asked the Minister of Overseas Development what extra aid, over and above the amount originally pledged, it will be possible to give India during the current financial year, in view of the large number of people now facing starvation in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd) on 19th January.—[Vol. 739. c. 115–16.]

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will allocate a higher percentage of Great Britain's total overseas aid budget to meet India's needs during 1967–68 than was possible during 1966–67.

Aid to India for 1967–68 is subject to the usual negotiations and consultations and I cannot at this stage forecast the precise amounts that will be pledged. I can, however, assure my hon. Friend that India has received, and will continue to receive, very sympathetic treatment within our aid programme.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a detailed breakdown of the aid being given to India during 1966–67.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow) on 26th January.—[Vol. 739. c.331–32.]

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what was the value of British aid to India during 1966; and what was its form.

In 1966 total disbursements of British Government economic aid to India were something over £44½ million. A breakdown of this figure was given in my reply; to the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow) on 26th January—[Vol. 739, c. 331–2.]

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what proportion of the external financial aid towards the erection of the new fertiliser plant at Barranquilla, Colombia, is being contributed by Her Majesty's Government; and what technical assistance in this project is being provided by Great Britain.

None.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what steps are now being taken to co-ordinate training facilities in family planning programmes for overseas territories; and whether, in view of present population problems. a decision has yet been taken to establish a Population Bureau in association with a suitable institution of post-graduate studies to provide training for those who hold key positions in the organisation of their Government's family planning programmes.

We have arranged. in collaboration with the Family Planning Association of Great Britain and the British Council, for overseas doctors and nurses who are training in this country under official auspices to be offered instruction in family planning. We are also in close touch with the training activities of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the Catholic Marriage Advisory Council.As regards the Population Bureau we are now actively considering the form which this should take.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will state the progress so far made in the field work and geological mapping of the interior of Guyana, which was begun a year ago with the help of his Department.

At the request of the Guyana Government, a four-year programme of photogeological interpretation and field mapping of Guyana, south of latitude 4 degrees North and embracing an area of some 20,000 square miles, is being executed under technical assistance arrangements by the Overseas Division of the Institute of Geological Sciences. Since February, 1966, preliminary photogeological maps covering some 7,000 square miles have been produced by the stereoscopic examination of aerial photographs; this is now being followed by four months of field checking.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether, in the light of the five-year development plan for Tanzania, he will restore capital aid in respect of essential projects pending the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with that country.

Grants and loans formally committed to Tanzania before the breach of relations continue to be drawn. As for the loan which was not formally committed at the time of the breach, I have nothing to add to the answer given by my predecessor to the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 7th February, 1966.—[Vol. 724, c. 30.]

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how many students who have left University College, Salisbury, Rhodesia, to come to Britain to complete their first degree studies have arrived here to date; what financial assistance was given, and is being given, to them from public funds; how many more such students are expected, and whether university places are being assured for them; and what steps are being taken to ensure adequate financial support for each student so placed.

18; 17 of these have been placed in universities or similar institutions. Passage costs to Britain have in most cases been met by the British Government and 16 have their fees, maintenance and other allowances wholly covered by British technical assistance awards. One is supported by his parents.We do nit expect any more.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether, in view of the increasingly racialist policies being pursued at the university in Salisbury, Rhodesia, and the policy of the illegal Smith régime of implementing apartheid, he will now cease all financial assistance to the university.

I have nothing to add at present to the Answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd) on 21st December. I shall continue to watch the position closely and, as I then said, we shall need to be satisfied that the College is continuing to function as a multi-racial institution under its charter before we make the three remaining quarterly payments for 1967.—[Vol. 738, c. 384–5.]

asked the Minister of Overseas Development which organisations within the British Volunteer Programme only send volunteers to the developing countries; which have wider programmes of community service; what is the nature of such wider programmes; and how many volunteers were involved in them in 1966.

Voluntary Service Overseas is the only organisation within the British Volunteer Programme which sends volunteers exclusively within that Programme. Three of the other organisations in the Programme, namely, Catholic Institute for International Relations, International Voluntary Service, and The United Nations Association, have programmes of community service outside the British Volunteer Programme.I have, of course, no responsibility for any activities outside the Programme, and for information about the further matters set out in the Question I must ask my hon. Friend to inquire of the organisations themselves.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what facilities exist in the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation to conduct studies to determine the importance of Government and public authority contracts, and to make recommendations for the use of public purchasing to promote industrial rationalisation and mergers.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he proposes that the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation should use the purchasing power of public departments and authorities to promote industrial rationalisation and mergers.

These are matters for the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation itself to decide, but I understand that the Corporation has full facilities to conduct or commission studies of the kind suggested.The Corporation will doubtless take into account in any proposals they make for the improvement of the structure of any industry the need to ensure that wherever possible public purchasing policy helps industrial rationalisation and efficiency.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will introduce legislation to provide a court of appeal where pay increases are turned down during the period of severe restraint.

No.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what is his estimate of the rate of industrial growth in Scotland in 1967.

It is not our usual practice to give short term estimates of this kind.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will give an assurance that the Prices and Incomes Act, Part IV, 1966 will not be renewed when it expires and that it will not be replaced by any comparable legislation for so long as the greater part of the economy remains in private ownership.

Part IV of the Prices and Incomes Act, 1966 lapses on 11th August, 1967 and there is no power in the Act to renew it.The question of powers is one which the Government are discussing in their consultations with the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress about working together for an effective prices and incomes policy after the period of severe restraint.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will list the orders which have been made under the powers contained in Part IV of the Prices and Incomes Act, 1966, the persons to which such orders refer, and the limitations placed on such persons by such orders, respectively.

I would refer the hon. Member to Statutory Instruments No. 1321, 1365, 1380, 1444, 1468 and 1630 of 1966 and No. 98 and 106 of 1967.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how he intends to ensure representation of the consumer interest in incomes policy after the period of severe restraint.

The Government's aim is to promote the interests of the community as a whole by further development of the policy for productivity, prices and incomes.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs when he plans to hold a further Conference on Productivity; what positive gains have flowed from the last such conference; and to what extent they justify another one.

With the agreement of the National Economic Development Council, the Prime Minister plans to hold a further National Productivity Conference in about four months' time. The Conference last September has already had useful results in relation to investment incentives and by stimulating intensive study and action on productivity comparisons, advisory services to industry and labour utilisation.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how many representations he has received from the general public concerning increases in prices or wages.

Some 5,400 since the standstill was announced on 20th July, 1966, although not all concerned specific increases.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs when he expects to issue a further White Paper outlining the Government's proposed legislation for prices and incomes after the conclusion of the period of severe restraint in mid-1967.

The Government have not taken a decision about further legislation on prices and incomes. They are at present consulting the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress about the development of an effective prices and incomes policy after the end of severe restraint.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will now announce the policies which will be pursued by Her Majesty's Government when the present wage standstill comes to an end.

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

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will give a probable publication date for the next version of the National Plan.

Not at this stage.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what action he is taking to encourage the implementation of the recommendations of the Northern Economic Planning Council on their study, Challenge of the Changing North.

:Many of the recommendations in the study were addressed to organizations within the region itself, and will be followed up by the Planning Council and Board. Those of the recommendations which were addressed to the Government are being carefully examined by the various Departments concerned.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will appoint an additional member representing consumers to the Little Neddies (Economic Development Committees) on chocolate and sugar confectionery and clothing.

Members of Economic Development Committees are appointed by the Director General of the National Economic Development Office on behalf of the National Economic Development Council, and he can take account of consumer interests in appointing the independent members.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what discussions he has held with the National Economic Development Council about the effectiveness of planning for growth; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend had a useful discussion with the Council yesterday on the planning operation which he announced to the House on 10th November, and he will be consulting it further. The Council had already strongly reaffirmed its belief in the continued value of planning.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give a general direction on the lines of the directives which have been given to French television programme producers, particulars of which have been sent to him, that they should refrain from broadcasting over Christmas scenes of violence likely to harm children when shown during general viewing periods.

No. Programme content is a matter for the broadcasting authorities. Each has its own code of practice governing, particularly when children may be viewing, the portrayal of violence; and each has adopted the general rule of excluding from the earlier part of the evening programmes which might be unsuitable for children.

asked the Postmaster-General why he is now enforcing the clause in the amateur sound licence "A" which imposes a speed of not more than 12 words per minute in sending the station call sign; and whether he will bring the rule into line with more accepted rates of transmission.

There is no new policy in respect of this rule; amateurs have been required to comply with it since 1st June, 1954. I think it is a sensible rule and I have no reason to suppose that it is not acceptable to amateurs generally.

asked the Postmaster-General why the telephone of Mr. Cantello, of Rowberrow. Somerset, is to be suspended from the beginning of February.

Mr. Cantello has refused to share his telephone line which was a condition he accepted when he was first given service, and we need to give service to a waiting applicant.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) if he will revoke certain recent increases of dial-phone-box charges, whereby the former charge of 3d. has been increased by 100 per cent. to 6d., in view of the fact that this increase is much in excess of any increase which might be reconciled with current prices and incomes policies;(2) if he is aware that the longer periods to be made available to subscribers for the fees increased from 3d. to 6d. in certain dial-phone-boxes will restrict the availability of such telephones for other persons seeking to use them; and what action he will take to remedy this.

This increase, which I must maintain, was part of the measures announced by my right hon. Friend on 20th July, 1966. The public call office service has been running at a loss of over £4 million a year for several years. The increase is offset by reductions in other charges for telephone and telegraph services. I have no reason to believe that the increase in time allowance will cause undue difficulty in the use of kiosks.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he is aware of the concern of 2,000 employees of the Bowen-Davies investment group in West Wales, following upon the announcement of the present financial difficulties of these companies; and what steps he will take to avoid unemployment among these employees.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what action he is taking to advise local authorities in Wales who have entered into contracts with the Bowen-Davies group of companies for the construction of council houses and old people's homes; and whether he will make a statement on the consequences to local authorities in Wales of the financial difficulties of this group of companies;(2) whether he is aware of the public concern that the present difficulties of the Bowen-Davies Investment group may lead to employment difficulties for some 2.000 employees in West Wales; and whether he will take steps to protect the interests of these employees.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the concern of the employees of Bowen-Davies group subsidiaries in Wales and of local authorities who have entered into contracts with these subsidiaries, and is keeping himself closely informed of developments. I would refer to my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade's reply to a Question about Davies Investments yesterday. The special manager he referred to has been in touch with a number of the local authorities involved, and the companies' work under existing contracts with them is at present continuing in all instances. [Vol. 740, c. 100–1.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether, in order to protect the financial interests of local authorities in Wales who have entered into contracts with the Bowen-Davies group of companies, he will take steps to see that the interests of these Welsh local authorities are safeguarded.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for improving transport facilities between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth and the Cambrian coast.

The provision of railway services is a matter of day-to-day management, which is the responsibility of the Railways Board. However, if the hon. Member has any points in mind other than those about which my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State wrote to him on 19th December, I shall be glad to consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultations he had with the local authorities concerned about the decision that they should be called upon to finance any salary increases for regional symphony orchestra members on a 50:50 basis with the Arts Council; what steps he is taking to ensure that a proper balance is kept between the needs of London and the regions; and if he will make a statement about the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards regional orchestras.

Five major regional orchestras are receiving subsidies from the Arts Council for 1966–67 of over £370,000 compared with £230,000 for the four London Orchestras. The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra alone is getting £83,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has now received advice from all the regional advisory councils for further education concerning any additions to be made to the list of polytechnics; and whether Bournemouth College of Technology and Commerce will be included in the list, in view of the high standards now being achieved by that college.

My right hon. Friend has now heard from all the Councils and he is considering their views together with the comments of other bodies. I cannot at this stage comment upon the claims of any particular college.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what were the circumstances which led him to decide that the offence alleged against Mr. Kwesi Armah was of a political character;(2) why he decided that Mr. Kwesi Armah might be prejudiced at his trial in Ghana by reason of his political opinions, bearing in mind the undertaking given by the Government of Ghana to allow him to leave there within 30 days if acquitted of the offence alleged against him.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on 26th January to a Question by the right hon. and learned Member for St. Marylebone (Mr. Hogg).—[Vol. 739, c. 1781–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of convictions for drug peddling in each of the last five years, and the penalty imposed in each case.

There is no specific offence of drug peddling, and it would be impracticable to extract from official records of convictions of unlawful possession or supply of drugs those cases which appear to involve peddling.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the cost of the Metropolitan Police building in Victoria Street exceeded the original estimate of £425,000 by more than £1,000,000; who made the original estimate; what salary or fees were paid to those connected with preparing this estimate; and whether he will make a statement.

The figure of £425,000 for adaptations was a preliminary estimate made by the Staff of the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District in February 1964, who took into account the general experience of the Ministry of Public Building and Works of the cost of fitting out open floor areas for occupation by Government Departments. Consequently no special payment of salary or fees was involved. The estimate was made at an early stage, before negotiations for a lease were put in hand, and detailed plans, work programmes and knowledge of the extent to which special adaptations for police purposes would be required were not, therefore, available at the time.Building had already started when it was decided to lease the premises, and the building had to be adapted as it developed, in order to avoid delay in the provision of this urgently needed accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many policemen have been killed on active duty in the last five years; and of these how many were murdered.

Eleven officers in England and Wales were killed on duty in 1965 and eleven in 1966. Of these, two were murdered in 1965, and four in 1966 (including three in the Shepherds Bush shooting). National figures for police officers killed on duty were not compiled before 1965.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response the Commissioner of Police has given to the request made by the union representing London cab drivers for permission to exhibit in their cabs a notice to the effect that the fare from central London to London Airport would be 55s.

I understand that it was rejected by the Deputy Commissioner on the grounds that the posting of such notices would inevitably be taken to imply official approval of a fare for a journey over which there is no statutory control, and would run counter to the right of cab drivers, under the law as it now stands, to negotiate fares in respect of journeys of over six miles.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the purpose of the police stopping vehicles in Shaftesbury Avenue, West London, on Tuesday, 24th January, 1967; whether it included the examination of these vehicles for the display of a current road fund licence; and how many of the vehicles stopped were unlicensed.

This was a crime check. None of the vehicles was reported for being used apparently unlicensed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the committee set up to examine the supply of police uniforms has yet consulted industry and appropriate trade and local authority associations; when he expects to issue a report on their recommendations; and if he will make a statement.

Both the committee on men's uniform and its sub-committee on women's uniform include representatives of the industry and the local authority associations. I understand that good progress is being made, but that it is too early to assess how soon their recommendations will be submitted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the latest figures of the number of children in care in this country compared with the number in care at the same date in the previous year.

On 31st March, 1966, there were 79,996 children in the care of local authorities and voluntary organisations in England and Wales compared with 79,221 a year earlier.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce courses for training school crossing keepers.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis considers that school crossing patrols employed in the Metropolitan Police District are best trained individually at the places at which they will be working. The training of school crossing patrols employed elsewhere in England and Wales is a matter for the county and county borough councils.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will ensure that, as the result of current police force amalgamations, no existing city or urban drug squads will be dispersed in predominantly rural forces.

The object of amalgamations is to establish police forces of a size most likely to achieve full efficiency over the whole of their areas. The organisation of a particular force is the responsibility of its chief officer but I have every confidence that proper arrangements will be made for drug squads where they are required in amalgamated forces.

asked the Minister of Health if he will set up a working party to inquire into the future of the industry manufacturing prosthetic dental fittings, with special reference to the danger of sub-standard work being clone because, under the present arrangement whereby dentists contract for the supply of these fittings independently of influence or control by his department, dentists drive too hard a bargain with the manufacturers; and if he will introduce legislation to make his Department, in the interests of both the taxpayer and patient, a party to the contract in future.

No.

asked the Minister of Health what information he has as to what proportion of dental surgeon's fees payable under the National Health Service is paid by them to the manufacturers of prosethetic dental fittings in cases where such fittings are required, and as to what extent the prices paid to the manufacturers have increased since the dentists' fees were increased.

The fees paid by a dentist for dental prostheses are a matter for him and his supplier. I understand that some of the many firms who make dental prostheses have increased the prices of some of their products since the last increase in dentists' fees.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many consultants have been appointed for an engineering study to assess the practicability and cost of the Solway Barrage project; and what part is played in such investigations by the university of Strathclyde.

My hon. Friend will be aware that reports on the desk studies of both the Solway Firth and Morecambe Bay barrage schemes were published on 26th January. The study on the Solway Firth project was carried out by a firm of consulting engineers, Babtie, Shaw & Morton of Glasgow. The Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Strathclyde provided specialist advice and assistance in the establishment and observation of temporary tide gauges.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the strength of the prison service in Scotland; and how far this falls below the present authorised establishment.

The number of full-time staff in the Scottish prison service on 1st January, 1967, was 1,432. On the second part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward M. Taylor) on 18th January.—[Vol. 739, c. 83.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to improve recruitment to the prison service in Scotland.

Since an intensive recruitment campaign was carried out last autumn the number of prison officers has increased by 90. In 1966 the minimum height for recruits was reduced by one inch to 5 ft. 7 in. and recruiting literature was distributed to employment exchanges. Newspaper advertisements will be inserted more frequently in coming months and a short television film is in preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hours overtime were worked by prison officers in Scotland during the latest convenient 12-month period.

About 320,000 hours in 1966.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now allow the pay increase to members of the national and local government officers in Scotland on 16th March, in view of the fact that the increase in England and Wales on 1st February has been accepted; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that no hardship will be caused to the staff of Scottish local authorities by the decision that, in spite of the fact that the National Joint Industrial Council agreed to a reconstitution of its salary structure on 13th September, 1966, and that a similar agreement entered into in England on 7th July, 1966, is to take effect as from 1st February, 1967, no increase is to be allowed in Scotland until after 1st July, 1967 and that the amount is still to be determined under a policy still to be decided upon for the period after that date; and if he will make a statement.

In relation to the salaries of administrative, professional and clerical staffs employed in local government in Scotland, unlike those employed in England and Wales, no agreement had been reached between employers and employees before the standstill period began on 20th July, 1966. It has been customary for Scottish local authority pay changes to take effect some time after those in England and Wales. Under the policy set out in the White Paper on the Period of Severe Restraint, there can be no increase in pay for the Scottish staff until 1st July, 1967 at the earliest.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he will take to reduce overcrowding in Scottish prisons.

Prison building in Scotland is at present running at about £850,000 a year and work in hand will add about 10 per cent. to available places by the end of next year. Negotiations are in progress for the acquisition of sites for three new establishments to provide about 900 places.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of principals providing unrestricted medical services in general practice in Scotland on 1st January, 1967.

The provisional figure is 2,570.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of any evidence he has concerning the destination of emigrants from the United Kingdom leaving Scotland in the year to 30th June, 1966, and of the trades and professions in which they had been engaged in Scotland prior to emigration.

Precise information is not available about the destinations of overseas emigrants from Scotland, but the principal receiving countries (in descending order of numbers of emigrants) are Canada, Australia, the United States of America, New Zealand, and South Africa. I regret that the information available about the trades and professions of the emigrants is both incomplete and unreliable.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of net emigration from Scotland in the last six months of 1966.

None. A provisional estimate will be made by the Registrar General about the end of May.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total yield from local authority rates in Scotland in the years 1964 and 1965.

£112·5 million in the local financial year 1964–65 and £121·6 million in 1965–66.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to amend the conditions under which premium bonds are issued, to allow them to be transferred to a person named in a will on the death of the holder;(2) if he is aware that many people assume that premium bonds are transferable to a person named in the will on the death of a holder; and what action he will take to give publicity to the conditions under which the bonds are issued.

The Prospectus clearly states that "Premium Bonds will not be transferable". Any amendment allowing Bonds to be bequeathed would increase administrative costs by some £40,000 per annum and I am informed that demand for transferability on death is negligible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has yet received the report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on the recent reference on agricultural wages in England and Wales; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. My right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State and I have received this report and copies are now available in the vote office.In the light of their consideration of all the factors involved, including hours of work and average earnings compared with those of other industries and the distribution of earnings, the National Board for Prices and Incomes states that it has no doubt that the decision of the Agricultural Wages Board to increase the minimum rate for the adult male agricultural worker by 6s. a week (and proportionately for other categories) from 6th February is in full accord with paragraph 28 of the White Paper on the Period of Severe Restraint.The Board's view is that in applying this paragraph of the White Paper it is necessary to draw a distinction between differentials which should be maintained and those which should not, whether permanently or as a temporary contribution towards combating inflation. For this reason it has also considered the question of consequential increases for those agricultural workers who are at present getting more than the minimum rate. Since the span of differential payments (other than overtime) is very narrow in agriculture compared with most other industries, the Board considers that most differentials in agriculture cannot be substantially narrowed.The Board refers, however, to the relatively small numbers of agricultural workers whose pay is well above the minimum. Although in the absence of an agreed wage structure the Board has felt unable to distinguish precisely between those differentials which cannot be narrowed without damage, and those which cannot justifiably be maintained as part of a pay increase intended to benefit the lowest-paid worker, it does give examples of the second type. Where differentials, or part of them, are paid because of competition for labour from sources of relatively high paid employment there is no case for an increase in pay at this time, just as there is no case for an increase in the pay of the competitive employments. Where farm-workers enjoy relatively high earnings through incentive payments, there is no case for an increase in pay during the period of severe restraint, particularly since they have the opportunity to increase their earnings by increasing output. There is also a group of workers, mainly in managerial positions and often on annual contracts, whose earnings are relatively high and for whom increases would not be justified on this occasion.The Board also recommends that an adequate wage structure for agriculture should be negotiated at an early date.My right hon. Friend and I accept these conclusions, and are confident that we can look to the co-operation of both sides of the industry in implementing the Board's recommendations in respect of consequential increase for those workers who are receiving more than the new minimum rates.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he is aware that hovercraft, air cushion vehicles, made in Great Britain, but carrying United States armour, their numbers being 004, 015 and 017, are being used in Vietnam; and whether this is in accordance with Her Majesty's Government's policy on the supply of arms to Vietnam;

I am aware that three hovercraft incorporating British-made hulls have been used by the U.S. Forces for operational trials in Vietnam. These hulls, which were not specifically designed for military use, were among 7 supplied to Bell Aero systems by Westland Aircraft Limited for evaluation purposes under a licensing agreement made in 1963. The modifications were carried out by the U.S. Services.I do not know how many more air cushion vehicles are likely to be bought by the U.S. Forces since this is a matter for the U.S. Government. The manufacturing licence granted to Bell Aerosystems applies to hovercraft used for both civil and military purposes. This was a normal commercial arrangement and Her Majesty's Government's approval was not required.The export of all types of hovercraft and components is now subject to licensing control. Any applications for an export licence will be considered in the light of Her Majesty's Government's policy on the export of defence equipment.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he has taken to correct the anomaly by which certain chief officers of local authorities and their deputies are receiving less salary than their subordinates.

The pay of staff within the Joint Negotiating Committees for Town Clerks and District Council Clerks and for Chief Officers of local authorities in England and Wales has been referred to the National Board for Prices and Incomes. The point to which the hon. and gallant Member refers will, no doubt, be considered by the National Board.

asked the Minister of Labour what estimate he has made of the number of people at present employed by private security organisations in the United Kingdom.

These organisations do not form a group for which separate employment estimates are made.

asked the Minister of Power, in view of the fact that the cost of putting down coal brought to Welsh power stations from the English Midlands has the result that its final cost exceeds that of Welsh coal by 8s. per ton, if he will give a general direction to the Central Electricity Generating Board that only Welsh coal should be burnt in Welsh power stations.

Coal movements to particular power stations are arranged by the Central Electricity Generating Board. My right hon. Friend does not intervene.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he intends to place before the House the report of the Monopolies Commission on the sale of milk foods for infants.

I hope, very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Monopolies Commission, in its investigation of alleged restrictive practices in the professions which are contrary to the public interest, will consider the professions in Scotland and in particular Scottish conveyancing practices.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the separate professional structure established in many fields in Scotland and the distinct Scottish conveyancing system, he will ensure that the Monopolies Commission inquiry into professional services will not be confined to England and Wales but will also deal with the situation as it presently exists in Scotland.

The investigation will embrace the whole United Kingdom, but practices expressly authorised by Statute or Royal Charter will be excluded.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans are being made for further short-term marketing courses for senior British executives, at home or overseas.

The National Marketing Council has today announced details of three courses in marketing which it has arranged for 190 executives of director status, to take place in the summer of this year:(1) The British-American Management Course in Marketing is providing 100 places on a five-week course to be held at the Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration under the direction of the International Marketing Institute.(2) International Marketing Programme Ltd. is providing 50 places on a four-week course at Pembroke College, Cambridge.(3) The European Institute of Business Administration is providing 40 places on a three-week course at Fontainebleau.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps she is taking to prevent people from camping on the grass verges of trunk roads and bringing on to such verges parts of motor cars and other debris; and if she will make a statement.

The problem of people without settled homes camping on the grass verges of trunk roads is a social one, and can only be solved by the provision of camping sites by local authorities. The Civic Amenities Bill now before Parliament should reduce considerably the depositing of derelict motor cars and other rubbish on trunk road verges.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps she is taking to publicise the fact that it is four to five times as safe for pedestrians to walk facing oncoming traffic on roads without pavements than with their backs to such traffic; and if she will make a statement.

The Highway Code advises pedestrians to walk facing oncoming traffic. Within the resources at our disposal we do our best to publicise the reasons for rules of this kind. I have noted the hon. and learned Member's suggestion for the future.