asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many agreements under Section 25 of the Drainage Act, 1961, he has received since November, 1964; and how many rating authorities and drainage boards have completed agreements to spread the drainage rate throughout their areas.

Since November, 1964 I have received copies of eight agreements between drainage boards and local rating authorities under Section 25. I do not know how many rating authorities have made arrangements under such agreements to spread the drainage rate throughout the whole of their area. This is entirely within their own discretion and does not have to be specified in the agreement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the sudden increase in egg imports in recent weeks; and what discussions he has had with representatives of home producers on this matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the British Egg Marketing Board about the effect on egg prices of recent importations of dumped foreign eggs; and what action he has taken thereon.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has had from the National Farmers' Union or its county branches concerning the dumping of foreign eggs on the British market; and what reply he has sent.

The British Egg Marketing Board and the National Farmers' Union have represented that the level of egg imports recently has been damaging the home producer. I have told them that I do not consider that a case has been made out for any change in our import policy. Egg imports, after showing some increase in January are now at a lower level. Even at the January level they did not involve the payment of compensation which is provided for under the egg guarantee arrangements to protect the interests of home producers from the effects of excess imports.If the industry considers that eggs are being dumped and are causing or threatening them with material injury it is open to them to apply to the Board of Trade for anti-dumping action.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the effect of the imports of foreign eggs on producers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the effect of the January imports of eggs on the price paid to home producers by the Egg Marketing Board, which was further reduced on 4th February by 7d. a dozen for first quality eggs; and if he will make a statement.

The determination of producer prices is a matter for the British Egg Marketing Board but I consider that the main factor affecting prices in recent weeks has been the seasonal increase in home production, which has not been matched by increased consumption. Imports in January are estimated at only about 3 per cent. of total U.K. supplies.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take action to ensure an increase in the application of lime to Welsh land.

As I said in my reply of 24th January to the hon. Member, I am satisfied that on average the application of lime on farms in Wales is adequate for reasonable maintenance needs. The importance of liming is well-known. I am sure that with the encouragement of an average subsidy of nearly 50 per cent. Welsh farmers will continue to maintain the lime content of their land.—[Vol. 739, c. 247.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the 24 complaints made to his Department about overcharging in restaurants in Scotland since the measures of 20th July were introduced, related to the Edinburgh area; and how many of the complaints were submitted by Members of Parliament.

Of the 24 complaints received, 4 were about restaurants in the Edinburgh area. All 4, including the one sent to me by my hon. Friend, were submitted by Members of Parliament.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he is giving to farmers in the use of antibiotics in the barley beef system, in view of the risks this creates of salmonella infection in human beings.

None. The giving of antibiotics to bovine animals is a matter for prescription by a veterinary surgeon.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to ensure that where date stamping of foodstuffs is carried out that it shall be done in such a way as to be easily understood by the consumer.

In their Report on Food Labelling the Food Standards Committee gave their reasons for making no recommendation on date stamping. This question is one of those to be considered before new food labelling regulations are made, but we cannot give an undertaking such as my hon. Friend asks for.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken to prohibit the sale of raw milk by producer retailers, especially to catering establishments, hotels and boarding houses.

None. Over 96 per cent. of our milk is already heat-treated, but some people prefer untreated milk and others would be unable to get supplies if the sale of raw milk was prohibited.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is yet able to make an announcement about the compensation which will be paid to tenant farmers dispossessed in consequence of schemes under the New Towns Act.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the injustices caused to tenant farmers when their land is made the subject of a compulsory purchase order; and whether he will introduce legislation to enable them to receive fair compensation.

I hope to make a statement very soon on compensation for tenant farmers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will review the expansion target for agriculture, in the light of the persisting balance of payments position of this country.

The Government have pointed out that the country's balance of payments position underlines the importance of saving imports through the selective expansion of agricultural production based on increasing productivity. I am considering at the Annual Review now in progress the industry's production in relation to the objectives of the selective expansion programme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fishing trawlers were built in British yards in 1966; and how many of these qualified for financial grant.

Nineteen, of which 16 qualified for grant.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has had from the White Fish Authority about the two to one ratio for scrapping old fishing trawlers for new vessels; and if he will make a statement.

The White Fish Authority has expressed the view that the necessary control over catching capacity should apply to the fleet as a whole. We take the view that it is fairer to apply it to individual applicants for grants.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many licences for drift-netting for salmon were issued by his Department in the past three years; and how many were issued by river boards in the same period.

In the three years 1964, 1965 and 1966 the number of licences issued by the Ministry was 5, 7 and 7, and by the River Authorities 232, 210 and 211, respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an undertaking that the Government will not seek to impose a statutory minimum pricing scheme without Treasury support on the white fish industry.

Now that the W.F.A.'s draft scheme has been published, it will be necessary for Ministers to consider it in the light of any unresolved objections. I cannot therefore give any undertaking about the Government's future attitude at this stage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the fact that imports of mutton and lamb rose by 9 per cent. in volume in 1966, and an additional cost of £8 million to United Kingdom balance of payments, he will now take steps to encourage home production and to limit the flow of imports.

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. Imports in 1966 were in fact lower in both quantity and value.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an assurance that the Fisheries Act 1964 will not be modified as a condition of entry into the Common Market.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has explained it would not be in the national interest to define publicly the position we might adopt in any negotiations for British entry into the European Economic Community. The Community has not yet adopted a common fisheries policy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his official recent visit to Dublin.

I went to Dublin to talk with the Irish Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries for the first time since he assumed that office. We exchanged views on a number of agricultural matters of interest to both our countries. We discussed in particular developments in the trade in agricultural products under the Anglo-Irish Free Trade Area Agreement, especially meat and livestock.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has invited the horticulture industry to comment on the scope for new marketing arrangements and the need for added training facilities as recommended by the Northern Economic Council; and what reply he has had.

The recommendation referred to by the hon. Lady was addressed to the horticultural industry, which will no doubt consult me if it feels there is anything I can do to help.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an estimate of the profitability of milk production if Great Britain were immediately to join the Common Market.

This would depend on the arrangements agreed for milk in an enlarged Community. If we were to accept the common agricultural policy as it stands and if the prices adopted by the Community remained unchanged, milk production—especially in the winter—could be expected to be less profitable, because of the higher cost of feeding-stuffs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the National Farmers' Union after its annual conference, regarding the long-term prosperity of the industry; and what reply he has sent.

None specifically on this point but the economic condition and prospects of the industry are being considered in consultation with representatives of the Farmers' Unions at the Annual Review which is now in progress.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will classify the reasons for ineligibility of those applicants who have been refused registration as agricultural establishments for the purpose of repayment of the Selective Employment Tax; and if he will give the numbers in each classification.

I regret that the information requested by the hon. Member is not available and it would be expensive in time and labour to obtain it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated cost to public funds of dealing with each claim for repayment of the Selective Employment Tax to agricultural establishments.

On the basis of the number of applications for registration approved to date, the present estimate is that the cost to public funds of dealing with each quarterly claim may average about 5s.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce amending legislation to ensure that the Selective Employment Tax refunds paid to farmers bear interest.

No; for the purposes of this tax farmers are in the same position as the other employers who are entitled to refund.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if it is his policy that the recent increase to agricultural workers awarded by the Agricultural Wages Board shall only be paid to those currently receiving only the minimum rates; what percentage of adult male agricultural workers are estimated to be receiving only the minimum rate; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North (Mr. Hazell) on 2nd February. It is estimated that in England and Wales about 10 per cent. of hired regular wholetime adult male agricultural workers earn no more than the minimum rates prescribed by the Agricultural Wages Board.—[Vol. 740, c. 165–7.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from interests in this country about imports of subsidised Danish bacon; and what reply he has sent.

We have received a number of representations about the effective level of support to the pigmeat industry in Denmark as compared with the United Kingdom. We have promised to study these but, as I said in reply to the hon. Member for Lowestoft (Mr. Prior) on 30th November, there has been no direct supplementation of prices paid by co-operative bacon factories since mid-June last and indirect help cannot readily be quantified.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will state the number of fatal accidents during the last convenient 12-month period suffered by the drivers of tractors used in agriculture fitted with cabs for the driver and those without such a fitting, respectively.

In England and Wales in the twelve months ended 31st December, 1966, there were no fatal accidents to drivers of agricultural tractors fitted with safety cabs or frames; 39 drivers without this protection were killed when their tractors overturned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the British Industrial Biological Research Association is represented on the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee or the Pharmacology Sub-Committee.

No. Members serve in their individual capacities as experts and not as representatives.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to take following the recommendations of the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee that statutory limits should be placed on the amount of residues of aldrin and dieldrin in foods.

The Report was published on 26th January and I have invited interested organisations to let me have their comments by 26th April. I shall then consider what action is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations have taken place with local authorities and other bodies concerned about the implications of the Report by the Sub-Committee of the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee on Scotland's Older Houses.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reappraisal of housing policy he intends to make in the light of the disclosures in the Report by the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee entitled Scotland's Older Houses.

I have sent copies of the Report to all local housing authorities, to local authority associations, and to a number of professional bodies concerned. The local authorities have been asked for their views, and within the next ten days my noble Friend the Joint Under-Secretary of State will be having preliminary discussions with their housing conveners. Separate discussions will be held shortly with the other bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to bring the school-leaving dates in Scotland into line with those in England.

In both countries the end of the summer term is one of the leaving dates, by statute in England and Wales and by local prescription, approved by me, in Scotland. The main practical difference is that the second leaving date in England and Wales is fixed by statute whereas in Scotland it is effectively chosen by the education authority with, again, my approval. I have received no representations against this element of choice. An education authority may fix a third date with my approval, but I intend to consult those education authorities which have done so as to whether three dates are still desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many police authorities in Scotland are short of establishment by 10 per cent. or over.

Five.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many policemen were recruited in Scotland in 1966; how many resigned or retired; and by what number Scottish police forces are under strength at the latest available date.

674 men and 106 women were recruited in 1966; 836 men and 93 women resigned or retired. At 31st December, 1966, Scottish Police Forces were 917 men and 47 women under strength.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the present combined authorised establishment figure of 186 for the Inverness County of Inverness Burgh police forces will be reviewed prior to amalgamation.

This will be a matter for the joint police committee when it is set up.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has requested, and what information he has received, from the Scottish Economic Planning Council regarding the extent to which the Scottish economy has been sheltered from the present economic restrictions.

The Scottish Economic Planning Council keeps a close watch on, and advises me about, the implications for Scotland of national economic policies.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has now agreed methods by which bull licences issued in England will be valid in Scotland.

Yes. As from 1st April next a Scottish licence will be automatically issued in respect of a bull already licensed in England which is transferred to Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prosecutions there were in 1965 and 1966 against coal merchants for short weight; and how many were convicted.

Information for the calendar year is not available, but during the local authority year 1964–65 there were 25 prosecutions and 25 convictions. The figures for 1965–66 are 35 and 31.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make an estimate of the number of pregnancies that have been medically terminated lawfully in Scotland during each of the past three years.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients in Scotland are known to have required medical or mental treatment in hospital as a result of illegal abortion during each of the past three years.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what initiative he intends to take to ensure that nurses, like other insured workers, are paid suitable overtime rates for working on public holidays, week-ends, and on night duty.

Some nurses already receive additional payments for Sunday and night duty; the question of extending these arrangements is a matter for the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local government employees there are in Scotland who have been denied increases in salary; how many representations he has received on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

About 20,000 administrative, professional, technical and clerical workers employed in local government in Scotland have had a proposed pay increase deferred until, at earliest, 1st July, 1967. The number of representations I have so far received on this matter is 137. I have nothing further to add at present to what was said in reply to the hon. Members for Dumfries (Mr. Monro) and Fife, East (Sir J. Gilmour) on 2nd February.—[Vol. 740, c. 159–60.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the terms of reference of the new Co-ordinating Transport Committee for Scotland; and whether they include the co-ordination of bus, railway and steamship time-tables.

The terms of reference of the Transport Committee are to promote, under the general direction of the Scottish Economic Planning Council, the co-ordination of transport facilities serving Scottish needs, and to assist the Council in advising on any other transport questions that may engage the Council's attention. It thus covers the co-ordination of timetables.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will instruct the Highlands and Islands Development Board, when contemplating expenditure of public money on projects which will enhance the value of privately owned islands and other estates, to exercise their statutory powers to acquire such lands in the first place and develop them under full public ownership.

No. I think each case must be considered on its merits.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he approved in principle the proposal of the Highlands and Islands Development Board to spend £1 million on the building of hotels providing seasonal employment in a service industry for small numbers of girls who do not receive employment benefit off season, in view of the need of the Islands for year-round insurable employment in manufacturing industry; and if he will direct the Board to switch this expenditure.

I am satisfied that this proposal, together with the Board's other measures to develop the tourist industry in the Highlands and Islands, should strengthen the economy of the Islands, and, in particular, bring about a lengthening of the tourist season in these areas. The second part of the Question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he was consulted by the Highlands and Islands Development Board before the Board offered a grant of £1,000 to further the attempted observation of the alleged Loch Ness monster; and why this has been accorded priority over urgent projects.

No. The Board made this offer at its discretion and on its own assessment of its merits.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many women were accepted for places in Scottish colleges of education for infant training, and how many were refused, in 1966.

For the full-time one-year course for the infant mistress endorsement 64 applications were accepted and 29 rejected; for the part-time course for serving teachers 218 were accepted and 150 rejected. Because of the essentially practical nature of these courses only limited numbers can be accepted.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what research is currently being made into the future of fish farming; and what future action he proposes taking on the matter.

Since the techniques and requirements for fresh water fish farming are already well known, research effort, in which a number of institutions and organisations are involved, is now mainly directed to fish farming in a marine environment. Current work in Scotland includes basic research by the marine scientists of my Department into the environmental conditions necessary for successful fish farming in the sea and means of enriching these conditions; practical experiments under the auspices of the White Fish Authority in rearing young plaice in an artificial sea loch at Ardtoe and also in warm water from the Hunterston Power Station; and investigations by the Scottish Marine Biological Association into the problem involved in cultivating oysters and other shellfish.The research involved in these and other projects represents a considerable expenditure of effort. It will be pressed forward as rapidly as possible with the aim of solving the many problems inherent in developing fish farming as an alternative source of supply for the market.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will in future, when granting permission to local authorities for the making of new pedestrian crossings, specify that kerbs should be ramped for the benefit of invalid chairs and prams.

The technical advice given to local authorities during the last 20 years on the design and layout of roads has included guidance on the use of ramps in the kerb for this purpose. In certain circumstances ramps may be a potential danger to other users of the footpath, and I am sure that the local authorities should continue to decide whether or not ramps are desirable at particular sites.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated cost to public funds of dealing with each claim for repayment of the Selective Employment Tax to agricultural establishments.

Between 4s. and 5s.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to start repayment of the Selective Employment Tax to agricultural establishments.

This week.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will classify the reasons for ineligibility of those applicants who have been refused registration as agricultural establishments for the purpose of repayment of the Selective Employment Tax; and if he will give the numbers in each classification.

At 8th February, 370 application for registration had been refused because no labour was employed; 83 because the establishment was not engaged by way of business wholly or partly in agriculture, horticulture or forestry; 279 because not more than half of the employees were employed wholly or mainly in connection with those activities; and 20 because more than half of the employees were employed in non-qualifying activities such as office work.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will instruct the Highlands and Islands Development Board to prepare a scheme for the drainage of the land bordering the River Spey.

No. Responsibility for the drainage of this land rests with the proprietors concerned, and I do not feel justified in asking the Board to take any initiative at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will publish a table listing all the burghs, large and small, counties and cities in Scotland and showing the number of houses completed by them in 1966, the number currently under construction, the target for completions in 1967, and the estimated waiting list.

Figures for houses under construction are shown in the quarterly Housing Return. Figures for completions in 1966 can be derived from the Returns, but for ease of reference I am sending the hon. Member a note of them. Local authorities have not been asked for their targets for completions in 1967, or for information about their waiting lists.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses are planned for starting by the Scottish Special Housing Association in Glasgow and in the rest of Scotland, respectively, in the year 1966–67 and in each of the years 1967–68, 1968–69 and 1969–70, respectively.

In Glasgow, under present commitments, the Association will start 535 houses in 1966–67, 465 in 1967–68 and 305 in 1968–69. Other direct contributions to Glasgow's housing needs will be made in selected developments outside the city, including overspill receiving areas. In Scotland as a whole the Association plans to start 1,700 houses in 1966–67 and reach 5,000 starts a year by 1969–70.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the increase in naval and air forces patrolling in the Moçambique Channel have resulted from the institution of mandatory sanctions against Rhodesia; and of what cost to public funds.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 20th January.—[Vol. 739, c. 159.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what naval or other equipment ordered for the South African Navy under the Simonstown Agreement remains to be supplied, whether for the replacement of existing equipment or otherwise; and when delivery will be completed.

The Simonstown Agreement specified only certain naval ships for supply to the South African Navy from the U.K. These have all been supplied, with the exception of two which the South Africans themselves cancelled.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether it continues to be the policy of Her Majesty's Government to supply to the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia any arms required by them for the conduct of the war in Vietnam; and to what other Government it is his policy to supply arms for this purpose.

The policy remains as stated by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for Woolwich, West on 12th July, 1966.—[Vol. 731, c.191.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many people injured in the fire in Chatham Dockyard last July and who have suffered permanent injury or scarring have received compensation; and what arrangements are being made to assess the claims of the injured for compensation.

The injuries were minor except for one case which I understand is being considered under the Industrial Injuries Act. No claim has so far been made on my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what terms H.M.S. "Greetham" and "Harp-ham" were made available to the Libyan Government; what has been the annual cost of the naval mission to Libya since November, 1962; and for what period it is expected this arrangement will continue.

H.M. Ships "Greetham" and "Harpham", which had been on loan to the Libyan Government since 1962, were presented to them as a gift in March, 1966. The average annual cost of the British Naval Mission has been £54,000. The arrangement is likely to continue for some time.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what charge is made to Servicemen in the British Army of the Rhine for their flight home on leave; and what is the total estimated saving since the free travel twice a year was reduced to once only.

The fare charged varies depending on which airfields are used. The average is about £9 return.Since free travel was reduced to only once a year, the total estimated annual saving is about £85,000 in respect of B.A.O.R. and R.A.F. (Germany).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken to secure after evacuation the pension rights or other benefits due to local personnel now attached to or working for British forces in Aden Colony and the Federation; and if he will make a statement.

In so far as uniformed personnel may be members of public services, they fall to be dealt with by the arrangements referred to by my right hon. Friend.Unestablished civilians employed by the Ministry of Defence will receive agreed rates of gratuity.The position of established civilians, including the question of their superannuation, is under review and the local unions have been so informed; to the extent that it proves possible to continue to employ them in the service of Her Majesty's Government, their present pension rights will be unaffected. Accrued benefits in accordance with the Superannuation Act, 1965, will be payable immediately to those whose service is terminated.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what British forces now remain in African Commonwealth territories; and with what rôle.

An Army company in Botswana on guard duties at the Radio Relay Station; Service personnel on loan or in teams assisting with the training of local forces in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Sierra Leone and Zambia; military advisers on the staffs of High Commissions and some minor administrative units.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the numbers of officers and men in each of the three services, the number of established civil servants in Service Departments and the number of civilians employed by the Services in 1914. 1924, 1934, 1950, 1961, 1964 and 1967.

Following is the information,so far as it is available:

ARMED FORCES*†
Royal Navy
Year			Officers	Men	Total‡
1914	…	…	—	—	146,000
1924	…	…	—	—	99,500
1934	…	…	—	—	90,300
1950	…	…	13,200	119,400	132,600
1961	…	…	10,700	81,600	92,300
1964	…	…	11,000	83,200	94,200
1967	…	…	11,500	82,100	93,600

ARMED FORCES*†
Army
Year			Officers	Men	Total‡
1914	…	…	—	—	184,000
1924	…	…	—	—	152,500
1934	…	…	—	—	148,500
1950	…	…	32,300	329,500	361,800
1961	…	…	22,600	202,500	225,100
1964	…	…	19,300	163,600	182,900
1967	…	…	19,900	169,400	189,300

ARMED FORCES*†
Royal Air Force
Year			Officers	Men	Total
1914	…	…	Not yet Formed
1924	…	…	—	—	31,300
1934	…	…	—	—	30,500
1950	…	…	19,400	171,300	190,700
1961	…	…	21,500	130,700	152,200
1964	…	…	20,700	109,300	130,000
1967	…	…	20,500	98,400	118,900

CIVILIANS
Year			Established Civil Servants	Total Civilians
1914	…	…
1924	…	…	Not Available
1934	…	…
1950	…	…	90,328¶	459,350
1961	…	…	163,905	455,791§
1964	…	…	134,717	401,138║
1967	…	…	132,045	371,886
* Figures for male strengths, including Boys.
† National Servicemen included in 1950 and 1961.
‡ Figures for 1914–1934 inclusive based on Estimates and therefore subject to variation.
§ Reflects transfer of 40,000 civilians to Army Department on dissolution of Ministry of Supply.
║ Reflects transfer of some 50,000 Works staff from three Service Departments to Ministry of Public Building and Works.
¶ A fourth Service Department. the Ministry of Defence, was formed on 1st January, 1947. The four Service Departments were amalgamated in 1967 to form the present Ministry of Defence.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what payments are made in the event of redundancy to workers in the non-established grades in his Department, in particular employees in Her Majesty's Dockyards, who have been employed continuously for more than two but less than five years; how these payments compare with those available under the Redundancy Payments Act; and whether he will alter the regulations relating to redundancy payments for non-established industrial civil servants to ensure that such employees are at least as favourably treated as those in outside industry covered by the provisions of the Redundancy Payments Act.

Redundant civil servants are already treated no less favourably than they would be under the Redundancy Payments Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the approximate average cost of each combined cadet force now financed.

About £3,300 a year on Service Votes.

asked the Secretary Of State for Defence how far behind schedule the Polaris submarine building programme was on 1st December, 1966, and 1st January, 1967; and what is the latest estimate of the delay.

H.M.S. "Renown" is at present three months behind schedule but remedial action is being taken. We intend that all four boats will be deployed according to programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many locally entered established and unestablished men, respectively, will be dismissed in Malta in the next year; and what will be the basis of their compensation.

I cannot yet give detailed figures. Established staff would receive a lump sum and pension under the Superannuation Act, 1965; unestablished staff would receive gratuities based on pay and length of service.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Service personnel will be withdrawn from Malta in the next four years; what proportion can be housed in accommodation already available in the United Kingdom; and what will be the cost of building new accommodation, including married quarters.

On current plans we envisage the withdrawal of about 3,000. On the second and third parts of the Question I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the Answers by my right hon. Friend (Mr. Healey) to the hon. Member for Surbiton (Mr. Fisher) on 3rd February. —[Vol. 740, c. 189–90.]

asked the Minister of Transport what consultations she has had with the Hampshire County Council and the borough of Christchurch regarding the provision of a bypass for Highcliffe.

None recently.

asked the Minister of Transport when she expects to publish the route of the Thorne bypass, A614; and how, in the absence of a definite scheme, the estimated cost of £2,974,000 as published in Command Paper No. 232 of 13th December, 1966 was arrived at.

The estimate given in House of Commons Paper No. 232, which is a Report for the year ended 31st March, 1966, relates to the original proposal published in 1963 for a local all-purpose bypass. A road on a new alignment is now proposed as part of the motorway extension of M18.An aerial survey is required, and will be flown as soon as suitable weather permits, to enable detailed plans for the new line to be produced. A draft Scheme will be published as soon as possible thereafter but no firm estimate of cost for the revised scheme can yet be made.

asked the Minister of Transport what statistical evidence she has that motor vehicle drivers aged 65 years and over have a higher accident rate than those of 25 years and under.

None. The evidence available suggests, on the contrary, that for each mile driven, car drivers aged 65 and over have a lower casualty rate and a lower accident involvement rate than those aged 25 and under.

asked the Minister of Transport if she has made a survey of the number of households with cars in Scotland; and how this compares with any previous survey.

Yes. Results from the National Travel Survey available later this year will afford an estimate for 1965. An estimate derived from the Family Expenditure Survey puts the number in 1964 at some 500,000, about 31 per cent. of the total.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she is now in a position to make a statement on the compulsory registration of driving instructors.

As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, the Road Traffic (Driving Instruction) Bill, which has been introduced by my hon. Friend the Member for Morpeth (Mr. Will Owen) with his support, provides for the compulsory registration of driving instructors. I am sure that this Bill will do much to improve the standard of driving tuition and road safety, and I therefore warmly welcome it.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she has received the Welsh Transport Users' Consultative Committee's annual report for 1966 which refers to the deterioration of rail services in Western Wales; and if she will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend received this Report and is at present discussing with the Railways Board the comments relating to rail services in Western Wales.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the decision of the proprietors of Messrs. Donald Clerk and Sons, Rutherglen, to close the plant and of the fact that consequently some 140 people will be declared redundant, what action he proposes to take.

My right hon. Friend is prepared to use his powers under the Local Employment Acts to the full to encourage new employment in this area, which should also benefit from developments in Glasgow and North Lanarkshire.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the progress being made in finding alternative projects for the site soon to be vacated by Messrs. Associated Chrome Chemicals Limited, Rutherglen.

Taylor Woodrow Industrial Estates Ltd., who are developing part of the property for industrial use, are at present putting in the necessary estate services. My Department draws the attention of suitable firms to the facilities available on this estate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to prohibit the import of foreign eggs.

None.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he intends to take to prevent the dumping of eggs into this country to the detriment of British farmers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that eggs are at present being dumped from abroad on the United Kingdom market; and what action he proposes to take.

The industry has been informed that, if it considers that eggs are being dumped in this country and are causing or threatening material injury to the industry, it is open to it to apply to the Board of Trade for the imposition of an anti-dumping duty under the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act, 1957. Any such application would be considered on its merits.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what investigations have been made into the relative costs and merits of light aircraft and helicopters for operating feeder services in the Highlands and Islands; and whether he will make a statement.

AMORTISATION FACILITIES AND OTHER ASSOCIATED ASSISTANCE UNDER THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT ACTS FOR BOARD OF TRADE FACTORIES FOR NEW PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS OR AREAS
					1962/63	1963/64	1964/65	1965/66	1966 (April-Dec.)
Number of amortisation agreements	…	…	…	…	1	0	6	2	1
					£'000			£'000	£'000
Loans	…	…	…	…	1,267			1,872	353
Grants	…	…	…	…	73			81	221
Note: Financial assistance was not always offered in the same period as the amortisation agreement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will ensure that investigations of the professions by the Monopolies Commission includes the nursing profession.

It is for the Commission to decide which professions to investigate. It would be free to consider the extent to which the restrictions referred to it prevail in the nursing profession, except in so far as these are expressly authorised by Statute or Royal Charter. It would not be free to report on restrictions arising in connection with a contract of service.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the total budget of the General Agreement

Such investigations are primarily a matter for airline operators. With the assistance of the Scottish Office and the Board of Trade a study was made in 1965 and 1966 by the Highland Transport Board of the most suitable type of light fixed wing aircraft for a service to the Northern Isles of Orkney. As a result of this study an air service is to be introduced later this year using the Britten Norman Islander. Comparable helicopter operations would be substantially more costly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many mortgage arrangements were made to establish new industries in the designated areas in the years 1962 to 1966; and what were the relative loans and grants for these years, respectively.

Details are as follows:on Tariffs and Trade organisation for 1966–67; how many countries contribute towards its cost; how many staff it employs and in what other places besides Geneva they are stationed; and if he will give an account of the work and achievements of the organisation in the past year.

The total budget approved by the Contracting Parties for the administration of the General Agreement on Tariffs and trade in the calendar year was ․2,326,350, which was assessed for subscription on 76 countries. The staff complement is 211. All the staff are stationed in Geneva; but provision is made for visits on G.A.T.T. business to various countries by the Director-General and other senior staff.In addition to the normal work of administering the General Agreement, the Contracting Parties have concentrated their attention during the past year on two subjects: the Kennedy Round of trade negotiations and the trade problems of the developing countries. Substantial progress has been made towards the completion of the Kennedy Round negotiations which are designed to further the objectives of the General Agreement by reducing tariffs and other barriers to trade. There has also been considerable discussion of specific ways of helping with the trade problems of developing countries following the entry into force in June, 1966, of Part IV of the G.A.T.T. which contains special provisions designed to promote the interests of the less-developed contracting parties. The important work of the G.A.T.T.'s International Trade Centre, which operates as a market information service and provides training for officials from developing countries, has been continued and extended, and provides practical help for these countries in promoting their export trade.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to publish the report of the inquiry into the plan for the redevelopment of the Broad Sanctuary of Parliament Square.

I shall be publishing Sir Robert Matthew's Report in the very near future.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what are the estimated man-hours required for the building of a traditional brick-built house as compared with a factory-built house inclusive of the factory operation.

Such a comparison cannot be made. Detailed records of man-hours per dwelling are not kept except for a few experimental scheme. With some systems there is known to be, over the average traditional house, a very considerable saving in man-hours of site labour. But there are very wide fluctuations on either side of the average both for traditional houses and for indus- trialised houses, depending on such factors as the system of construction and the site.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what are the comparative costs of a traditional brick-built house and a factory-built house; and what is the minimum number of standardised factory-built houses for a given site before the price becomes competitive with brick-built houses.

Tender prices, both for traditional and industrialised houses, vary considerably between regions. For England and Wales as a whole however, average costs per sq. ft. for houses and bungalows in local authorities and new towns tenders approved during the first six months of 1966 were as follows:

Traditional		Industrialised
s.	d.	s.	d.
59	3½	59	9½

It is not possible to assess what minimum number of industrialised houses is needed for a given site before the price becomes competitive with brick-built houses. Everything depends on the circumstances of the case and the type and degree of industrialisation.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what research is being carried out with a view to speeding up the building of traditional brick houses, particularly by the smaller building firms.

Much of the current work of the Building Research Station, whilst not aimed specifically at smaller building firms, is directly applicable to them; this includes all work dealing with performance and materials, and the projects, now being undertaken in collaboration with the Department and the Ministry of Public Building and Works, on component development, dimensional co-ordination, programming and control of operations on site. Much other research is going on. For example the National Building Agency is collaborating with the Brick Development Association on the development of types of brick houses employing rationalised traditional methods.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will introduce a turnover tax on the added value system to take effect by 1970, in view of the incentive it would provide for exporters and of the fact that such a system will prevail in the Common Market by 1st January, 1970.

The implications of the recent E.E.C. announcement on added value tax are being studied, although I do not think it has been established that the introduction of such a tax would provide an incentive for exporters.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which members of the Decimal Currency Board were appointed to represent consumers.

None of the members of the Decimal Currency Board was appointed to represent special interests. Between them they are competent to take account of the main interests affected by decimalisation, including the consumer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what purpose those sums paid by taxpayers on excessive assessment are put, pending repayment to the taxpayer many months later.

Any such amounts, like other tax payments, are paid into the Exchequer.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will consult the Government of Australia with a view to securing a temporary relaxation of import duty on the gifts of essential goods sent by residents of the United Kingdom to relatives and friends in Tasmania, following the losses and suffering caused to them by the recent fires.

Her Majesty's Government have the utmost sympathy for all in Tasmania who have suffered from the recent fires, but any relaxation of import duties is entirely a matter for the Australian Government. I do not therefore consider that consultations with the Australian Government would be appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what Great Britain has done and will do to help Ghana tide over the difficulties which the present Ghana Government inherited from the Nkrumah régime.

pursuant to his reply on 14th February [Vol. 741, c. 333], gave the following information:We have made a considerable effort to help Ghana over her economic difficulties. The British Government organised a meeting between Ghana and her creditors in December. This resulted in proposals for a debt settlement which will allow the Ghanaians to spread the repayment of their heavy medium term debts over an extended period of years. The Export Credit Guarantee Department are continuing to extend limited credit facilities to enable the supply of essential commodities to be maintained.The Ghana Government have been told that the unspent balance of the Volta Loan—a total of £3·44 million—is available to them for electricity distribution projects, but I understand that there may be some alternative proposals for the use of this money. We will shortly be examining with the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and other potential donor countries, the possibilities of further financial aid.British technical assistance and the work of the British Council continues at a high level. And the British Joint Services Training Team still assists the Ghanaian Armed Forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether, in the light of the effects of the Anglo-Eire Agreement on agriculture in Ulster, he will seek forthwith a review of the terms of this agreement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer which my hon. Friend gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Down, South (Captain Orr) and to the hon. Member for Londonderry (Mr. Chichester-Clark) on 3rd February.—[Vol. 740, c. 174–5.]

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what is the annual total expenditure of the National Board for Prices and Incomes and the proportion of that expenditure spent on the employment of outside consultant organisations.

The estimated expenditure of the Board in 1966–67 is £390,200. The amount to be spent on outside assistance of all kinds during that period is expected to be £95,000, approximately 24 per cent.

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.

pursuant to his reply [9th February. 1967; Vol. 740, c. 344] gave the following information:The movement of earnings between July, 1966, and November, 1966, as recorded in the Ministry of Labour's index of average earnings (monthly inquiry) has been as follows:

1963 Average	…	100
July, 1966	…	121·9
November, 1966	…	120·3

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT statistics showing the average expenditure per year on students studying for a first degree in universities and technical colleges, respectively, for each year since 1954–55.

Following is the estimated average recurrent expenditure per full-time undergraduate student (all faculties) at universities in the years in question. The figures exclude capital expenditure, which is not readily averaged on an annual per capita basis, and the cost of student support, but necessarily includes an element of research costs borne out of normal recurrent grant:

Financial Year				£
1954–55	…	…	…	335
1955–56	…	…	…	340
1956–57	…	…	…	350
1957–58	…	…	…	385
1958–59	…	…	…	390
1959–60	…	…	…	420
1960–61	…	…	…	460
1961–62	…	…	…	470
1962–63	…	…	…	520
1963–64	…	…	…	580
1964–65	…	…	…	630

Information on the same basis for technical colleges is not available. This is because of the development and subsequent transfer of the Colleges of Advanced Technology during this period to the university sector. The figures of recurrent cost for technical colleges also include a substantial element for loan charges in respect of capital expenditure. In 1963–64 the recurrent expenditure per student (including loan charges) in English and Welsh technical colleges other than Colleges of Advanced Technology was £493, and in 1964–65 £555.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to secure and preserve the pension rights or other benefits due to Government servants, other than those of United Kingdom origin, after the evacuation of Aden; and if he will make a statement.

The Public Officers Agreement which it is intended to negotiate will cover the rights of these officers as well as those of United Kingdom origin.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to preserve after evacuation the pension or other rights due to British officers and personnel now working in Aden Colony and the Federation.

It is the usual practice to negotiate a Public Officers Agreement with the successor authority prior to independence, preserving the pensions and other retirement, benefits of public officers. My Department is considering now, in consultation with other interested Departments, the kind of public service arrangements to be made in respect of South Arabia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are contemplated to assist Indian, Pakistan, Somali or other non-United Kingdom citizens, now working in Aden or the Federation, to return to their homes if they so wish before or on the transfer of power.