asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will appoint an additional member representative of consumer interests to the Little Neddies (Economic Development Committees) on electrical engineering and electronics.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on ibis subject on 2nd February.—[Vol. 740, c. 150.]

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will define, in terms of weekly wages, the categories of low-paid workers and lowest-paid workers, respectively, in relation to his policy on prices and incomes.

No. Information in the form proposed would not serve a useful purpose. It is for the parties concerned in negotiations to decide initially how far the considerations set out in paragraph 28 of the Severe Restraint White Paper (Cmnd. 3150) apply to them and thereafter for Government to consider the case.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what progress is being made with the preparation of a revised version of the National Plan.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, whether, following his recent meeting with the National Economic Development Council, he will now make a statement on the progress of the revised National Plan.

I had a useful discussion with the National Economic Development Council on 1st February about future planning work. Preliminary studies of likely trends in the economy are in hand and will, I hope, establish a basis for consultation with N.E.D.C. and industry about detailed revision of the Plan.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what system of regular consultation exists between the Eastern Regional Economic Development and Planning Council and local planning authorities of the region.

I understand that machinery has been established for consultation between the East Anglia Planning Council and the East Anglia Consultative Committee of local authorities on physical planning matters concerning the region.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how many products sold in grocery shops he expects to rise in price in 1967 as compared with the 4,134 such rises that took place in 1966.

As the hon. Member will be aware from the reply by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to a Question on 18th January, the figure he quotes relates to increases in the prices of all individual lines sold by grocery outlets.The Government expect manufacturers and traders to justify any proposed increases in prices before 30th June, 1967, against the criteria set out in Cmnd. 3150. Further guidance will be given as soon as possible about the criteria for the period after severe restraint.—[Vol. 739, c.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether, in any negotiations in respect of prices and incomes, he will ensure that the interests of the consumer are fully protected.

As I explained on 2nd February in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris), the Government aim by further development of the policy of productivity, prices and incomes to promote the interests of the community as a whole.—[Vol. 740, c. 148.]

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs by what criteria he assesses whether economic growth has been satisfactory.

No rate can be regarded as satisfactory while we have social and economic needs on the present scale, and while there remains so much potential for improving growth.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what is the number of staff employed full-time by the National Board for Prices and Incomes and the precentage of the Board's work carried out by outside consultant organisations.

One hundred and eighteen. It is not possible to assess the contribution by outside consultants on a percentage basis; they are employed as occasions requires to obviate the need for considerably more staff, and to provide specialised knowledge.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how many persons are employed by the National Board for Prices and Incomes; how many chartered accountants are so employed; and how many firms of chartered accountants have been from time to time employed by the Board.

122, including 4 part-timers; the Board employs 3 persons as Accountants—2 are Chartered Accountants and 1 a Certified Accountant; 2 firms have been employed.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what was the estimated total annual cost of increases in income which were frozen by the measures taken in July, 1966; and how much will the increases already permitted during the period of severe restraint cost in a full year.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what has been the increase in earnings and prices since 20th July, 1966, according to the latest figures available; and what are the comparative figures for a similar period after July, 1961.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will remove the compulsory Morse test from the "A" Licensing condition for amateur radio transmission.

No. We have an obligation under the International Radio Regulations to require applicants for the "A" licence to pass a Morse test, but I am prepared to consider how the licence conditions might be made less burdensome.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will arrange for the Economist Intelligence Unit or some similar external organisation to report on the British Broadcasting Corporation before considering the terms of renewal of the Charter.

No. The B.B.C.'s Charter is not in any case due for renewal until 1976.

asked the Postmaster-General when he expects to be able to offer telephone users on party lines the opportunity to have an unshared line.

Our aim is to offer unshared lines as soon as the local plant position permits. The speed at which we can achieve this depends on our capital expenditure programme, and the priorities we can assign to local relief schemes.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will cease the practice of threatening to terminate the telephone service of subscribers who refuse to share their telephones.

No. The subscribers concerned are not prepared to meet the obligation that they accepted when they accepted when they were first given service.

asked the Postmaster-General what increased charges he has authorised in his Department since 1st June, 1966; and what additional revenue they are expected to bring in a full year.

Changes made last year were listed in the OFFICIAL REPORT on 20th July [Vol. 732, c. 654.] and in my Answer to my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 12th December.—[Vol. 738, c. 25.]On 1st February the charges for telephone calls to the United States were changed. Instead of every call costing £1 per minute (15s. in the cheap period) there are now ordinary calls at 16s. 8d. per minute (12s. 6d in the cheap period): personal calls may be booked at an additional fee of 30s. (22s. 6d. in the cheap period).The changes announced on 20th July would bring in about £20 million in a full year: the later changes do not materially affect this.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the reason for changing the hours of business at post offices in the rural areas of the Wellingborough constituency; and why it has been found necessary to advance the last collections from street boxes and sub-post offices by half an hour.

These changes are part of our national drive to cope with manpower problems and rising costs; in particular, the earlier collections are designed to smooth out evening peaks of work in sorting offices.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will investigate the means whereby documents purporting to emanate from the Prime Minister's Office, Salisbury, are distributed by the Post Office in the United Kingdom; and if he will take steps to interrupt all postal and telegraphic communications between the United Kingdom and the illegal regimé in Rhodesia.

There is no censorship in this country of mail from Rhodesia and so any documents of the nature referred to by my hon. Friend which arrived here by post would be delivered in the normal way. It is the view of Her Majesty's Government that the public interest is at present best served by the continued exchange of mail and telegraph services with Rhodesia.

asked the Postmaster-General what was the value of orders placed in Scotland by his Department in each of the years 1960 to 1966.

Information for 1960–61 and 1961–62 is not available. The figures, which include supplies of telephone and allied equipment obtained by competitive tender as well as under the Bulk Supply Agreements, for later years are:

£000s
1962–63	1963–64	1964–65	1965–66
2,323	4,128	3,746	5,971

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will reject all schemes which would so enlarge the areas of local government in Wales as to destroy their democratic character and establish in its place a bureaucratic authority.

My right hon. Friend's aim in framing proposals for the reorganisation of local government in Wales will be to promote the efficiency of Welsh local government while at the same time preserving its democratic character.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the figure of net migration into, or out of, the five counties of mid-Wales during 1966.

The latest statistics available relate to changes in the total resident population, including the armed forces, for the period 1st July, 1965, to 30th June, 1966, when it is estimated there was a net outward migration from the five mid-Wales counties of 368 persons.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average amount of expenditure per mile on trunk road maintenance in Cardiganshire during 1966; and how this figure compares with the corresponding figure for the other four mid-Wales counties for 1966.

The estimated figures for 1966–67 are: —

	Per mile
	£
Cardiganshire	537·6
Breconshire	623·7
Radnorshire	669·7
Merioneth	714·7
Montgomeryshire	737·7

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will state the programme for the exhibition on 2nd April entitled "Great Britain—U.S.S.R.: an Historical Exhibition", which is being organised in consultation with the Foreign Office by the British Council and the Victoria and Albert Museum, indicating in particular what aspects of each of the component parts of Great Britain, particularly of Scotland, will be exhibited and when the relevant details will be laid before the House.

I hope that my hon. Friend was able yesterday to attend the private view of this Exhibition, which runs from 8th February to 2nd April. If he did so, he will have seen how the exhibits illustrate various aspects of the relations between the component parts of Great Britain and the U.S.S.R. I have arranged for a copy of the Catalogue to be placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his estimate of the cost of providing a temporal bone library in order that the Medical Research Council can pay greater attention to temporal bone histopathology in its research into problems of hearing loss and vestibular disorders.

If my hon. Friend is referring to a national scheme such as the Temporal Bone Banks Program of the American Deafness Research Foundation I regret that I am not able to give an estimate of cost. However, there are four centres in this country where samples of human temporal bone and the related clinical case histories are being collected and studied, and the Medical Research Council, who are currently supporting two of these centres, are keeping the situation under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what facilities exist in England and Wales for the provision of special treatment of educationally subnormal children with severe speech defects.

The services of speech therapists, employed by local education authorities either in clinics or schools, contribute to the special help which these children require. A circular has been sent recently to colleges of education asking them to draw students' attention to the benefits of speech therapy for children with speech defects.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is now the total average cost of keeping a student for one year in primary school, secondary school, and higher education, respectively.

The latest available figures, for England and Wales, relate to the financial year 1965–66 for primary and secondary schools and to 1964–65 for establishments of higher education and are as follows:—

	£
Primary Schools	80
Secondary Schools	151
Colleges of Education (net cost of tuition)	311
Further Education (advanced courses)	555
Colleges of Advanced Technology	757
Universities (including postgraduates)	755

They cover all current expenditure by public authorities including loan charges but exclude capital expenditure both from revenue and from loans, cash benefits (maintenance, travelling and other allowances) and the cost of school meals and milk.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in view of the success of Sir James Pitman's new alphabet and the need for further research into its effect on British education standards, he will ensure that the work of the Reading Research Unit will not be disbanded in July for lack of funds.

The Director of the Reading Research Unit has sent my Department a memorandum setting out proposals for further research not necessarily to be carried out by the Unit or financed by the Department. I am now considering this.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will state the progress made by Government research establishments, showing each of the last five years, in ascertaining, isolating and curing the diseases peculiar to fishermen at sea and on shore and indicate the nature and number of such diseases during each of the last five years.

The following projects have been, or are currently being, undertaken with support from official sources:

A study in the Department of Social Medicine at the University of Aberdeen of causes of death among a group of trawlermen.

A survey by workers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine of the incidence of Dogger Bank Itch among Lowestoft trawlermen.

An investigation into the chemical sensitising agent in the seaweed-like organism that causes Dogger Bank Itch being undertaken as part of the programme of the Medical Research Council's Research Group on Immunological Aspects of Dermatology.

Since no information about the incidence of diseases peculiar to fishermen is collected as a routine procedure, I regret I am unable to provide information about their number and nature.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider instituting a one-year training course for prison officers in conjunction with universities and training colleges.

Members of the prison service, at various levels, already attend courses at universities and other educational establishments. I am not at present convinced that it would be feasible or appropriate to introduce a general practice on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions he has given to ensure that prisoners entrusted to his charge do not escape from prison or lawful custody; what are the reasons for the large number of recent escapes; and whether he is satisfied that the measures he has now taken will protect the public from future escapes by dangerous criminals.

In reply to the first part of the Question, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the Written Answer I gave to the Question he asked on 19th January [Vol. 739, c. 113]; in reply to the second part, I cannot add to the information in the Mountbatten Report; and in reply to the third part, while it will take time before some of the recommendations in the Mountbatten Report can become effective, all possible measures are being taken meanwhile to prevent the escape of dangerous prisoners.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state the number of betting shops in business in the Metropolitan Police area for each of the last three years; what estimate he has made of their total turnover in each of these years; and if he will seek further powers to limit their increase in number.

There were 2,249 licensed betting offices in Greater London on 1st June, 1966, 2,210 on the same date in 1965, and about 2,000 in 1964. I have no means of assessing turnover. While I am watching the situation I have no proposals at present for legislation on this point.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he now proposes to take to close casinos and gambling clubs in London.

The Bill which I intend to introduce later in this Session will be designed to bring commercial gaming under strict control but not to eliminate it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made towards establishing a fixed Easter.

I must await the outcome of the inquiries being made by the World Council of Churches. I understand that the matter is to come before the Central Committee of the World Council at a meeting in August.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to make it illegal for any person under the age of 21 years to be allowed to frequent gaming establishments.

Restrictions on gaming by young persons will come within the purview of the Bill which I intend to introduce later this Session.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what weight he gave in taking into account the provisions of Clause 4(1) of the Fugitive Offenders Bill, in the case of Mr. Kwesi Armah, to paragraph (c) of that subsection.

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 whether he has received the communication from Mr. D. J. Triphook, forwarded to him on 2nd February, 1967, by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, drawing attention to the urgent need for road safety precautions at Stephens Road, Stratford, E.15; and what action he has taken or proposes to take in connection with this matter.

Yes. An acknowledgment was sent to my hon. Friend on 3rd February. I have asked the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis for a report and I shall write to my hon. Friend when I have received it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the number of persons convicted under the Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1964, within the Metropolitan Police area and in England and Wales, respectively, during each of the last three quarters of 1966.

The figures for the Metropolitan Police District are 139, 212 and 217 and for England and Wales 219, 303 and 356. The figures for the last quarter of 1966 are provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will reconsider his intention to ban the sale of anti-histamine drugs except by doctor's prescription, in view of the fact that this would include the preparations now widely used to prevent air, sea and car sickness.

The Poisons Board, which recommended this further control, has been invited to consider representations against the proposal at its next meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why a letter written on 27th January by a prisoner at Blundeston to the right hon. Member for Wolverhampton, South-West, was not delivered to him before 6th February, contrary to the Secretary of State's assurance in his letter of 20th January.

There were two weekends in the period referred to. The letter concerned was received by the Home Office on 31st January and posted, following consideration, to the right hon. Member on 3rd February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the countries of origin of those convicted of murder in 1964, 1965 and 1966, respectively.

I am obtaining this information and shall write to the right hon. and learned Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement indicating the date of appointment of the departmental committee on Death Certification and Coroners; who constitute the committee; whether experts in Scottish law and conditions have been appointed; how many sittings it has had; whether those sittings were in public; what evidence it has taken; and when he expects it will report.

The Committee was appointed on 17th March, 1965. Its members are:

• Mr. Norman Brodrick, Q.C. (Chairman).
• Professor W. Melville Arnott.
• Mr. R. M. Bingham, Q.C.
• Lady Dyer.
• Dr. D. L. Kerr, M.P.
• Colonel P. H. Lloyd.
• Dr. G. R. Osborn
• Mr. D. Osmond.
• Dr. L. Rosen.

The Committee has invited written evidence from about a hundred organisations, received submissions from a number of individuals, and taken oral evidence about the matters relating to death certification and the pathological services required by coroners. The Committee does not include experts in Scottish law or conditions, but has obtained evidence on these matters. It has had 14 sittings, all in private.I understand that the Committee is aiming to present its report by the end of this year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer the price policy of Bell's Asbestos and Engineering Limited to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

I have had no information to suggest that this is necessary, but if the hon. Member will let me have any evidence in his possession I will consider what action is appropriate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that sailing tickets for travel by steamer between Glasgow and Belfast and Dublin which were formerly issued free of charge, are now to cost 5s. each; and if he will refer this increase to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

A charge for sailing tickets on a limited number of summer sailings was introduced in 1966. I did not then regard a reference to the National Board for Prices and Incomes as justified.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what discussions are in hand or envisaged with Uruguay, Brazil, the Argentine and Chile concerning tariffs and quotas in these countries related to wool textiles.

Representations have been made and will continue to be made at every suitable opportunity about the very high tariffs and other restrictive regulations imposed by these countries on imports of wool textiles. I am glad to say that the Brazilian Government are introducing some relaxations from 1st March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what amounts of debt have been written off airlines by the Government from 1965 to 1966 in Wales, Scotland and England, respectively.

There has been only one British airline for which capital debt to the Government has been written off. Provisions included in the Air Corporations Act, 1966, had the effect of relieving B.O.A.C. as from 1st April, 1965, of all liabilities in respect of capital borrowings amounting to £110 million.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many applications for industrial development certificates were received in 1966; and how many were refused;(2) how many applications for industrial development certificates in the north-west region were received in 1966; and how many were refused.

3,212 applications for projects over 5,000 sq. ft. were approved during 1966, of which 429 were for the north-west region. It is not the practice of the Board of Trade to publish statistics of the total number of applications received or refused or the totals for regions which include congested areas, as such figures would be misleading. Because of the tough i.d.c. policy in the more congested areas, many firms are dissuaded from applying or do not press their applications to the point of formal refusal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the amount of capital investment per head of population in Wales in 1966; and how this compared with the preceding year.

The following is the available information:

	Capital expenditure per head of population in Wales
	£
Manufacturing industry 1965	21
Gas, Electricity and Coal Boards* 1965–66	27
Public expenditure on construction other than in the fuel and power industries1964–65	25
* Deep coal-mining operations only.

Figures for years later than those shown or for other industries are not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the concern felt by his refusal to sanction the application of the York Trailer Company Limited for an extension to their factory at Llantrisant, Glamorgan, where nearby areas have a very high rate of unemployment; and if he will make a statement giving his reasons for pressing the company to occupy instead a vacant factory in England.

No application by the company to extend their factory at Llantrisant has been refused.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation to provide for the supervision of companies which organise holidays abroad, and to prevent the publication of misleading holiday brochures.

I would refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Hale) on 18th November last.—[Vol, 736, c. 205]

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent it is his Department's policy that initial effort to develop air services from the north-west region should be centred on Manchester; and if he will make a statement.

The development of air services in the north-west region is, subject to licensing, a matter for the commercial judgment of airlines.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has considered the findings of the Graduate Appointments Register, a copy of which has been sent to him. which revealed that 283 of 2,000 graduates interviewed by them had received pay increases between July and November, 1966; how many of these increases were notified to and approved by him; and if he will make a statement.

I have considered this report and I am encouraged by its confirmation of the Government's belief that the standstill has been loyally observed by the great majority of employers and workers. According to the report, most of the 283 pay increases were for reasons permitted by Government policy. As the cases described in the report were anonymous, it is not possible to say how many of the increases were notified to my Department.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he takes to ensure that the industries provided with Government grants, or in which the Government takes a financial interest, are those which will best serve the economic wellbeing of the country.

Government loans and grants to industry are only made after a detailed examination of all the economic and social factors involved.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will remove the Purchase Tax on swill bins, since these are used for Agricultural purposes.

No. These articles are indistinguishable from dustbins or other refuse collecting bins used domestically.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many companies have reduced their dividends since 20th July, 1966; and what is the amount of the reduction to the total gross distribution of dividends as a result.

About 350 companies have announced reduced dividends since 20th July, 1966. Figures giving the reduction in the total gross distribution of dividends are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many companies have increased their dividends since 20th July, 1966; what the increase is in the amount of the total gross distribution as a result; and how many of these increases are in breach of Government policy.

About 150 companies have announced their intention to increase dividends since 20th July, 1966. 14 of these increased their dividends as a result of misunderstanding the precise effects of the standstill in their particular cases. Figures of the actual increases paid out, and the total gross distribution, are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much extra foreign exchange he estimates would be involved if the travel allowance were raised to £75; and if he will increase the allowance accordingly.

No. The basic allowance has been fixed for the present travel year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many taxpayers are liable to a Capital Gains Tax or credit for 1965–66 on the basis of Income Tax returns.

I regret that this information is not available without a disproportionate expenditure of labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what was the total value of military aid to Common- wealth and foreign nations, respectively, in 1964, 1965, and 1966, respectively; and what is estimated for 1967.

The figures (excluding the value of fixed assets handed over) are as follows: —

	£ million
	Commonwealth countries	Countries for which Foreign Office is responsible
1964	28	2
1965	16	3
1966 (January-September)	9	4

The figures for the full year 1966 are not yet available; they will not necessarily be in proportion to the figures for the first nine months because the incidence of expenditure is not constant over the year. An estimate for 1967 cannot yet be given.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about Rhodesia and Commonwealth discussions for implementing mandatory sanctions.

As regards Rhodesia, I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in reply to Questions on this subject on 2nd February.As regards the implementation of mandatory sanctions, we remain in close touch with Commonwealth Governments on this as well as on other questions of mutual interest.—[Vol. 740, c. 762–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will give an assurance that it is Her Majesty's Government's policy that a return of the régime in Rhodesia to the 1961 Constitution will not indicate an acceptance of the legislation passed by the then Rhodesian Government between 1961 and 1962 in severe curtailment of individual liberty.

Her Majesty's Government's views on the return to legal government in Rhodesia were contained in the Prime Minister's statement of 20th December. Naturally, we would expect that a settlement in Rhodesia would result in the legislation of the country being in accord with the goal of future progress expressed by Commonwealth Prime Ministers, namely "the establishment of just society based on equality of opportunity to which all sections of the community could contribute their full potential and from which all could enjoy the benefits due to them without discrimination or unjust impediment ".—[Vol. 738, c. 1176.]

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what defence arrangements exist between Great Britain and the authorities in Fiji.

Fiji is a British dependent territory and Britain is responsible for her defence. No special arrangements are necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many individual representations he has received regarding the Government's decision to postpone the pay award due to local government officials in Scotland on 16th March; and what reply he has sent.

Eighty-four representations, some of them duplicates, have been received, directly or through right hon. and hon. Members. I have also received three petitions with a total of thirty-six names. All these have come within the last few days, and no replies have yet been sent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to control the imports of eggs from Denmark and the Irish Republic in view of the present adequate home production.

I 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 whether he will take immediate action to limit the import of eggs from overseas into the United Kingdom with a view to ensuring an economic return to home producers.

Provision is already made in the egg guarantee arrangements for compensation to be paid (subject to certain conditions) when imports in any month exceed an agreed level and the Egg Marketing Board's average selling price for that month falls below an agreed level. I 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 is the estimated increase in cost which British farmers will have to bear in respect of animal feeding stuffs in the event of Great Britain entering the European Economic Community.

This would depend on the agricultural arrangements agreed for an enlarged Community. If we were to accept the common agricultural policy as it stands, and if the prices agreed for the present Community remained unchanged, the high prices for cereals would greatly increase prices of animal feeding-stuffs. It is not however possible to give a precise estimate of the increase in cost to British farmers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated increase in cost which British farmers will have to bear in respect of fertilisers in the event of Great Britain entering the European Economic Community.

The cost of fertilisers to British farmers would depend on their market prices, and on whether fertilisers subsidy were payable, in the conditions of an enlarged Community. Any prediction would be unduly speculative.

asked the Minister of Transport how many persons were injured in road accidents in the London Borough of Barking in 1966.

1,124 road accidents were reported in Barking during 1966. These resulted in 1,410 casualties, of which 19 were fatal, 199 serious and 1,192 slight.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will revise her decision not to enforce the 30 miles per hour speed limit on the A370 road at St. Georges, Somerset.

There is no 30 miles per hour speed limit on this road and we do not consider one is warranted. Double white lines are being put down and these are likely to be a more appropriate safety measure. Their effectiveness will be reviewed this autumn.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will have traffic signals installed at the junction of the North Circular Road with Heather Park Drive, so as to include the exit from the lorry park of the café at the west corner of the junction.

We are considering this in conjunction with the Greater London Council, as traffic authority, and the police.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations have been made to her by the Buckinghamshire and other county councils recommending an introduction of regulations requiring motor cyclists to wear protective headwear; what reply she has sent; and if she will make a statement.

The Road Accident Prevention Committee of the Bucks County Council has asked my right hon. Friend to reconsider the decision not to make the wearing of safety helmets compulsory. A. reply has been sent saying that she is reluctant to make the wearing of safety helmets compulsory for all when so many have accepted the need to wear them, but that she intends to continue, by propaganda, to persuade motor cyclists to wear safety helmets.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what is the density in Wales of railway track in current use for both passenger and freight services, calculated on the basis of square mileage of area;(2) what is the density in England of railway track in current use for both passenger and freight services, calculated on the basis of square mileage of area.

Statistical information relating to nationalised industries is not usually provided, in answer to Questions except on a basis relating to Great Britain or the United Kingdom as a whole.In this particular case the relevant figures are not kept by British Railways in such a way as to enable a comparison between England and Wales to be made.

asked the Minister of Aviation how much of the financial assistance given by the Government to the aircraft industry in the 10 years 1955 to 1965 was expended in Wales, Scotland, and England, respectively.

The only payments made by the Government to the aircraft industry which are classified as "assistance" are those for the purpose of assisting in the development and proving of transport aircraft. By far the greater part of this expenditure between 1955 and 1965 was in respect of work in factories in England, the main exception being the Rolls Royce factories in Scotland, which shared substantially in the company's general aero-engine programme. Other firms in the industry placed some sub-contract work with smaller companies in Scotland and Wales. These costs of work in Scotland and Wales engendered by Government launching assistance cannot be readily segregated.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he proposes to publish the full terms of the new Simonstown Agreement.

There is no new Agreement. The Simonstown Argeement of 1955 remains in force.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Naval officers and ratings will remain behind on the withdrawal of the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic; when he will leave Cape Town; and whether warships will continue to visit that port.

As I anounced in the House yesterday a Senior British Naval Officer (South Africa) will be appointed. He will have a very small staff of R.N. officers and ratings: the precise number is at present under consideration. The Commander-in-Chief South Atlantic and South America will haul down his flag on 11th April, 1967 and will leave Cape Town the following day. H.M. Ships will continue to visit South African ports as the occasion arises.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the total expenditure on defence was expended in Scotland, England and Wales, respectively, in 1965; and what estimate he has made of such expenditure in 1966.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Gwynfor Evans) on 20th January.I will write to the hon. Member as soon as the analysis has been completed: but I must say now that to extend it to cover the rest of 1966 would involve a great deal of extra work which I do not think would be justified.—[Vol. 739. c.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on the proportion of the gross national product allocated to defence by each North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Power, including France; and how this compares with the British allocation.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) on 29th June, 1966. These figures remain the latest available. The United Kingdom proportion calculated on a comparable basis and also for 1964 was 6·9 per cent.—[Vol. 730, c. 305–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will give in tabulated form, annually for the years 1967 to 1971, the actual savings or additional expenditure connected with the Government's projected run-down of defence forces in Malta, disregarding the effect of disbandment in the United Kingdom, Under the following headings: service pay, British civilian pay, service family costs, Maltese service pay, Maltese civilian pay, redundancy and pension payments to Maltese, transportation costs and costs of rehousing British families in the United Kingdom;(2) if he will give in tabulated form, annually for the years 1967 to 1971, the units to be withdrawn from Malta, the numbers of British Servicemen and civilians and their families to be withdrawn, the Maltese Servicemen and civilians to be dismissed, and the numbers of all these categories who will remain if the proposed rundown were completed.

It would be contrary to normal practice to give information in this detail about plans for future overseas deployments and their costs. In any event our plans will remain flexible so long as discussions with the Government of Malta continue.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what minor works grants have been given to the county of Somerset in the last three financial years, respectively.

The only payments which my right hon. Friend has made to the county council for minor works were in respect of improvements and conversions of houses belonging to the council, and were as follows:

	£
1963–64	—
1964–65	380
1965–66	670

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the action of Lymington Borough Council in granting planning permission to R. E. Powell and Partners to build five houses on a site at New Milton, on which a Mr. Charles Buchanan had previously been refused permission to build three houses; if he will call in the plans relating to this case; and if he will make a statement.

Since planning permission for five houses has already been given, there is no power to call in the application. This is a local matter within the authority of the Lymington Borough Council who have delegated planning powers and I understand that they have explained their decision to the local Press.

asked the Minister of Power what progress has been made in the matter of an official inquiry into the loss in 1965 of the oil exploration rig "Sea Gem"; when publication may be expected; and if he will make a statement,

Mr. Roland Adams, Q.C., will open the inquiry at 10.45 a.m. on Tuesday, 7th March, and 6, Burlington Gardens, London, W.1. His terms of reference will be to inquire into the causes of the accident to the drilling rig "Sea Gem" in the North Sea on 27th December, 1965, and the operation of the safety procedures applicable thereto laid down by the Minister of Power and to report to him thereon. Mr. Adams will be assisted by two assessors: Professor J. G. Ball, Head of the Department of Metallurgy and Professor of Physical Metallurgy, Imperial College of Science and Technology, and Mr. Archibald Walker, a leading marine consultant.I cannot say when publication may be expected since the inquiry may take some weeks and further time will be needed thereafter for the preparation of the report.

asked the Minister of Power if he will give an estimate of the foreign currency which would be required for profit remittances abroad by North Sea gas producers assuming an output of 4,000 million cubic feet a day, at the assumed landing prices of 3d. and 2d. a therm, respectively.

I cannot make estimates of this kind.

asked the Minister of Power what would be the amounts payable by the Gas Council to the oil companies producing gas from the North Sea over a period of 20 years for an estimated output of 4,000 million cubic feet of gas daily if the Gas Council were charged 2d. or 3d. a therm, respectively.

About £3,600 million respectively. These sums would be subject to royalty and to tax in respect of the profit element. It should not, however, be assumed that the price and quantity are unrelated

asked the Minister of Overseas Development, in view of apparent differences between the figures for British aid produced by his Department and those produced by the United Nations and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, what representations he had made with a view to securing agreement on a definition of aid which would be common to all international organisations.

International discussions, in which we are playing a full part, are currently taking place with a view to standardising the presentation of aid statistics. Naturally, different statistics are required for different purposes, for example, on some occasions a net figure is more appropriate than a gross figure. I shall be glad to arrange for the hon. Member to be provided with information on particular questions of interpretation.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how much of the financial aid made available to Malta under the 1964 financial agreement was in the form of grant or of loan; how much of each category has been used and still remains, respectively; and what is the interest rate of the loans.

The agreement (Cmnd. 3111), which provides for financial assistance over a period of ten years, lays down the division between grant (75 per cent.) and loan (25 per cent.) only for the first five years; the division for the remaining five years is reserved for future discussion. It is therefore not possible to say how much of the total aid of £51 million under the Agreement will be grant and how much loan.By 31st December, 1966, a total of £12·6 million had been issued; of this, £9·5 million was grant and £3·1 million was £35·9 million, made up of £3·7 million available during the current financial year; £31·2 million under Article 2 of the Agreement; and £1 million under Article 7. For the reasons already given the proportion of grant to loan in these sums cannot be stated.The interest rates of the loans are 6¾ per cent. on development loans of £1·1 million and nil for the time being on loans of £2 million for the dockyard.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he has completed consideration of Lord Boyd Orr's proposal that Her Majesty's Government should seek to establish a World Food Board; and what steps he plans in consequence.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) on 2nd February.—[Vol. 740, c. 748.]

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what offer of assistance to Turkey was made by Her Majesty's Government at the meeting of the Turkish Consortium of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development held in Paris on 27th January.

At the recent meeting of the Turkish Consortium Her Majesty's Government pledged the sum of £2·5 million in support of Turkey's development programme for 1967. This loan, like the £3 million loan made in 1966 will be interest free of 25 years maturity and will be for the purchase of British goods and services essential to the Turkish economy.Her Majesty's Government will, in addition, be contributing a further £1·86 million to Turkey for debt relief, and disbursements from the two project loans agreed in 1965 and 1966 are expected to total about £1·25 million.