asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to receive the report of the survey which he is conducting into theatre for young people.

I expect to receive it by the end of April.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether it is his policy to continue to support the National Youth Theatre.

The National Youth Theatre receive no grant in respect of their theatrical activities as such, but do receive £5,500 towards the Youth Service part of their headquarters expenses.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science from what source the £750,000 allocated by his Department for Sport on Saturday, 10th December, 1966, was drawn; how it was disbursed; and what future allocations will be made.

No such allocation was offered or made by the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what financial assistance was given by his Department to amateur and school sporting organisations in the northern region during 1966; and to which bodies it was paid.

Offers of capital grant totalling £65,387 were made to twenty-one sports organisations. I will send my hon. Friend a list of the organisations concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will give an assurance that there will be no alteration in the Govern- ment policy of providing milk at schools without charge, and that the present charges for school meals will not be increased.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now reduce or eliminate the £82 million Government subsidy for schools meals, except in cases of genuine financial need.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now make a statement on his policy concerning school meals in the light of the findings of the Estimates Committee.

These matters are kept under continuous review and are now being considered further in the light of the recommendation of the Estimates Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will take immediate steps to improve the primitive and overcrowded conditions at Great Baddow Church of England Primary School, Chelmsford.

Three new primary schools in the area are expected to open in the autumn. This school will then close. The authority have already made arrangements to relieve overcrowding during the intervening period.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he proposes to introduce legislation to transfer the larger part of the cost of teachers' salaries from the rates to the Exchequer.

Any major reform of local government finance must await the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Local Government in England.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assistance he is giving to research into methods of alleviating the effects of herpes simplex, commonly referred to as cold sores; and whether he will make a statement on progress to date.

Studies relating to herpes virus infection form part of the Medical Research Council's wide programme of fundamental research in the general field of virology, and related work is also in progress in a number of university departments. It is hoped that this research will increase knowledge of viral infections (including herpes simplex) and thus contribute to the development of methods of treating such infections.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what financial assistance was sought by the National Gallery for its recent acquisition of a picture by Rubens.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why support by grants is not given to qualified British personnel attending the Insead Business School in France.

I would not normally regard it as appropriate for awards to be made from public funds to assist students to attend business schools overseas when suitable courses are available at British institutions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the National Advisory Council for the Training and Supply of Teachers last met; and in view of his policy of a more effective method of consultation, what steps he is taking to set up a new consultative body.

The Council last met on 2nd March, 1965. Their most recent advice is contained in their Ninth Report. Before deciding what future arrangements are desirable I should welcome specific suggestions from the educational interests concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the National Advisory Council on the training and supply of teachers last met; and what advice he has most recently received from the Council to assist him in fulfilling this need.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave today to my hon. Friend the Members for Wandsworth, Putney.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the proposal for a technological university in the county of Durham has been abandoned.

When it is possible to contemplate the establishment of further new universities, the proposal for a new technological institution in the North-East will be most seriously considered. But I would not expect this to be possible in the years immediately ahead.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now make a statement on a date for the establishment of a University of the Air.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, when he will make a public statement about the establishment of a University of the Air.

I hope to make a statement within the next few months.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had during 1966 about the establishment of a University of the Air.

Discussions have been held with the broadcasting authorities, and with educational and other organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the extent of the co-operation he is receiving from local authorities in making school playing fields available for use for outside sports activity out of school hours.

Regional Sports Councils are carrying out surveys of sports facilities in their areas and are paying special attention to dual use. According to my present information the majority of authorities have arrangements for out of school use of playing fields.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will give financial support for the rebuilding of the Elham Church of England Primary School.

My right hon. Friend is prepared to include the first instalment of the building project in the 1967–68 minor works programme for aided schools. The work will be grant-aided by the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of the fact that the need for preschool groups in Great Britain, which are beneficial both to parents and children, has been proved by voluntary

							1962–63	1963–64	1964–65
Graduates to U.S.A. for
(a) Research or further academic study
First degrees	…	…	…	…	…	…	N.A.	237	230
Higher degrees	…	…	…	…	…	…	160	52	47
(b) Permanent employment
First degrees	…	…	…	…	…	…	N.A.	61	50
Higher degrees	…	…	…	…	…	…	155	255	220
(c) Total of (a) and (b)
First degrees	…	…	…	…	…	…	N.A.	298	280
Higher degrees	…	…	…	…	…	…	315	307	267
Notes:
(1) The table relates to graduates of universities in Great Britain.
(2) It excludes graduates in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science; overseas students returning to their own country; graduates entering short-term employment overseas; and graduates of the former colleges of advanced technology and equivalent Scottish institutions.
(3) It includes some overseas students whose first appointments overseas lie outside their country of origin.
(4) Graduates who accepted post-doctoral fellowships are included under research or further academic study in 1962–63 and under permanent employment in later years.
(5) Information was not collected for the years prior to 1962–63; and is not yet available for 1965–66.

Comprehensive information is not available on numbers of graduates who emigrate after entering employment.No estimate of the contributions of graduates to the economy is available. This is one of the matters that is being

My right hon. Friend will be studying the whole question of pre-school education in the light of the recommendations of the Plowden Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many graduates of United Kingdom universities have emigrated to the United States in each of the last five years; and if he will estimate the cost of this in terms of the loss of their contributions to the economy.

The following is the information. It relates to those who graduated in 1963 and subsequently. Figures in respect of graduates in earlier years are not available.University appointments officers have provided the following details of graduates of universities in Great Britain whose first appointment after graduation was in the United States either in research or further academic study or in permanent employment.examined by the Working Group on the Migration of Scientists and Technologists under the chairmanship of Dr. F. E. Jones, which has been set up by the Committee on Manpower Resources for Science and Technology.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to abolish the means test for receiving a grant for university education.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Helens (Mr. Spriggs) on 8th December last.—[Vol. 737, c. 346.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will state the number of direct-grant schools at present negotiating with local education authorities to implement schemes of comprehensive education; how many schemes have so far been sent to him for approval; and how many he has accepted.

It is impossible to give precise figures as the situation is constantly changing and some of the discussions are at a preliminary stage. But I have evidence that negotiations are taking place between the majority of direct-grant schools and the local education authorities concerned. Proposals arising out of these negotiations do not normally require my approval.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will arrange for the National Association of Head Teachers to have increased representation on the Teachers' Panel of the Burnham Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will now increase the representation of the National Association of Head Teachers on the Teachers' Panel of the Burnham Committee.

Over the last year I have heard the views of all the teachers' associations represented on the Burnham Primary and Secondary and Further Education Committees, and I amended the constitution of these Committees in July. I have no further amendments in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations have been made to his Department on the constitution of the teachers' panels on committees negotiating salaries; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave today to the hon. Members for Ilford, North (Mr. Iremonger) and Hertfordshire, South-West (Mr. Longden).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the cost, for the last convenient 12-month period, of providing milk to pupils at secondary schools in England and Wales.

£4·2 million in 1966–67.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will state the total value of his administrative grant towards schools sports facilities.

Grants offered towards the administrative costs of national schools sports organisations in England and Wales total £4,700 in 1966–67.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he will take to ensure that trebled fees for overseas students in Great Britain will not apply to those from developing countries.

As I announced on 21st December, Parliament will be asked to vote funds to meet the additional cost for all students financed from British official sources (including the British Council). The majority of these are from developing countries. In addition a fund will be provided to reimburse the additional £50 payable by students who have already started their courses and who are financed by the Governments of developing countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the proportion of the fees of overseas students at universities and centres of higher education to be met by his Department.

No part of the fees of overseas students is met directly by my Department. But even after the recently announced increase in fees, public funds will still provide some two-thirds on average of the recurrent costs of overseas students at universities and colleges of further education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will reconsider the decision to increase tuition fees payable by students from overseas at British universities.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what reduction he now estimates will be made in the number of overseas students studying in this country following the recently announced increase in fees.

It is too early to forecast the effect of these arrangements on the entry of overseas students.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek to establish a register of approved societies which give financial assistance to overseas students and to continue the standard rate of fees to such students whom they support.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the Plowden Report on Primary Education.

I greatly welcome the general tenor and philosophy of the Report. It will make a major contribution to our educational thinking. I am glad that the Council have not only spoken highly of the quality of primary education at its best in this country but have called attention to the special needs of children in socially deprived areas.The Council has made many recommendations, some of them of far-reaching significance. Some are directed to the Government and would involve substan- tial expenditure and in certain cases legislation. Our study of these recommendations has started but is bound to take some time. We must have regard to the resources likely to be available over the period covered by the Report and to the views of the associations of local authorities and teachers and of other bodies concerned. These I have already invited. I have also drawn the attention of the associations to the many other recommendations which are primarily directed at local authorities and teachers.I have already, in the foreword to the Report, expressed my gratitude to Lady Plowden and her colleagues for the valuable work which they have accomplished.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has received the reorganisation plans under Circular 10/65 from the Gloucestershire authority; and whether he has given consideration to it.

Yes. They are being studied.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in the light of the Government's proposals for changing to a decimal currency and to the metric system of weights and measurement, he will advise local education authorities not to make schoolchildren learn sums involving pounds, shillings and pence, yards, feet and inches, stones, pounds and ounces, and degrees Fahrenheit.

No. The introduction of a decimal currency will not take place until 1971 and the move to a metric system will be a gradual one. The Department and the Schools Council are in touch with the Decimal Currency Board and the Standing Joint Committee on Metrication with a view to helping local education authorities and schools to prepare for the new systems.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to ensure that arithmetic text books are available for teaching the metric system of weights and measures and decimal currency; and when these text books will replace the existing ones.

The production of text books is not the Department's responsibility, but the question of guidance to those responsible for changes in the curriculum and text books is being considered by the Department in consultation with the Schools Council, the Decimal Currency Board and the Standing Joint Committee on Metrication.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teaching machines were ordered by his Department in 1966; and what are the prospects for their more substantial use in 1967.

Teaching machines are mainly used by local education authorities, and over 100 authorities are now making use of programmed learning. The Department purchased ten teaching machines for its own use during 1966, and it is expected that in 1967 at least twelve more will be bought for the training of staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, with a view to easing instruction in reading for backward children in primary schools, he will cause experiments to be carried out with simple types of teaching machines for this purpose.

It is for the local education authorities and the schools to decide whether they wish to experiment with new teaching aids, but I have noted with interest the reference in the Plowden Report to the successful use of reading machines in one area, and we are exploring the matter further.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will reach a decision on the recommendation by the Arts Council that the present subsidy of £93,000 shall be increased in the present year to a subsidy of £250,000 from public funds to be paid to the Royal Shakespeare Company; and if he will give an assurance that consideration has been given to the Government's policy to refrain from increases in expenditure during the period of severe restraint.

I have received no such recommendation. The grant to be made is for the Arts Council to determine.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many regional associations for the arts are now in existence

There are five regional arts associations in existence and a further five in the process of development. This does not include other exciting developments in Scotland and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to receive the report of the committee examining the need for a national film school.

I understand that Lord Lloyd hopes to present the report of his Committee before the end of March.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has considered the proposals for a comprehensive education scheme from the Norfolk County Council.

I have not yet received these proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what is the difference between the original forecast of educational expenditure by local authorities for 1967–68 and 1968–69, and the amount accepted as relevant expenditure for rate support grant;(2) to what extent he expects a slowing down of educational expansion as a result of local authority estimates for 1967–68 and 1968–69 being reduced for grant purposes;

The difference between the local authorities' forecasts of educational expenditure and the sums accepted as relevant for Rate Support Grant were about £45 million in 1967–68 and £49 million in 1968–69.In arriving at the figures for education in Appendix A of House of Commons Paper No. 252 reductions were made in the local authorities forecasts for administration; non-teaching costs in primary and secondary schools; special education; further education; teacher training; the school health service; the youth service; adult, recreational and other services; awards to students; fees at independent and direct grant schools; school transport; and school meals. Increases were made in the forecasts for teachers' salaries in primary and secondary schools.Some of the changes were made to correct authorities' estimates of numbers of teachers [pupils] and students, others because the rate of development envisaged appeared to be more rapid than was reasonable, having regard to general economic conditions.On the assumption that the pattern corresponds to the figures given in Appendix A—actual expenditure will depend on decisions of local authorities—local authority expenditure on education will increase at constant prices by about 6 per cent. a year between 1965–66 and 1968–69. This is in line with the annual rate of increase of educational expenditure forecast in the National Plan and should enable the expansion of the service envisaged in the Plan to be achieved. The nature of this expansion is described in paragraphs 13–16 of House of Commons Paper No. 252.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will issue a circular on the government of colleges of education.

Very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will announce the schools' minor works programme for 1967–68.

Authorities were told of their allocations on 16th January.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will make a decision about the plans for the reorganisation of secondary education in the London Borough of Harrow.

Shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps are being taken by his Department to deal with the extra year at school when the sch000l-leaving age is raised to 16 years.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire, East (Mr. Wolrige-Gordon) on 15th December. I have now announced the special building allocations for 1968–69 and 1969–70.—[Vol. 738, c. 650.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will seek powers to change the method of selection for entrance to the universities of Cambridge and Oxford.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy on the need for a technological university in the Northern Region; and if he will authorise the establishment of one immediately the present financial stringency eases.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave today to my right hon. Friend the Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy on the need for a college for the training of teachers in technical subjects in the Northern Region.

Our immediate aim is to expand the provision for the training of teachers for further education by making the fullest possible use of the resources of the four existing technical colleges of education. For example, a part-time course has been started this year in Durham by staff of the Huddersfield College with the co-operation of the technical colleges in the Durham area. We are examining what further provision in the Northern Region might be possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what study he is making of the reasons for the discrepancy in numbers between those who leave teacher training colleges and those who enter the teaching profession; and if he will make a statement.

I am arranging to follow up the cases of individual students who left college last year and are not recorded as having taken up teaching posts.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to amend the law to ensure that expert witnesses may be called in cases in which the owners of picture galleries are prosecuted for exhibiting pictures.

There is a statutory right for the opinion of experts to be admitted in any proceedings under the Obscene Publications Acts in order to assist the court in deciding whether the publication was justified as being for the public good. There is no similar right in proceedings under the Vagrancy Acts, where the essence of the offence is the wilful exposure of obscene pictures or indecent exhibitions to the public view. I am considering whether any amendment of the law may be desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many surface air-raid shelters there are within the boundaries of the Liverpool, Exchange, division; how long it is since they were inspected by his Department; and when was the last time the Liverpool City Council reported on their conditions, and asked for demolition of some of them.

Three hundred and sixty. Inspection is a matter for the local authority, who are responsible for maintenance. The last application for demolition of a shelter in this area was made on 3rd October 1966; final approval was given on 6th January.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the use of a new material called Incadine which when made into dresses has been found under test to be highly inflammable, and if he will bring this material under the same consumer protection regulations as children's nightdresses, so that it is banned from the market altogether.

Until the end of last month, Incadine dresses were made from a metallised polyester film which is inflammable. At the request of my Department, the manufacturer concerned has now stopped using this material and has substituted metallised polyvinyl chloride, which is self-extinguishing. In the circumstances, I do not think there is a need for special regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new efforts are being made to replace police officers doing routine paper work and other non-essential police duties by qualified local government officers.

The Report of the Police Advisory Board Working Party on Manpower, published on 11th January, proposes a wide range of duties which might be undertaken, either wholly or in part, by local authority officers. I have informed police authorities and chief officers of police of the importance I attach to the replacement of police officers by civilians wherever possible, and have asked them to review the position in their own forces.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the reason for the delay in satisfying the Liverpool police that five prisoners had escaped from Her Majesty's Prison, Hornby Road, Liverpool, on Thursday, 22nd December; and if he will make a statement;(2) why the extra security measures recently outlined for Her Majesty's Prison, Hornby Road, Liverpool, were not effective; and if he will make a statement.

The security measures of which I gave details in reply to the hon. Member's Question on 17th November related to the strengthening of patrols in the prison grounds. The carpenters' shop from which five young prisoners escaped on 22nd December is in a hut outside the main wall of the prison. The escape took place at about 4 p.m., but it was not discovered until just after 4.40 p.m. when the men were checked in the prison wing after returning from work. The shop and grounds were searched and as soon as it was confirmed at 5 p.m. that five prisoners had escaped the police were notified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will instruct prison governors that their most important duty is to prevent escapes by prisoners in their charge; and that they must give priority to this consideration.

I have asked prison governors to give their personal attention to the maintenance of the highest possible standards of security.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes in the administration of immigra- tion procedures at ports of entry he proposes to make as a result of the Divisional Courts judgment in the recent case of Habib Khan.

The judgment does not call for any change in procedure, but I have had copies of it distributed to all immigration officers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the net figures of women and children, respectively, who have entered the United Kingdom since the introduction of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1962; and what estimate has been made of the likely entry in 1967.

The net balance of immigration of those subject to Part I of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1962, between 1st July, 1962, and 31st December, 1966, was:

women	94,552
children	92,516

It is not possible to estimate how many are likely to be admitted in 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were deported from England to other parts of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for criminal offences in the year 1966.

None. There is no provision for the deportation of a person from one part of the United Kingdom to another.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations have been made to him for extension of the powers and duties of traffic wardens; and if he will give an assurance that there is no intention to provide powers of arrest.

I am considering, with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport, the proposals for giving further powers to traffic wardens which are contained in the report of the Police Advisory Board Working Party on Police Manpower, published on 11th January. These do not include any proposal to give traffic wardens powers of arrest of police constables.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give an assurance that any essential increased security measures for the small proportion of prisoners who provide a special escape risk will not be at the expense of those reforms in the treatment of prisoners necessary to ensure maximum value for public money.

Yes. I intend to press ahead with prison reform.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what shortage of staff there is at Her Majesty's Prison, Hornby Road, Liverpool; and what steps are being taken to remedy the situation.

Seven, out of an authorised strength of 166. Two more officers will be posted to Liverpool from the current training course ending on 20th January; the remaining deficiency of five will be made up as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the situation regarding disciplinary action at Her Majesty's Prison, Hornby Road, Liverpool; and if he will make a statement.

I assume that the Question relates to the escapes from Liverpool Prison on 22nd December. Three members of the staff have been charged under the discipline code. An inquiry is being held.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what information he has about the needs of the population in the Bihar and Uttar Pradesh regions of India resulting from famine and starvation; and whether his Department has at its disposal funds which could be utilised as a special relief grant.

I am kept closely informed about the food situation in India and am aware that there are at the present time serious shortages of food grains in certain areas, especially in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. My aim, in consultation with my right hon. Friend, the Commonwealth Secretary, has been to make the aid we can give suit India's total needs, including these special needs arising from adverse weather conditions.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will publish a White Paper listing the details of the overseas Government-to-Government aid programme of £205 million in 1967–68, the details of the reductions from the target for the current year of £225 million and the criteria by which those reductions were decided.

A White Paper Cmnd. 3180 on the work of the Ministry was published on 12th January. For the reasons explained in my replies of the 24th October, 1966, to my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd) [Vol 734, c. 118] and 22nd November, 1966, to the hon Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow) [Vol. 736, c. 270], it is not possible to give details of the type requested.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development to what extent the education department of the Commonwealth Secretariat was consulted or informed before the announcement was made of the proposed increase in the fees of overseas students.

It was not consulted or informed.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what are the reasons for the delay in setting up an Economic Development Council for the motor manufacturing industry.

The main problem is to devise a suitable working relationship between an Economic Development Committee and the existing joint consultative body, the National Advisory Council for the Motor Manufacturing Industry. This has proved difficult and discussions are still proceeding.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will institute an assessment of the overall needs of the Northern Region and report.

A wide-ranging study of the Northern Region's problems and needs was published last October by the Northern Economic Planning Council.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he is aware that, notwithstanding the Government's rigid enforcement of the wages and salaries standstill, there were 4,134 grocery price increases last year; and what further action he proposes to take to enforce the price standstill.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.—[Vol. 739; cols. 80–81.] The increases, which affected food and drink and to a lesser extent articles such as toiletries and cosmetics, mostly occurred before the standstill was announced. The much smaller number of increases between 20th July and the end of 1966 appear to have been confined to the exceptions envisaged in Cmnd. 3073. In the circumstances further action does not seem called for, though the Government are ready to use their powers under Part IV of the Prices and Incomes Act where increases cannot be justified against the criteria set out in Cmnd. 3150.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what categories of commercial information are made available to Economic Development Committees which are not made available to the Library of the House of Commons; and by what authority are such categories of information collected from the business community; and if he will make a statement.

The Government seeks to make available to the Economic Development Committees such information collected from the business community as is necessary for their work and does not breach the confidence in which it is provided. They are not given information of this kind which could not be supplied to Parliament. The Economic Development Committees also request information on their own account from industry for particular needs, and this is given voluntarily.

asked the Postmaster General whether he will give an assurance that the new British Broadcasting Corporation service of popular music on 247 metres proposed in the recent White Paper will be able to be received clearly in Liverpool; and if he will make a statement.

The coverage attained by B.B.C. services is primarily a matter for the Corporation who tell me that reception in Liverpool of the popular music programme on 247 metres is expected to be satisfactory in daylight hours. After dark, there is likely to be interference from continental stations.

asked the Postmaster-General, if he will give a general direction to the television and broadcasting authorities that they should refrain from broadcasting programmes up to 10 p.m. at national holidays which are unsuitable for family viewing.

No. The content and timing of programmes are matters for the broadcasting authorities.

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the announcement by the Chairman of the Independent Television Authority on 22nd December, 1966, he is satisfied that the new proposals are not contrary to the public interest because of the contractors' shareholdings in newspapers in the area concerned; and if he will make a statement.

My hon. Friend has in mind, I think, that the Authority's decision to revise the present programme company structure of independent television involves the creation, as from the beginning of the next contract period, of an additional programme company area. The composition of the companies applying is, of course, a matter for the Authority to consider when deciding to which of them it will award contracts.

asked the Postmaster-General whether Liverpool is to be included as one of nine experimental local radio stations as outlined in the White Paper; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedfordshire, South (Mr. Gwilym Roberts) on 17th January.—[Vol. 739 Col. 49.]

asked the Postmaster-General why it has been necessary to alter post office hours in the north of Scotland making them less convenient for the general public.

The changes are part of our national drive to cope with rising costs. I am sorry if the altered hours are less convenient for some of our customers; but, if we are to keep postal charges at a reasonable level, economies of this kind must be made.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give an undertaking never to issue again the postage stamp, a copy of which has been sent to him by the hon. Member for Louth, and see that only beautiful, mature and traditional designs are issued.

I shall not be issuing the stamp again, but this is because it is not my practice to re-issue designs that have been withdrawn. It is no reflection on the design itself, which was prepared by a child and exhibits a freshness and exuberance which many people, including myself, found most attractive.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the General Post Office are delivering tree in Great Britain the propaganda of the illegal Rhodesian régime in envelopes marked On Her Majesty's Servie by the régime; whether the Rhodesian Post Office grants similar facilities to all material sent On Her Majesty's Service to Rhodesia by Great Britain; what is the respective volume in each direction; and whether in future he will give orders for the illegal régime's propaganda to pay the usual double surcharge on mail that is not prepaid.

As I and my predecessor have announced on several occasions, there is no censorship in this country of mail from Rhodesia. This applies equally to mail marked O.H.M.S., and we therefore treat it in the same way as other mail. In particular, as the letters O.H.MS. do not in themselves constitute a valid indication of prepayment of postage, an O.H.M.S. packet must show that postage has been prepaid if it is not to be liable to surcharge in accordance with standing instructions. We have no statistics about O.H.M.S. packets exchanged between this country and Rhodesia. As regards the treatment in Rhodesia of O.H.M.S. mail from this country, so far as I am aware the normal conditions of the postal service have been maintained.

asked the Postmaster-General if, in view of public demand in Wales, he will cause to be issued this year a regional stamp commemorating the 400th anniversary of the translation of the New Testament into the Welsh language.

No. Although I have reconsidered this matter, I do not feel able to add this subject to our special stamp programme for this year. I am sure that the number of special issues needs to be kept within reasonable limits, and this applies whether the issues are general or localised.

asked the Postmaster-General when the 9d. and 1s. 6d. regional stamps will be put on sale.

In order to meet needs arising from recent postage rate changes, I shall be putting 9d. and 1s. 6d. regional stamps on sale on 1st March. The designs will be the same as those of the 6d. and 1s. 3d. regional stamps as I did not wish to anticipate the completely new regional designs which will follow the new definitive series. Stocks of the 6d. and 1s. 3d. stamps will be allowed to run down and any stocks remaining will be withdrawn from sale on 30th December, 1967.

asked the Postmaster-General what reduction in demand has resulted from the decision to charge a full year's rent in advance to telephone subscribers who move house within the same telephone exchange area.

TOTAL TAXES AND CONTRIBUTIONS AS PERCENTAGE OF GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT AT FACTOR COST
			Total taxes and contributions	Taxes on income	Taxes on expenditure including rates	Social security contributions
United Kingdom
1964	…	…	32·3	12·1	15·3	5·0
1965	…	…	34·6	13·0	16·1	5·4
United States
1964	…	…	29·8	14·7	10·3	4·8
1965	…	…	30·0	15·1	10·2	4·6
Belgium
1964	…	…	32·1	9·4	13·7	9·0
1965	…	…	33·4	10·1	13·7	9·7
Italy
1964	…	…	33·7	7·1	14·1	12·5
1965	…	…	33·4	7·5	14·2	11·7
Netherlands
1964	…	…	35·8	13·6	11·0	11·1
1965	…	…	37·6	14·1	11·1	12·4
West Germany
1964	…	…	40·3	12·7	16·4	11·2
1965	…	…	39·6	12·0	16·4	11·3
France
1964	…	…	44·8	7·5	21·0	16·3
1965	…	…	45·5	7·9	20·8	16·8

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when Surtax payable on £2,000 per annum was first introduced; what in terms of money values today

I am afraid it is not practicable to derive this information from our statistical records.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table based on information he has from international organisations showing taxation in the United Kingdom in 1965 as a percentage of national output, at prices exclusive of subsidies and taxes on expenditure, showing taxes on incomes, taxes on expenditure including rates and social security contributions separately in comparison with the United States of America and the six members of the European Economic Community alongside similar figures for 1964; and if he will give an estimate of similar figures for 1966.

I give below a table showing the available information for 1964 and 1965. I regret that I cannot give estimates for 1966.would be the equivalent of £2,000 then; and what in terms of money value when Surtax was introduced would be the equivalent of today's £2,000.

The starting point for Surtax (then supertax) became £2,000 in 1920–21. The estimated equivalent values (measuring the change in the value of money by using the cost of living index until 1938 and the consumer price index since then) are as follows:—

Today's value of £2,000 in 1920	Value in 1920 of today's £2,000
£4,270	£935

These figures are not strictly comparable because total income for Surtax is now computed on a different basis from that applicable in 1920; in particular there are special Surtax reliefs for earned income the effect of which is that Surtax is not payable on earned income until it exceeds £5,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the amount accruing to the United Kingdom gold and convertible currency reserves from the arrangement whereby 25 per cent. of the proceeds from the sale of resident-held foreign currency securities on the investment currency market has to be changed into sterling at the official rate of exchange, between April, 1965, and the latest convenient date.

As my right hon. Friend announced in his Budget speech, receipts in the first year of the scheme were rather over £70 million. Since then receipts have been running at a slightly lower rate.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will introduce legislation to provide better remedies to householders subjected to noise from neighbours or elsewhere when such noise is so loud and so continuous or repeated as to cause a nuisance to occupants or inmates of premises in the neighbourhood.

The Wilson Committee on the Problem of Noise said in their Final Report that in general they could see no alternative to the remedy provided by the law relating to nuisances. But, as recommended by the Committee, substantial increases in the existing penalties for noise offences are proposed in the Criminal Justice Bill now before the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied that reduction of British Broadcasting Corporation overseas broadcasting is in the national interest; and if he will make a statement.

There has been no reduction in the total number of broadcasting hours prescribed during the current financial year. Indeed, next year there will be an increase, although it will be necessary to reduce some services to permit the expansion of others.

asked the Prime Minister what representations he has received from the United States Government requesting the co-operation of Her Majesty's Government to assist the Committee set up by the United States Government under Dr. Hornig, President Johnson's scientific adviser, to investigate means of helping to improve European technology.

The Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government and the President's Special Assistant for Science and Technology maintain a continuing contact on all subjects of mutual interest. An informal exchange of views on the problems of European technology is already in train.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will transfer to the Minister of Social Security responsibility for meeting the social costs involved in the policy of pit closures.

As the hon. Member will know, a number of Departments have responsibilities in this field. I can see no advantage in bringing this work together under my right hon. Friend the Minister of Social Security, but of course if the hon. Member has any particular points to make I would be happy to consider them.

asked the Prime Minister what reviews are taking place in Government Departments to see what can be done to ease the present financial crisis facing a number of national newspapers.

I have at present nothing to add to the Answers to Questions on this subject given by my right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State on 17th January.—[Vol. 739, c. 28.]

asked the Prime Minister if, before taking any further step towards British entry into the European Community, he will arrange a conference in London of all the countries within the Commonwealth to ascertain their opinions on any such step.

I have as yet nothing to add to the Answer I gave on 6th December to a Question by the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten).—[Vol. 737, c. 1148.]

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about the United Nations Organisation decision on Rhodesia and future United Nations action.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answers to Questions on this subject which I gave on 20th December last—[Vol. 738, cols. 1175–1183]—and to those which my right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State gave last Tuesday.— [Vol. 739, cols. 24–28.]

asked the Prime Minister whether his offer of negotiations for a return in Rhodesia to the 1961 Constitution assumed continued adherence to the established convention, referred to in the introduction to Command Paper No. 1399, that Parliament at Westminster does not legislate for Southern Rhodesia on matters within the competence of the Legislative Assembly of Southern Rhodesia, except with the agreement of the Southern Rhodesia Government.

Yes. As I made clear in the House on 20th December last, it is open to any legal Government in Rhodesia to negotiate with us for a return to the 1961 Constitution and thereby for the full restoration of self-government on the basis previously enjoyed by Rhodesia. From that point there could be negotiations about any desirable changes in that Constitution.

asked the Prime Minister if he has yet decided to invite the Chinese Head of State to visit London to discuss problems of common interest including international disarmament and world peace.

No. We should certainly like to make progress on questions of disarmament and world peace with all Governments, including the Chinese Government; but I do not think that an invitation of the kind suggested by my hon. and learned Friend would be likely to prove fruitful at the present time.

asked the Prime Minister what matters he discussed recently with Captain O'Neill; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the communiqué issued after Captain O'Neill's visit, a copy of which is in the Library.

asked the Prime Minister what information was received from sources other than the International Control Commission prior to 19th December, 1966, on the extent of United States bombing of the civilian population in urban areas of North Vietnam.

Her Majesty's Government received information from a number of sources about the bombing attacks on North Vietnam, but it would not be right for me to give details.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about Her Majesty's Government's recent initiative on Vietnam.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.—[Vol. 739, cols. 425–438.]

asked the Prime Minister what steps he has taken during the last month to call an international conference to devise means of bringing to an end the war in Vietnam.

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the Statement made to the House yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.—[Vol. 739, cols 425–438.]

asked the Prime Minister if he will offer Gibraltar integration with the United Kingdom, similar to that offered to Rhodesia last year; and whether he will arrange for a referendum in Gibraltar as to whether this is desired or not in view of the unwillingness of the Gibraltar Government to put this to a test.

No. I agree with the views expressed over the last two years by the elected representatives of the people that, in their circumstances in Gibraltar, integration would not be in the best interests of the people.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the proposed sale of 250 acres of the Chequers' woodlands to the Forestry Commission is contrary to the wishes of the late Lord Lee of Fareham as expressed in the deed of gift when he gave Chequers to the nation; and if he will refuse his approval of the sale.

The House will recall that the original deed of gift which made Chequers available to the nation was amended by the Chequers Estate Act, 1958. I am informed that the amendments then made were fully approved by Lady Lee of Fareham, as they were, of course, by this House. One effect of these amendments was to enable the Trustees to sell the woodlands referred to in the hon. Member's Question for the benefit of the Trust, subject to the approval of the Prime Minister in office; and the House was told by the then Home Secretary (now Lord Butler of Saffron Walden) during the Second Reading Debate on the Bill which became the Chequers Estate Act, 1958, that, should the Bill be approved, the Trustees planned to sell the woodlands to the Forestry Commission. My approval to the sale of the woodlands, as required under clause 10 to the schedule to the Chequers Estate Act, 1958, has already been given.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the conflicting recommendations from Government sources for the future of Tyneside, he will receive a deputation to discuss its future.

I am not aware of any conflicting recommendations but, if the hon. Lady would care to let me know the points she has in mind, I would consider her request and, if necessary, arrange for the appropriate Minister to meet a deputation.

asked the Prime Minister to what classes of public documents the 30-year rule as to their opening to the public does not apply.

As I informed the House on 10th August last—[Vol. 733, cols. 1706–1708.]—the proposal to reduce the closed period for public records from 50 to 30 years will necessitate an amendment of the Public Records Act of 1958. The power which the Lord Chancellor possesses under Section 5(1) of the Act to extend the closed period in respect of particular records will remain. It is exercised at present in respect of papers falling generally into the following categories:

(1) Those containing information about individuals whose disclosure could cause distress or embarrassment to living persons or their immediate descendants, such as criminal records or those of suspected persons (including certain police records).

(2) Those containing information obtained under a pledge of confidence —such as the census and various individual returns used in published statistical compilations.

(3) Certain papers relating to Irish affairs.

(4) Certain sensitive papers which affect the security of the State or the national interest.

In addition certain papers, the ownership of which is shared with other Governments, are not released until the Governments concerned have been consulted.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence as from what date young men who enlist under the age of 18 years in the Royal Navy and who want to leave the service will be allowed to do so on application; if they will have to buy themselves out; and what will be the amount of money required.