 1965;(3) what was the total amount spent on advertising coal for domestic uses, including appliances, during the year 1965.

In 1965 the nationalised fuel industries spent the following amounts on promotional advertising aimed in the main at the domestic market:

Coal	£1·5 million*
Electricity	£1·6 million†
Gas	£2·5 million
Notes:
* includes contribution to the Coal Utilisation Council.
† excludes expenditure by Scottish Electricity Boards.

The sum of this expenditure represents less than one quarter of 1 per cent. of the industries' total turnover.I cannot answer about expenditure by appliance manufacturers.

asked the Minister of Technology what reports on the progress of the shipbuilding industry setting out the matters listed in the Geddes Committee's Report have been published since 1st June, 1966.

asked the Minister of Technology whether the Government adhere to the timetable for the reorganisation of the shipbuilding industry set out in paragraph 578 of the Geddes Report.

The Geddes Report did not call for interim reports on the progress in the industry pending legislation. But the timetable is being fully maintained. The tax relief provisions were brought into operation under the Finance Act and the Shipbuilding Industry Board has been established on a non-statutory basis, and is working well.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will place in the Library of the House of Commons copies of the report in his possession prepared by Science in General Management Limited for the Geddes Committee on the future world market for ships, before the introduction of the Bill to set up the Shipbuilding Industry Board.

Yes. A copy will be made available in the Library.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he intends to implement the recommendation of the Geddes Committee in paragraph 487 of its report, that for three years from April, 1967, Government contribution of £200,000 per annum be made to the British Shipbuilding Research Association additional to those available under present conditions.

I am still considering this point.

asked the Minister of Technology what discussions he intends to have with other European countries with a view to improved co-operation in technological advance and research.

I have had a number of such discussions most recently when I visited West Germany last week for talks with the German Federal Minister for Scientific Research.I am now considering plans for visits to other European countries. Co-operation is developing well.

asked the Minister of Technology what steps he is taking to encourage the adoption of common cost criteria for advanced technological projects.

I am planning to set up machinery to help formulate economic and technical criteria for evaluating advanced projects within my responsibility.

asked the Minister of Technology what support his Department is giving to the development of pneumatics in the general field of automation, and, in particular, in the more specific field of automatic control systems for machine tools.

Work on the application of pneumatics is going on at the National Engineering Laboratory, the Royal Aircraft Establishment and the National Gas Turbine Establishment, and at least three Research Associations.In the "Approaching Automation Campaign" which is financed by my Department and which has the aim of persuading industry, particularly the smaller and medium sized firm, to consider the use of low-cost aids to automation in order to increase productivity or improve quality, the application of pneumatics has been featured prominently. Nearly one-fifth of the exhibits deal with pneumatics and at least one-third of the films produced for this Campaign have contained references to the use of pneumatics.Work at the National Engineering Laboratory in control systems for machine tools includes the conversion and demonstration of a simple copying lathe using commercially available components; the development of a fluidic automatic positioning system and experiments on means of providing in-process control for lathes based on pneumatic gauging.

asked the Minister of Technology what support his Department is giving to the development of fluidics for use in computer logic.

The Ministry of Technology is supporting the development of fluid logic devices for computer peripherals by means of two contracts under the Advanced Computer Techniques Project. One contract is with British Telecommunications Research Ltd., for 18 months at a total cost of £52,000. The other is with International Computers & Tabulators Ltd. for 18 months at a total cost of £50,000. In each case the Ministry pays half the cost. The aim of the contracts is the development of individual low price fluid logic elements, and the development of complex integrated arrays of fluid logic elements to perform particular logical functions. At a three-day conference organised by the British Hydro Mechanics Research Association held at Cambridge University this month five of the papers presented resulted from work under the two A.C.T.P. contracts.

asked the Minister of Technology what steps he is taking to assist the export of technological projects to Europe.

My Department, working in collaboration with the Board of Trade, is giving all the help it can to such exports.

asked the Minister of Technology what steps he is taking to utilise the work of the Dounreay Scientific Experimental Station to assist productive industry in Great Britain and British exports to the Commonwealth and foreign countries.

Dounreay is concentrating on the construction and development of the 250 MW prototype fast reactor. It makes a contribution to exports through the fabrication and reprocessing of highly enriched uranium fuel elements and the irradiation of materials in its small experimental fast reactor for overseas customers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what methods, and with what success, productivity is measured in Government service.

By the full range of techniques available to modern management. In so far as they are applicable, these techniques assist in ensuring efficiency.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a further statement on the position of B.I.X. Limited, of Construction House. Grovebury Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.

I have nothing to add to may hon. and learned Friend's reply on 29th November last to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedfordshire, South (Mr. Gwilym Roberts).—[Vol. 737, c. 187.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of recent judicial strictures on the condition of the country's tax laws; and whether he will initiate studies towards the simplifiation of these laws.

There is constant study of the way in which the tax code can be simplified, but the nature of the subject often does not permit of this.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action has been taken towards implementing Recommendation No. 9 of the Estimates Committee, Sub-Committee C, Session 1960–61, which states that the Board of Inland Revenue should re-examine the possibility of decentralising Surtax.

The question has been under close scrutiny, following the Report of the Estimates Committee. The problem has, however, been greatly complicated by the reorganisation of the Chief Inspector's Branch which will flow from the automation of P.A.Y.E. and my right hon. Friend is not at present proposing any change in the existing arrangements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give a detailed list of the overseas visits made by Ministers during the Christmas

Ministers		Officials	Dates	Destinations and Purposes
Prime Minister	…	38	15–17 Jan.	Rome: Common Market Discussions.
Foreign Secretary	…
Commonwealth Secretary	…	6	12–17 Jan.	Malta: Discussions of Defence Run-Down with Maltese Government.
Defence Secretary	…	11	15–16 Jan.	France: Discussion of Anglo-French Aircraft projects with French Minister of Defence.
Minister of Aviation	…
Minister of Transport	…	2	16–18 Jan.	Bonn: To meet the new German Minister of Transport.
Minister of Power	…	10	12–13 Jan.	Luxembourg: Annual Meeting of the Council of Association of the E.C.S.
Minister of State Board of Trade
Minister of Technology	…	4	10–11 Jan.	West Germany: Discussion on U.K./German Co-operation.
Parl. Sec., Board of Trade (Lord Walston)		1 (Part of Time)	7–30 Jan.	South America: Tour to encourage political and economic links.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made with plans to associate the Race Relations Board with enforcement of non-discrimination clauses in Government contracts.

The best means of discouraging racial discrimination in employment by Government contractors was discussed between the Government, the Trades Union Congress and the Confederation of British Industry at the last meeting of the National Joint Advisory Council and will be taken up again at the forthcoming meeting.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage increase in the gross national product between 15th October 1964 and 18th October 1966 and the percentage increase in national taxation over the same period.

Information is not available for the dates specified in the question. The nearest available information relates to the third quarters of 1964 and 1966. Between these two periods the gross national product (at current prices) increased by 11 per cent. and taxes received by the central government (includ-

Details of costs are not yet available, since a number of visits are not yet completed. Other details of official visits are as follows:ing national insurance contributions) increased by 26 per cent. The increase in taxation is affected by the changes in the distribution of receipts over the year resulting from the various alterations in taxation between these two periods.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has for simplifying the collection of betting levy duty at racecourses.

Some proposals to this end are under consideration: details of any change will be announced as soon as a conclusion is reached.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what further steps he proposes to take to improve Income Tax allowances for single women with dependent relatives;(2) what are his plans, arising out of his examination of the problem, for reforming the system of Income Tax allowances; and whether he will make a statement.

I cannot anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if records are maintained of Income Tax repayments paid monthly, quarterly and half-yearly.

I am afraid that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends to implement the recommendations of the Geddes Report on shipbuilding that repayment of certain indirect taxes should be extended from ships for overseas owners to all ships as is done abroad, the reasons for which recommendations are given in paragraphs 533 to 636.

This has already been done; I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 9th August, 1966.—[Vol. 733, c. 1400–6.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, where a close company as defined by the Finance Act, 1965, changes its status and becomes an open company during the course of its accounting year, the company is assessed to Corporation Tax as a close company on an apportionment basis or whether the assessment depends upon the status at a given date, and if the latter on which date.

I assume my hon. Friend has in mind the restriction on the deduction for directors' remuneration. In the case he puts, any excess of directors' remuneration over the permitted limits would first be calculated for the whole accounting period, but only a proportionate part of the excess, corresponding to the part of the period during which the company was close, would be disallowed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many estimated assessments to Corporation Tax were made in 1966; how many of these assessments were in respect of established companies whose liability did not arise until 1st January, 1967; and whether the number could have been reduced if the Inland Revenue were to delay making assessments until the assessable profits were agreed with the taxpayer or the end of November, 1966, whichever was earlier.

About 140,000, most of which were on established trading companies liable to pay Corporation Tax on 1st January, 1967. The reduction possible by adopting the proposal in the last part of the hon. Member's Question would be comparatively small. Any such procedure would cause serious administrative inconvenience and possible delay in payment of tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many public companies announced higher dividends between 20th July and 31st December 1966; how many have since rescinded the decision to pay higher dividends; how many have been granted exemption from the incomes standstill, specifying the various categories of exemption and the number of companies falling within each category.

The figures of dividends up to 24th December, 1966 are:

Unchanged	637
Reduced	300
Increased in conformity with the standstill	135

In addition 55 companies at first announced dividend increases but subsequently rescinded them; 14 dividends are still under consideration; and 14 companies increased their dividends as a result of misunderstanding the precise effects of the standstill policy in their particular cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made towards according salary status to industrial civil servants.

In some respects, such as superannuation, equality of status between industrial and non-industrial Civil Servants already exists. Progress towards greater equality of status will be made as circumstances, including the requirements of incomes policy, may permit.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations have been made to him since his announcement regarding the decimal coinage; and if he will reconsider the matter, in view of the fact that on the grounds of equity, and commerce, the 10s. cent. system is preferable to that already announced.

Nearly all the representations I have received support the proposal for a decimal currency. Opinion is more divided on the question of the system, but as no new arguments have been put forward which the Government had not already taken into account there is no reason to reconsider the decision which has been taken.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the practice of revenue when a person not resident in the United Kingdom for tax purposes sets up a platform company abroad so as to lend money at interest to the United Kingdom, but is not personally resident in the foreign country concerned; and whether tax reliefs or exemptions appropriate to the company are denied in these circumstances.

Whether any relief from United Kingdom tax is due in these circumstances will depend on all the facts of the case and the terms of any relevant double taxation agreement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will initiate studies so that he can be satisfied that the present balance of direct and indirect taxation produces the most advantageous result for the economy, in view of the present trend in the Common Market countries towards indirect rather than direct taxation.

The balance of direct and indirect taxation is one of the factors which I already take into account in reviewing the tax system. The percentage of taxation, taking taxes of all kinds into account, which is collected through indirect taxes, is as high in the United Kingdom as in any of the Common Market Countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what requests he has received recently from the Indian Government for assistance in dealing with India's twin problems of increasing population and deepening poverty; and what replies he has sent.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received from the British High Commission in Zambia about the property left behind in Zambia by British citizens who have been expelled; and what steps are being taken to safeguard such property.

None of the persons concerned have asked the British High Commission in Lusaka to safeguard their property. Its safety should be ensured by the appointment of relatives, friends or agents to act on their behalf. Those persons who wish to prefer claims against the Zambian Government have been invited by my Department to formulate them, if necessary after consultation with their legal advisers, and to forward them for transmission by the British High Commission in Lusaka to the Zambian authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what action has been taken by the British High Commission in Zambia to assist British citizens who have been expelled from Zambia; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which my right hon. Friend gave to the House on 31st October, 1966.The Zambian Court of Appeal has upheld the appeal of one of the United Kingdom citizens concerned against the Order declaring him a prohibited immigrant. I am now considering the implications of this decision and its effects on other United Kingdom citizens who have been expelled from Zambia.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what was the number of judicial executions that

JUDICIAL EXECUTIONS AND DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED
			1950		1951		1952		1953		1954
Nigeria A	…	Number of judicial executions			51		37		48		55
B	…	Number of death sentences commuted			21		15		23		22
Kenya A	…	Number of judicial executions			19		20		178		638*
B	…	Number of death sentences commuted					10		27		118
Zambia A	…	Number of judicial executions	5		4		5		10		5
B	…	Number of death sentences commuted			21		15		23		22
Ghana A	…	Number of judicial executions		13		6		6		9†
B	…	Number of death sentences commuted			7		8		8		6
Notes:
*The majority of the persons executed in Kenya in 1953 and 1954 had been sentenced by the Courts for capital offences during the emergency.
†The figures of executions in Ghana are for twelve months periods not calendar years.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what assistance Her Majesty's Government has given to the Malaysian Government to deal with the floods in Malaya; and whether they intend to make a financial contribution to the emergency fund.

The recent floods in the North-West and in the North-East coastal districts of West Malaysia have been unusually severe. They have resulted in widespread damage and distress and in particular the complete severing of road, rail and telecommunication links with Kelantan. Although the death toll fortunately appears not to have been as high as might have been feared, over 10,000 people have been rendered homeless and hundreds of villages have been completely inundated.In response to a request from the Malaysian Government, assistance to airlift urgently needed relief supplies has been provided by the British Forces in Malaysia. Helicopters and Beverleys of the R.A.F., as well as helicopters from H.M.S. Bulwark, have been made available, and between 6th and 10th January they transported to the stricken areas food

The figures immediately available are as follows: I have written to my hon. Friend about further information.supplies as well as assault boats to assist with evacuation. Two British army tankers have also assisted in the relief work. The British Government, as its contribution to the relief of the disaster, will bear the costs of these operations.I am sure the House will wish to join me in expressing our sincere sympathy to the Government and people of Malaysia.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made towards determining the future of the India Office library.

Correspondence continues with India and Pakistan on the proposed tribunal to determine the legal ownership of the India Office building and its contents (including the Library) as at August 1947. Some progress has been made since the Commonwealth Secretary's reply to the Question of my hon. Friend the Member for Yarmouth on 14th June, 1966, but final agreement has not yet been reached on the terms of reference and other matters connected with the setting up of the tribunal.—[Vol. 729, c. 1217–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what approaches have been made in the past two years to his Department by the Government of the Bahamas seeking Her Majesty's Government's assistance in the establishing of domestic security forces in the Bahamas.

The Bahamas Government asked in 1964 if vessels suitable for effective sea-patrol of Bahamian waters could be given or lent by H.M.G. The only offer that it proved possible to make was of seaward defence boats surplus to Royal Navy requirements. These could have been sold at much reduced cost but because of their technical unsuitability and the heavy costs of refitting the Bahamas Government did not take up the offer.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what constitutional changes are contemplated for Pitcairn Island.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what alternative proposals he has for economies in defence expenditure now that the attempts to reduce cost of military expenditure in Germany by £90 million have failed.

We are still discussing with our allies means of covering the foreign exchange costs of our forces in Germany. Germany is, however, only one area where possible economies in defence expenditure are constantly being reviewed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what efforts the Government are making to match the contribution by the Council of the European Economic Community for relief and reconstruction in Italy.

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary described Her Majesty's Government's contribution to Italian flood relief in his statement to the House on 18th November. We are actively studying how best to implement the offer of livestock mentioned in that statement. In addition there has been a notable private response from this country. Help of this kind is in a different category from aid voted from existing European Economic Community funds for agricultural reconstruction in a member country.—[Vol. 736, c. 811.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many United Kingdom subjects are known to be living in mainland China; what contacts they have with the British Embassy in Peking; what protection it gives to them; how many British consuls exist in other parts of China to protect them; and how far members of the British Embassy in Peking are allowed to travel to the rest of China.

The latest figure of British subjects, citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies registered in the People's Republic of China is 105. They are entitled to the full protection of the British Chargé d'Affaires with whom they are free to communicate.There are no British Consular Officers in China, but members of the staff of the British Chargé d'Affaires in Peking and in Shanghai perform certain consular functions.Members of the staff of the British Chargé d'Affaires in Peking, in common with the staffs of other foreign diplomatic missions, are restricted to a small area around Peking with certain extensions for recreational purposes. To travel elsewhere they have to apply for permission.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the progress of the arrangements made with the German Government following Her Majesty the Queen's visit to Germany in respect of youth exchanges; what amount of money is to be set aside for this purpose; and what proportion is being used for youth political exchanges.

In the financial year 1966–67 £25,000 of the British Council Grant-in-Aid was set aside for the purpose of collaborating with the Federal German Government to stimulate what has been done by local authorities and voluntary organisations to promote Anglo-German youth exchanges.To advise and assist the British Council a Working Party was set up, representing the local authority associations in England, Scotland and Wales, the national voluntary youth organisations, the National and Scottish unions of students, the Trades Union Congress and agencies concerned with youth exchanges and the appropriate Government Departments. Representatives of this Working Party and of the Federal Ministry of Family and Youth formed a Special committee which

				£'000	Percentage of Total Budget
United Nations Regular Budget	…	…	…	2,578	7·21
Special Accounts:
Middle East Operation (UNEF)	…	…	…	531	10
United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)	…	…	…	1,786	15
World Food Programme	…	…	…	829	—
Cyprus Operation (UNFICYP):
Voluntary Fund	…	…	…	1,429*	22
United Kingdom contingent	…	…	…	573	—
Contribution towards 1965 deficit	…	…	…	220	—
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees	…	…	…	121	8·1
International Atomic Energy Agency:
Regular budget	…	…	…	180	6·49
Operational budget	…	…	…	47	—
United Nations Development Programme:
Expanded Programme for Technical Assistance	…	…	…	1,697	8·43
Special Fund	…	…	…	2,500	7·1
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)	…	…	…	400	4 (about)
United Nations Institute for Training and Research	…	…	…	36	—
Specialised Agencies:
Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO)	…	…	…	807	9·48
Food and Agricultural Organisation Voluntary Funds	…	…	…	103	—
World Health Organisation (WHO)	…	…	…	999	6·45
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)				566	6·78
International Labour Organisation (ILO)	…	…	…	665	9·14
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)	…	…	…	197	9·18
international Telecommunications Union (ITU)	…	…	…	97	5·39
World Meteorological Organisation (WMO)	…	…	…	47	6·04
Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation (IMCO)			…	42	12·153
Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation Headquarters			…	26	76·3
Universal Postal Union (UPU)	…	…	…	12	2·68
International Development Association (IDA)	…	…	…	11,200	12·7
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)			…	12 per cent. of Capital
International Finance Corporation	…	…	…	14·6 per cent, of Capital
Total	…	…	…	27·710
* This figure (equal to $4,000,000) represents a firm United Kingdom pledge which has largely been met by logistical support to the United Nations forces drawn from countries other than the United Kingdom. The balance will be settled in cash.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what contributions Her Majesty's Government made during the year ended 31st December, 1966 to the United Nations Organisation and to each of its subsidiary and voluntary funds and specialised agencies, respectively; and what proportions these were of the respective budgets.

The following is the information requested:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how the United Kingdom voted on the resolution on Rhodesia, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 17th November by a large majority, which called upon the United Kingdom to take all necessary measures, including the use of force, to put an end to the regime.

We abstained.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent other States members of the United Nations Organisation, and other foreign powers, are applying sanctions against Rhodesia.

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs said in reply to similar questions from my right hon. Friends the Members for Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd) and Woolwich, West (Mr. Hamling) this afternoon.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what grounds Her Majesty's Government have accepted decisions of the United Nations Security Council made without the concurring votes of all its permanent members; whether they will take steps to seek an interpretation of Article 27(3) of the United Nations Charter from the International Court of Justice; and, pending such interpretation, if they will press for the observance of the letter of that Article.

Her Majesty's Government are in no doubt of the validity of the Security Council's Resolution of 16th December, 1966, on Rhodesia. As long ago as 1947, the then President of the Security Council stated: "It is now jurisprudence in the Security Council—and the interpretation accepted for a long time—that an abstention is not considered a veto and the concurrent votes of the Permanent Members mean the votes of the Permanent Members who participate in the voting". This has been the consistent practice of the Security Council ever since. There is no difference of view among the Permanent Members or other Members of the Security Council on this question, and accordingly Her Majesty's Government see no need to move the Council to seek an interpretation of Article 27(3) from the International Court. The last part of the Question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence which members of the crew of H.M.S. "Tiger" were put ashore at Gibraltar before Mr. Smith came aboard.

Twenty officers.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces have deserted when stationed on the African continent since November, 1965.

Seven soldiers and 8 airmen have been absent without leave for more than 21 days.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many houses in Great Britain previously occupied by Service families have been sold since October, 1964.

About 130 houses, in areas where there is no continuing defence requirement.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence by what date in 1968 the British military withdrawal from Aden will be completed.

This has yet to be settled with the successor authority in South Arabia.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many times in 1966 Royal Air Force and Royal Navy helicopter crews at bases in the United Kingdom were called out to rescue yachtsmen in distress; what was the total cost of these operations; and whether any means of reimbursement for the taxpayer in appropriate circumstances has been considered.

During 1966, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy helicopters based in the United Kingdom responded to distress calls involving small boats and yachts on 300 occasions. The total extra cost in fuel, spares and repairs was about £15,000. A full cost figure would be more than twice as large, but would include elements such as personnel costs, which would have been incurred in any case. Although there are circumstances in which charges are made for the use of Service helicopters, when life may be in danger at sea no charge is made for assistance following long standing maritime tradition. The Search and Rescue helicopter organisation exists to meet Service requirements and the assistance given to the general public is a by-product, although a very important one.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many combat aircraft, how many transport and other support aircraft have been unserviceable at Gan during the past five years; what was the average length of time needed to make them airworthy; and how many aircraft movements on the island were recorded during that period.

Figures for aircraft unserviceability at Gan are only available for the last three years. During the years 1964 to 1966 inclusive 183 combat aircraft and 420 transport and other support aircraft were recorded as being unserviceable at Gan. This excludes three cases of serious damage following a crash or other incident, when some degree of rebuilding was necessary.) The average time taken to make them serviceable was 13·8 hours and 9·2 hours respectively. During the same period there were some 7,400 aircraft movements through Gan.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why work on the conversion of the cruiser H.M.S. 'Lion' to carry helicopters has not yet started in Her Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport; and how much this is attributable to the diversion of labour and resources for work on H.M.S. 'Ark Royal'.

The timing of the second and third Tiger Class conversions has not yet been finally settled. It is not dependent on the refit of 'Ark Royal'.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the dependence of Royal Air Force combat aircraft on island staging posts for transits of the Indian Ocean in the 1970s will be on similar lines to the present system at Gan; and, in view of the fact that this system results in unserviceable aircraft having to wait for several days on occasions before spares can be flown in, what provisions he is making for stockpiling the necessary spares and fuel at the various island staging posts.

No decision to establish these facilities has been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give a date for the commencement of work on the conversion of H.M.S. 'Tiger' to carry helicopters; and when she will rejoin the Fleet.

The timing of the second and third Tiger Class conversions has not yet been finally settled.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence in which part of the United Kingdom troops returning from the British Army of the Rhine will be stationed.

Until the extent of any withdrawal is known, I am unable to say what accommodation will be required.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of rehousing and providing training facilities and airfields for British service personnel who will be brought back to the United Kingdom from the British Army of the Rhine as a result of Government policy; and whether this move will result in an increased or decreased cost to the Revenue per annum.

As my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs explained to the House on 12th December last, Her Majesty's Government have not taken any decision to bring back troops from Germany to this country pending further discussion with our allies. Until we know the number of troops, if any, which might have to be withdrawn, I cannot give the hon. Member the estimates he seeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost of maintaining the Royal Air Force Javelin fighter squadron in Zambia; and how many flying hours were logged by the squadron during its time there.

During the period of its detachment in Zambia the Royal Air Force Javelin squadron flew some 1,500 hours in all. As regards the first part of the Question I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 15th November, 1966.—[Vol. 736, c. 74–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in the years 1960–66 crews of vessels of the Royal Navy went to give medical assistance to men employed in the fishing industry.

No complete record is kept of the medical assistance given by ships of the Fishery Protection Squadron. An estimate based on the journals of individual ship medical officers indicates that help was given on well over 500 occasions during the years 1960–66.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he intends to implement the recommendation of the Geddes Committee on Shipbuilding that a clear responsibility be put on the Navy Department to ensure that their most advanced technological knowledge and experience is placed at the disposal of those responsible for longer-term research aimed at improving the competitiveness of British-built merchant ships; and how he will do this.

Yes, this recommendation is being implemented subject only to minor limitations imposed by naval security. Formal links including the appointment of liaison officers have been established between the British Ship Research Association and the Navy Department. We hope that both organisations will benefit from the new arrangements.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she is aware that neither the Broughton, Northants, Parish Council nor the hon. Member for Kettering are satisfied that the dangers of the High Street, Broughton, will be substantially reduced by her plans to widen the road; and whether instead she will have a by-pass built.

Yes. But my right hon. Friend believes her interim plans for High Street, Broughton will improve conditions until such time as a by-pass, which she is considering for inclusion in her programme for the 1970s, can be built.

asked the Minister of Transport why she has not yet confirmed the Centre Line Order for the proposed M56 road from Hapsford to Preston Brook, the draft scheme for which was published on 24th December 1965; and what is the cause of the delay.

My right hon. Friend has now reached her decision and will publish a Statutory Instrument early next month establishing the route.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps she is taking to publicise the new road signs, in view of the apparent lack of knowledge of these signs by members of the public.

A large scale publicity campaign to familiarise the public with the new road signs and their meaning has been in progress for the past two years and will continue. The campaign has included the sale and free issue of leaflets and wall charts; a mobile exhibition and short films on television. The object of the Ministry's campaign is to make available to road users the means to educate themselves in the meaning of the new signs. It is for road users themselves to make the necessary effort to learn.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents have been reported as having taken place in each of the past five years in the village of Hertingfordbury, Hertfordshire.

Normally only accidents involving personal injury are reported. During the periods 1st December to 30th November in each year the figures are as follows:—

1961–62	3
1962–63	1
1963–64	4
1964–65	8
1965–66	6

asked the Minister of Transport what reply she has sent to the Welwyn Garden City Digswell Branch of the Townswomen's Guild which has written to her calling to her attention the concern which is felt by its members about the state of the 20 Mile Bridge in Welwyn Garden City, due to its age and the roadworks which are being undertaken there.

The reply stated that the bridge was the responsibility of British Rail, who are making a thorough investigation into its condition with a view to carrying out such works as are necessary to render it entirely safe.

asked the Minister of Transport what research is in hand into methods of accelerating the dispersal of fog on motorways.

Research to date on fog dispersal from motorways has included consideration of the wartime FIDO system, use of lasers and mechanical means. All would be prohibitively expensive, even if practicable.The Road Research Laboratory are currently surveying the more diverse fog problems, such as frequency of occurrence, location and cost due to delay.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the officially calculated economic cost of each road fatality; on what date is the current figure based; and how recently has the basis of calculation been reviewed.

The average estimated economic cost of medical services and net loss of output for each road fatality was £3,240 in 1965. The cost of a fatal accident, including damage to property and administrative costs, was £4,085. The bases of calculation are under review.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will give details of each railway closure involving a length of line 40 miles and over authorised during the past five years notwithstanding a recommendation from the Transport Users' Consultative Committee that severe hardship would be caused, and the dates of each.

To answer the hon. Member in a way which was not misleading would involve a detailed study of each of the numerous cases coming within the terms of the Question. Reports from Transport Users' Consultative Committees differ in their terminology and a finding of "severe hardship" by one Committee might be differently expressed by another. A further important factor is the number of travellers who might be subjected to the hardship, which may range from a handful to hundreds. Again, some closures have been authorised in full, others only partially.I regret that I would not feel justified in puting in hand the extensive work which would be needed to give an adequate Answer.

asked the Minister. of Transport what study she has made of the letters sent to her by public bodies, associations and private individuals protesting about her consent to the closure of the Three Bridges to Groombridge railway; and whether she is aware that the East Sussex County Council Development Plan for Crawley Down and Copthorne was not considered by the South-East Economic Planning Council, upon whose advice her decision was based.

All such letters have received most careful consideration. The Regional Economic Planning Councils advise me on the broad planning implications of rail closure proposals and it is for them to decide whether they need to refer to a Development Plan in any particular case.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the average number of vehicles passing through the village of Hertingfordbury each day; and what is the estimated annual increase.

A414, the main road through Hertingfordbury, is a classified road for which Hertfordshire County Council is the highway authority. I am advised that the last census, taken on Friday, 4th June, 1965, showed 11,447 vehicles between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. The County Surveyor estimates that the annual increase may be as high as 10 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how quickly an inquiry is ordered after a prison officer has been struck by a prisoner at Walton and other prisons.

The Governor makes immediate inquiries into any such incident.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his instructions are to governors of prisons about informing the police when a prisoner escapes.

Prison governors have standing instructions to inform the local police by telephone as soon as it is established that an escape has taken place. In addition, the Metropolitan Police and the police of any place in which the prisoner is known to have friends are informed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will include in his inquiry of karate clubs the postal distribution of literature urging recipients to become masters of Chinese Kung-Fu; and if he will take steps to ban such postal distribution.

The inquiries being made by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis cover postal distribution of literature on Kung-Fu. I will consider whether any action is called for when I know the result of the inquiries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement regarding the sinking of the Hull freezer trawler "St. Finbarr" off the coast of Labrador on Tuesday 27th December and the loss of 12 members of her crew after the ship caught fire on Christmas morning; and what inquiry he is making into this disaster.

A fire occurred on the trawler "St. Finbarr" in the early hours of Christmas morning off the coast of Labrador. Thirteen of the crew of twenty-five were taken on board the trawler "Orsino" which also took the burning "St. Finbarr" in tow. On 27th December the "St. Finbarr" sank. Two of the Board's Surveyors have been appointed to carry out a preliminary inquiry under the Merchant Shipping Acts. Twelve of the crew lost their lives and the House will wish to join with me in expressing sympathy with their relatives and friends.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what regulations cover the fencing of dangerous machinery and fishing gear and the height of bulwarks on British trawlers.

The existing regulations do not cover these matters, but the United Kingdom will be playing a full part in the comprehensive examination of all aspects of the safety of fishing vessels which is now being undertaken by the international organisations concerned (I.M.C.O., I.L.O. and F.A.O.).

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many men were put ashore from British trawlers, other than at their home port, at home and abroad as a result of accident or illness in the years 1960–66; and what was the peak period of the year for putting men ashore due to illness from natural causes;(2) what were the numbers of fatal and non-fatal accidents at sea in the fishing industry for the years 1960–66 involving galley boys and deckhand learners.

It will take some time to extract the required information, but I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of accidents at sea in the fishing industry for the years 1960 to 1966, as an absolute number and as a percentage of the workers involved, stating the nature and cause of the accidents, the resulting disability, the length of absence from employment in the industry due to the accident, at what part of the voyage the accident occurred, and the weather conditions at the time of the accident; and what was the comparable accident rate as an absolute number and as a percentage of the workers involved for the same years in the Merchant Marine.

I am considering how much of the information required is available and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the number of men lost, swept overboard, from trawlers for the years 1960 to 1966, and the number of men swept overboard and swept back again; and whether they landed on their trawler of origin.

It will take some time to extract such information as is available, but I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the number of fatal accidents at sea as an absolute number, and as a percentage of the number of workers employed in the fishing industry and the Merchant Marine in the years 1960 to 1966; and how many of those fatal accidents in the fishing industry, as an absolute number and as a percentage of the workers employed, involved men sailing from the Humber ports.

It will take some time to extract this information but I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to refer to the Monopolies Commission the dispute between the gas and electricity industries concerning electricity connection charges.

No. The monopolies legislation excludes from consideration by the Monopolies Commission monopoly conditions which have express statutory authority.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many of the 146 notifications of price increases still under consideration on 15th December had been notified more than three months previously, and two months previously, respectively; and what proposals he has to facilitate the consideration of notifications.

23 and 22 respectively. All notifications are dealt with as speedily as possible, but delays sometimes occur because firms are slow in providing the necessary information, and the handling of some notifications had to be suspended until the White Paper on Prices and Incomes Policy during the period of severe restraint (Cmnd. 3150) had been published.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will detail the 15 notifications of price increases to date which were not considered acceptable within the White Paper criteria; what action was taken by his department; and with what result.

No. Information received under the notification arrangements is confidential. We have taken such action as was called for in the circumstances of each case and this has contributed to the high degree of co-operation which industry generally has shown to the Government's policy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total export of British coal in October, 1966; and how much of this was exported from the ports of Hull, Immingham, and Goole, respectively.

238,000 tons; exports from Hull, Grimsby (including Immingham) and Goole were 25,000 tons, 25,000 tons and 6,000 tons respectively. Separate figures for Immingham are not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of manufacturing investment in the first nine months of 1958, 1964, 1965 and 1966 at constant 1958 prices; and what would be the figure for the corresponding period of 1967 if his department's forecast of a 7 to 8 per cent. drop in private manufacturing investment in 1967 were fulfilled.

For the past periods the figures are:

	£ million, 1958 prices
First nine months, 1958	678
First nine months, 1964	772
First nine months, 1965	859
First nine months, 1966	863

The published forecast referred to the calendar year; but if investment in the first nine months of 1967 were to be 8 per cent. lower than in the corresponding period of 1966 it would be £794 million, at 1958 prices.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he has taken as a result of the recent £86 million deal between British Petroleum and Distillers; and if he will make a statement.

I have decided that, on the information at present available to me, there are no grounds which would justify my referring this merger to the Monopolies Commission.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the proposal to set up an East European Trade Council.

I have today signified my approval of the establishment of an East European Trade Council. This has the full support of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce, the Confederation of British Industries, the British National Export Council, the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce and the London Chamber of Commerce. The Council's purpose is to stimulate trade with the countries of East Europe (including U.S.S.R.), and it will work closely with the organisations already active in the field, supporting and supplementing their work.Mr. Alexander Ross, Chairman of United Dominions Trust Ltd., has agreed to act as Chairman of the East European Trade Council. The other members are:

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources whether he will now announce the date when the Government intend to introduce their legislation for leasehold reform.

I hope soon to be able to introduce the Bill.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will introduce legislation to prevent further concentration in the ownership and control of the Press; and whether he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade already has wide powers under the Monopolies and Mergers Act, 1965, and will not hesitate to use them whenever appropriate. As to fresh legislation we should, I think, gain more information about the practical operation of this fairly new legislation before deciding whether further changes are necessary.

asked the Prime Minister what action he is taking to dissociate Great Britain from the American bombing of civilians in Hanoi and other places in North Vietnam.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether, in view of the bombing of certain centres in North Vietnam, Her Majesty's Government intend to dissociate themselves from United States policy in Vietnam; and if he will make a statement;(2) what is now the policy of the British Government towards United States activities in Vietnam; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the continued escalation of the war in Vietnam, he will now seek to reactivate the Commonwealth Mission in a further attempt to obtain a negotiated settlement.

asked the Prime Minister what steps he has taken to reaffirm Her Majesty's Government's policy of dissociation from the United States bombing of the civilian population of urban areas in North Vietnam, in the light of recent events.

asked the Prime Minister what consultations he had with the Australian and New Zealand Governments about recent British proposals on Vietnam.

asked the Prime Minister what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the proposals of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for peace in Vietnam.

I have been asked to reply.I would ask hon. Members to await the Statement which my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary hopes to make to the House tomorrow.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the way in which the policy of mandatory sanctions against Rhodesia has been accepted in principle and is working in practice; and what evidence he has that any members of the United Nations Organisation are refusing to observe the decision of the Security Council in this matter.

I have been asked to reply.Implementation of the Security Council Resolution inevitably takes time and no meaningful progress report can yet be given to the House. Her Majesty's Government are, however, well satisfied with the evidence of massive international support they have so far received.

asked the Prime Minister whether the British Government are now willing to take any necessary action to ensure that mandatory sanctions against Rhodesia are made effective.

I have been asked to reply.I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answers to Questions given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 20th December—[Vol. 738, c. 1175–83.]

asked the Prime Minister if he will now announce the membership and terms of reference of the new Central Advisory Council for Science and Technology.

Yes. I am happy to be able to inform the House that the following have agreed to serve on the new Central Advisory Council for Science and Technology under the Chairmanship of Sir Solly Zuckerman, K.C.B., F.R.S., Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government:—

• Sir Eric Ashby, F.R.S.
• Professor P. M. S. Blackett, C.H., F.R.S.
• Dr.. A. H. Cottrell, F.R.S.
• The Rt. Hon. Frank Cousins.
• Dr. F. S. Dainton, F.R.S.
• Dr. F. E. Jones.
• Sir Harrie Massey, F.R.S.
• Professor A. Brian Pippard, F.R.S.
• Sir Hugh Tett.
• Professor Bruce R. Williams.
• R. D. Young, Esq.

The terms of reference of the Council are:—

asked the Prime Minister if in his proposed visit to France he will seek to discuss the future of European unity with President de Gaulle.

I have been asked to reply.The purpose of my right hon. Friends' discussions with the Heads of Government of the Six is to see whether the conditions exist for fruitful negotiations leading to British membership of the European Economic Community. The discussions may well, of course, extend beyond their immediate purpose, but I would not care to forecast what particular subjects might be discussed on any one visit.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by which trains samples taken from animals suffering from foot-and-mouth disease at Flotterton Farm on Monday, 18th July, were sent to Pirbright; and at what time and on what day they arrived at his Department's laboratory there.

Specimens from animals at Flotterton Hall Farm were despatched from Newcastle Central Station by passenger train at 1 a.m. on 19th July. They were received at the Pirbright Research Institute at 10.45 a.m. the same day.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why all the bottles containing liquid in which samples were to be sent by veterinary officers of his Department were recalled for replacement after the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

To increase the margin of safety because some bottles received at Pirbright on 22nd July, although they gave positive results, were found to have a pH value below the optimum. The bottle received at Pirbright on 19th July had the normal pH value.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what authority Dr. Wilsdon, the regional veterinary officer for the North of England, criticised the actions of Mr. Patten, Chairman of the Northumberland Branch of the National Farmers' Union, at a meeting held at the Veterinary Research Committee at Kenton Bar on Wednesday, 7th December.