asked the Minister of Aviation what will be the net development and building costs per Concord aircraft if the total sale is 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 Concords, respectively.

asked the Minister of Aviation what was the original estimated cost of the Concord; and what is the estimated cost at the present time.

In November, 1962, when the Agreement with the French was signed, the cost of developing Concord was estimated at £150–£170 million. The present estimate is £450 million plus a contingency allowance of £50 million. I am not prepared to give estimates of the construction costs per aircraft.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much would be needed to restore public service pensions to the purchasing power they had when the last public service pension increase was made.

About £9·5 million, on the basis of the Ministry of Labour's index of retail prices up to December, 1966.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much would be needed to restore public service pensions to the relative position they had to average wage and salary earnings when the last public service pension increase was made.

About £9 million, on the basis of the Ministry of Labour's monthly index of average earnings of all employees up to November 1966 (the latest date for which information is available).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the diminishing revenue returns from the present level of duty on whisky and gin, he will now consider reducing the tax on spirits.

This is a Budgetary matter on which I cannot comment now, except to say that the revenue receipts have not diminished.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what has been the number of applicants for entry into the administrative and executive classes in the Home Office; and how many of these have been accepted during each of the last five years from the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, London, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Sheffield;(2) what has been the number of applicants for entry into the administrative and executive classes in the Department of Education and Science; and how many of these have been accepted during each of the last five years from the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, London, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Sheffield;(3) how many members of the executive and administrative grades in his Department have been recruited, and how many applications received from the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, London, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, and Leeds, respectively, during each of the last five years;

I have asked the Civil Service Commission for the available information and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I can.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimate of the marginal revenue to be obained from a change of one per cent. in Corporation Tax and 3d. in the £ sterling in Income Tax.

On the basis of the 1966–67 estimates, and allowing for consequential effects on overspill relief, yield of Schedule F Income Tax, etc., an increase in the rate of Corporation Tax of 1 per cent. would yield £31 million for the full year; an increase of 3d. in the standard rate of Income Tax alone would yield £64 million for the full year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with business machine companies since the report of the Halsbury Committee was published; and what advice has been given to these companies.

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury has received a deputation from the Automatic Vending Machine Association led by the hon. Member for Orpington (Mr. Lubbock), and Treasury officials have had consultations with various business machine companies. Government policy on the choice of the unit and on compensation for change-over costs was explained to them. The Decimal Currency Board is at the disposal of business machine interests affected by decimalisation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what in terms of money value in 1938 would be the equivalent of today's 2·4d.

It is estimated that 2·4d. in December, 1966, the latest date available, would have had the same purchasing power as 0·7d. in 1938. This estimate is based on changes in the consumer price index, adjusted for movements in the index of retail prices during 1966.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) when the extension to the telephone exchange in Bellshill is to start, and when it will be finished; if, when finished, it will give all outstanding applicants a telephone; and if he will make a statement;(2) when the cable will be laid at the Shirrell Farm Development, Bellshill, to satisfy the needs of all the applicants for telephones in that area; if he will seek to reach agreement with the Lanarkshire County Council as speedily as possible; and if he will make a statement.

The extension started in September, 1966, and will be completed by April this year. Agreement has been reached with the Council, and the cable to the Shirrell Farm Development will be completed about the same time as the exchange extension. These developments will enable all outstanding applicants to have a telephone.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) if he will give the number of persons actually in employment in June and December for each of the years 1956 to 1966 in Wales, Scotland and England, respectively;(2) if he will give the number of men in employment in June and December for each of the years 1956 to 1966 in Wales, Scotland and England, respectively.

ESTIMATES OF TOTAL NUMBERS OF EMPLOYEES IN EMPLOYMENT, AND OF MALES INCLUDED IN THESE FIGURES, IN WALES, SCOTLAND AND ENGLAND, FROM 1956 TO 1965
(Thousands)
			Wales		Scotland		England
			Total	Males	Total	Males	Total	Males
June, 1956	…	…	939	673	2,122	1,378	18,445	11,906
June, 1957	…	…	937	673	2,119	1,377	18,545	11,959
June, 1958	…	…	923	662	2,078	1,354	18,440	11,926
June, 1959	…	…	928	662	2,088	1,348	18,540	11,968
June, 1960	…	…	948	670	2,106	1,349	18,974	12,173
June, 1961	…	…	957	673	2,116	1,352	19,291	12,346
June, 1962	…	…	958	668	2,134	1,358	19,471	12,446
June, 1963	…	…	962	669	2,102	1,331	19,527	12,476
June, 1964	…	…	977	672	2,132	1,346	19,772	12,583
June, 1965	…	…	985	670	2,139	1,342	20,011	12,701
December, 1965		…	985	670	2,153	1,341	20,130	12,723

As explained in the July, 1966, issue of the Ministry of Labour Gazette, the estimates for 1964 and later years are not completely comparable with those for earlier years, because the method of estimation has been changed.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will give details of the results of the National Productivity Conference in relation to investment incentives.

The discussion at the Conference greatly helped the Government in reaching the decision to give a further stimulus to investment by increasing the rate of investment grants for 1967 and 1968, as announced on the 1st December last.

asked the Minister of Social Security whether she will set up an inquiry into the poverty caused

Regional estimates of the numbers of male and female employees in employment are available for each June from 1956 to 1965. Information is also available for December, 1965, following the introduction of quarterly regional estimates last year, but is not yet available for June or December, 1966. I hope to write to the hon. Member giving the June, 1966, figure before the end of the month.Following is the information:amongst London families as a result of the high proportion of the family income absorbed by rents.

The effect of high rents on families with low earnings is well appreciated and I do not consider that an inquiry of the kind suggested by my hon. Friend is necessary at this time.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many qualified translators there are in the Welsh Office.

There is one full-time translator and two other well-qualified officers help as needed. Special arrangements are also made as necessary for translations to be done by university and other outside personnel.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Metropolitan policemen have been seconded to the British Airports authority; for what purpose; and it he will make a statement.

None. But four officers have been nominated on a temporary basis for co-operation with the Airport Police in the investigation of serious crime.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases during the last three years leave to appeal had been granted by the full court after it had been refused by the single judge, and in how many cases this had resulted in the quashing of a conviction or the reduction of a sentence.

There were 231 such cases in the three years 1964–1966. These included 30 cases in which appeals against conviction were allowed and 144 cases in which appeals against sentence were allowed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what replies have been received from the banking firms to the official letter sent to them asking for details of their policy towards coloured persons.

The Chairmen of the "Big Five" Banks have all sent assurances that they do not discriminate in the employment of coloured staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will break up the estimated cost of £3,700 for his 23-day visit to various countries in the Commonwealth, accompanied by four officials, giving the estimated costs for transport, hotel expenses, and entertainment; and why, on such a visit he had four officials accompanying him, in view of the Government's requests for financial economy.

The breakdown of costs for the visit is four first-class fares at £780 10s. and one economy class fare at £480 14s., totalling £3,482 14s.Members of the party will in the main be accommodated by officials at the posts concerned. In this case, one-third of normal subsistence will be payable, amounting to a total estimated at approximately £200. No local transport or entertainment costs are foreseen.The Commonwealth Secretary will be visiting six countries; he will be accompanied by two Under-Secretaries who are concerned with the areas of the world which he will be visiting, a Private Secretary and a typist. This is the minimum number compatible with the needs of efficiency.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on his policy in cases of amalgamation of smallholdings.

I am consulting the organisations concerned with statutory smallholdings and am not yet able to make any statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent the rural development boards proposed to be established under the Agriculture Bill will, amongst their other functions, be empowered to deal with the reclamation of bog land.

My hon. Friend will have seen from the Agriculture Bill that the reclamation of bog land is not specified among the functions proposed for Rural Development Boards, but they will have power to improve any land held by them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how average prices for store cattle sold in Welsh markets during 1966 compared with the prices for those sold in English markets during the same period.

For purposes of the published annual Agricultural Statistics, information is obtained weekly of prices at five representative Welsh markets and forty-two representative English markets. In 1966 the average price of first quality yearling steers on these Welsh markets was almost exactly the same as the average on the English markets at just over £50 per head.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the average cost of animal feedingstuffs to farmers in Wales compares with the

Per ton ex-mill
			Cardiff		Birkenhead		Hull		Southampton		London
Compound feeds			£	s.	£	s.	£	s.	£	s.	£	s.
Calf rearing	…	…	34	2	33	15	33	8	34	0	33	15
Dairy, standard	…	…	34	5	33	18	33	15	34	18	34	8
Pig, fattening	…	…	31	12	31	10	31	5	31	12	31	8
Sow and weaner	…	…	34	12	34	5	34	8	33	0	34	2
Poultry, layers	…	…	34	10	33	18	33	18	34	15	34	0
Poultry, broilers	…	…	43	11	42	10	43	2	42	19	42	12

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish in the Official Report statistics showing the variations in the retail prices of eggs since November, 1966, and the comparable variations in the same period over the last five years.

The only detailed figures available are the representative retail prices of "Lion" brand eggs which are announced weekly by the British Egg Marketing Board on Thursdays and which relate to prices ruling on the previous day. For the periods in question, the figures were as follows:

Date of Announcement	1961–62
	Large	Standard	Medium	Small
2.11.61	5/6–5/9	4/0–4/3	3/0–3/3	2/9
9.11.61	5/6–5/9	4/0–4/3	3/0–3/3	2/9
16.11.61	5/6–5/9	4/0–4/3	3/3–3/6	2/9–3/0
23.11.61	5/3–5/6	4/0–4/3	3/3–3/6	3/0–3/3
30.11.61	4/9–5/0	4/0–4/3	3/6–3/9	3/0–3/3
7.12.61	4/6–4/9	3/9–4/0	3/6–3/9	3/0–3/3
14.12.61	4/6–4/9	3/9–4/0	3/6–3/9	3/0–3/3
21.12.61	4/6–4/9	3/9–4/0	3/6–3/9	3/0–3/3
28.12.61	4/6–4/9	3/9–4/0	3/6–3/9	3/0–3/3
4.1.62	4/6–4/9	3/9–4/0	3/6–3/9	3/0–3/3
11.1.62	4/0–4/3	3/6–3/9	3/3–3/6	3/0–3/3
18.1.62	3/6–3/9	3/3–3/6	3/0–3/3	2/9–3/0
25.1.62	3/6–3/9	3/3–3/6	3/0–3/3	2/9–3/0
1.2.62	3/6–3/9	3/0–3/6	2/9–3/0	2/6–2/10
8.2.62	3/6–3/9	3/0–3/6	2/9–3/0	2/6–2/10

Information about the average cost of animal feedingstuffs to farmers in the two countries is not available, but current prices for representative compound feedingstuffs bought ex-mill in Cardiff, compared with similar prices for feedingstuffs bought in Birkenhead, Hull, Southampton and London are as follows:

Date of Announcement	1962–63
	Large	Standard	Medium	Small
1.11.62	4/6–4/9	3/0–3/3	2/6–2/9	2/3
8.11.62	4/6–4/9	3/0–3/6	2/6–2/9	2/6
15.11.62	4/9–5/0	3/6–3/9	3/0–3/3	2/6–2/9
22.11.62	4/9–5/0	3/9–4/0	3/6–3/9	2/9–3/0
29.11.62	4/9–5/0	4/0–4/3	3/9–4/0	3/3
6.12.62	4/9–5/0	4/0–4/3	3/9–4/0	3/3
13.12.62	4/9–5/3	4/3–4/6	4/0–4/3	3/6
20.12.62	4/9–5/3	4/3–4/6	4/0–4/3	3/6
28.12.62	4/9–5/3	4/3–4/6	4/0–4/3	3/6
3.1.63	4/9–5/3	4/3–4/6	4/0–4/3	3/6
10.1.63	4/9–5/3	4/3–4/6	4/0–4/3	3/6
17.1.63	4/9–5/0	4/3–4/6	4/0–4/3	3/6
24.1.63	5/0–5/3	4/9	4/6	3/9
31.1.63	5/3–5/6	4/9–5/0	4/6–4/9	4/-
7.2.63	5/3–5/6	4/9–5/0	4/6–4/9	4/-

Date of Announcement	1963–64
	Large	Standard	Medium	Small
7.11.63	5/3–5/6	4/0–4/3	3/3–3/6	2/9–3/0
14.11.63	5/3–5/6	4/0–4/3		2/9–3/0
21.11.63	5/3–5/6	4/0–4/3		2/9–3/0
28.11.63	5/3–5/6	4/0–4/3		2/9–3/0
5.12.63	5/3–5/6	4/0–4/3		2/9–3/0
12.12.63	5/0–5/3	4/0–4/3		2/9–3/0
19.12.63	5/0–5/3	4/0–4/3		2/9–3/0
26.12.63	Christmas Holiday—No prices collected
2.1.64	5/0–5/3	4/0–4/3	3/3–3/6	2/9–3/0
9.1.64	4/6–4/9	3/6–3/9	3/0–3/3	2/6–2/9
16.1.64	3/9–4/0	3/0–3/3	2/9–3/0	2/6
23.1.64	3/9–4/0	3/0–3/3	2/9–3/0	2/6
30.1.64	3/6–3/9	2/9–3/0	2/6–2/9	2/3
6.2.64	3/6–3/9	2/9–3/0	2/6–2/9	2/3
13.2.64	3/6–3/9	2/9–3/0	2/6–2/9	2/3

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what were the imports of steel products by quantity, form, and country of origin, for each month in the last five years;

This information could not be provided without disproportionate effort and expense. The Overseas Trade Accounts which are published each month contain some information of imports of machine tools and steel products; more detailed information on an annual basis for 1964 and earlier years is published in the Annual Statements of the Trade of the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will publish in the Official Report statistics showing percentage increases by value and volume of imports of manufactured consumer goods and manufactured capital goods, respectively, for each year since 1958.

The information so far as it is available is given in the following table. Volume estimates are not calculated for the separate categories of consumer goods and capital goods. Percentage changes in value are not available before 1959.

IMPORTS OF MANUFACTURED CONSUMER AND CAPITAL GOODS(a)
Percentage change in value on previous year
	Consumer Goods(b)	Mainly Capital Goods(c)
1959	+54	+13
1960	+35	+38
1961	-3	+13
1962	+9	+8
1963	+23	+2
1964	+23	+31
1965	-11	+14
1966	+11	+13
(a) Only goods in Sections 7 and 8 (Finished Manufactures) of the Trade Accounts are included. Some manufactured consumer and capital goods are classified to other Sections. The allocation between consumer goods and capital goods is to some extent arbitrary as some imports, e.g. motor cars, may be considered as appropriate to either category. Such manufactures have been allocated to one of the two groups according to whether most of the imports in a particular trade account heading were thought to be purchased by individuals for personal use or by businesses as part of their capital equipment.
(b) Includes cars and motor cycles, other durable goods, works of art, clothing and footwear and other non-durable consumer goods.
(c) Includes machinery, road vehicles other than cars and motor cycles, aircraft, rail vehicles, ships and boats, instruments and other finished manufactures.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total amount and value of newsprint used in this country in 1955, in 1960 and in the latest convenient year; what proportion of this amount was imported in each

					Home consumption	Imports			Imports as proportion of home consumption
					Th. tons	Th. tons			per cent.
1955	…	…	…	…	882	403	(or which:		45·6
							Canada	257
							Finland	80
							Sweden	48
							Norway	14
1960	…	…	…	…	1,266	615	(of which:		48·6
							Canada	411
							Finland	116
							Sweden	68
							Norway	19
1966	…	…	…	…	1,398*	632	(of which:		45·2
							Canada	338
							Finland	203
							Sweden	52
							Norway	38
* Provisional estimate based on figures for January to November.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the practice of professional organisations of muscians of using their monopoly strength to enforce curtailment of the use of recorded music by broadcasting organisations, theatres, restaurants and similar establishments, is a practice which can be considered by the Monopolies Commission in connection with his reference to that body of professional activities generally.

As I told the House on 30th January, the precise method of handling this inquiry will be a matter for the Monopolies Commission. However, in so far as this particular practice is connected with contracts of service, the Commission would have no power to investigate it.—[Vol. 740, c. 44–8.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many projects for the building of advance factories were approved by the Government in 1965 and 1966; how many of these were in Merseyside and Furness; and how many were in the remainder of the north-west region.

Quantities of newsprint consumed in the United Kingdom and imports are given below. Figures of the value of newsprint consumption are not available.

Approval was given for the building of 26 and 39 advance factories in 1965 and 1966 respectively. Of these two were for construction in the north west region, both in the Merseyside Development Area. None was approved for Furness.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer to the Monopolies Commission the situation created by the monopoly exercised in the activities of the Association of British Travel Agents.

I have no ground at present for thinking that such a reference is called for.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from the National Union of Shopkeepers requesting him to refer to the Monopolies Commission the Association of British Travel Agents; and what reply he has sent.

I have received no such representations from the National Union of Small Shopkeepers. If I do so, I shall of course consider them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many state-owned industries have been set up in Wales since 1964; where they are located; and how many men and women they employ.

Since 1964, I have issued 12 industrial development certificates relating to manufacturing projects undertaken by State-owned industries, all in industrial South Wales. These projects are estimated by the applicants to provide employment for 226 men and 310 women. Since October, 1964, 24 state-owned advance factories have been approved for construction in Wales.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that for the period January-October, 1966 the exports of footwear represented an increase of 6 per cent. compared with the same period in 1965, that there was an increase in the value of exports to the United States of America of 8 per cent., to the other European Free Trade Association countries of 14 per cent., to the Union of

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES(1)
Share of the Development Areas in schemes approved Per cent. of area approved for Great Britain going to:
		Total Great Britain	Development Areas (2)		South East		Rest of Great Britain
		(Million sq. ft.)		(Million sq. ft.)		(Million sq. ft.)		(Million sq. ft.)
1962	…	37·3	24	(9·1)	32	(11·8)	44	(16·4)
1963	…	39·0	31	(12·2)	24	(9·4)	45	(17·4)
1964	…	59·0	34	(20·2)	20	(11·8)	46	(27·0)
1965	…	62·0	39	(24·5)	18	(11·4)	42	(26·1)
1966(3)(4)	…	69·6	41	(28·7)	15	(10·7)	43	(30·1)
(1) The figures relate to schemes, mainly over 5,000 sq. ft., for both manufacturing and non-manufacturing industry.
(2) As currently defined, i.e. in the Development Areas Order 1966 (S.I. 1966 1032).
(3) The figures for 1966 are estimates comparable in coverage with preceding figures. (The definition of the area of industrial building was altered in mid-August 1966.)
(4) Provisional figures.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she has yet received the report of the inspection officer into

Yes, although these figures relate only to leather footwear and slippers. The decline in exports to the E.E.C. is due mainly to a reduction in sales of women's shoes, a sector which is particularly sensitive to changes in fashion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what degree the industrial development certificate control has been successful in steering industrial expansion into the development areas.

41 per cent. of the Industrial Development Certificates approved for Great Britain in 1966 were in respect of Development Areas, although these areas only account for some one-fifth of the population. The following is a table showing how over the last few years the proportion of schemes approved in respect of Development Areas has continuously increased.the rail crash at Moore on the night of 13th–14th May, 1966 involving the Euston-Stranraer Express; and when she proposes to publish the report.

The Inspecting Officer's Report on the rail accident at Moore has been completed and will be published in the next fortnight.

asked the Minister of Transport when the Joint Steering Group, under the chairmanship of the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, will report.

I hope that by mid-summer the Group will have reported on those aspects of their remit which are likely to affect forthcoming legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will introduce legislation to institute a further right of appeal for persons evicted from council houses on such technical grounds as the keeping of a dog.

No. Local authorities generally act reasonably in the management of their houses, and I do not think further legislation is needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of two recent court cases in Inverness involving drugs; and what steps his Department is taking to tackle the problem of drug taking and drug distribution in Scotland.

I am aware of one recent conviction in Inverness Sheriff Court for an offence under the Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1964; and I understand that proceedings are being taken in two other cases. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is primarily responsible for measures to prevent the misuse of drugs and to control the distribution of dangerous drugs; and I am associated with him in the action which is now being taken to review the working of the Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1964 and to implement the principal recommendations of the Brain Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will introduce legislation to permit and facilitate the participation of students at universities and other establishments of higher education in the government of their university or college.

I do not think that legislation is needed. But I have made it clear that I am most anxious to see systematic arrangements made for due consultation between students and university and college authorities on matters of proper concern to the students.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the shortest possible period in which the Animal Virus Research Institute can analyse from saliva and scabs taken from the mouths of animals whether foot-and-mouth disease is present by means of the animal inoculation test.

The shortest possible time is 24 hours, but results are more usually available in 48 hours. Negative results are not accepted until the test has run for 7 days.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, on receiving the bottle containing saliva and scabs taken from animals suffering from foot-and-mouth disease on 18th July last year from Flotterton Farm, near Rothbury, the complement fixation test, the test in tissue culture, and the test by animal inoculation were all immediately made.

The sample from Flotterton Farm was delivered by courier at Pirbright at 10.45 a.m. on 19th July, 1966. Tissue culture and mice were inoculated within one hour and the result of the complement fixation test on the original material was reported to the Animal Health Division of the Ministry of Agriculture at 12.30 p.m. on the same day.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress has been made in providing for the transferability of pension rights of local government officers and teachers who are elected to Parliament.

So far as local government officers are concerned consultations are in hand with other Government Departments and, when these are concluded, draft rules will be put to the trustees of the Members Pension fund and to the local authority and staff associations. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science is in a similar position with regard to teachers.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many circular letters his Department has despatched to all local authorities in England and Wales since October, 1964; and what was the average cost of dispatch.

The Answer to the first part of the Question is 159; and to the second £39 6s. 0d.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many planning applications for new residential development involving direct traffic access to the A30 trunk road in the Frimley and Camberley urban district have been received in the last five years; how many of these have been approved; and how many have been rejected on load safety grounds.

The information requested is not available from the records kept by the Department.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will set up an inquiry into the level of rents in London, both for private and council houses, showing the percentage of the family income now being absorbed by rents.

This information is already collected and the results have been published in Housing Statistics No. 1 1966 (Supplementary Tables IX — XII). As more recent and fuller information becomse available it will be published in future issues and will of course be considered by my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now make a further statement clarifying Her Majesty's Government's policy on local authority rent rebate schemes; whether the desirable maximum proportion of the family income to be charged for rent, namely one-sixth, is supposed to include rent, rates and other charges; and whether the family income, defined for this purpose, is the total in- come of the family or merely the income of the head of the family.

Talks are taking place with the local authority associations on the principles and practice of rent rebate schemes, with a view to issuing fresh guidance to local authorities on these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the total value of arms sales abroad in each of the years 1964, 1965 and 1966, and the value of sales of these years to the Middle East, Africa, and the Far East, respectively.

The global figure of arms sales in 1966 is not yet available, but in each of the years 1964 and 1965 it was of the order of £120 million. I regret that for statistical reasons it is impossible to give details for specified geographical areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the re-equipment of units with cross-country vehicles has increased the need for training areas; and what plans he has for acquiring such areas.

The re-equipment of units with tracked vehicles has had no substantial effect on the need for training areas in the United Kingdom. I have no plans for acquiring fresh areas for the units now stationed in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to acquire more land for training of tracked vehicle drivers; and where such land will be.

Enough land is held for the number of tracked vehicles at present in the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the 1,400 acres of training land disposed of by his Department since October, 1964, included any which could be used by tracked vehicles; and where these acres were.

The largest areas were in Yorkshire, Hampshire, Norfolk and Westmorland. None were suitable for training with tracked vehicles.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many units equipped with how many tracked vehicles are at present stationed in the United Kingdom; and how this number compares with the number in March, 1965.

March, 1965:4 major units, other units, plus miscellaneous establishments; 423 tracked vehicles.February, 1967:3 major units, other units, plus miscellaneous establishments; 327 vehicles.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much additional land released by the reorganisation of the Territorial Army has become available for manoeuvres by tracked vehicles since March, 1965.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations took place with the United Kingdom's North Atlantic Treaty Organisation allies before the announcement of the proposed defence cuts in Malta; and whether these cuts were agreed.

Following established procedures and in advance of public announcements, our North Atlantic Treaty Organisation allies have been kept in formed of our intentions regarding forces available to the Alliance. In accordance with N.A.T.O. procedures, any views expressed by our allies will be considered before decisions are implemented.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will instruct commanding officers that a written explanation of the procedure and financial arrangements for military and private funerals should, in addition to verbal explanations, always be handed to the next of kin.

Funeral arrangements vary, particularly when a soldier dies overseas. It is the duty of the visiting officer to explain what is involved in each case, to discuss the wishes and needs of the family and to give such advice as he can. It would not be practicable to bring this advice in writing before the special needs of the family have been discussed with them.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will order an official inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Trooper Masters of the Queen's Own Hussars; and whether soldiers in that unit were punished for accusing a non-commissioned officer of neglect.

The Answer is "No" to both Questions. There was a public inquest.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the former Admiralty depot at Ditton Priors, Shropshire, from what owners the land was originally acquired; what were the respective areas; what areas have either been resold to private owners or offered to them for resale; and when the resales will be completed.

The information is as follows:

1. Original Owners	Approximate Acreage
Mrs. M. L. Moreton	21
Mr. Edwin Davis	15
Mr. John Lewis	209
(Mr. Lewis has since died and there is no successor entitled to former owner treatment)
The Boyne Estate	259
British Rail	98

No land has been resold to private owners; but the following acreages were on offer before the decision to withdraw Ditton Priors from disposal:

To	Approximate Acreage
Mrs. M. L. Moreton	10
Mr. Edwin Davis	13
The Boyne Estate	435

In view of the military requirement for Ditton Priors as an ammunition storage depot, the question of completion of re-sales does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether it was on his instructions that a three-acre field occupied by Mr. William Radnor, near Ditton Priors, Shropshire, was forcibly entered on 10th January last by contractors employed by him and converted into a park for ammunition lorries; why no warning or notice was given; and what Ministerial apology has been made.

The Ministry of Defence land referred to in the Question was let to Mr. Radnor on an agricultural tenancy terminable without notice in an emergency. The need to occupy the land at very short notice arose because of the urgency of the requirement to use Ditton Priors as an ammunition storage depot. I regret that in the event Mr. Radnor did not receive any warning; the Defence Land Agent called on him the next day and apologised for any inconvenience caused.

asked the Minister of Health what was the average cost of drugs prescribed per person on the prescribing list of general medical practitioners for the years 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1966.

The estimated average total cost per person was:

	s.	d.
1963	41	6
1964	45	3
1965	55	2
1966 (provisional)	60	0

These figures are inflated to a small extent because it is not possible to exclude the cost of prescriptions dispensed by chemists for patients other than those on prescribing lists.