asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the tact that discussions on the Kennedy Round have been proceeding for over two years in Geneva, why no conclusions have been reached; and when the conference will be terminated.

The negotiations have been extremely complex, but I hope that they are now entering their final phase.The negotiating powers of the President of the United States expire on 30th June, 1967.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received concerning the doorstep selling of central heating systems; and if he will introduce legislation, on the lines recommended by the Consumer Council, to control doorstep sales.

I have seen the Press notice published by the Consumer Council on 9th January. The Answer to the second part of the Question is "No".

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to curb the activities of heating firms and others who use door-to-door selling methods to mislead the public.

In my view, the best way to deal with this problem is by general consumer protection legislation and by publicity about undesirable methods of doorstep selling.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will set up an independent inquiry into the methods used by insurance companies in assessing risks and calculating premiums, with a view to the introduce- tion of legislation to ensure that they conform with public policy.

No. I am prepared, however, to look into cases in which it is alleged that the methods used do not conform with public policy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give details of the representations he has received in recent years from the responsible insurance companies about the dangers inherent in the cut-price small-scale and recently established insurance concerns that are now going or are in danger of going bankrupt; why these representations were disregarded; and why he did not seek extra powers to investigate these matters.

It would not be proper for me to reveal details of the suggestions which I have received about the soundness of particular insurance companies. Inquiries made by the Board of these companies have been based partly on the suggestions.I am seeking in the Companies Bill stronger powers of supervision over insurance companies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that British exports have increased at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum owing to the effect of the Vietnam war on the economy of the United States of America, by how much he estimates British exports will fall when the Vietnam war is ended; and what steps he is taking to prevent an industrial recession in Great Britain as a consequence.

Many factors contributed to the increase of 6½ per cent. last year in the value of cur exports. In addition to the expansion of sales to the United States, there were large increases in exports to Western Europe and to the Soviet bloc. Our export performance will continue to be determined by demand in all our many overseas markets and the efforts of our exporters, and not by any single factor.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the standstill Order on laundering and cleaning charges, S.I., 1966, No. 1321, applies to a company which buys a business which, before the Order, was charging prices considered to be unremunerative and wishes to raise those prices to a remunerative level.

The Order applies if the takeover took place before the Order came into operation and if the acquiring company was itself charging the lower prices in respect of the acquired business during the four weeks preceding the Order.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make representations to the Canadian Government urging them to increase the proportion of the nickel exports sold to this country, in view of the requirements of British industry.

No. I am watching the position closely, but I am satisfied that the United Kingdom is receiving a fair share of the exports of Canadian producers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now take steps to see that the shoal at the south-east side of the Lowestoft Harbour entry is marked by some form of fixed beacon.

I am consulting the parties concerned and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what calculations he has made of the likely effect upon trade with Australia and New Zealand should Great Britain join the Common Market; and if he will make a statement.

The effect upon our trade with Australia and New Zealand would largely depend on the result of any negotiations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he will take to ensure that the law which obliges motorists to have third party insurance is not rendered nugatory by the failure of the insurance companies concerned.

The Road Traffic Act, 1960, requires motorists to insure against their liability to third parties for death or bodily injury. Since 1946, such third parties have been protected by an agreement between the Minister of Transport and the Motor Insurers' Bureau, under which, and subject to its terms, the Bureau undertakes to pay awards to them which are not satisfied within 7 days.I hope that the provisions relating to insurance companies in the Companies Bill will significantly reduce the risk of failure of insurance companies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is satisfied with the expected levels of investment in manufacturing industry during the current year; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave the hon. Member for South Angus (Mr. Bruce-Gardyne) on 1st February.—[Vol. 740, c. 496–7.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade what adjustment he calculates should be made to his Department's forecast of a 10 per cent. drop in private manufacturing investment as a result of the 5 per cent. increase in investment grants.

The temporary increase in grants will be a real stimulus to manufacturing investment, but there is no basis for revising the forecasts of investment which manufacturers supplied at the end of last year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the value of investment by manufacturing industry, as distinct from private portfolio investment, from overseas companies in Great Britain in total, from the United States of America, and from Europe as at 1st January, 1967; how much was invested, respectively, in 1965 and 1966; and what forecast he will make of the trend of investment for the current year;(2) if he will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the value of investment by manufacturing industry, as distinct from private portfolio investment, by companies in Great Britain invested in total

PRIVATE DIRECT INVESTMENT, FOR INDUSTRIES OTHER THAN OIL OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
£m.
				Total	United States	Europe*
Book value of net assets at end 1964†	…	…	…	1,822	1,301	297
Net capital inflow 1964	…	…	…	162	116	30
1965‡	…	…	…	161	…	…

UNITED KINGDOM INVESTMENT OVERSEAS
			Total	United States	Europe*	Commonwealth
Book value of net assets at end 1964†			4,112	410	467	2,507
Net capital outflow 1964	…	…	262	43	46	118
1965‡	…	…	272	…	…	…
* Excluding Irish Republic.
† Excluding banking and insurance.
‡ Provisional—figures for the year 1966 and detailed figures for 1965 are not yet available.

A census of British direct investments overseas and of foreign direct investments in the United Kingdom, excluding the oil, insurance and banking industries, was taken in respect of the end of 1962. The estimates for end-1964 were obtained by adding the net investment flows in 1963 and 1964 to the 1962 benchmark figures. This method cannot reliably be used for more than two years since it fails to take account of the writing-off or revaluation of assets. A census of the position at end-1965 is now in progress.Industrial analyses of net assets at the end of 1962 and of investment flows in 1963 and 1964, showing separate figures for manufacturing industry, were published in the Board of Trade Journal on 7th August, 1964 and 10th June, 1966, respectively. Separate figures for manufacturing industry for 1965 are not yet available.It is not the practice to give forward estimates.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take by legislation or otherwise to stop insurance brokers placing motor

The latest estimates available are as follows:—policies with companies of doubtful resources.

I believe that the provisions in the Companies Bill on insurance companies will reduce the scope for placing motor insurance policies with companies of doubtful resources. I am prepared to consider any specific proposals for controlling insurance brokers which seem to be desirable in the public interest and acceptable to the various interests involved.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of public concern, he will make an interim report on his Department's investigation into the state of the motor insurance industry.

The Board of Trade are not making a general investigation of the motor insurance industry. Such enquiries as appear appropriate from the scrutiny by the Board of the accounts of insurance companies are being made of them. In addition, the affairs of certain insurance companies are being investigated under the Companies Act, 1948.

asked the President of the Board of Trade is he will introduce legislation to require all motor insurance companies to deposit with his Department a schedule of their investments and a copy of all their re-insurance treaties.

The Companies Bill would confer on the Board of Trade power to enquire more closely into the investments and reinsurance treaties of motor insurance companies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will set up a motor insurance commission to investigate the methods and financial practices of motor insurance companies with power to recommend safeguards for policy holders and the general public, and terms of reference to examine the feasibility of a national motor insurance scheme.

I do not consider that a general investigation such as my hon. Friend has in mind is necessary. Improved powers of supervision are needed and are provided for in the Companies Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what alternative sites are being considered for the Patent Office, other than Croydon; and if consideration is being given to any site on the South Bank.

We are at present considering a particular site in Croydon. Should this prove unsuitable, other sites would have to be considered, but I would not regard the South Bank as appropriate in the light of the Government's general policy of reducing congestion in Central London.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many spinning mills and how many weaving mills have closed in Lancashire since 1st January, 1966.

58 mills are known to have closed down in 1966, 26 of which were engaged on spinning.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give a list of companies, other than insurance companies, with a capital of less than £100,000.

No. As there are some 500,000 companies with a capital of less than £100,000, the work of producing a list would not be justified.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of private companies being investigated by his Department at present and how this compares with the number in each of the last five years.

Inquiries by inspectors appointed to investigate the affairs of companies were at the end of 1966, and still are, in progress in the case of 17 companies of which 4 were public and 13 private companies.The corresponding figures for the previous five years are:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present strength of the section of his Department which investigates private companies; how many of them are qualified in accountancy; whether this number is sufficient; and whether he has any plans to augment them.

Four officers at present deal with applications for the appointment of inspectors to investigate the affairs of companies. Three of them are qualified accountants and the fourth has experience in accountancy. Steps are being taken to increase the staff.In the main the Board of Trade appoint practising barristers and accountants as inspectors under Sections 164 and 165 of the Companies Act, 1948, to investigate the affairs of companies. Suitably qualified members of the Board's staff are also appointed in appropriate cases.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now allocate the advance factory scheduled for the north-east of Scotland.

My right hon. Friend has decided that it will be built at Elgin.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state his plans for more advance factories in Aberdeen, indicating the extent of each, how many he has plans for, and when and where they will be built.

It is too early yet to consider adding to the advance factory programme announced last November.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement upon the progress of his proposals for the further programme of advance factories in the development areas; what consultations have taken place with the local government authorities concerned; whether consideration of the provision of sites and planning has commenced; and with what success he met when putting his proposals before the St. Helens local authority.

Construction of four of the 21 factories announced last November has begun, and construction of two more is expected to begin within the next week or so. The site being considered at St. Helen's was suggested by the local authority last year before the advance factory programme was announced.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many advance factories he has built in and about the city of Aberdeen during the last five years; how many he plans to build there; when they will be built; where they will be located; what will be the accommodation of each; and how many pending applications he has for them.

Two advance factories have been announced for Aberdeen and district. One of 12,500 sq. ft. is being erected at West Tullos, and I hope that it will be completed in April next. The second factory of 27,500 sq. ft. will be built on an adjacent site and work will commence almost immediately. There has been one application for the first factory and none so far for the second.

asked the President fo the Board of Trade whether he is aware that British United Airways are increasing the midweek fare from London to Alderney from £4 9s. to £6 on bookings made in advance of the publication of a notice in the Civil Aviation Licensing Notices, in contravention of condition No, 201 of the United Kingdom Domestic Air Tariff; and what action he will take to prevent this in accordance with Her Majesty's Government's prices and incomes policy.

I am aware of the proposed increase in fare. The necessary application has been made by the airline to the Air Transport Licensing Board, who have a statutory duty to take national prices and incomes policy into account. I am satisfied that the airline's provisional booking arrangements do not contravene the relevant tariff conditions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a White Paper on aircraft noise, embodying the conclusions of the recent international conference on this subject at which Her Majesty's Government were represented.

A copy of the Report will be placed in the Library of the House and additional copies can be made available to Members who wish to have them. I do not think a White Paper would be appropriate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade at what stage of development a firm receives financial assistance after obtaining the final approval of his Department for retooling or development for the export trade in a development area; and if he will make a statement.

In the case of financial assistance under the Local Employment Acts to firms providing employment in development areas, once an offer has been made and accepted payment of grant is made on proof that expenditure has been incurred and loans are advanced against requirement. Investment grants will be payable initially 18 months after the provision by firms fo new machinery or plant.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent Great Britain is taking part in the trade fair at Accra.

The Board of Trade is assisting British industry by providing a British Pavilion at the Ghana International Trade Fair. The British display is one of the largest in the Fair and occupies over 35,000 sq. ft. It contains 28 stands, in which over 100 British companies are represented. Other British companies are also exhibiting independently.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the increase in the price of newsprint, as a result of tariff alterations, if Great Britain signs the Treaty of Rome.

It is not possible to make an exact estimate. The E.E.C. Common External Tariff is 7 per cent.; but there are provisions for tariff-free quotas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many matters have been referred to the Monopolies Commission; when the references were made; and when reports are expected.

Since its establishment in 1949, 53 references have been made to the Monopolies Commission. Details of references and reports are included in the Annual Reports by the Board of Trade on the monopolies and mergers legislation; copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library. The Annual Report for 1966 will be laid before the House later this month.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take action, particularly in development areas, to assist the chemical industry to redress its adverse balance of trade.

The balance of trade in chemicals is substantially in the United Kingdom industry's favour. The various measures we have already introduced to encourage and assist exporters are available to chemical firms, including those in the development areas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present level of textile imports from Malta; how this level compares with that of previous years; what request has been made by the Malta Government for an increase; and what reply was given.

Malta sent us about 890,000 pounds of yarn and a little over 1 million square yards of cloth and made-up goods in 1966. This is slightly below the 1965 figure, but higher than in any previous years. Imports from Malta are subject to control under our global quota system. In common with most countries in and outside the Commonwealth, she pressed for unlimited access to this market but we were unable to agree to this.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reply he has sent to the representations made to him by the Lancashire trades union leaders that large-scale imports of textiles, especially from Portugal and other European Free Trade Association countries at prices below those ruling in the country of origin, has made Lancashire's position more serious than at any time in the past; and if he will have consultations to see what can be done to protect Lancashire's interests.

I have made it clear to all concerned that the Board of Trade stands ready at any time to consider applications for anti-dumping action from any sector of the textile industry which are supported by information indicating that the imports are being dumped and are causing or threatening material injury to the producers concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the number, location and extent of Great Britain's long-range air ferry services.

Six long-range vehicle ferry services, all by British United Air Ferries Ltd., are currently operated, four from Southend or Lydd to Switzerland, and two from Manchester and Coventry to Rotterdam and Calais respectively. On 23rd January the operators announced that on economic grounds all these would be withdrawn from 1st March. The operators are maintaining their 11 other cross-Channel ferry services which carry the bulk of the normal car ferry air traffic.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many factories have been built in The Hartlepools since 1964; what Government grant and loans in total have been made; and how many men and women have been employed.

Fifteen projects requiring i.d.c.'s were completed for manufacturing industry from January, 1965, to December, 1966. These projects were expected by those responsible for them to provide jobs for 950 males and 510 females when fully manned. In the same period, the Board of Trade offered assistance totalling £1,348,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many square feet of industrial space is unused; what is the maximum period any section has been empty; what proportion is in Government factories in developing areas; and if he will take steps to stop the building of new factories until those already in existence are fully occupied.

Since the information requested is not available for privately-owned industrial premises, it is not possible to answer the first three parts of the Question. The Answer to the last part is "No". The availability of new factories for immediate occupation is an important factor in the attraction of new industry to development areas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the report of the Monopolies Commission on the supply of infant milk foods.

The Report was published this morning. The Commission have found that monopoly conditions, as defined in the legislation, prevail in the supply of infant milk foods.The Commission have concluded that the practice of restricting the supply of infant milk foods to persons who sell or intend to sell to the general public by retail by reference to the character of the business carried on by those persons operates against the public interest, in that inconvenience to the public results in places where there is no retail chemist.By way of remedy, the Commission have recommended that, in places where there is no retail chemist, the manufacturers should supply, or authorise wholesalers to supply infant milk foods to any retailer wishing to stock them, subject to normal commercial considerations.I am inviting the parties concerned to discuss the Commission's recommendation with my Department.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure the greater stability of fishing trawlers.

A number of countries, including the United Kingdom, are at present studying the stability characteristics of their trawler fleets. The results will be considered in the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation (I.M.C.O.) with a view to developing internationally acceptable standards of stability.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is satisfied that statutory obligations designed to protect men working in Scottish fishing vessels from injury and death in the course of their work are adequate; and if he will take steps to increase their usefulness.

DEATHS REGISTERED AS HAVING BEEN CAUSED BY ACCIDENT AMONGST MEMBERS OF FISHING VESSEL CREWS, 1962–1966
Year		Death resulting from casualties to vessel	Killed on deck of vessel	Fell down hatchway etc.	Fell overboard from deck of vessel	Washed overboard	Killed or drowned coming aboard from ashore	Missing presumed drowned†	Other causes	Total
1962	…	19	2	—	14	7	—	2	—	44
1963	…	5	4	—	6	5	—	4	—	24
1964	…	8	3	—	7	1	—	9	2	30
1965	…	24	4	1	7	1	1	4	5	47
1966	…	—*	—	—	11	4	—	2	4	21
		56*	13	1	45	18	1	21†	11	166
* These figures do not include the deaths occuring on "St. Finnbar" which occurred in December, 1966, but were not registered until January, 1967.
† It is not possible to determine how many of these deaths were in fact accidental.

Not all aspects of the safety of fishing vessels and their crews are covered by existing regulations but the United Kingdom is taking part in a comprehensive study which is being undertaken by the international organisations concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number and nature of accidents, fatal and otherwise, during each of the last five years at sea and on shore to workers in and about fishing vessels and other vessels, respectively; and what steps the Government has taken and plans to take in these trades to prevent such accidents and to compensate the workers killed and injured and their dependants.

The statistical information required is detailed and voluminous. It relates only to fishermen and to members of the Merchant Navy. Figures are not available for non-fatal accidents on shore or for non-fatal accidents on board merchant ships. Deaths of seamen on shore where there is no indication that they occurred about the ship are not included.The safety of merchant ships and fishing vessels and their crews is under continuous and urgent study.Fishermen and other seafarers are in general covered for the benefits of the Industrial Injuries Scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the proposed United States requirements in respect of fire precautions in passenger ships using United States ports; whether he is aware that compliance with these requirements would incur heavy expenditure by British shipowners, which would be unnecessary, in view of the exceptionally good safety record of British passenger ships; and what steps he is taking to safeguard the interests and competitive future of British passenger shipping.

Yes. I am aware of the high safety standards of British passenger ships. The new requirements of the United States Government, which will come into force in November, 1968, are based on proposals recently adopted by the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation (I.M.C.O.). These proposals, which apply to ships of all flags, were supported by the United Kingdom Government. In this, as in other matters, we are continuing to do everything possible to safeguard the interests of British shipping.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number and character of injuries and deaths which have occurred to workers in Scottish fishing vessels during each of the last 10 years.

I regret that the information available about non-fatal injuries does not distinguish between Scottish fishing vessels and those registered elsewhere in the United Kingdom. The total number of deaths on Scottish fishing

DEATHS OF FISHERMEN IN SCOTTISH REGISTERED FISHING BOARDS 1957–1966
					Deaths from
Year of Registration of Death				Casualties to Vessels	Accidents	Disease	Missing at Sea	Suicide	Homicide	Total
1957	…	…	…	12	1	2	1	—	—	16
1958	…	…	…	4	4	6	—	—	1	15
1959	…	…	…	17	7	2	3	—	—	29
1960	…	…	…	4	2	7	—	—	—	13
1961	…	…	…	2	11	5	2	—	—	20
1962	…	…	…	6	7	5	—	—	—	18
1963	…	…	…	—	7	5	—	—	—	12
1964	…	…	…	5	7	3	4	—	—	19
1965	…	…	…	14	12	7	2	—	—	35
1966	…	…	…	—	8	7	1	1	—	17
Totals		…	…	64	66	49	13	1	1	194

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations have been made to him by the National Farmers' Union about the terms of compensation to be offered to tenant farmers who will be dispossessed by the development of the new town at Milton Keynes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes he intends to propose in the measure of compensation which will be applicable to tenant farmers of land subject to compulsory acquisition in Buckinghamshire.

The representations the National Farmers' Union have made to me concerned the need for higher compensation for tenant farmers who are displaced for development anywhere, including of course the development in Buckinghamshire. I hope to make a general statement of the Government's proposals for such compensation very soon.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action is being taken to ensure that reasonable commercial considerations are taken into account by the White Fish Authority before making loans to fishing vessel operators.

My right hon. Friend has satisfied himself that the Authority take account of reasonable commercial considerations so far as is consistent with their function of supplementing commercial sources of credit, but the detailed rules are being revised as recommended by the Estimates Committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will adopt a policy of varying the reduction in the operating subsidies under the Sea Fish Industry Act, 1962, for different sections of the deep-sea fishing fleet, in view of the Sixth Report from the Estimates Committee, 1966–67, on Assistance to the Fishing Industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in the light of the 6th Report of the Estimates Committee, 1966–67, on assistance to the fishing industry, he is now considering a decision to alter his financial policy of aid to the deep-sea fishing fleet; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I are considering the recommendations of the Estimates Committee and our observations will be submitted to the Committee in due course.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the progress being made by the White Fish Authority with the establishment of a minimum prices scheme for the industry; and whether, in view of the Sixth Report from the Estimates Committee, 1966–67, on Assistance to the Fishing Industry, he will reconsider the Government's attitude to Treasury support for such a scheme.

We are satisfied with the Authority's progress; the question of Exchequer support does not arise at this stage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what objections he has received from inshore fishermen about the White Fish Authority's proposals for a statutory minimum price scheme.

We have received several representations on behalf of fishermen on the north-east coast.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will instruct the White Fish Authority to consider establishing one of their experimental fish breeding stations in Northern Ireland.

No; there is no need at present for any further experimental fish breeding stations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether it is his policy that competitive tendering should take place before a grant is made for building a fishing vessel.

Yes. But this requirement will be reviewed as recommended by the Estimates Committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are his plans for oceanographical research, including deep sea scientific investigations, into marine sources of future world food supplies.

The research effort of our Department is deployed in the main fisheries of importance to the British fishing industry. While this work contributes to the general knowledge of marine sources of world food supplies and our scientists are collaborating in the international study of this problem, our research is not specifically directed to that purpose. It is planned to increase the investigations in the North-West Atlantic and to examine the potentialities for our industry of the South Atlantic fishing grounds.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will stop the importation of eggs from the Continent in order to prevent the reduction in price to the producers in Great Britain of 7d. a dozen, as announced on 6th February, 1967; and if he will make a statement.

No. We do not consider that a case has been made out for any change in our policy on imports.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes he proposes in the structure of the White Fish Authority and the Herring Industry Board.

We are considering the recommendation of the Estimates Committee on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the main developments which have caused Her Majesty's Government's expenditure on military research to increase from £250 million in 1964–65 to £270 million in 1966–67; whether he is satisfied as to the extent of increased national security which has resulted from this additional expenditure; and whether he will consider the transfer of the additional military research personnel to civil work.

At constant prices, expenditure on defence research and development is slightly lower in 1966–67 than it was in 1964–65, but the reshaping of the equipment programme will ensure that the needs of the Forces are met in a more timely and economic fashion than before. The last part of the Question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future rôle of the Royal Marine Commandos.

The principal rôle of the Royal Marine Commandos will continue to be in providing forces for our amphibious ships.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many women joined and left the women's services in the last recorded year; what percentage turnover of the total strength of the women's services this represents; and how this percentage compares with the turnover of men in the armed forces.

About 5,800 joined in 1966, and 5,600 left; this is a turnover of 42·6 per cent. compared with 11·8 per cent. for men.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is aware that many civilians legally purchase ex-Government surplus clothing including Servicemen's equipment, and wear this for industrial and other purposes; and as there have recently been prosecutions for civilians wearing service uniforms, whether he will introduce legislation to clarify the law relating to the wearing of service equipment, &c., by civilians.

My right hon. Friend does not consider that fresh legislation is needed. The Uniforms Act of 1894 makes it an offence for any person not serving in Her Majesty's Military forces to wear, without permission, the uniform of the forces or any dress having the appearance of the uniform or bearing any of the regimental or other distinctive marks of the uniform. The Act makes an exception in respect of the wearing of uniforms in plays and the like; and it has not been the practice for prosecutions to be brought against people who wear surplus khaki uniform from which military badges, buttons and markings have been removed. The recent prosecutions have been brought against people who have worn distinctive military uniforms or imitations of them as part of their ordinary dress.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are made for home leave for men serving in the British Army of the Rhine; what free transport is provided; and whether there has been any alteration in the arrangements during the past two years.

Free transport is provided for married unaccompanied men to take home leave three times a year and single men once a year. Single men may make a second journey at reduced rates of fare on trooping charter flights. Families may travel home free once every three years.Before April, 1966, single men were allowed free travel twice a year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has studied the Air League's Memorandum on Defence, a copy of which has been sent him, with its suggestions for more commando-type carriers; and what action he will take.

Yes. It is always helpful to get well-reasoned contributions to our future military thinking and we take such proposals into account when making the most cost-effective choice within the options open to us.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Welbeck College entrants to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, have been accepted into the arm of their first choice on passing out; and what limitations are imposed on the numbers so accepted.

Most of the entrants to Welbeck are intended for commissions in the Royal Corps of Signals, Ordnance or Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and this is made known to all who apply for a place in the College. A first choice for these Corps is normally accepted if the candidate is qualified. There are in addition about 12 vacancies a year in certain other arms for which there are usually 20 or 30 applications.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken to repatriate the family of Corporal Parker from Aden subsequent to the death of his son.

After the funeral of his son on 27th January, Corporal Parker, his wife and their six year old daughter were flown home from Aden on 28th January. On their arrival at Gatwick early on 29th January they were met by Service officials and subsequently at Victoria Station by a S.S.A.F.A. representative who arranged for the family to be put on a train to the home of relatives where they are staying until the expiry of Corporal Parker's leave. Corporal Parker will then take up his duties at an R.A.F. station of his choice and arrangements have been made to provide the family with accommodation there.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances the five-years-old son of a Royal Air Force corporal, whose name has been sent to him, was killed in Aden on 25th January.

During the afternoon of 25th January while with his mother, who was shopping in the Maalla area of Aden, Michael Parker, the son of Corporal T. J. Parker, sustained serious head injuries from the fragments of a grenade thrown at shoppers by a terrorist. Michael Parker died as a result of his injuries in Khormaksar Beach Hospital on 27th January.Five other Europeans including a 21 month old baby and two local civilians were injured in this attack.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will set up an investigation into the second-hand car trade with a view to the introduction of legislation to ensure that second-hand cars are not sold in a dangerous condition.

It is already an offence to sell, or to offer for sale, a motor vehicle which is not in a condition in which it could legally be used. Measures to strengthen the existing safeguards are contained in the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill which provides for Ministry inspectors or police officers to enter the premises of car dealers to examine used vehicles on offer for sale.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will now make a statement on the proposed regulations covering motor vehicles fumes.

I will make new regulations controlling fumes from petrol-engined motor vehicles if and when research now proceeding in this country and under the aegis of the Economic Commission for Europe shows this to be necessary and practicable.The plating and testing of goods vehicles as provided for in the Road Safety Bill and the introduction of a British Standard for diesel engines will result in less diesel exhaust smoke.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will now introduce regulations whereby log books of cars, classified as a write-off after collision, are compulsorily surrendered to the licensing authority.

No. It does not necessarily follow that because a vehicle has been treated as a "total loss" for insurance purposes it cannot be effectively repaired to proper and safe standards.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will introduce regulations to ensure that all motor vehicles damaged in a collision are tested after repair for roadworthiness and that this be recorded in the log book.

No. The law lays on the user of a vehicle the responsibility for ensuring that it is roadworthy.We are, however, discussing with insurers an arrangement whereby the registration book is sent to the taxation authority for overstamping to indicate that a vehicle has been the subject of an insurance "write off".

asked the Minister of Transport how many pedal cyclists were killed during the hours of darkness on the roads in Scotland, England and Wales in each of the years 1962 to 1966.

Following is the information to September, 1966. Separate figures for Wales are not readily available prior to 1966.

	Scotland	England and Wales
1962	19	179
1963	16	188
1964	15	181
1965	9	181
1965 (January-September)	3	105
1966 (January-September)	8	83*
* Of which, two in Wales.

asked the Minister of Transport how many pedal cyclists were killed on the roads in Scotland, England and Wales in each of the years 1962 to 1966.

Following is the information to September, 1966. Separate figures for Wales are not readily available prior to 1966.

	Scotland	England and Wales
1962	48	535
1963	38	551
1964	44	539
1965	36	507
1965 (January-September)	28	353
1966 (January-September)	28	317*
* Of which, 14 in Wales.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations she has received on the inadequacy of pedal cyclists' rear lighting during the hours of darkness; and what changes she intends to seek in the legal requirements for them.

The British Standards Institution has produced a new standard for cycle rear lamps "British Standard 3648" to meet the needs of cyclists. We are preparing Regulations to make the use of cycle rear lamps complying with it permissible forthwith and compulsory after October, 1968.

asked the Minister of Transport how many applications for registration under Section 23 of the Road Traffic Act, 1962 were rejected because of failure in the written part of the examination, failure in the practical part of the examination, and failure in both parts of the examination, respectively.

An applicant for admission to the Register of Approved Driving Instructors is required to pass the written examination before submitting himself to the practical test. There are, therefore, no candidates who have failed both the examination and the test.The latest figures available of passes and failures in the written examination and practical test are:

	Passes	Failures	Total
Written Examination	6,130	1,829	7,959
Practical Test	4,859	2,231	7,090

These figures relate to attempts; a candidate for inclusion in the Register may well make several attempts at the examination or test or at both.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will substitute an oral for a written examination for applicants to be registered under the voluntary driving instructors' registration scheme set up under Section 23 of the Road Traffic Act, 1962.

No. This would be unnecessarily costly in terms of both manpower and money.

asked the Minister of Transport how many driving instructors are registered under the voluntary registration scheme set up under Section 23 of the Road Traffic Act, 1962.

On 30th January, 1967, 4,513 driving instructors were on the Register of Approved Driving Instructors.

asked the Minister of Transport if she is yet in a position to set up the regional transport co-ordinating committees.

Yes, and in consultation with the Chairmen of the Economic Planning Councils, I have appointed the Committees for the Northern, Yorkshire and Humberside, East Midlands, East Anglia, West Midlands and North West Regions. I hope to be able to appoint the Committees for the South East and South West Regions very shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will state her policy regarding the nationalisation of bus services.

I have nothing to add to the Answer of 23rd November, 1966, given to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston-upon-Hull, North (Mr. McNamara).—[Vol. 736, c. 308.]

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the disturbance caused to private citizens, she will make an order prohibiting car rallies on public roads after 11 p.m.

No. The system for controlling rallies which has been operating for nearly a year has already caused a substantial drop in the number of events on public roads and an even greater drop in the number of complaints from the public. Night events are already restricted in frequency and size.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will now state her plans for extending the powers of local authorities to provide persons in receipt of old age retirement pensions with concessionary fares in public transport.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friends the Members for Croydon, South (Mr. Winnick) and Bedfordshire, South (Mr. Gwilym Roberts) and the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Hastings) on 25th January.—[Vol. 739, c. 1483).

asked the Minister of Transport whether she intends to extend the proposed motorway from Bristol to Exeter along the route of the A38 to Plymouth.

Our aim is to improve the A38 between Exeter and Plymouth to dual-carriageway standard throughout. The standard of construction for the proposed new road between Edithmead and Exeter has still to be decided.

asked the Minister of Transport where the selective experiments increasing the numbers of pedestrian crossings are being carried out.

As my hon. Friend said in a Supplementary Answer to the right hon. Member for Reigate (Sir J. Vaughan-Morgan) on 25th January—[Vol. 739, c. 1474]—we are most anxious not to publicise the places where these experiments are taking place in case this should introduce a bias into the situation.

asked the Minister of Transport why it was decided to install steel lighting standards on the central reservation of the Chiswick end of the M4 contrary to the findings of the Road Research Laboratory that such standards so situated constitute an accident hazard; and whether it is proposed to erect crash barriers along the edges of the central reservation.

At present the most efficient and economical lighting of a motorway of this width and layout is achieved by columns on the central reservation. Steel crash barriers will shortly be erected to protect the columns and to safeguard vehicles.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the daily average number of vehicles using the Liverpool end of the East Lancashire road, the A580, taken over a 12-month period, and the maximum recorded number of vehicles using it in any one 24-hour period.

I regret that this information is not immediately available. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will make a statement on a proposed new pensions scheme for railwaymen; and whether there will be a financial contribution from Treasury sources to ensure better pension terms.

The British Railways Board will introduce on 14th August a new and considerably improved contributory pension scheme for men and women in the wages grades. The fund will be financed by equal contributions from members and the Board. While the Board is in revenue deficit the additional cost to the Board, under present arrangements, will in practice be met by the Exchequer.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will introduce legislation to enable her Department to obtain the ownership of disused railway lines, as distinct from stations, goods yards, etc., so as to afford the possibility of their use at some future date by the public at large for rambling, pony trekking or as the sites of hovercraft or monorail routes.

Existing arrangements, including the undertaking given by the British Railways Board to give the first offer of their surplus land to local authorities, are sufficient to enable all such possible future uses for disused railway lines to be considered.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether, under the agreement with the French Government, he will now publish a list of tenders to be offered to British firms; and when he expects such work to commence.

The hon. Member is presumably referring to the agreement reached with the French Government last month on the VG aircraft and on helicopters. The main contractors have already been identified. Other United Kingdom contractors will be invited to tender for various items at appropriate stages. As regards the second part of the Question, work studies are already under way.

asked the Minister of Aviation what steps are being taken to ensure the development under the agreement with the French Government of an adequate basis for British helicopter production.

The agreement is designed to strengthen the competitive ability of both British and French industry for the foreseeable future. I explained the production plan in the Answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) on 23rd January last—[Vol. 739, c. 206–7.]—and as envisaged at present the United Kingdom will have a preponderant share of the overall production.