asked the Minister of Technology what arrangements are made by his Department to ensure that Government establishments purchase British machine tools wherever possible; and if he is satisfied that over the past 12 months machine tools ordered from overseas were not available from British manufacturers.

The responsibility for the purchase of machine tools for Government establishments lies with the Departments concerned. My right hon. Friend's Department is consulted by purchasing Departments before any substantial orders for foreign machine tools are placed.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on his recent talks with the Federal German Minister for Scientific Research.

We discussed our approaches to the issues of science and technology particularly in relation to their industrial aspects and the scope for further collaboration especially in computer standards, industrial standards, the peaceful uses of atomic energy, high voltage transmission and European space research. There will be further meetings between technical experts. I took the opportunity of discussing the possibility that Europe might work towards a community in technology.

asked the Minister of Technology what was the amount of financial assistance given by the Government in 1965–66 to the computer industry; and how much was given to companies located in Wales.

In the financial years 1965–66 £365,000 of Government money was committed to the computer industry under the Advanced Computer Techniques Project. In the same year the National Research Development Corporation made available about £1·6 million to the computer industry. Little if any of the sums involved will accrue to companies located in Wales since, so far as I am aware, no computers and very few computer components are manufactured in the Principality.

asked the Minister of Technology what discussions he had with the German Government during his recent visit to Bonn on the subject of co-operation in the computer industry; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply today to the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Eldon Griffiths).

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the progress made in discussions with representatives of the computer industry on the question of finance for domestic leasing of computers.

My right hon. Friend is well aware of the problem of providing finance for leased computers, but has nothing to announce at present.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will refer the charges made by television rental firms to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

My right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs and I have already decided to refer the question of costs and charges in this industry to the National Board for Prices and Incomes. The terms of reference have been made public today.

asked the Minister of Technology how many representations he has received from television rental firms asking to be allowed to increase their charges; and what answers he has given.

Although prior notification of proposed increases in charges for services is not explicitly required I have received four, one of which was on behalf of three subsidiary companies. On the basis of the information provided by the companies concerned I have accepted the need for limited increases in these cases in accordance with the Government's prices policy described in the relevant White Papers (Cmnd. 3073 and 3150).

asked the Minister of Technology how many representations he has received regarding increases in the charges made for rental of television sets.

223 representations have been received since May, 1966. Many related to increases in charges which occurred before the standstill began to operate.

asked the Minister of Technology, in view of his responsibilities for the electronics industry, what relationship he has with the National Electronics Research Council.

The National Electronics Research Council, an independent nongovernmental organisation, was set up in July, 1964, under the chairmanship of Earl Mountbatten of Burma, in the belief that there was an urgent need to coordinate pure and applied research in electronics, and with the intention that it should indicate gaps in research, suggest priorities and prevent unnecessary duplication of effort.Since then, however, the Government has made new central arrangements for dealing with questions of science and technology. In particular the Ministry of Technology has become the sponsoring Department for the electronics industry. With the imminent transfer to it of the present functions of the Ministry of Aviation its research stations with an interest in electronics will be further augmented by the inclusion of the Royal Radar Establishment and the Royal Aircraft Establishment. Responsibility for civil scientific policy and questions relating to basic scientific research lies with the Department of Education and Science and the Science Research Council.These developments have profoundly affected the rôle of the National Electronics Research Council. In future its research rôle will be continued under different arrangements. The Government has therefore proposed, with Lord Mountbatten's agreement, that the Council should accept a new and wider function under the aegis of the Ministry of Technology.The change would be reflected by an alteration in the title to the National Electronics Council (NEC). The new Council would, in place of a more limited interest in research, assume responsibility that would embrace the impact of major developments in electronics on society. It will consider and advise the Government on the application of electronics to the national life. If it sees the need to promote research or encourage other specific action it will take the appropriate initiative either directly with the Ministry of Technology or through the various existing bodies operating in the electronics field; The new Council will continue to develop the valuable contacts which its predecessor had established with Commonwealth countries.There will be an appropriate widening of the membership of the governing body of the Council to reflect its new rôle. Also, as from the date at which this new arrangement takes effect, the Secretariat will be provided by the Ministry of Technology.I believe that the new Council has a very important job to do and am looking forward greatly to working with it.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the number of British engineers employed by Hovercraft Development Limited who have been recruited in the last two years by Bell Aerosystems of the United States of America; and what are the reasons given to Hovercraft Development Limited by such engineers for changing their employment.

One within the last two years and two more have accepted offers.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will state the number of qualified scientists and engineers employed by his Department and give a broad breakdown of their distribution by major activities.

Approximately 1,550 members of my Department have university degrees or equivalent qualifications in scientific or technological subjects. Of these a little over 10 per cent. are engaged in Headquarters or the Regions in advising on measures to advance technology in industry, in the administration of the department's research and development resources and in promoting the dissemination to industry of the results of research; the remainder are engaged on work within the research laboratories.

asked the Minister of Technology what progress the Government have made with those recommendations of the Geddes Report relating to mergers of shipbuilding firms; and when the relevant financial assistance and new legislation will be available.

There is nothing more to report since I answered the Question by the hon. Members for Dorset, West (Mr. Wingfield Digby) and Belfast, East (Mr. McMaster) on 17th January last.—[Vol. 739, c. 21.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much tax the Capital Gains Tax has yielded to date.

About £4 million excluding the Corporation Tax on the capital gains of companies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will introduce legislation to clarify the ambiguities of the Capital Gains Tax in relation to the disposal of land.

I am not aware of any such ambiguities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to require the nationalised industries to raise part of their fixed interest capital in the market.

Since 1956 the nationalised industries have taken all their new capital in the form of loans from the Exchequer. The Radcliffe Committee considered the matter and recommended in its report of August, 1959 that the industries should continue to look to the Treasury to cover all their permanent requirements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many recruits were taken into the Tax Inspectorate in 1966; how many inspectors left the Board of Inland Revenue in 1966; and whether he is satisfied that the Tax Inspectorate is now adequate to cope with the volume of work in the Chief Inspector's Branch of the Inland Revenue.

Three hundred and forty-nine Inspectors were appointed, 65 by direct entry and 284 by promotion. Wastage, including retirement, was 104. The number now in post is adequate to deal with the current work.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the National Chamber of Trade and the Association of British Chambers of Commerce in favour of a decimal currency based on a 10s. unit.

I have received a letter dated 9th December from the Association of British Chambers of Commerce and one dated 28th December from the National Chamber of Trade, both in favour of a 10s. major unit.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, before submitting final proposals for a decimal coinage to Parliament, he will consider the practical advantages of a fully duodecimal system which can be instituted merely by having 12 shillings in one pound.

No. Both the advantages and disadvantages have already been considered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from bodies representing consumers and housewives in this country on the choice of unit in the decimal currency.

I have received representations from the Consumer Council advocating a ten shilling unit.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what revenue he anticipates receiving on account of Selective Employment Tax paid by theatres, repertory companies and cinemas.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the additional cost induced by Selective Employment Tax on the new church hall at All Souls, Acton Lane, Harlesden.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the yield of Selective Employment Tax if it were to be applied at the rate of 12s. 6d. per head.

About £110 million net in a full year, assuming 12s. 6d. were the adult male rate and other rates and premiums were adjusted pro rata.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why Government offices were given an extra day's holiday at Christmas.

This has been the practice for many years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what instructions were given to the Government-nominated directors of British Petroleum with regard to the proposed takeover bid for the Distillers Company; and how such instructions related to the question of the maintenance of Government control of British Petroleum.

None. The Government were throughout in close contact with the Chairman of B.P.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to ensure that the Government retain a majority shareholding in British Petroleum.

An agreement was concluded with the Distillers Co. Ltd., under which they will give the Treasury the right of first refusal to purchase any of their British Petroleum stock of which they wish to dispose.The following is the text of the Agreement:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the balance of payments position for 1964–65, 1965–66 and 1966–67, respectively, has been affected by the sale of investments.

Net sales (+) of overseas securities by United Kingdom residents and Net sales (—) of United Kingdom securities by overseas residents
			£m.
	April, 1964–March, 1965	April, 1965–March, 1966	April-Sept., 1966
Net sales of overseas securities:
Private	+3	+127	+64
Treasury dollar portfolio	—	+316	—
Net sales of United Kingdom securities	-8	-67	-22

These figures relate to net transactions in portfolio securities between United Kingdom and overseas residents. They do not necessarily measure the final effect on the balance of payments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on Great Britain's balance of payments with special reference to the levy of each of the countries in the European Economic Community and the special levy which would be required from Great Britain in the event of Great Britain joining that Community.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to the hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Ridley) on 13th December.—[Vol. 738, c. 243–244.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why Her Majesty's Government's 10 per cent. interest in Amerada was sold; and if he will make a statement.

The sale of Her Majesty's Government's interest in Amerada last April was carried out in pursuance of our policy of converting the Government's portfolio of dollar securities into more liquid form.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to relate the growth in public expenditure with the increase of the gross domestic product.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on 29th November, 1966.—[Vol. 737, c. 47–48.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT setting out the United Kingdom external assets held in private portfolio investment, at the latest date, showing separately the countries and amounts concerned.

The market value of private portfolio investment overseas was approximately £3,600 million at the end of 1964. No breakdown by individual countries is available, but about £1,400 million was in overseas sterling area countries and £2,200 million in other countries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much interest will have accrued on £100 invested in National Savings certificates purchased in July 1945; and what is today's purchasing power of the original capital plus interest, allowing for the subsequent fall in the purchasing power of the pound.

£90 and £89 respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present yield of Surtax on earned incomes without taking into account the surcharge.

This information is not available as Surtax is charged on total income, not on earned income and other income separately.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what talks he has had recently with Finance Ministers from other Atlantic countries; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave the hon. Member for South Angus (Mr. Bruce-Gardyne) today.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he anticipates reaching a target of 400,000 completed houses in one year.

The target set by the Government is 500,000 houses a year by 1970. The date when house completions first reach 400,000 in a year depends mainly on progress made in increasing the output of private houses. Public sector completions are increasing steadily, and I am doing everything possible to expand production in the private sector.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what discussions he has had with representatives of the Federation of Registered House-Builders regarding the Government's target of 500,000 completed houses by 1970; and whether he will make a statement.

I met representatives of the builders (including the Federation of Registered House-Builders), building societies, building material producers and local authorities on 5th January. There was a full discussion about the housing programme and particularly about ways of increasing the contribution of private housebuilders.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will investigate the adequacy of the establishment of rent officers in the London boroughs, and particularly satisfy himself that steps are being taken by the City of Westminster to shorten the present estimated four years' delay in the hearing of applications.

The establishment of rent officers and supporting staff is under continuous review and where necessary has been strengthened in various ways. In Westminster an additional rent officer and two more supporting staff have recently been appointed and part-time help is being given by a rent officer on loan from the Borough of Southwark. My right hon. Friend hopes that these measures will shorten the time normally taken to deal with applications, which at present is about six months. He is considering what other measures are needed to ensure that rent officers can deal effectively both with cases already in hand and with new applications.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will immediately close down that office in his Department which in his name answers appeals for help from the public in terms of the letter H5/JY /1081 of 24th October last to Mr. R. Jones, of 18 Beethoven Street, London, W.10.

Action is being taken to reduce the delay in the Rent Office, which was the ground of complaint. The Department's letter should have explained the circumstances rather more fully, but the pressure is very great and until the delay is reduced, I am afraid that no answer can give full satisfaction.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is satisfied that adequate arrangements have been made to provide the essential services necessary for the fulfilment of the housing programme in Crawley; and whether he will make a statement.

The various authorities concerned are well aware of the housing programme at Crawley for the next five years, and my right hon. Friend is informed that they do not foresee any significant difficulties in providing the essential basic services.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many appeals have been heard by the Rent Assessment Committee against rents registered by the rent officer for the London Borough of Lambeth; and how many appeals resulted in increases, decreases or confirmation of the registered rents.

Objections to fair rents registered by the rent officer for the London Borough of Lambeth had been determined by rent assessment committees in 34 cases up to 20th January. The rent previously registered by the rent officer was reduced in 9 cases, unchanged in 12 and increased in 13; the original rent was reduced in 23 cases, unchanged in 1 and increased in 10.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many fair rents have been registered by the rent officer for the London Borough of Lambeth since the date of his appointment; how many reductions in rents have occurred in those so registered; and how many increases in rents have occurred in those so registered.

The rent officer for the London Borough of Lambeth started operations on 3rd January, 1966, and up to 20th January, 1967, had registered 651 fair rents. The original rent was reduced in 270 cases, and unchanged in 132 and increased in 249

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what at the latest convenient date is the average cost per house of a three-bedroomed semidetached built by local authorities in England and Wales; and what he estimates will be the additional cost per house of building to the standards laid down by the Park Morris Committee.

The latest available information about the average cost of 3-bedroomed houses, approved for building by local authorities in England and Wales, relates to the third quarter of 1966 and was £2,732. Previous figures in this series appear at Table 14 in Housing Statistics No. 3, 1966, prepared in the Ministry. There is no information about the cost of semi-detached houses as a separate category.It is estimated that the extra cost of a house with all the Parker Morris Standards compared with one without any would be about £400.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will take further action to improve the statistical information about housing.

Yes. I have, in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales, been considering ways in which we can improve information on housing and the speed at which it is made available to Parliament and the public.Housing statistics are at present published in three forms. A simple monthly Housing Summary covering Great Britain. Every quarter two Housing Returns are published, one for England and Wales and one for Scotland. In addition Housing Statistics covering Great Britain is published quarterly. This last includes much of the information in the two Housing Returns and a great deal more in addition. The two Returns have however appendices which give information about local housing progress, though in an inconvenient form.We propose to amplify the information in the monthly Housing Summary by adding figures for housing starts and the number of houses under construction. Since the information in the quarterly Housing Return for England and Wales duplicates that in Housing Statistics this Return will no longer be published. The Appendix to the Housing Return will be replaced by a new quarterly publication—Local Housing Statistics: England and Wales—which will provide more information in a more convenient form.The quarterly Housing Return for Scotland will continue for the time being, as it contains information which is not available elsewhere, but my right hon. Friend has its revision under consideration.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he hopes to announce his decision on the application of the Tees Valley and Cleveland Water Board to abstract water from the Tees at Croft.

My right hon. Friend hopes that it will be possible to announce the decision in the near future.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what percentage of local authority spending on education and police services, respectively, is met by national funds.

Grant towards revenue expenditure on the police service is at the rate of 50 per cent., except for the City of London where the rate is 33⅓ per cent. Education expenditure, except that for school milk and meals which is met by 100 per cent. grant, is taken into account in fixing the aggregate amount of the general grants payable in aid of local authority revenues generally. For the current financial year these grants represent 54·7 per cent. of the aggregate estimated relevant expenditure on general grant services; but the grants are distributed by reference to objective factors such as numbers of population and schoolchildren, and not by reference to expenditure.In both cases further assistance is given to authorities which qualify for rate deficiency grants. For England and Wales as a whole rate deficiency grants represent on average about 14 per cent. of the aggregate expenditure of local authorities falling to be met by rates after crediting other grants.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what percentage of all local authority spending is met by national funds.

My right hon. Friend estimates that during the current year Exchequer grants, including housing subsidies, will meet rather more than 54½ per cent. of local expenditure which would otherwise fall on the rates.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government on how many occasions during the last year he has used the powers of Section 22 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1962, to make a planning decision himself to the exclusion of the local planning authority; and in how many cases this was done in 1963.

Precise figures are not available, but almost every called-in application gives rise to a local inquiry. In 1963, the number of inquiries into called-in applications was 217; in 1966 it was 214. These include planning applications made by local planning authorities wishing to carry out development substantially out of accord with the provisions of the development plan for the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about his recent talks with the Prime Minister of Malta.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made earlier this afternoon.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had with the Prime Minister of Malta concerning the future of the Malta Docks; what is now the position between Her Majesty's Government and Bailey's (Malta) Limited; and for how much longer Bailey's have the legal lease of the dockyard.

The purpose of my recent visit to Malta was not primarily to discuss the dockyard. I did, however, have an opportuinty of an exchange of views with the Maltese Prime Minister on this problem and of stressing the need for an urgent solution. Officials accompanying me also had some useful discussions with Maltese officials.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange consultations with Southern Rhodesian African leaders in the near future.

In continuing to seek an acceptable solution to the Rhodesian problem, I shall do all I can to keep in touch with African opinion. But conditions in that country regrettably mean that at present it is impossible to hold discussions with African leaders in Rhodesia.

asked the Sec-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he is aware of the extent of feeling in Hong Kong about the lack of local participation in public government; and what plans he has for the reform of local government, particularly with regard to an elected municipal council.

A working party set up to gather information on the possible forms of local government suitable to the circumstances of Hong Kong, has recently completed its work and its reports will be published in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he is aware that labour legislation in Hong Kong falls below that of all other South-East Asian countries, particularly regarding conditions for women and juveniles; and what steps he is taking to promulgate new legislation in this colony.

An overall comparison of the labour legislation in the different countries of South-East Asia present many difficulties. Conditions of work for women and young persons are in some respects better and in some other respects less good in Hong Kong than in other countries.The Hong Kong Government are giving consideration to further legislation on hours of work for women and young persons. I am certainly hopeful of some improvement.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if, in the course of correspondence with the Governments of India and Pakistan on the setting up of a tribunal to consider the question of the legal ownership of the India Office building and its contents, he will suggest that it is desirable that the entire India Office library should be kept together in one place and also, in whichever capital it is eventually decided to keep it, that it should be housed in conditions which will ensure its permanent preservation.

No. The purpose of the Tribunal is solely to determine the legal ownership of the India Office Library and the other properties in dispute. The question of the future location and housing of the Library and other properties is not a matter for the Tribunal, and has not been the subject of correspondence with the Governments of India and Pakistan. As stated however by the Commonwealth Secretary in reply to the hon. Member for Yarmouth (Dr. Gray), on 14th June, 1966, in the Government's view it would be tragic if the Library were split up, and they agree that it should be housed in conditions which will ensure its permanent preservation.—[Vol. 729, c. 1217.]

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what concession he has made in respect of moneys owed by Ghana to this country.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the meeting in London last December between representatives of the Ghana Government and certain creditor countries which formulated proposals for a rearrangement of Ghana's medium term external debt. These proposals have been submitted to each of the Governments concerned. Some Governments have yet to give their formal approval. I cannot, therefore, at this stage provide any details.

asked the Minister of Power what investigation he has conducted into the possible effects on the British coal industry of entry into full membership of the European Coal and Steel Community; and if he will make a statement.

My investigations suggest that there is no reason why agreement should not be reached on coal problems which might arise in negotiating membership of the European Coal and Steel Community.

asked the Minister of Power (1) how he intends to inform Parliament and the general public of the studies he has made and conclusions reached to form the basis of a new fuel policy;(2) if he will publish a White Paper setting out the studies he has made and conclusions reached to form the basis of a new fuel policy.

asked the Minister of Power what are his intentions with regard to a national fuel policy.

My Department's studies are making good progress, and as they reach conclusions bearing on fuel policy, I will inform the House; but some of the work is long-term and the full results of the review will only emerge over a period. I cannot therefore at this stage say whether it will be appropriate to publish them in a White Paper.

asked the Minister of Power what proposals he has to obviate the damaging effects of the zoning of petrol on prices and the cost of living in the north of Scotland.

Oil companies have divided the United Kingdom into three main groups of price zones and a number of special zones which reflect broadly the costs of delivery.Prices for all petroleum products differ by increases of ½d. per gallon as between the inner, outer and general zones, and, depending on the product, prices in the North of Scotland zones are either ½d. or 1d. per gallon higher than in outer zones.My right hon. Friend has no proposals concerning these arrangements.

asked the Minister of Power what percentage return he expects to receive on capital invested in undertakings for which he has departmental responsibility.

Capital is invested in the nationalised industries at rates of interest reflecting Exchequer borrowing rates at the times the advances are made. The gross rates of return (consisting of interest, depreciation and surplus) which the electricity and gas industries have agreed to seek to earn on their capital employed are (as a percentage of net assets employed):

Electricity (England and Wales only)	12·4 per cent.
Gas	·2 per cent.

The National Coal Board's objective is to break even after providing £10 million towards the replacement of fixed assets at current as distinct from original costs.

asked the Minister of Power whether the plan of the National Coal Board to close a further 120 pits by 1970 was approved by him before being announced; and how this plan fits in with the Government's fuel policy.

asked the Minister of Power how many of the pits to be closed under the newly announced accelerated programme of pit closures are located in the South Wales coalfield area.

asked the Minister of Power (1) how many men will have to be redeployed as a result of pit closures and concentrations in the East Midlands during 1967; to which pits they will be sent; and what type of employment will be available;(2) how many pits are to be closed in the East Midlands during 1967; and in which areas they are situated.

The closure of a further 120 pits by 1970, referred to by the Chairman of the National Coal Board, is part of the programme announced in the House in November, 1965 during the Second Reading of the Coal Industry Bill. It is consistent with the Government's fuel policy, an important part of which is to concentrate coal production at the most highly productive pits. The National Coal Board is responsible for individual pit closures, which are finally decided after consultation with the Unions, and for the redeployment of miners within the industry.

asked the Minister of Power what would be the rate of increase in productivity in the coal industry by 1970 if 330,000 men at 320 pits produced 170 million tons of coal that year.

If there were no significant change in the number of hours worked, output per man shift overall would be 48 cwts. in 1970, compared with 36 cwts. in 1966. This would be an increase of about 7½ per cent. per annum.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the total investment in productive industry, as a proportion to the gross national product, in the United Kingdom for 1965 and 1966; and what information he has from international sources about how this compares to such investment in Germany and Japan.

Investment by industries covered by the Index of Production was 7 per cent. of the gross national product (at market prices) in 1965 and in the first three quarters of 1966. The latest available comparable figure for the German Federal Republic was 9 per cent. in 1965 and for Japan 12 per cent. in 1964.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the figures of industrial investment for the last three months, respectively; and how much he estimates industrial investment will alter compared to 1964 and 1965 over the next six months.

Manufacturers' investment in the third quarter of 1966 was £359 million at current prices. Forecasts provided in November/December, 1966 suggest a fall of about 11 per cent. (in volume terms) between 1965 and 1967, about 3 per cent. between 1964 and 1967, but the forecasts did not take account of the recent increase in the rates of investment grants.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what additional steps he proposes to take to control noise from ground running aircraft at Gatwick;(2) what progress has been made on the use of mufflers to reduce aircraft noise on the ground at Gatwick; and, in view of experience at Heathrow, what additional improvements he hopes to achieve at Gatwick in reducing such noise to a level at which few complaints will be received.

Mufflers for the BAC111 and the VC10 are now installed and in use. So far as I am aware ground running in the maintenance areas is not causing undue disturbance at the present time. We are still carrying out tests to check noise levels in various locations and conditions when these mufflers are in use, after which I shall consider whether any additional measures are necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the increase in air movements at Gatwick, and the prospect of a 30 per cent. increase this summer and further increases thereafter, if he will now lay down a limit for the number of night flights there.

Gatwick Airport is at present under-utilised and I consider that it must accept its share of London's summer night jet traffic. I do not propose to restrict the number of night jet movements at Gatwick in the summer of 1967, but I shall be reviewing the position as regards future years in a few months time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the increase in air movements at Gatwick, if he will now approve, for the area around this airport, grants for the insulation of existing houses similar to those approved for the areas around Heathrow.

Although there has been an increase in traffic, I consider that the arguments on this matter put forward by my right hon. Friend, the then Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aviation, in the debate on 22nd December, 1965, still apply.—[Vol. 722, c. 2174–87.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will set up a permanent noise monitoring unit at Gatwick.

I hope to do so before the peak traffic occurs this summer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will, while formulating proposals for an international standard predictor, establish noise levels for take-off and landing at Gatwick for both day and night flights.

The introduction of maximum permitted noise levels for jet aircraft at Gatwick is not dependent upon international agreement on a standard predictor of noisiness, but it is my intention to introduce jet take-off noise limits at Gatwick as soon as practicable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps, apart from the process of certification of aircraft, he proposes to take to exploit other possible approaches to the reduction of aircraft noise.

I shall continue to search for further practicable means of reducing aircraft noise, taking account of the various conclusions reached at the recent International Conference on this subject, but I have no specific new measures to announce at the present time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps by legislation or otherwise to estblish in Great Britain a single authority, at least at airport level, with overall authority for controlling excessive noise, and to provide that this shall be the British Airports Authority.

I already have general responsibilities in connection with the noise of civil aircraft operations in the United Kingdom, and specific statutory powers by virtue of Sections 14 and 15 of the Airports Authority Act, 1965. I shall keep under review the practical effectiveness of these statutory powers, and the ways in which they are used, but at present I see no need for substantial changes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to secure the certification, including the specification of appropriate operating procedures of new subsonic aircraft, supersonic aircraft, and existing aircraft, respectively, to ensure that these conform to improved noise standards.

I hope to make a further statement about noise certification of aircraft in the near future.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he proposes to put forward definite proposals for an international standard predictor to the Fifth Navigational Conference of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, to be held in the autumn of 1967;(2) following the recent international conference, what steps he proposes to take to secure an international standard predictor of noisiness as a primary requirement for the establishment of an aircraft noise certification scheme.

We shall certainly play a full part in the discussions on this matter at the 5th Navigational Conference of I.C.A.O. but progress in methods of noise measurement is already adequate to permit a scheme of noise certification to be introduced, although improvements in these methods are possible and probably will be made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what conclusion he has reached on the construction of a third airport in the London area to enable the noisier of the subsonic aircraft and all civil supersonic aircraft to land and take off on courses over the sea.

The Government hope to announce their decision on the site for the third London Airport in the near future.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many motorists in the past five years have been suddenly left without insurance cover owing to the

TOTAL NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED IN DORSET
			Men	Boys	Women	Girls	Total	Temporarily slopped included in total
9th January, 1967 (Provisional)		…	2,080	73	621	65	2,839	2
10th January, 1966	…	…	1,433	52	398	21	1,904	—

asked the Minister of Labour what was the increase in the cost of living for 1965 and 1966, respectively.

The Index of Retail Prices rose by 4·5 per cent. between 15th December, 1964, and 14th December, 1965, and by 3·7 per cent. between 14th December, 1965, and 13th December, 1966.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will instruct Her Majesty's Government's representative at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to propose research to find a cheap substitute for newsprint.

Approximately 500,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the Monopolies Commission's Report, with special reference to the future of The Times and The Guardian newspapers.

I have nothing to add to my statement of 21st December last.—[Vol. 738, c. 1418–30.]

asked the Minister of Labour what are the latest figures of unemployment for Dorset; and if he will give the comparable figures for 12 months ago.

Following is the information:

I propose to seek advice on this subject from the appropriate Specialist Advisory Committee of the United Kingdom National Commission for U.N.E.S.C.O., and in the light of its advice I will decide whether or not we should take an initiative in U.N.E.S.C.O.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development why there has been a long delay in the publication of the Report of the Sugar Commission which sat in 1965 in St. Kitts under Professor Campbell; when the report will be published; and if he will make a statement.

An interim report giving the views of the Commission on the matters immediately at issue in the inquiry was sent to the St. Kitts Government in January, 1966, and was of great assistance in resolving those matters. The Chairman of the Commission has found the task of preparing the full report more lengthy than he expected but expects that it will be completed by April.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will make a statement on the methods by which funds are transmitted from Her Majesty's Government to the University at Salisbury.

The British grant is paid to the University College's account in London.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (1) what rate of interest will be paid on the £1,500,000 unsecured loan stock in the Rootes Motor Company to be subscribed for by the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation; what are its terms of redemption; whether there is a sinking fund provision; whether it has rights over the £10 million preferred ordinary stock; what secured mortgages or debentures rank prior to it; and if there are any limitations to bank liabilities that can be created which would take precedence in case of bankruptcy;(2) what rate of interest will be paid on the £1,512,288 preferred ordinary shares to be purchased by the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation in Rootes Motor Company; whether it will be a cumulative dividend; if there are any sinking fund provisions for redemption purposes; why he decided to enforce a put option at par on the Chrysler Corporation on 1st January, 1972, instead of during the whole period; and if facilities will be sought to deal in these shares on the London Stock Exchange.

The terms on which the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation will be investing in Rootes were a matter for agreement between the Corporation, Rootes and the Chrysler Corporation. I have, however, arranged for the hon. Member to receive a copy of a circular letter, from Rootes to their shareholders, which contains most of the information which he is seeking.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if the director to be nominated by the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation to the Rootes Motor Company board will have any special powers of veto over, or will merely rank equally with, all other directors; when he will be appointed; and who has accepted this appointment.

The director nominated by the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation will rank equally with the other directors. No nomination can be made until the proposals receive the approval of Rootes' shareholders and no decision on the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation's nominee has yet been taken.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how many proposed increases in prices have been notified since the publication of Command Paper No. 3150, Prices and Incomes Standstill: Period of Severe Restraint; how many have been approved by the Government; and how many are still under consideration.

230, 76 and 144. 10 of the total were rejected or withdrawn.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will now declare Carlisle and the Solway area a new development region, in accordance with proposals made to him by the Chairman of the Northern Area Economic Development Council in 1966.

In its recent study of the Northern Region, the Northern Economic Planning Council recommended that a detailed study of the Carlisle-Solway area's potential for major development should be undertaken as soon as practicable. The need for a study of this area will be carefully considered as part of our national review of long-term population distribution now in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the estimated amount of foreign currency earned in 1966 by this country through the provision of full-time education in the United Kingdom to overseas students.

The estimated receipts of overseas sterling and non-sterling currency in 1965–66 in respect of overseas students at U.K. universities or on full-time and sandwich courses of higher education at institutions of further education were some £18 million. About £7 million of this was in non-sterling currency.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why telegrams to his Department are to be addressed to Aristides.

The Department and some of its predecessors have had this telegraphic address for at least fifty years and probably much longer. The reason for the original choice is not known.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to receive the working party's report on the remuneration of authors for copies of their books used in public libraries.

The Literature Panel of the Arts Council is preparing a Report, which will, in the first place, go to the Council for consideration. I understand the Council hopes to be able to submit it to me within the next three or four months.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what extra allocation in the capital building programme for schools he will make to the West Sussex County Council, in view of the proposal to build 4,600 houses in the next five years in Crawley.

The West Sussex Local Education Authority has submitted three primary school projects to meet the needs created by the expansion of Crawley. My right hon. Friend has already authorised it to build an instalment of one of these (at Furnace Green) at a cost of £47,000. The other two, costing £199,000, are being considered for inclusion in the 1968–69 programme which will be announced shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied that the proposed expenditure of £793,000 on comprehensive education in the borough of Oswestry is consistent with the proper economies in local authority expenditure urged in paragraph 21 of Command Paper No. 3150, Prices and Incomes Standstill: Period of Severe Restraint.

The proposals to which the hon. Member refers are long term and do not fall within the period of the Command Paper mentioned. The Shropshire Education Committee has decided to refer to the county council a report recommending a reorganisation of secondary schools in Oswestry. No proposal has yet been submitted to me.

asked the Prime Minister what instructions he has given to ensure that difficulties to Commonwealth countries in Africa caused by sanctions against the illegal regime in Rhodesia will be reduced to a minimum.

I have been asked to reply.The need to minimise incidental damage to Commonwealth countries in Africa was a major factor determining the choice of commodities for inclusion in the United Nations Resolution of 16th December, 1966. We are also maintaining close touch with the Government of Zambia on the provision of assistance to enable her to diversify her trade

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now publish as a White Paper a verbatim account of the conversations he had with Mr. Smith on board Her Majesty's Ship "Tiger".

I have been asked to reply.A record of my right hon. Friend's conversations with Mr. Smith appears in Command 3171.

asked the Prime Minister, if he will seek to pay an early visit to Zambia, in view of the fact that that country is bearing a great part of the burden consequent on the application of sanctions on Rhodesia.

I have been asked to reply.Her Majesty's Government are in close touch with the Zambian Government on all matters of common concern but I have as yet no information to give the House on a possible meeting between my right hon. Friend and President Kaunda.

asked the Prime Minister what action Her Majesty's Government are taking in order to minimise hardship to Commonwealth countries, resulting from sanctions against Rhodesia.

I have been asked to reply.I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave earlier today to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Woolwich, West (Mr. Hamling).

asked the Prime Minister what changes he intends to make in the National Plan to ensure that a greater proportion of the gross national product is devoted to the elimination of poverty, hardship, and social squalor.

I have been asked to reply.The Government attach high priority to these important social objectives and the proportion of Gross National Product devoted to the social services and housing has been rising since 1964. Decisions on levels of expenditure in future years must await the results of the planning operation which I announced to the House on 10th November.

asked the Prime Minister how far the programme and work of the Central Scientific Advisory Committee have and will relate to Great Britain's need for greater industrial productivity and exports.

I have been asked to reply.I have nothing to add to the Answer given on 17th January by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, South (Mr. Carol Johnson).

asked the Prime Minister if he will take steps to invite to Great Britain the Prime Ministers of African countries within the Commonwealth to discuss problems of common interest and importance to the British Commonwealth.

I have been asked to reply.No. As the House knows the Commonwealth Ministers met in London in September, 1966 and we remain in continual touch with them on matters of common concern.

asked the Prime Minister if he will recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission on the future of sound broadcasting.

I have been asked to reply.No.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number of in-calf heifers imported into the British Isles from the Republic of Ireland in the months of September, October, November and December of 1966; and how such figures compared with corresponding figures for the last four months of 1965.

The Trade and Navigation Accounts figures do not show, separately, imports of heifers in first calf into the United Kingdom from the Republic of Ireland. Unofficial figures suggest, however, that in the four months September to December, 1966, they averaged only about 500 head a month and were substantially lower than in the corresponding period of 1965.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will consider taking steps to restrict the import into Great Britain of added numbers of in-calf heifers from the Irish Republic now that tariff in respect of them has been imposed by the European Economic Community countries.

No. These are additions by British producers to our breeding herd.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the large, well-equipped fishing fleets which the Russians bring to, in and near British fishing grounds, if he will send a British delegation to the international exhibition, Inrybprom 68, which will open in Leningrad in the summer of 1968, of up-to-date equipment for finding, catching and processing fish and other sea products.

It is necessary to await more information about the exhibition before the question of sending a delegation can be considered.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the lime maintenance level in Wales has been adequate to the need; and how it compares in tonnage per acre with England over the last 10 years.

The annual average application of lime on farms in Wales over the last ten years has been approximately 353,000 tons. Although the rates of application vary from year to year according to climatic and other conditions, I am satisfied that on average they are adequate for reasonable maintenance needs. Average rates of application per acre in Wales and in England in the last 10 years have been:

	Tons per acre
Year	Wales	England
1957	2·2	2·5
1958	2·2	2·5
1959	21	2·3
1960	2·2	2·6
1961	2·2	2·7
1962	2·2	2·7
1963	2·2	2·8
1964	2·3	2·7
1965	2·2	2·4
1966	2·2	2·5

The lower average rates of application in Wales reflect the lower proportion of arable crops to grassland.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether under his regulations agricultural contractors engaged mainly in agricultural draining work are eligible for refunds of Selective Employment Tax.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now state the results of his inquiries into the origin of salmon disease in the Irish Republic.

I am informed that extensive tests which the authorities have carried out at the Waterville fish farm and on fodder fish elsewhere have disclosed no grounds for believing that the farm is responsible for the disease. The cause of the disease has not yet been established, but a leading American authority has stated that he has not found among infected salmon in Ireland the particular organism which is responsible for columnaris disease in open waters and in a number of fish hatcheries in America; neither has that organism been isolated from stocks of rainbow trout or from fodder fish used in the Waterville fish farm.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when her constituent, Mr. Peter Garrett-Booker, may expect to receive the letter promised him by the Chief Surveyor of Defence Lands in October, 1966, Reference 119/Hants/943 (Land 3a).

I much regret the delay. I am writing to the hon. Lady.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many extra houses it is proposed to build for British Service men and their families brought home from the Far East, Aden and Germany; when they will be started; if he will draw up a firm and comprehensive plan; and, if, to reduce the demand for housing and for other reasons, he will demobilise some of these men.

The building programme has been expanded by 3,300 married quarters. A start will be made this year for completion in three years' time. In addition, we are buying 3,700 houses and providing mobile homes and caravans. No decision has been taken to withdraw troops from Germany. Demobilisation would not obviate the need to provide houses in some way for these families.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what he expects to be the shortfall in accommodation for Service men and their families in the United Kingdom during the next year and next two years, respectively, in view of the proposed reductions in overseas establishments.