asked the Minister of Aviation what was the total value of British civilian and military aircraft, respectively, exported in each of the past six financial years; and what proposals he has for increasing these figures in the next three years.

The Answer to the first part of this Question is given below.I am glad to say that the total value of exports achieved by the aircraft industry last year was over £200 million, the highest ever and I hope this year will show an even better result.This best performance of all time is mainly to the credit of the industry and its salesmen but my Ministry has provided a great deal of assistance. This help will continue to be provided.The information requested is as follows:

	Totals
	Military	Civil
	£m.	£m.
1961	3·9	32·5
1962	4·0	16·2
1963	12·5	12·7
1964	8·7	11·2
1965	14·6	38·4
1966	19·8	78·3

These figures relates to calendar years (figures for financial years are not readily available), and do not include aircraft parts. The value of aeroengines installed in the exported aircraft is included.

asked the Minister of Aviation what tests on the low-level dropping of vehicles from aircraft are being conducted at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough; for how long these tests have been carried on; how many staff are engaged in them; and what cost is now involved.

Research into the feasibility of ultra low level air dropping of stores in general, including some vehicles, was started by the R.A.E. in 1960, since when about 130 drops have been made. Four scientific staff are employed on the tests part-time in the current financial year, when the comprehensive cost will be a little under £60,000.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he has any proposals for a study into the hypersonic transport plane; and if he will make a statement.

No. It would be premature to embark on such a study until more of the basic technology has been established.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will state the contracting procedure followed by the Anglo-French Committee of Officials awarding contracts for the supply of equipment and components for the Anglo-French Concord; and whether such contracts as have been awarded refer to the prototype aircraft only.

The procedure agreed between the French and British Governments with regard to the selection of suppliers for major equipment provides for the main manufacturers to make joint recommendations to the two Governments with whom the final decision rests. The contracts for the equipment and components chosen are placed by the main airframe contractors. Those placed so far cover the prototype aircraft only.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether any of the United States airlines which have placed options for the Concord specified that certain items of equipment should be of United States manufacture.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he intends to take to bring to the attention of industrialists unused factory floorspace and buildings in the Northern Region.

My office in Newcastle maintains records of factory floor space and buildings known to be available for sale or rental, and brings the information to the attention of suitable firms requiring such facilities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much was spent in each of the last five years on the import respectively of kidney machines and the machines known as one-armed bandits.

Neither kidney machines, nor machines known as one-armed bandits, are separately distinguished in the import statistics. The latter are included with coin or disc-operated amusement machines and parts thereof, the value of imports of which amounted to about £15 million over the past 5 years. In the same period applications received for remission of duty on imports of kidney machines and their parts, costing in total £82,000, are a rough indication of imports of these machines.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state his policy on the provision of finance and the improvement of credit facilities to assist the computer industry in export markets.

All the facilities of E.C.G.D., including Bank Guarantees, are available to computer manufacturers to assist them in selling and leasing computers overseas, and the Department is willing if necessary to consider ways of meeting any special needs of this industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made with plans to make more use of an easterly approach by aircraft landing at Heathrow; and if he will consider the possibility of widening the southern east-west runway 28L at Heathrow thereby enabling aircraft to vary their approach route over London.

Proposals for greater use of easterly approaches have been studied and are kept under review; but since this would also mean more take-offs to the east over densely populated areas such as Hounslow and Twickenham, we are not convinced that there would be any overall advantage. The possibility mentioned in the second part of the Question has recently been considered by the British Airports Authority, and it appears that, quite apart from the very heavy cost and possible need to destroy some 30 homes, the approach path would not be appreciably altered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will relieve British Eagle from paying import duty on their new Boeing 707 aircraft.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he has referred the charges for hairdressing to the Monopolies Commission rather than the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

I am not at present satisfied that there is a prima facie case for referring this service's prices to the National Board for Prices and Incomes. There appear, however, to be practices which may restrict competition and I think the Monopolies Commission could usefully investigate them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the outcome of his inquiries into two complaints forwarded to his Department by the hon. Member for Harrow, East, concerning increases in the price of women's hairdressing.

My Department are in touch with both of the firms referred to but so far neither has provided all the information which we need in order to assess the justification for price increases. I will inform my hon. Friend by letter of the outcome of our inquiries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will place the list of companies associated with Davis Investments in the House of Commons Library.

Yes. I should perhaps add that the special manager appointed by the court is protecting the assets of the Group and is co-ordinating the activities of the associated companies with a view to the continuation of their business.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking to protect the public from the depredations of the motor insurance companies which have recently failed in their business transactions.

I am seeking in the Companies Bill much stronger powers for the Board of Trade to supervise insurance companies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what requests he received for assistance for the exhibition of British motor cars at the Canadian National Exhibition; and what action he took.

I have not received any requests for assistance in exhibiting motor cars at the Canadian National Exhibition. We are helping the car industry with other exhibitions in Canada this year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to British European Airways to arrange their flight times to and from Northern Ireland so as to avoid congestion at peak travelling periods.

No, a direction would not be appropriate. The timing of flights is a matter for B.E.A.'s commercial management.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what effect the abolition of tariffs between the European Free Trade Association countries will have upon the price of dairy products imported from those countries; and if he will make a statement.

The recent elimination of protective tariffs between E.F.T.A. countries does not apply to dairy products.

asked the President of the Board of Trade for how many hours in each day the Bournemouth Airport at Hum is kept open for outgoing and incoming flights; why any restrictions at all are imposed on day flights; and if he will make a statement about his present policy for the airport while negotiations as to its future are still going on.

0900–1700 Mondays-Fridays. These reduced hours were introduced from 1st November, 1966 to save costs following transfer of traffic from Bournemouth. The airport will continue to be available for public use during the published hours.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress is being made in the negotiations to settle the future of Bournemouth Airport at Hum; and when the present discussions will be concluded.

Negotiations are continuing for the transfer of the airport to the Bournemouth, Dorset and Hampshire Councils, and the District Valuer is at present making a valuation of the airport. I cannot say when the negotiations will be concluded.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek to implement the recommendations of the jury after the inquest on the drowning tragedy at Keadby, Lincolnshire, on 4th December, 1966, about safe loading of barges which were sent to him by the coroner for the Kirton district of Lindsey.

I am having the recommendation of the coroner's jury considered and will inform the House when I am able to reach a decision.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give examples showing the effect which the latest change in investment allowances will have on the rate of return on £100 capi- tal invested in a specimen project or projects on a discounted cash flow basis and on a simple rate of return basis, respectively, on the assumption that the cash flow is £15 per annum.

The following tables show the effect on the rate of return, after tax and depreciation, of the temporary higher rates of investment grants, compared with the normal rates, in respect of £100 qualifying investment, where the gross profit arising from the investment, before tax and depreciation, is £15 per annum.

	Simple Rate of Return Basis per cent	Discounted Cash Value of Return Basis (discounted at 7 per cent p.a.) per cent
National
Normal 20 per cent grant	8·4	8·5
Temporary 25 per cent grant	9·0	9·5
Increase	0·6	1·0
Development Areas
Normal 40 per cent grant	10·8	12·5
Temporary 45 per cent grant	11·4	13·5
Increase	0·6	1·0

asked the President of the Board of Trade in how many cases in 1966 of which he has knowldege a company did not proceed with its expansion or development because the management were not prepared to move to a development area; and whether he will assess the consequential economic loss to the nation.

Decisions not to proceed with expansions may be taken for various reasons. I do not accept that the Government's distribution of industry policy involves any economic loss to the nation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has for controlling the import of beef cattle from Eire.

Imports in the form of stores are of course welcome. We are considering with the Government of the Irish Republic what improvements in the fat cattle trade may be possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that present food labelling regulations are adequate to prevent misleading labelling of fruit drinks; and if he will make a statement.

Compositional and labelling requirements for most fruit drinks are included in the Soft Drinks Regulations, 1964. The question of additional labelling requirements is being considered as part of the comprehensive review of food labelling to which I referred in my answer to my hon. Friend on 30th November, 1966.—[Vol. 737, c. 101.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the cost of implementing the price guarantees under the Irish Free Trade Agreement for the calendar year 1966 on beef carcase meat and mutton and lamb carcase meat, respectively.

The estimated cost for the period from 1st July 1966 (when the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement came into force) to 25th March, 1967 (the end of the fatstock year) is as follows:

Beef	£832,000
Lamb	£202,000
	£1,034,000

The amounts of carcase beef and carcase lamb to which payments will apply have been imported from the Irish Republic, but the actual cost cannot be determined until the average guarantee payments for the fatstock year 1966/67 have been ascertained.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he has given to the problem which will face many tenant farmers in the area to comprise the new town of Milton Keynes; and what steps he proposes to take to help these and other tenant farmers who may be dispossessed for development purposes.

I take it the right hon. Member is chiefly concerned with the compensation to which such farmers are entitled. I hope to make an announcement on this soon.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what new proposals he has regarding possible variations of the Agricultural Price Review system.

I shall be considering at the coming Price Review, as in previous years, any changes in the guarantee and other arrangements that may be desirable within the framework of the present Review system.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent it is his policy to allow agriculture the chance to help still further Great Britain's balance of payments difficulties; if he will give every encouragement to British agriculture in the next Price Review; and if he will take into account the desirability of encouraging ley farming and other crops which allow a break from cereals.

Under the selective expansion programme we expect home agriculture to save imports by meeting a major part of the increase in demand for food by 1970. At the next Review we shall be considering the progress made and assessing the resources required, in consultation with the Farmers' Unions. I cannot anticipate the Review decisions, but we shall take account of all relevant factors.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many Highland cattle were first shot with rifles and then had to be finished off with humane killers on Lord Ravensworth's farm, Little Ryle, in the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the Rothbury area last summer; and when he was informed that animals wounded by rifle bullets had to be finished off with humane killers.

The Highland cattle shot at Eslington Park were shot dead with an automatic pistol and no humane killer was used on them. A humane killer was however used to make sure that life was extinct in the Galloway cattle referred to in my reply to the hon. Member of the 18th January after they had been shot. This was reported to me before the reply was given.—[Vol. 739, c. 79–80.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the fact that veterinary officers in the field report on every case of suspected foot-and-mouth disease to the headquarters at Tolworth after an agreed diagnosis, why there was no correspondence between the regional veterinary officer in Northumberland and the chief veterinary officer at Tolworth.

Because the written report was made by the Divisional Veterinary Officer, in accordance with normal practice after a case of suspected foot-and-mouth disease.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give for England and Wales and for the United Kingdom the percentage of agricultural holdings with no workers, with no regular whole-time workers, with no whole-time male workers, but one or more other regular workers, and with one regular whole-time male worker, two or four whole-time males and five or more regular whole-time male workers, respectively; and what proportion each of these groups represents of all regular whole-time male workers, and of all workers in the industry.

WORKERS EMPLOYED ON AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS—ENGLAND AND WALES. JUNE, 1965(*)
		Agricultural Holdings†	Regular Whole-time Male Workers (aged 20–64 years)	All Workers(‡) (male and female, regular whole-time and part-time and seasonal or casual)
		per cent.	per cent.	per cent.
Agricultural holdings with:—
No workers	…	56·6	—	—
No regular whole-time workers (but one or more other workers)	…	7·6	—	8·5
No regular whole-time males (20–64 years) but one or more other regular whole-time workers		6·0	—	7·6
1 regular whole-time male worker (20–64 years)		15·1	20·7	19·3
2 regular whole-time male workers (20–64 years)		6·9	18·9	31·4
3 regular whole-time male workers (20–64 years)		3·0	12·4
4 regular whole-time male workers (20–64 years)		1·6	8·7
5 and over regular whole-time male workers (20–64 years)	…	3·2	39·3	33·2
Totals (per cent.)	…	100·0	100·0	100·0
Totals (number of holdings or workers)	…	323,780	235,887	450,515
* Excluding the occupier, his wife, domestic servants and children still at school.
† Exceeding one acre in extent.
‡ Including 44,753 regular whole-time male workers under 20 years old and 9,001 aged 65 years and over.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is currently being spent by his Department on research into the disposal of farm wastes; how many projects are being carried out; and where these are taking place.

Research on poultry wastes is being carried out at the University College of North Wales, Bangor, with the aid of a grant from our Department of up to £1,000 in the current year. Various aspects of the problem of disposal of farm wastes are being studied jointly by our Department's technical services as part of their advisory work but it is not practicable to state the cost. A senior N.A.A.S. officer has been assigned to specialise in the problem of poultry manure disposal. The questions being studied include the evaluation of farm wastes, and methods of handling of effluent from intensive livestock units and the problems associated with its distribution on the land. There have also been discussions with the

The following is the latest information for England and Wales comparable figures are not available for the United Kingdom. Figures for 1966 will be ready shortly and I will send them to my hon. Friend.agricultural chemicals industry on the safe disposal of unused pesticide and veterinary products.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with regard to the 24 complaints made to his Department about overcharging in restaurants in Scotland since the measures of 20th July were introduced, what measure of co-operation his Department obtained from the proprietors; and how many reduced their prices as a consequence of his intervention.

I have found restaurant proprietors fully prepared to co-operate in providing information about their extra costs, including the cost of the Selective Employment Tax.Although in some cases my inquiries are not yet complete, I have not so far found any of the price increases to be contrary to the Government's prices and incomes policy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the total weight and cost of bacon and pig meat imports for 1965 and 1966.

The total weight and cost of bacon and pig meat imports were 540,877 tons costing £155,244,000 c.i.f. in 1965 and 526,947 tons costing £170,493,000 c.i.f. in 1966.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the gallonage of raw milk sold in England and Wales between April, 1965 and March, 1966; and by how many producer retailers is such raw milk sold.

Precise information is not available but from data provided by the Milk Marketing Board it is estimated that some 57 million gallons of milk were sold raw by retail during the year ended 31st M arch, 1966. This represents less than 4 per cent. of total liquid consumption (1,469 million gallons) during the period. There were 9,345 producer retailers at March, 1966.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how he proposes to secure contractual arrangements for farmers in the future, in view of the loss suffered by curers of bacon products in the current year.

Contracts are a commercial matter between the parties concerned. I have already announced arrangements for helping bacon curers in their current difficulties and will be considering what action may be needed in the longer term.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the effect of the Government's economic policies in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

I have every confidence that the Government's regional policies are having a substantial measure of success in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will institute a research programme with reference to the movement of sprats round Scotland in order to provide information regarding size and quality of shoals for those engaged in the industry.

The research done on this species by the scientists of my Department will be expanded. In addition to sampling catches, they will undertake tagging experiments this year in order to throw light on the relationships between exploited stocks in different fishing areas and thereby to improve their assessment of stocks on which forecasts of the location and abundance of shoals are based.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the costs of administering the police in Orkney and Shetland are expected to increase or decrease under the new proposals for amalgamation.

The costs of the amalgamated force will depend on decisions taken by its joint police committee. I cannot therefore predict whether they will increase or decrease but I am confident that amalgamation will improve the efficiency of policing in the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the fact that for anyone to attend a meeting or do any business from Orkney and Shetland in Inverness, Edinburgh or London requires three days absence from home, what administrative advantages are expected from the amalgamation of the police.

The administrative headquarters of the amalgamated Orkney, Shetland and Caithness force would be located within the police areas concerned. There would be no more need than at present to do business in Inverness, Edinburgh or London.The advantages to be expected from the amalgamation of police forces are indicated in the final report of the Royal Commission on the Police (Cmnd. 1728).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will publish the most recent summary he has of the water position in Scotland giving details of the supplies available for distribution region by region throughout the country.

Information about the water resources and average daily consumption of local water authorities in Scotland is contained in the reports of the Scottish Water Advisory Committee published in 1963 and 1966.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is currently being spent from public funds in Scotland on research into the disposal of farm wastes; how many projects are being carried out; and where these are taking place.

Various investigations into the disposal of farm wastes are carried out in Scotland by the agricultural colleges at college farms and elsewhere, but it is not practicable to isolate their cost from the other work of the colleges. A special investigation is being carried out at Tealing, Angus, in conjunction with a commercial farm at no additional cost to public funds. An experimental project will be undertaken at Auchincruive next year; in its first year the equipment used is estimated to cost £2.700.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the consultations between the Ministry of Aviation, his Department and the manufacturers in the formulation of new requirements and during feasibility and project studies have been placed on a more formal footing than hitherto, as recommended in the Plowden Report.

H.M.G. fully recognise the need to keep in close touch with industry during the formative stages of a project. The appointment of the Head of Defence Sales has strengthened the links with industry and helps to ensure that their views, particularly on marketing prospects, are taken into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his current estimate of the total capital cost, including initial purchase, spares holding and retrospective modifications, of the F111 order for the Royal Air Force during its first five years from the date of initial delivery.

Total capital expenditure within the period stated is expected to be of the order of £135 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of machine tools are imported from abroad by Departments under his control.

Of the total value of orders placed since 1st April, 1965, for defence requirements of machine tools, approximately 18 per cent. was for imported machines.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will state the future prospects for civilian and Service employment at the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers depots of the Kinnegar, Holywood, County Down, and of Long Kesh, County Down, respectively.

When the reorganisation of the Army Reserves has been completed, the repair load in Northern Ireland will decline and this is likely to lead to some redundancy at the R.E.M.E. establishment at Kinnegar. It is too early to state the position regarding Long Kesh.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the annual foreign currency saving which will be achieved by the proposed service reductions in Malta when complete.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs on 24th January.—[Vol. 739, c. 1274–84.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what total sums have been spent, in each of the last five financial years upon building, equipping and repairing British defence installations in Malta, including expenditure on barracks and married quarters.

On Defence and Public Building and Works Votes, about £2¾ million in the first year, £2¼ million in the second year and £2 million in the remaining three years. The proportion of the total sums relating to maintenance has increased during this period.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether he is aware of the advanced state of the negotiations conducted by his Department for the resale to the previous owner of the greater part of the area at Ditton Priors, Shropshire, formerly in use as an Admiralty depot, in accordance with the agreement included in the original sale; and whether he will undertake to complete the resale without delay;(2) what arrangements he is making to provide an alternative site for ammunition storage for the United States forces at present occupying the former Admiralty depot site at Ditton Priors, Shropshire.

Her Majesty's Government have power under the Visiting Forces Act to provide facilities for the United States Forces in this country as if they were our own. The land at Ditton Priors had to be brought back into military use to meet part of an urgent requirement by the United States Forces for ammunition storage. This requirement, which will remain for the foreseeable future, did not arise until late December; and it was finally confirmed on 6th January, after other possible sites had been considered. I much regret that the negotiations with the former owners were cut short, and should like to associate myself with the apology which my hon. Friend has already conveyed to the hon. Member, that they should not have received advance warning.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in deciding to sell High Ercall airfield in Shropshire by pub- lic auction, he took account of the recommendation in the consultants' report on the extension of Dawley New Town that the runway system and control buildings should be kept under public control.

Yes. This recommendation was fully discussed with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government.The auction sale particulars will include a statement drawing the attention of intending purchasers to the proximity of the airfield to Dawley New Town and the proposed expansion area.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has complied with the undertaking given by the then Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Air Force, in a Written Answer on 3rd June, 1965, that four former owners of land forming part of High Ercall airfield, Shropshire, would be given an opportunity of repurchasing their holdings; and how many of the four have repurchased.

Not yet. Negotiations with the former owners will begin as soon as is practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Army's present strength.

The strength on 1st December, 1966 was 179,227. This includes 159,541 soldiers which is an adjusted figure 963 below that announced on 18th January. This adjustment reflects a change in the book-keeping arrangements whereby junior soldiers over the age of 18 who are still at junior soldier training establishments, mainly Army Apprentice Colleges, have been transferred from the adult male other rank strength to the junior soldier strength. As these junior solidiers are not yet available for service in units, a more accurate picture of the effective strength of the Army is given by thus excluding them.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress is being made with the erection of the new Worboys signs; and how long it will be before the programme is completed.

The new signs are being provided as quickly as possible within the limits of the funds available. The Regulations prescribe that all regulatory signs must be changed by the end of this year. It is not yet possible to say when the whole programme will be completed.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will now state the length in miles of the contracts that have now been accepted for the Yorkshire-Lancashire motorway, M62, and the estimated date when the final contract or contracts will have been allocated.

Contracts have been accepted over approximately eight miles of the motorway, consisting of the major earthworks across the Pennines and advance bridges and earthworks in Lancashire. The final contract for the motorway will be on the section between Lofthouse and the A1 at Ferrybridge, to give completion by the early 1970's.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will authorise the use of flashing lights at appropriate school crossings.

Experiments are under way with illuminated crossing patrol warning signs and portable patrolmen's signs both of which flash when the patrol is operating. Pending the outcome of the experiments my right hon. Friend is prepared to authorise flashing signs of this kind only for trial purposes.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will authorise the erection of large warning signs at appropriate school crossings.

The Traffic Signs Regulations already prescribe 3 sizes of school crossing patrol warning signs (the largest having an overall depth of more than 6 feet) which highway authorities are free to use near any places on unrestricted roads where patrols operate. The Traffic Signs Manual recommends the best size for each category of road. These signs are not normally needed where there is a speed limit of 30 m.p.h. or less.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will give an estimate of the notional grant for road maintenance to be included in the rate support grant to local authorities for 1967–68.

The rate support grant is not earmarked for particular services but of the relevant expenditure on highways which was taken into account in assessing the grant some £130 million is for road maintenance.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will state for the latest year available the mileage of each class of road completed, as distinct from mileage reclassified.

There is no requirement within the Ministry to keep records of mileages of each class of road completed year by year and the information required could not be collated without considerable expense and detriment to other work.

asked the Minister of Transport if she has considered the representations from the hon. Member for Louth concerning the inadequate facilities for ships to berth at Immingham which has led to the loss of 40,000 tons of business by Immingham docks to Manchester; and, in view of the fact that in the last 10 days 827 hours were lost because of delays in turn-round of six ships, if she will now authorise the necessary improvements.

This is primarily a management matter for the British Transport Docks Board. I understand from the Board there has been some congestion at the Western Jetty berths which handle bulk liquids, due to present traffic being almost double that forecast by the Board's customers.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will introduce legislation for enforcing bumper guards of all makes of vehicles to be of a standard height.

No. Because of the many different sizes of vehicles produced in this country it would be impracticable to make regulations laying down a standard height for bumpers.

asked the Minister of Transport what reply she has made to the representations from the President of the Newton Stewart Chamber of Trade asking her to make an official visit to Galloway.

I am sorry that heavy pressure on my time will not permit me to accept the invitation which was contained in a letter largely devoted to matters of railway management affecting the British Railways Board.

asked the Minister of Transport how many current licences for lorries were renewed by the licensing authorities over each of the last five years; how many of these vehicles had been subject to an immediate prohibition; and how many vehicles which had been subject to an immediate prohibition order have not had their current licence renewed.

The number of carriers licences renewed in each of the last five years is as follows:

Year ended 30th September
1962	73,847
1963	71,089
1964	73,323
1965	69,671
1966	63,918

asked the Minister of Transport what is the number of people living in the county of Cardigan whose place of abode is not served by any form of public transport within the definition of the Jack Report.

This information is not readily available and the cost of obtaining it would be excessive.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, when considering increasing the £2 charge imposed by the police for towing away a vehicle, she will seek to amend the law so that the police shall have powers to tow away unlicensed vehicles so that these vehicles shall not be released until a current road fund licence has been produced, and for a fixed fine of £5 to be imposed in addition to the increased towing-away fee.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport what decision she has made on the representations made to her by the motor industry for a change in the car registration year.

Representatives of the motor industry have told me that it would help them if the year letter incorporated in vehicle registration marks were changed on 1st August each year instead of 1st January. I have accepted this proposal and am asking licensing authorities to make the necessary change on 1st August, 1967.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will refer the pricing of motor vehicle accessories to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

No. But my Department will keep this possibility under review.

asked the Minister of Technology what steps are being taken to prevent the control of the British motor industry from passing into foreign hands.

The best way to prevent this is to ensure that British-owned motor firms are strong enough to compete effectively with those under foreign control, in both home and overseas markets. As I announced on 17th January, the I.R.C. has agreed to discuss with the firms concerned the possibility of close co-ordination and co-operation between them in their efforts overseas. I am also considering ways of helping them with technological development.—[Vol. 739, c. 34–47.]

asked the Minister of Technology if he will give the reasons why he has permitted the British Motor Corporation to increase the prices of certain of their vehicles in view of the Government's refusal to allow car workers and others wage increases; whether these increases are in accordance with the Government's policy of severe restraint; and whether he will make a statement.

I am satisfied from discussions between my Department and the British Motor Corporation that these increases are justified on grounds of increased costs which the company is not able to absorb fully and that without some increase in prices the company's receipts would not be adequate to maintain efficiency and to undertake necessary investment. The increases therefore satisfy the criteria of the White Paper on the Period of Severe Restraint (Cmnd. 3150).

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources what actions have been taken to follow up the 1959 Report on the Forest of Dean.

A number of the recommendations in the Report, which did not need llegislation, have been implemented administratively; since the list is rather long, I will send my hon. Friend details in writing.

asked the Minister of Land and Natural Resources how many acres of agricultural land he estimates will be taken for use as reservoirs in the next 10 years.

No firm estimate is possible. But an examination of major schemes approved or in prospect suggests that the total amount of land required in England and Wales may be of the order of 20,000 to 25,000 acres. Most of the land in question is in some form of agricultural use, including upland sheep farming.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in appointing members of the Decimal Currency Board.

The following have accepted my invitation:

Sir William Fiske, C.B.E. (Chairman).

Lord Errol of Hale, P.C. (Deputy Chairman).

The Earl of Halsbury, Chairman, Committee of Inquiry on Decimal Currency, 1961–63.

Mr. J. G. Bothwell, O.B.E., General Secretary, Transport Salaried Staffs Association.

Mr. P. H. Dixon, Executive Director, British Tissues Ltd.

Mrs. E. M. Dodds, Member of the Board of Co-operative Wholesale Society.

Mr. B. W. Goodman, Vice-Chairman and Assistant Managing Director of Marks and Spencer Ltd.

Mr. E. J. N. Warburton, C.B.E., Vice-Chairman, Lloyds Bank Ltd.

Mr. J. H. Wiggins, Editor, South Wales Echo.

As I said in my reply to my hon. Friend on 12th December, the Board's functions will be to examine in detail the problems of the changeover including consultation as appropriate with interested parties, to promote the speedy and efficient transition to the use of a decimal currency, to organise a programme of guidance to the public, and to examine any claims for compensation (within the Government's broad policy on the subject) and to make recommendations thereon.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from trade organisations regarding the proposed introduction of decimal currency; if he will publish a list of these bodies indicating their views on the subject and if he will make a further

Organisation		Summary of views
Amusement Caterers' Association	…	Favour 10s. system.
Association of British Chambers of Commerce		Favour of 10s. system.
The Automatic Vending Machine Association	…	Favour 10s. system and compensation for replacement or conversion of machine equipment.
Bridlington and District Chamber of Trade	…	Favour 10s. system.
Business Equipment Trade Association	…	Requested representation of the Association on the Decimal Currency Board.
Confederation of British Industry	…	No firm counter-proposals to £ new penny-½ system which does not achieve true decimalisation. Refer to noticeable shift in opinion in favour of 10s. system and stress that a strong body of opinion is in favour of retaining a half-penny equivalent.
Retail Decimal Committee, (consisting of representatives from:		Favour 10s. system and compensation for replacement or conversion of business machines.
Co-operative Union Parliamentary Committee
Drapers' Chamber of Trade
Multiple Shop Federation
National Chamber of Trade
Retail Distributors' Association
Economic Development Committee for the Distributive Trades		Favour 10s. new penny ½ system.
The Municipal Passenger Transport Association		Disturbed that the £ instead of the 10s. system adopted.
National Association of Goldsmiths of Great Britain and Ireland		Favour 10s. system.
National Association of Master Bakers, Confectioners and Caterers		Favour 10s. system.
National Association of Retail Furnishers	…	Favour 10s. system.
National Grocers' Federation	…	Favour 10s. system and compensation for replacement or conversion of business machines.
The Public Transport Association	…	Regret decision to adopt £ instead of 10s. system but welcome a definite decision.
The Reading Chamber of Commerce and Trade		Favour 10s. system.
The Stationers' Association of Great Britain and Ireland		Favour 10s. system.
The Supermarket Association	…	Favour 10s. system.
Typewriter and Allied trades Federation	…	Requested consultation with the Federation regarding provisions in any future Decimal Currency Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the pension payable to the widow of a clerical officer, an executive officer and a principal, respectively, who retired from the established Civil Service on 31st December, 1966 after the maximum service and full contributions.

To the nearest pound, the pensions related to retirement on 31st December 1966, after 40 years' service would be £169, £244 and £511 respectively.

Pursuant to my reply of Friday, 27th January [Vol 739, c. 378] the list of views I have received since 1st March, 1966, from trade organisations regarding the proposed introduction of a decimal currency is as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates was the average rate of return from British private investment in developing countries in 1965–66; and what return he anticipates in 1966–67 and 1967–68, respectively.

The available figures relate to United Kingdom private direct investment (other than oil) in developing countries. They are:

(i) Book value of net assets at end-1963: £1,339 million.

(ii) Earnings (including re-invested earnings) on United Kingdom investment in 1964: £137 million.

(ii) is about 10 per cent. of (i).

I regret that information for later years is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the saving to the British balance of payments as a result of the proposed cuts in United Kingdom defence arrangements in Malta.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs on 24th January.—[Vol. 739, c. 1274–84.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he now expects the revenue from the tax on whisky in the present financial year to be as much as that received in 1965–66.

Yes.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what progress has so far been made on the Severnside study.

Preliminary work on the arrangements for the study is in hand in the Departments concerned. My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make a fuller announcement about the arrangements shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will propose to the Maltese Government that the facilities which will become redundant after the reduction of British forces on the island, be offered to the United Nations and be paid for by the United Kingdom as part of our contribution to United Nations funds.

No. Under the Defence Agreement signed at independence, all land, including buildings thereon, which before independence was vested in or belonged to the armed services of the United Kingdom, was at independence vested in the Government of Malta and automatically reverts to the Government of Malta when no longer required for the purposes of the Defence Agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs how many United Kingdom residents have offered their services for the British stand at Expo 67 at Montreal; and how many have been accepted on the condition of paying their own fare to Montreal.

More than five hundred written applications have been received from United Kingdom residents. Twenty-five of these have been accepted on the understanding that candidates will pay their own fares to Montreal. All available posts have now been filled.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement concerning his forthcoming tour of Commonwealth countries; which countries are to be visited; for what purposes; who will accompany him; how long the visits are expected to take; and what are the expected costs, including all expenses for travel, entertainment, hotels, etc.

My right hon. Friend the Commonwealth Secretary proposes to visit Fiji for two days, New Zealand for five days, Australia for nine days, Malaysia for three days, Singapore for two days and Hong Kong for two days. The purpose of his visit is to meet Prime Ministers, Governors and leading personalities, to discuss with them questions of mutual, Commonwealth and international concern, and to make himself familiar with the problems facing these fellow Commonwealth countries. He will be accompanied by three officials and a secretary, and the expected cost of the visits will be approximately £3,700.

asked the Minister of Education and Science whether, in view of the correspondence between his Department and the hon. Member for Antrim, South, he will now state the cost of providing milk to pupils at secondary schools in England and Wales during the financial year 1965–66.

£4·2 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is currently being spent by the Agricultural Research Council on research into the disposal of farm wastes; how many projects are being carried out; and where these are taking place.

None. This is not a field which at present raises problems requiring research by the Agricultural Research Council.

asked the Minister of Health by what authority health executive councils advertise in local newspapers where changes in the allocation of patients take place between general practitioners as a method of supplementing the procedure laid down in the National Health Service Regulations.

There is no specific authority for advertisement, which should not normally be necessary.

asked the Minister of Health how many individuals in total each year were in the families admitted to temporary accommodation in the London County Council area, later the Inner London Borough areas, in the calendar years 1964, 1965, and 1966, respectively.

I regret this information is not available, but between 1st April and 30th September, 1966, the number of families admitted was 768 comprising 3,435 persons.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent there are drugs the sale of which, not being controlled by statute, is limited to medical practitioners, to the exclusion of pharmacists.

So far as I can tell, this could only happen if a manufacturer himself restricted sale to medical practitioners only. I shall be glad to look into any specific case the hon. Member has in mind if he will write to me

asked the Minister of Health if, to ensure a greater precision of information in the future for legislative and administrative purposes, he will in the next census ascertain how many people in Wales have a genuine working knowledge of the Welsh language.

Possible topics for the next census, including my hon. Friend's suggestion, will be considered in detail during the next year and submitted in due course to Parliament.

asked the Minister of Health (1) what is the difference between the original forecast of expenditure by local authorities on health and welfare services for 1967–68 and 1968–69, and the amount accepted as relevant expenditure for rates support grant;(2) what estimate he has made of the slowing down of the expansion of the local authority health and welfare services which will result from local authority estimates for 1967–68 and 1968–69 being reduced for grant purposes.

The differences were approximately £11 million and £12·4 million for the two years respectively. They represent the extent to which, in the Government's view, local authorities were over-estimating the speed at which the services could be developed. Actual expenditure will depend on decisions of local authorities, but if the pattern corresponds with the figures given in Appendix A of House of Commons Paper No. 252, expenditure on local health services will rise, at constant prices, to about 12½ per cent. and 19½ per cent. above the 1965–66 level in 1967–68 and 1968–69 respectively and on local welfare services to about 18 per cent. and 28½ per cent. above that level.

asked the Minister of Health if he will now make a statement, giving the major reasons, on the continued postponement of the commencement of the building of the new Mexborough Montagu Hospital.

The original Hospital Plan (Cmnd. 1604, January, 1962) included major developments for this part of the Sheffield region in the following order: Doncaster, Barnsley, Rotherham, Mexborough. In successive revisions of the Plan this order of priority has been maintained, but because the cost of schemes included in the original Plan will be considerably greater than was then estimated it will not be possible, even with the greater resources now being provided for hospital building, to make a start on the new district general hospital for Mexborough as early as was originally hoped.

asked the Minister of Health what are the limitations of the operating theatres at the Mexborough Montagu Hospital; how far these theatres fall below the modern standards established in new hospitals; and on how many days either of the two theatres have been out of commission during the past two years.

There are no limitations on the use of these operating theatres. They fall below the most modern standards in a number of respects, but have been considerably improved in recent years, notably by the provision of air conditioning. During the last two years they have been out of commission for a total of 26 days each, mainly for general repairs and redecoration.

asked the Minister of Health how many deaths occurred in United Kingdom hospitals as a result of cross infections contracted after admission during the last 12 months for which figures are available; and how many of these were in burns cases.

I regret this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health how many deaths occurred in United Kingdom hospitals as a result of burns during the last 12 months for which figures are available.

469 in England and Wales in 1965 in National Health Service Hospitals.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the shortage of kidney machines and other equipment in the National Health Service in England, Wales and Scotland, he will take steps to encourage the manufacture of this type of equipment in publicly-owned industries and factories in development areas.

The treatment in hospital of chronic renal failure by intermittent dialysis is not at present held up by a shortage of kidney machines or ancillary equipment.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what research his Department is carrying out into the disposal of farm wastes.

None. In view of the studies to which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food refers in his Answer to a similar Question today, my right hon. Friend sees no present need for separate research by the Department.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what criteria are used in assessing the need and requirements in deciding applications for petrol filling stations; and whether he will issue a circular, replacing that of 1958, to establish new criteria which will ensure that planning permission is not granted for petrol filling stations which are not required.

Applications for permission to erect petrol filling stations must be decided on planning considerations. These include the provisions of the development plan for the area; the effect of the proposal on the safety of people using nearby roads; the size and layout of the site; the design and external appearance of any buildings; and the effect of the development on the amenity of the area. A decision based entirely on the question of need for the station would go beyond the proper scope of planning and on this point my right hon. Friend does not propose to alter the advice which was given in Circular No. 25/58.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the ships from which offshore radio stations are operating, and the flag each is flying; and whether he is satisfied that each is registered with the country whose flag it is currently flying.

At the time of my last information the names of the ships were:

"Caroline", Radio Caroline.

"Mi Amigo", Radio Caroline.

"Galaxy", Radio London.

"Olga Patricia", Britain Radio and Radio England.

"Ocean Seven", Radio 270.

I have no reliable information about the flags under which the ships are at present operating.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will arrange for the Post Office Savings Bank ordinary and special departments to increase the portion of their funds invested with local authorities and the Government in Northern Ireland, in view of the present low level.

Northern Ireland securities and local authority loans receive consideration with other authorised investments whenever deposits are being invested. On each occasion the choice must depend on the availability of securities and their terms in relation to the investment needs of the funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many private dwellings in Wales whichare held on lease would not be affected by proposed legislation on leasehold reform.

The number of owner-occupied dwellings held on long lease which would not be affected by the proposed legislation is thought likely to be very small, almost certainly fewer than a thousand.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the respective grades of the 24 officers at the Welsh Office who devote part of their time in each case to the oversight functions of the Welsh Office over Government Departments in Wales which are not directly within its control.

Six administrative grade officers ranging from Principal to Under-Secretary; twelve executive grade officers ranging from Executive Officer to Chief Executive Officer; six clerical and sub-clerical grade officers.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will cause to be set up a research panel to examine the likely and possible effects to the general economy of mid-Wales of Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

No, the Government have the implications of possible membership of the E.E.C. for the United Kingdom, including Mid-Wales, under continuous study.