asked the Secretary of State for Defence why it is proposed to increase British military and air commitments in the Persian Gulf.

There is no question of increasing these commitments.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what Royal Air Force aircraft and personnel are at present in Sarawak and Sabah; and what proposals he has for continuing current air assistance to the Government of Malaysia to enable them to deal with the estimated 1,000 Communist guerillas operating inside the Federation.

At present there are 50 Royal Air Force officers and 470 airmen, together with thirteen aircraft, in East Malaysia. As regards the second part of the Question, the assistance will continue to take the form of help with running the airfields in East Malaysia and the air supply of Malaysian troops in inaccessible areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what approach has been made to the Australian Government with a view to their sharing the cost of the Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force bases on Singapore island and in the Malay peninsula.

We share with the Australians the cost of certain facilities that are used in common, and we charge the Australian Government for services that we provide for their forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what forces the Government intend to keep available for the defence of Singapore and Malaysia; and for how long.

Forces will not be earmarked specifically for the defence of Malaysia and Singapore. Forces stationed there will be available to meet other commitments besides that. Equally, forces stationed in the United Kingdom and else- where will be available for this purpose if necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why he intends to retain at least 30,000 out of the 50,000 British Service men in Malaysia and Singapore following the ending of confrontation; and if he will consider bringing far more of them home.

I have not decide to retain any fixed number of British Service men in Malaysia and Singapore. I shall bring home as many as I can, as soon as I can, consistent with our ability to discharge our continuing defence responsibilities in the Far East.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the withdrawal from Aden will be completed.

I have nothing to add to my reply yesterday to the hon. Member for Beckenham (Mr. Goodhart).—[Vol. 739, C. 20.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what tests of vertical take off and landing aircraft have been made by the Royal Navy with ships at sea.

There were six flights by a P.1127 aircraft from H.M.S. "Ark Royal" in February 1963, and twelve flight by a P.1127 from H.M.S. "Bulwark" in June 1966.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now direct naval repair and refitting work to Harland and Wolff so that heavy redundancies may be avoided when current naval construction work is completed in March, 1967.

No. Our normal rule is to place orders by competitive tender, which is the fairest way. Harland and Wolff will be given opportunities to tender for naval work.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will seek to amend the law so that young men who enlist at under 18 years of age may opt out of their contracts at three-or five-year intervals.

Recruits in all three Services will soon be able to purchase their discharge before completion of their third month of service. I am sorry that I cannot accept my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the conditions of entry and the method of applying for a commission to the Household Brigade.

Conditions of entry, including medical and educational standards, are the same as in other regiments. A candidate applies first for a commission in the Army; the choice of regiment is made later during training.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many commissioned officers excluding quartermasters have come through the ranks of the Household Brigade since 1945.

About 2,600 of whom about 1,500 were commissioned into the Brigade itself. These figures include National Service men.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why he is not to keep the undertaking made in paragraph 4 of Command Paper No. 2903 to bring service medical and dental officers into line with all ranks of all three Services whose revised rates of pay became effective from 1st April, 1966; whether he is aware of the concern aroused by this discrimination against a branch of the services which already suffers severe shortages; and if he will reconsider the matter.

The undertaking to put new rates of pay for these officers into effect from 1st April, 1966, had to be deferred until 1st October, 1966, in accordance with the policy defined in the White Papers on the Prices and Incomes Standstill (Cmnd. 3073) and on the Period of Severe Restraint (Cmnd. 3150). I am aware of the disappointment which the officers must share with many other sections of the community affected by these necessary measures, but it would be wrong to make an exception in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the nature of economies likely to be effected in British forces now in Germany.

Steps are being taken to reduce personal expenditure in deutschemarks, and certain administrative and logistic savings, not affecting the combat capability of our forces in Germany, are being made.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will undertake a study as to the numbers of British Service men now required in Germany to provide an adequate defence for this country.

The safety of this country depends primarily upon the ability of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to deter war in Europe. Our military contribution to N.A.T.O. is kept under regular review.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present strength of the British Army of the Rhine; and what is his estimate of its strength on 1st July, 1967.

The present strength is about 51,500: as we have agreed to make no changes in troop dispositions in Germany while the tripartite talks continue, I would not expect any significant alteration in the strength of B.A.O.R. at 1st July.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the £5 million a year saving planned by him in the British Army of the Rhine troops' personal spending in foreign exchange has so far been achieved; how much of it will be secured in the next six months; and what measures he is taking to achieve it.

The Armed Forces in Germany are being actively encouraged to buy goods and services of British origin in preference to foreign wherever possible. N.A.A.F.I. shops are being enlarged and foreign sources of supply, notably in the clothing and food ranges, will be replaced. Other measures are being investigated. The aim is that by the autumn, savings in personal foreign currency expenditure will be running at an annual rate of £5 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what economies have now been effected in the organisation and administration of defence in military and civilian personnel.

Economies and under-recruitment have together produced reductions of about 20,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is now the estimated cost of the F111 aircraft; and how this compares with the basic price of £2,100,000 each.

£2·1 million is the ceiling price we negotiated for each F111 before allowing for the addition of special British features. With the latter we estimated that the unit cost would increase to about £2½ million. We hope to agree shortly a supplemental ceiling price for these items and I do not expect the overall price to be significantly different.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what effect the increased cost of the F111 will have on the number of Phantom aircraft that will be purchased from the United States of America.

As regards the F111, I have nothing to add to what I have just told the hon. Member. Over three-quarters of the Phantom requirements indicated by the Defence Review have already been ordered. Further Phantom orders are not due to be placed until June of this year when we shall, of course, take account of all relevant factors.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will now make arrangements by which Service pensions when requested shall be paid into bank accounts rather than over Post Office counters.

This is already done in special cases of disability or long absence overseas; but my right hon. Friend does not at present propose to extend these arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will state the number of persons, men and women, to be employed in Her Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, during 1967 and 1968.

About 16,200, excluding naval personnel, are now employed in Her Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport. We would like to increase this figure slightly during the next two years.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the new circumstances that have led the Meteorological Office to issue weather forecasts two months ahead; and whether such a practice will continue in the future.

This is an experiment, based on close similarities between recent weather and that of corresponding periods in the past. This does not happen often, but we will consider issuing more two-month forecasts when we can.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the percentage of sales, and the approximate cost, of the non-British goods sold by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes in Germany in each of the last six months of 1966.

About 61 per cent. of the goods sold by N.A.A.F.I. in Germany are bought in the United Kingdom. Food and foreign goods, of the kind normally on sale in this country, largely account for the rest, of which the cost was about £2·5 million in the six months ended October, 1966.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a study of sports facilities in the possession of his Department which could be made available for community use.

These facilities are generally available for community use by local arrangement with the Service authorities and subject to Service needs. My right hon. Friend does not consider that a special study is required.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is aware of the inadequate service of Her Majesty's patrol boats for the protection of Aberdeen's fishing fleets in the North Sea; how many patrol boats are now serving there; and what steps he is taking to improve the service.

No. I believe that the ships of the Fishery Protection Squadron provide an excellent service in the North Sea Fishing areas. Those principally concerned are the six minesweepers of the Squadron although these are reinforced from time to time by other R.N. vessels.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will review the arrangements for compassionate discharge, to ensure that excessive discharge fees are not unnecessarily paid in such cases.

There is already provision for the fee to be reduced or waived in cases of financial hardship.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why the administrative costs of running his Department have increased from £10,325,000 in 1965–66 to £11,768,000 in 1966–67; why he has 23,000 administrative staff; and, as this is the equivalent to one Ministry administrator to every 18 servicemen, what action he has taken, or proposes to take, to reduce these numbers and the costs of administering his department.

The costs quoted by my hon. Friend relate to the Central staffs of the Ministry of Defence. They cover, in addition to staff salaries, general administrative expenses, the purchase of equipment and certain special services. Of the 23,000 at present classified as Headquarters staff, some 16,000 are in fact engaged on supply, research, development and production in support of the Services, contracts and accounts work, and the provision of common services. Such staffs should properly be regarded as part of the general backing to support the Armed Forces, and I intend to make a start with reclassifying some of them as such in the coming year. We shall, of course, continue with the rigorous inspection and review of staff which has reduced numbers by about 1,000 in the last two or three years. In the short term, the effort of reshaping the Defence programme has meant more, not less work at Headquarters.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what review he is making of allowances paid to Service men overseas.

We review these allowances regularly.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many houses or flats have been purchased or rented during the past six months of 1966 in order to accommodate the families of Service men returning from overseas; and how many houses or fiats he plans to acquire for this purpose in 1967.

None; and 3,700 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence for what specific purpose Polaris submarines are being built.

The purpose of these weapons was stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bebington (Mr. Brooks) on 10th August last. [Vol. 733, c. 357.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether there has been any revision of the estimated cost of the Polaris building programme.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of current and future defence expenditure is attributable to the Government's policy of maintaining British armed forces east of Suez after 1970.

I am not prepared to disclose forecasts of expenditure relating to future plans other than those published in the annual statement on Defence Estimates.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied that sufficient training land is at the disposal of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Sufficient training land is already available for our present and known future needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what economy he anticipates from the disbandment of all three Bomb Disposal Reserve Regiments; and how many simultaneous unexploded bombs could in future be neutralised without them.

About £45,000 a year. The bomb disposal capacity remaining is sufficient to meet any likely future requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why he has delayed the release of land occupied by his Department at Kidbrooke which is urgently required for housing purposes; whether he is aware that this delay has aggravated the problem of housing in London; and whether he will now take action to release this land by the end of January, 1967.

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply my hon. Friend gave on 12th December to the hon. Member for Woolwich, East (Mr. Mayhew). A very small area of land at Kidbrooke is occupied by two R.A.F. units which are expected to move out in 1968 and 1969 respectively. These dates were agreed in September, 1965. I am assured by my hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government that this time-table will not hold up the planned progress of the important housing development scheme at Kidbrooke. —[Vol. 738, c. 25–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what conversations his Department had with the South African authorities before they approached the Nevespu consortium of Dutch firms with an order for four or five submarines and other war material worth, initially, £50 million.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence by how many he proposes to reduce the 421,000 strength of the armed forces following withdrawals of troops from Malaysia, Aden and, after 30th June, West Germany.

I am not at present prepared to give a forecast of the total future strength of the Services.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the failure to reach a settlement with the Amalgamated Society of Boilermakers, Shipwrights, Blacksmiths and Structural Workers concerning the claim submitted in 1962 for an allowance of the 1s. per hour for shipwrights at Royal Dockyards employed on dry docking and undocking.

The claim was withdrawn from the agenda of the Shipbuilding Trades Joint Council in March, 1963, after a full and frank discussion. Following a further review the union was informed that although these operations could not be brought within the Dockyard Incentive Bonus Scheme, the Department would be glad to examine any other proposals which the union wished to put forward. This offer still stands.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on plans for implementing the recommendations of the National Board for Prices and Incomes for a new pay structure in the Royal Dockyards.

The application of Report No. 18 of the National Board for Prices and Incomes to the industrial Civil Service, including employees in the Royal Dockyards, is under discussion with the Trade Unions concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now make a statement regarding the future of the Anglo-French variable geometry project.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave today to similar Questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what future rôle is envisaged for the cruisers H.M.S. "Tiger", "Blake" and "Lion".

After conversion the main rôle of these ships will be to deploy the Wessex and later the new Sea King antisubmarine helicopters which are now being developed for the Royal Navy. They will also provide command facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of the refitting of the cruiser H.M.S. "Blake"; and when she will be ready for service.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my hon. Friend gave the House on 29th November.—[Vol. 737, c. 73.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if it is still intended to refit the cruiser H.M.S. "Lion"; what the estimated cost will be; and when the work will start.

We have not yet decided when H.M.S. "Lion" will start her refit and conversion. The work is likely to cost about the same as that in H.M.S. "Blake".

asked the Secretary of State for Defence who is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the Polaris missiles; and what is the cost to the balance of payments of the work done by the United States of America.

The Polaris missiles will be maintained at the Royal Naval Armament Depot, Coulport, but some specialised servicing may be done in the United States of America from 1971–72 onwards at a cost of around £½ million per annum.

asked the Minister of Transport what amount of capital investment was incurred by British Railways in each of the past three years; and what is the estimate of capital spending in 1967 and 1968, respectively.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Hillhead (Mr. Galbraith) on 8th November, 1966—[Vol. 735, c. 277–278].

asked the Minister of Transport what support she is giving to the Scottish Rail Development Association to electrify the low-level rail network in Glasgow.

The Association has been told that the right time for considering this will be when the Greater Glasgow Transportation Study has produced the information on which decisions can be based.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will delay any decision on the future of the Aberdeen to Ballater railway track pending publication and discussion of the report on development of the Cairngorm area, and of the report on the future development of the region by the North-East Scotland Economic Planning Consultative Committee.

My right hon. Friend has no intention of agreeing to the disposal of the track on this line for the time being. As I told the hon. Member on 15th June, my right hon. Friend would, before agreeing to disposal, obtain the views of my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland, and he would no doubt make such other consultations as were necessary.—[Vol. 729, c. 286.]

asked the Minister of Transport what is the number of steam locomotives still operating on British Railways and their distribution by regions; and if she will state the dates by which all such locomotives will have been withdrawn from operation.

It would be contrary to established practice to provide statistics of this kind on other than a national basis. The number of steam locomotives operating on British Railways at the end of last year was 1,686, The Railways Board expects them all to have been withdrawn by the end of 1968.

asked the Minister of Transport if she is aware that a census of traffic on Hurst Green-Lewes line and Eridge-Tunbridge Wells, West, railway line was taken by British Railways for the week ended 4th December; and whether the figures of travellers from Uckfield, Buxted, Crowborough and Erdige to London show an increase or decrease on those presented to her in British Railways' case for closure about one year earlier.

We are aware that such a census was taken, but have not yet seen the results. The latest figures will be made available to objectors and to the Area Transport Users' Consultative Committees who will compare them with the user figures produced in 1965 before they submit their report on hardship.

asked the Minister of Transport what estimate she has made of the increase in traffic on the A46 road as a result of the development of the North Sea gasfield, and consequent industrial development on the North Lincolnshire coast; and what priority she will give to providing a by-pass on this road for Lincoln and North Hykeham, in view of the rapid residential development in North Hykeham on both sides of this road, and the need to prevent accidents to pedestrians who have to cross it.

It is too early to make reliable estimates of possible abnormal increases in traffice on A46; but we are keeping a close watch on all factors which might justify some priority for this bypass and are meanwhile introducing other measures in the interests of the safety of pedestrians in North Hykeham.

asked the Minister of Transport when she expects to receive the report on the experiment undertaken by the Road Research Laboratory to test the durability of reflectorised number plates; and if she will make a statement.

The report was published on Thursday, 12th January and is being studied by my Lighting Working Party as part of their work on the use of reflectorised number plates.

asked the Minister of Transport in view of the increase in road accidents during the Christmas period resulting in more than 700 deaths and over 1,000 serious casualties, if she will set up a committee of inquiry and report its findings to the House as soon as possible.

No. My right hon. Friend has publicly indicated that since the Road Research Laboratory has already thoroughly examined Christmas season accidents in 1959, 1963 and 1964–65, and traced the main contributory factors, investigations should now concentrate on any new features which may emerge from the regular examination of all accidents. The provisional figures for deaths and serious injuries last Christmas were 158 and 1,507.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the seriousness of the Christmas road casualties, she will now initiate a long-term propaganda campaign in order to promote less aggressive and more responsible attitudes towards driving.

My right hon. Friend is now considering what contribution propaganda can make towards road safety in connection with her Road Safety Plan and she is examining the practical possibilities.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the number of deaths on the road over the Christmas period; and how many of these were due to drinking by drivers; and what the respective figures were for the same period in each of the last five years.

The provisional figure for road deaths in England and Wales for the five days beginning on December 23rd is 149. The final figures for earlier years were: 126 in 1965, 107 in 1964, 149 in 1963 and 89 in 1962. The corresponding figure for 1961 is not readily available. The number due to drinking by drivers is not yet known, but a special analysis is being made of this year's accident figures. Special studies made by the Road Research Laboratory at Christmas in 1963 and 1964 showed that alcohol was known to have been consumed shortly before fatal accidents, by 32 and 31 per cent. of the riders and drivers involved in them in 1963 and 1964 respectively.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will give numbers, in each case, where death was the result of an accident during the Christmas holidays involving heavy lorries, private cars, motor cycles, bicycles, and pedestrians.

I am having a special analysis made and the information should be available towards the end of February when I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will cause an immediate investigation to be made into the cause of each accident, resulting in death, during the Christmas holidays.

No. The Road Research Laboratory have already thoroughly investigated Christmas season accidents in 1959, 1963 and 1964–65 and traced the main contributory factors. My right hon. Friend thinks it better now to concentrate on new features which may emerge from the regular examination of all accidents.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations she has received from Essex local authorities about her proposed scheme for the M11 London-Cambridge motorway; to what effect; and what replies she has given.

The draft Scheme was published on 2nd December, 1966. So far, we have received no representations about the published route from the local authorities concerned. Some points have been raised about design details which will be considered later.

asked the Minister of Transport whether a decision has yet been made and whether detailed maps are now available showing the route of the Thorne by-pass, A614, and the link with Humberside.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport when it is expected that the work on the new bridge at Rawcliffe will commence; and when the bridge will be completed.

Work started on 2nd January. West Riding County Council, the highway authority, informs us that the work is expected to be completed in 12 months.

asked the Minister of Transport what reply she has made to the proposals outlined in a memorandum from the Road Haulage Association, details of which have been sent to her, calling for illuminated street name plates; and if she will refer this question to the Road Research Laboratory for consideration.

The Road Haulage Association has been informed that its proposals will be considered by the interdepartmental Working Party which is now re-examining the problem of street name plates together with the numbering of premises. The Road Research Laboratory is represented on the Working Party.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will introduce legislation to enforce a lower speed limit during the hours of darkness.

This is among the subjects which will be considered by the official Working Party which my right hon. Friend has set up to review all aspects of speed limit policy.

asked the Minister of Transport what assistance she is giving, in any form, to encourage local authorities to sign adequately the roads under their control.

Detailed guidance and advice on the correct use of the new traffic signs are given in the Traffic Signs Manual issued free to all highway authorities. This is supplemented by circulars as necessary and fourteen have been issued. Grants are paid towards the cost of signs on classified roads.

asked the Minister of Transport when she will announce the next list of trunk road improvements.

Next month, I hope.

asked the Minister of Transport how recently the basis of the cost of road traffic congestion was last examined; and if she will review the present basis of costing.

This is now being reexamined.

asked the Minister of Transport what reply she has sent to a letter dated 1st January from Mr. J. C. Pyper, of 10, Queensberry Road, Kettering, who responded to her invitation of 18th October to present his views on the future of the canal system.

Mr. Pyper's constructive and interesting letter is one of some 800 received in response to my right hon. Friend's invitation. His letter has been acknowledged. It will be impossible to send individual replies dealing with the points raised in each of these letters. My right hon. Friend is, however, grateful for them; they will be carefully analysed and considered in conjunction with the consultations now taking place about the future network of cruising waterways.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will cause to be made forthwith a comprehensive study of the likely consequences for the internal road and rail network of British membership of the Common Market.

In the planning of our internal road and rail network, we shall take account of the possible effects of joining the Common Market, but I do not think a special study is called for.

asked the Minister of Transport on how many occasions the working party studying the relationship between motor insurance and road safety have met; when she expects them to make their report; and whether this report will be made available to hon. Members.

This special Committee has met on ten occasions. My right hon. Friend has received its first Report which deals with the subject of compulsory passenger liability insurance. She is considering both the Report and the desirability of publishing it.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will show in table form the density of vehicles per road mile in the United Kingdom and as many other countries for which statistics are available.

Following is the information:

asked the Minister of Transport if she will give the number of accidents and the percentage of the total of accidents where vehicles without adequate lighting were involved in each of the last five years.

The information required could not be extracted without disproportionate effort, but an analysis made by the Road Research Laboratory has shown that in 1964 the proportion of all vehicles involved in fatal and serious accidents after darkness, where the police reported that defective or unlit lights may have contributed to the accident, is about 1 per cent.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents resulting in death or serious injury during the last five years involved drivers holding a provisional licence.

Following is the number of learner riders and drivers involved in accidents. The number of accidents is less, since some accidents involved more than one learner driver, but separate figures of these are not kept.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals she has received for deepening the channel of the River Tyne to enable larger vessels to discharge at Tyne Dock; and whether she will support proposals designed to improve facilities for shipping on the River Tyne.

My right hon. Friend has received no formal proposals for deepening the channel or other major improvements. Minor improvements to the Albert Edward and Tyne docks are in hand, and she will consider any major proposals that are submitted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will publish in HANSARD details of the firms or business in the bakery, sausage and pork pie industries who have, since 20th July, 1966, gone into voluntary or compulsory liquidation; and how many made official declarations that the cause was due to losses incurred owing to the Government refusing permission for them to increase the prices of bread, sausages and pork pies.

I regret that reliable information is not available for voluntary liquidations, and might be obtained for compulsory liquidations only with the expense of an undue amount of time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the concentration of industry in South-West Scotland, he will regionalise the work of his Department in order to spread trade, industry and employment as indicated in the National Plan for Scotland.

The work of the Board is already considerably regionalised; and at 1st October, 1966, just under one-half of the total staff of the Board worked outside Greater London. The total staff working in Scotland at the same date was approximately 1,350 in over 40 different establishments in many parts of the country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from the retail and distributive trades regarding the advantages of a decimal currency based on a 10s. unit over one based on a £1 unit, especially during the transitional period of about two years.

I have had letters from the National Chamber of Trade and the Drapers' Chamber of Trade who favour the ten shilling system.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he now proposes to take in regard to the Monopolies Commission's Report on Detergents.

My discussions with the principal detergent manufacturers are in their final stages. I shall announce the outcome as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further progress he has made in his negotiations with the leading detergent manufacturers about a 20 per cent. reduction in price of household detergents as proposed by the Monopolies Commission Report; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer to the Answer which I have today given to my hon. Friend the Member for Dagenham (Mr. John Parker).

asked the President of the Board of Trade what discussions took place between his Department and British Petroleum and Distillers concerning the proposed merger of Distillers Chemical and Plastic Establishments with British Petroleum; how far this merger reduces governmental control of British Petroleum; what guarantees were forthcoming on the continued employment of industrial workers and technicians in the 20 chemical and plastics establishments of Distillers; and whether he discussed with the trade unions concerned the effects of this merger on employees of the companies concerned.

My Department discussed this merger with both companies in the usual way. British Petroleum assured me that it had no intention of closing down any of the plants it would take over and I did not consider it necessary to hold further talks. The Government holding in British Petroleum is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the collapse of the London and Cheshire Insurance Company Limited.

A creditor has presented a petition to the court for the compulsory winding-up of the company. As the matter is before the court, it would not be proper for me to discuss the company's affairs at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet reached a final decision on the plans to move the Patent Office; and if he will give the maximum notice to patent agents about the change so that they can make the necessary arrangements either to extend their present offices or take premises where the new Patent Office will be located.

I have not yet reached a final decision, but I shall certainly give the earliest possible notice of any move to all interested parties.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will institute inquiries into the fraudulent methods of salesmanship employed by Reader's Digest Association Limited in respect of their subscription sales.

I have no evidence that fraudulent methods are employed; but if my hon. Friend will send me particulars of any cases she has in mind, I will consider them and write to her.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has for further investigations by the Monopolies Commission.

I propose to ask the Monopolies Commission to investigate the supply of haircutting services for men.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the report of the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee that the present restrictions on the use of cyclamates in food should be removed; what further medical research into the risks of excessive intake of such substances he proposes should be carried out in the interests of the health of the nation; and if will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is considering the report of the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee and the representations which have been made to him concerning its recommendations. He will announce his decision as soon as possible.It is normal practice for the commercial interests who wish to use a food additive to arrange for any new research work which may be necessary to demonstrate its safety in use. The Government would then evaluate that research work with a view to deciding whether the use of the product concerned should be permitted.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of dogs entering this country has been found to be suffering from rabies before the expiry of their period in quarantine.

Since December 1918, when the six-month period for quarantine was reintroduced, 25 dogs have become rabid while in quarantine. This represents 0·04 per cent. of the 65,100 dogs imported during the period.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many complaints he has had about overcharging in restaurants in Scotland since the measures of 20th July were introduced.

Twenty-four.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what basis payment was made to slaughterers in the foot-and-mouth campaign in Rothbury last summer; and to what extent payment was made for the killing of more animals than were actually killed.

Per head of stock slaughtered: none.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether a veterinary officer is meant to be present when slaughtering is being carried out during outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease.

At least one veterinary officer is present on the farm when slaughtering is carried out.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Brewis has again been requested to isolate himself, he will make a financial payment of compensation to him and guarantee the payment of all his expenses relevant to his medical treatment.

My Veterinary Service considers on the available evidence that Mr. Brewis causes no risk to animals and have not requested him to isolate himself. Much as I sympathise with Mr. Brewis I regret that I cannot see any case for compensation to be paid by me.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what were the names of the men who carried out slaughtering on Mr. Hyslop's farm, Dancing Hall, Callaly, Whittingham, during the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease last summer; what qualifications they had; and whether it was intended that a veterinary officer should have been present during the period of slaughtering;(2) what were the names of the men who carried out slaughtering on Mr. Brown's farm, Wandylaw, Chathill, Northumberland, during the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease last summer; what qualifications they had; and whether it was intended that a veterinary officer should have been present during the period of slaughtering;(3) what were the names of the men who carried out slaughtering on Lord Ravensworth's farm near Whittingham during the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease last summer; what qualifications they had; whether it was intended that a veterinary officer should have been present during the period of slaughtering; and whether they were organised to kill the Highland cattle with a rifle and not a humane killer.

I do not propose to give the names of individuals employed by the Ministry during the Northumberland epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease. I understand that the men engaged on the slaughter of the animals were all licensed slaughtermen. As I have already explained a Veterinary Officer was present during the slaughter of animals.On Lord Ravensworth's farm near Whittingham a batch of Highland cattle which had been living wild were shot by an expert marksman and firearms specialist using an automatic pistol and a batch of Galloways, which had been living under similar conditions, by the same man with a rifle. This was done to avoid the possibility of injury to the slaughter-men and their assistants, and in order to ensure that the animals did not break away on to the open hill. One Galloway which broke away during round-up was shot by a police marksman who had received his training in the armed forces.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he permitted price rises for 4,134 grocery items last year; what was the largest increase allowed among these 4,134 items; and how many price increases he refused to sanction during 1965–66.

The 4,134 items to which the hon. Member refers are price increases, as recorded by the trade press, in all lines sold through grocery outlets. 2,628 refer to food and drink, and the remainder to such items at toiletries. Of the food and drink increases, 1,967 were for the period January to July, an average of 281 a month. In August and September the numbers were 133 and 161 respectively. These were almost all due to increases in imported items, the purchase tax increases announced on 20th July, or to increases which took effect before 20th July but were only recorded later. The figure fell to 87 in October and 28 in November. The December figure was 252, but of these some 200 related to only one product group—meat pies, sausages, etc.—where, as I explained to the hon. Member on 14th December, the Government was satisfied that prices would have to be increased because of higher raw material costs.Notification of proposed price increases of most goods was not required before the beginning of the standstill period—20th July, 1966: between then and the end of 1966, I accepted 26 notifications of proposed price increases as being in accordance with the Government's prices and incomes policy (as set out in the White Papers, Cmnd. 3073 and 3150); I also accepted a further 38 notifications after they had been modified in discussion with my Department. I refused to accept 11 notifications, and a further 2 were withdrawn. Since notifications are confidential, I cannot give details about individual ones.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the kidney machines available in Scottish hospitals were manufactured in Great Britain; how many such machines are required to cater for the known demand; and what steps are being taken to procure them from British producers.

Four of the fourteen machines now available in Scottish hospitals for the treatment of acute and chronic renal failure were manufactured in Great Britain. It is difficult to assess how many machines would be needed to meet present needs, but regional boards

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many murders took place in Scotland in each of the years 1956, 1961 and 1966.

13 cases of murder were made known to the police in 1956 and 14 in 1961. The figure for 1966 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons were charged in Scottish courts for murder in each of the years 1956, 1961 and 1966.

Thirteen persons were proceeded against in 1956 for murder and 8 in 1961. The figure for 1966 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prisoners have escaped or absconded in each of the last 10 years; and how many are still at large.

The figures are as given below. The number of prisoners still at large is three. Two of these are women serving short sentences who absconded from outside hospitals, one in 1961 and one in 1962. The third absconded from his place of employment while on training for freedom on 8th December last.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage increase or decrease took place in the number of murders committed in Scotland between the years 1964 and 1966; and if he will make a statement.

Figures for the year 1966 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total authorised establishment of Scottish police forces at the end of 1966 and the number of policemen actually employed by these forces at the end of 1966.

The figures are 11,160 and 10,196.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he intends to take to reduce the shortage of policemen in Scotland.

I hope that the decision recently announced by my right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State that the review of police pay now being negotiated should take effect from 1st March will encourage more young men and women to join the service and will help to reduce wastage. A working party of the Police Advisory Board for Scotland has made recommendations about service conditions, some of which have already been given effect. I hope that this also will reduce wastage.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the shortage of prison officers in Scotland at the end of 1966.

I estimate that, in order to maintain present standards and eliminate excessive overtime, an addition of some 140 officers would be required.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses were completed in Scotland in 1966.

36,029 of which 27,515 were built by local authorities, new town development corporations and the Scottish Special Housing Association.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number of farms and agricultural holdings in Scotland in the year 1966; and what estimate he has made of the percentage of those farms and holdings which will qualify for grants under the winter keep scheme.

There are some 56,000 agricultural holdings in Scotland of which 26,000 are full-time farms and 18,000 are crofts and similar holdings. The crofts are excluded from the winter keep scheme, and I estimate that about one-third of the remaining 38,000 holdings are eligible for grants under the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if it is his policy that all farms qualifying for grants under the winter keep scheme should automatically qualify, where appropriate, for the hill cattle subsidy.

Yes. Farms which qualify for winter keep grants automatically qualify, in whole or in part, for hill cattle subsidy on eligible breeding cows.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will arrange for barley to qualify as a crop for grant under the winter keep scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Any change in the basis of the winter keep scheme is a matter for consideration at the Annual Review. The purpose of the scheme is to encourage the growing of crops for the winter feeding of livestock, and although barley is used to some extent as a fodder crop on farms where it is grown, a considerable proportion of it is sold as a cash crop.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the altitude above sea level of the lowest lying farm in Scotland which qualified in the year 1966 for grant under the winter keep scheme.

None. Altitude is only one of many factors taken into account when arriving at the classification of a unit for the purposes of the winter keep scheme, but an eligible unit must consist mainly of land which is suitable for use for the breeding, rearing and maintenance of sheep and cattle and not, to any material extent, for other purposes, e.g. cash-cropping.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the winter keep scheme; and what plans he has for amending it.

The winter keep scheme, together with other grants and subsidies, will be considered at the Annual Review next month, and I cannot anticipate the outcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied that his recent decision to reduce from 95 per cent. to 90 per cent. of gross annual value the standard rent for 1966–67 for the purposes of Exchequer Equalisation Grant will in all cases entirely compensate those local authorities who have acceded to the Government's request not to increase rents, taking revaluation into account; and if he will make a statement.