asked the Minister of Technology (1) what plans he has to encourage British shipowners and British shipbuilders to accept the advantages of standardisation in the detailed specification of marine equipment;(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that the marine equipment industry in this country matches up to the requirements of the British shipbuilding industry.

Shipbuilders and their suppliers and customers, as well as the Classification Societies, are aware of the advantages of greater standardisation in marine equipment. I am considering, with the organisations concerned, how progress can be accelerated.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the progress being made with the research being undertaken at the Building Research Station into the distribution of electricity on building sites.

The Building Research Station has completed its development of a low voltage system for the distribution of electricity on building sites and is now co-operating with contractors in site trials of the equipment.

asked the Minister of Technology what action has been taken to implement the recommendations of the Fielden Report on Engineering Design; and if he will make a statement.

This Committee reported in June, 1963 and made 14 recommendations for implementation, as appropriate, by industry, the engineering institutions, establishments of higher education and Government. Following is a summary of action taken in implementing these recommendations:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will ask all registered charities to give him a return of the Christmas cards sold by them so that he can calculate the amount of money taken in tax from purchasers who wish to help such charities.

No. I do not think that this would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received either from manufacturers or retailers of Christmas cards that unacceptable hardship would be caused by the abolition of Purchase Tax on Christmas cards sold by charitable organisations.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present size of the Inland Revenue; and how it compares with the numbers in October, 1964.

60,905, compared with 56,366 on 1st October, 1964. Both figures exclude industrial staff and staff engaged for seasonal work only.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions in the last five years Customs officials have discovered dogs being brought into this country in contravention of the Customs Act and the Quarantine Regulations.

Central records are available only for the past three years; during that time the Customs have detected four such attempts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the contents of the application made to him by Brighton Corporation to assist them financially in promoting a marina at Black Rock, Brighton; and what answer he has given.

No such application has been received from the Brighton Corporation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent he expects to finance the forecast rise in spending by the public sector in the financial year 1967–68 by additional taxation and by borrowing, respectively.

I cannot anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the annual percentage growth rate since 15th October, 1964.

The average annual rate of growth in the gross domestic product at constant prices between the third quarter of 1964 and the third quarter of 1966 was about 1¾ per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the estimated United Kingdom holdings in overseas portfolio investment at the end of December, 1965.

The market value of United Kingdom private portfolio investments overseas was probably little changed from the estimate of £3,600 million at the end of December, 1964.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total outflow of capital from the United Kingdom in 1966; and if he will make a statement.

The total net outflow of long-term capital, Government and private, in the first nine months of 1966 is estimated at £48 million. Figures for 1966 as a whole will be published in March. On the latter part of the hon. Member's Question, the Government's exchange control measures and the Voluntary Programme are having a substantial effect.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which trade, business and other associations and organisations have so far expressed to him their preference for the pound unit on the introduction of decimal currency.

One. The National Union of Bank Employees. In the natural course of events associations and organisations who support the Government's choice of system do not write to say so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which trade unions have so far expressed to him their preference for the pound unit on the introduction of decimal currency; and which have expressed their preference for the 10s. unit.

The National Union of Bank Employees support the choice of a system based on the pound unit. The General Council of the Trades Union Congress and the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters favour a system based on the 10s. unit.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes have occurred in the amount of capital owned by the two per cent. most wealthy recipients of income since October, 1964; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his intention to seek the agreement of United Kingdom overseas creditors for the funding of the remaining tranches of United Kingdom Monetary Fund borrowings after repayment of the first tranche in December, 1967.

After the first repayment to the International Monetary Fund to be made later this year no further payments will be due until the period 1968–70. There is no reason to assume now that we could not or should not meet these payments when they fall due or to enter into any negotiations at present on those assumptions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will seek to make tax concessions for unmarried mothers.

My right hon. Friend has noted my hon. Friend's suggestion, but he cannot anticipate his Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fall in National Savings during 1966, what steps he is taking to increase its attractions as a means of saving.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Mr. Cant) this afternoon.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what advice his Department has given to local authorities having direct labour departments regarding private contractors being allowed to compete on equal terms; and whether he will make a statement.

Local authorities have been advised to put schemes out to competition if they feel any doubt whether their direct labour costs are satisfactory. Moreover my right hon. Friend may ask them to go to tender if he considers their estimate too high. In addition Direct Labour Departments' tenders will be subject to the new cost controls in the same way as contractors' tenders.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress has been made in eliminating the persistent foaming hazard on the River Aire in Yorkshire.

There has been some reduction in foaming. But it appears that the problem is even more complicated than had been thought earlier and I understand that the Standing Committee on Synthetic Detergents have devoted some space to it in their Ninth Report, which my right hon. Friend expects to receive shortly.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will place in the Library of the House of Commons the Report made to him of the inquiry held on his instructions by Mr. V. H. Loney in January, 1966, on the application of Brighton Marine Company for planning permission to develop land east of Black Rock Swimming Pool to include, inter alia, a yacht harbour, marina club, restaurants, public houses, oceanarium, ice rink, shops, hotels, boatels and residential units.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will place a model in the Library of the proposed lay-out of the north side of Tower Hill following the opening of the New Tower Hill Station.

The Greater London Council, which is to lay out the open space on the north side of Tower Hill, has not yet completed its plans, and no model showing these is therefore available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will arrange a conference of selected architects from local authorities on a regional basis to discuss with him the continuing developments and future needs of local planning and housing requirements.

Conferences can be useful on specific issues, but general questions of the kind mentioned can best be dealt with through the regular contacts which the department's regional officers have with local authorities and their officers.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in view of the fact that three years have now elapsed since the public inquiry was held into the Kingston Town Centre Redevelopment Plan, he is now prepared to give a decision on it.

Yes. My right hon. Friend hopes to issue his decision shortly.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the number of planning appeals made in the London Borough of Havering in the complete year for which figures are available; and at what cost to the local authority.

55 in 1966: I have no information about the cost to the authority.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the estimated additional cost imposed by the Selective Employment Tax to a person buying a house on a 20-year mortgage at current interest rates based on the official estimate of £70-£80 Selective Employment Tax per house.

The increased cost due to the tax will often be less than £70 a house. At £70, if the purchaser paid the whole of the tax, the additional cost would be 11s. 2d. per month, or £133 over 20 years.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government on what date the Parliamentary Secretary for Housing and Local Government visited the London Borough of Newham to discuss their housing problems; and what action he took consequent upon his undertaking to investigate the possibility of including Newham within the scheme for retrospective subsidies under the Housing Subsidies Bill.

I visited Newham on 27th October, 1966. The representations then made to me about retrospective subsidies were very carefully considered before the final list of qualifying authorities was announced.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government on what date in 1966 he published the list of English towns which would receive assistance because of the steps they had taken to meet exceptional slum clearance and overcrowding; and whether he will publish in HANSARD a list of these towns together with the revised list of these affected by the Housing Subsidies Bill.

A first list of local authorities qualifying for the backdating of subsidies was published on 28th February, 1966 [Vol. 725, c. 199–200] and a final list on 20th December, 1966, in replies to Parliamentary Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun). All authorities included in the first list were also in the final list.—[Vol. 738, c. 262–3.]

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that some local authorities are to increase their loan charges for house purchasers on 1st April, 1967 from seven per cent, to seven and three-eighths per cent.; and, in view of the recent reduction in Bank Rate, what advice he has offered to such authorities.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to his Question on the same subject on 23rd February.—[Vol. 741, c. 345.]

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will state the latest available figures of the total number of rent appeals submitted to rent assessment committees and the number derided, showing separately the number of cases when the rent as fixed by the rent officer was reduced, increased or left unaltered.

Up to 28th January, 1967, 3,440 objections to decisions of rent officers had been referred to rent assessment committees and 1,746 of these cases had been determined. The rent previously registered by the rent officer was reduced by the Committee's decision in 274 cases, unchanged in 575 and increased in 897; the Original rent was reduced by the Committee's decision in 1,319 cases, unchanged in 65 and increased in 362.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will state the latest available figures of the total number of decisions reached by rent officers, showing separately the number of cases when the rent was reduced, increased or left unaltered.

Up to 18th February, 1967, rent officers had determined 26,074 applications for registration of rent. The original rent was reduced in 11,288 cases, unchanged in 4.104 and increased in 10,682.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in the Appendix 2 List of Slum Houses issued by his Department to the Press on Monday, 23rd January, 1967, the 5,500 total number of unfit houses in Newham and the 2,851 five-year slum clearance programme 1965 to 1970 were the figures submitted in response to Circular 11/65 or the revised estimates; and what special action he proposes to take to assist Newham in overcoming this heavy slum clearance programme.

The figures were submitted in response to Circular 11/65. As my hon. Friend knows, the position of Newham in relation to the Housing Subsidies Bill has been discussed with them; my right hon. Friend is willing to consider any other suggestions for help.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was meant by reference in the Press statement issued by his Department on Monday, 23rd January, 1967, to the very heavy concentration of slums in Newham, the holding of special talks to see what could be done to speed up clearance in this black spot, in view of the exclusion of Newham from the special provisions for financial assistance under the Housing Subsidies Bill; and what has been the result of the special talks referred to in this Press statement.

As Appendix 2 to the Press statement showed, Newham had the second highest number of unfit houses in Greater London, and was not expecting to clear them all during the current five-year programme.The discussions referred to are a series of meetings being held with all the authorities with the greatest number of slums. The steps to be taken will be formulated as the series proceeds.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to secure the release from prison of John Andrew Conradie, sentenced by the courts of the illegal régime in Rhodesia to 20 years' imprisonment for crimes against that illegal régime and whose life expectancy is between 10 and 20 years under normal conditions.

Mr. John Andrew Conradie was sentenced by the High Court in Salisbury to 20 years' imprisonment. He pleaded guilty to six charges of offences against the law of Southern Rhodesia, including conspiring to commit murder. I intend to take no action to secure his release at the present time.

asked the Minister of Power if he will refer to the National Board for Prices and Incomes the question of the costs of exploration for North Sea gas and the prices to be paid for it by the Gas Council.

No.

asked the Minister of Power what alterations are being made in the expansion plans of the Central Electricity Generating Board which require his capital sanction.

There have been revisions in the C.E.G.B.'s future capital development plans in the light of current economic conditions and reductions in the Electricity Council's forecasts of the Electricity demand. These plans are subject to review annually and to my approval. The construction of one nuclear power station (at Hinkley Point, Somerset) and one conventional power station (at Littlebrook, Kent) originally planned to start last year was deferred, but I have recently agreed that the nuclear station should go ahead this year. Certain transmission schemes were also deferred.

asked the Minister of Health if he will recommend the establishment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the pay, working and living conditions of nurses within the National Health Service.

No.

asked the Minister of Health what study he has made of the particulars sent to him by the hon. Member for Brighton, Kemptown, concerning the position of three trainee nurses following the submission of a petition calling for less night duty; and if he will make a statement.

I have studied the newspaper report my hon. Friend sent to my right hon. Friend. It is inaccurate in several details. The three-year contracts of the three students nurses in question had expired. Two now have temporary posts at another hospital in the Brighton and Lewes Group and have been promised staff nurse appointments if their examination results are satisfactory. I understand that the third student nurse is seeking a post outside the National Health Service.

asked the Minister of Health what is the amount of night duty performed each year by trainee nurses during their course of training at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton; and how this compares with other hospitals in the area.

Sixteen weeks. This will be reduced to 12 weeks as soon as staffing conditions permit. In the other hospitals in the Brighton and Lewes Group the period is 12 weeks.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of homeless families on 1st January in the Greater London area for the years 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966 and 1967, respectively.

At 31st December, 1966, the number of families in temporary accommodation was 1,594. Corresponding figures for earlier years are not available.

asked the Minister of Health if he will cause future censuses in parts of the United Kingdom, other than Wales, to contain questions directed to ascertaining the number of persons living outside Wales who speak the Welsh language.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 1st February to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (Mr. Anderson).—[Vol. 740, c. 126.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider additional investment grants towards replacement of machine tools which are more than 10 years old.

No, but I hope that firms will take full advantage of the temporary increase in investment grants to replace older machinery.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation to amend the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1956.

The 1956 Act has made an important contribution to a more competitive climate in British industry and commerce. I have now decided to seek Parliamentary approval for legislation to strengthen and extend the Act in a number of ways and in particular to bring information agreements within its scope. This legislation will not, however, be brought forward during the present Session.I shall take this opportunity to seek powers which would enable me to grant temporary exemption from registration under the 1956 Act of agreements which can be shown to be positively beneficial to the national economy. The National Economic Development Council has suggested action on these lines. The exemption procedure would be subject to appropriate safeguards and exemptions would be sparingly granted.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what studies he plans to initiate in order to consider the potential contribution which could be made to civilian production, particularly for overseas development programmes, by the resources of manpower and equipment in Her Majesty's Dockyards in addition to their essential availability for naval priorities.

None. The present and prospective work load of H.M. Dockyards is such that it would not be justifiable to embark on the heavy capital expenditure which would be needed to undertake the sort of work suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much land has been made available for housing and related services by him in the last two years.

Complete records are not readily available for the period before October, 1965, but since that date about 700 acres have been made available for housing. This total includes 410 acres at Woolwich Arsenal which the Greater London Council are due to take over as the first instalment of the larger area of about 1,000 acres which they are purchasing.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will publish in the Official Report an estimate of the land likely to be released by him for housing purposes in the near future.

About 2,300 acres now in process of disposal are likely to be sold for housing and associated purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give an analysis of the different items which add up to the £300,000 more which it costs to maintain a battalion in Malta than in the United Kingdom.

As my right hon. Friend informed the House on 2nd February, the budgetary saving from the withdrawal of the two battalions and the other Army troops to Britain would be almost £1 million. £600,000 of this saving derives from giving up the local headquarters, and local administrative support, which would not be needed at home; £150,000 represents the saving in local overseas allowances. The remainder comes from a number of miscellaneous items such as savings in movement costs. It would be misleading to use these figures to deduce the savings from the hypothetical withdrawal of a single battalion.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether Mr. Leslie Parkes joined the Royal Army Ordnance Corps on a three-year engagement in 1962; and to what extent an exception was made to allow him to do so when other persons were not permitted to enlist for so short a period.

As Mr. Parkes was not bought to trial it would be improper for me to make a statement about the evidence in the case.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his present estimate of the number of hours maintenance per flight hour required on the F111K when it becomes operational; and how this will compare with other aircraft in Royal Air Force service at the time.

The F111 has been specially designed for easy maintenance access. Although in the early stages we would expect a higher figure, possibly about 50 hours, our target figure after the aircraft has been in R.A.F. service for some time is 35 maintenance man hours per flying hour, compared with 37 and 40 man hours respectively for the Phantom and the Lightning Mk. 6, both of which are much smaller and less complex aircraft.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what is the estimated total of all the outstanding claims for increased wages and salaries; to what extent prices, rates and taxes would need to be increased to meet these claims; and what would be the annual value in real terms of wages and salaries compared with pensions and fixed incomes.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food upon what criteria his veterinary office base their judgment that cattle are dead after being shot; and what evidence he has of involuntary muscular spasms causing cattle to rise to their feet after being shot.

The same criteria as any qualified veterinarian would use in similar circumstances in the light of his fundamental training in animal physiology and of his clinical experience. I have given a short version of the physiological facts in Appendix 1 to my report on slaughtering procedure. The Answer to the second part of the Question is "None", but reflex movement of the legs of an unconscious animal might give the appearance of an attempt to rise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what circumstances cause his veterinary officers to decide to slit the stomachs of sheep slaughtered on account of foot-and-mouth disease; and what circumstances cause them to allow sheep to be buried with stomachs unslit.

It is a matter of judgment for the veterinary officer to decide whether or not this is necessary to ensure satisfactory disposal of the carcases.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the value of the export of livestock

			£'000
			Cattle		Sheep
Year			For breeding	Other	For breeding	Other	Pigs*
1964—January-June	…	…	559	10,786	—	555*	1,103
July-December	…	…	583	8,771	—	1,467*	227
1965—January-June	…	…	731	14,364	21	1,167	309
July-December	…	…	489	10,305	119	1,527	557
1966—January-June	…	…	458	9,117	18	348	456
July-December	…	…	664	2,588	72	410	422
* Animals for breeding were not separately recorded.

In the six months July-December, 1966, the value of exports, other than those of animals for breeding, was lower than in earlier comparable periods. The general market situation on the Continent, which led to the imposition of levies by countries of the European Economic Community, was the primary cause of the reduction of cattle exports. All exports were affected to some degree by the prohibition on imports from Great Britain imposed by some Continental countries from mid-August to mid-November because of foot-and-mouth disease here. There were also residual effects of the ban on exports from the United Kingdom imposed because of the seamen's strike.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what changes would be necessary in the marketing of food in the United Kingdom in the event of the United Kingdom entering the European Economic Community under present conditions governing the sale of food therein;(2) if he will estimate the cost to wholesalers and retailers of food of conforming with regulations governing the sale of food in the European Economic Community if the United Kingdom were to enter the European Economic Community under present conditions.

The European Economic Community has adopted certain regulations and directives relating to quality

The value of exports of cattle, sheep and pigs from the United Kingdom (including exports to the Irish Republic) in recent years was as follows:standards for horticultural produce, sanitary aspects of the trade in meat, and to colouring matter and preservatives in food, which have a bearing on the sale of food in the Community. If the United Kingdom were to join the Community and become subject to these arrangements some changes would be required in present practice on these matters in this country. But not all the details are settled, some of the rules are not yet due to be implemented by the E.E.C. and it would be too lengthy to enumerate all the possible factors which may govern the sale of food in the E.E.C. It is not therefore possible to estimate the cost to wholesalers and retailers of conforming with the Community's food regulations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is the average annual increase in dairy cows necessary to attain the National Plan target for milk production by 1970, and what increases there were in the 12 months previous to December, 1965, and December, 1966;(2) what is the average annual increase in pigs necessary to attain the National Plan target for bacon and pork production by 1970; and what increases there were in the 12 months previous to December, 1965, and December, 1966;(3) what is the average annual increase in cereal production necessary to attain the National Plan target for cereal production by 1970; and what increases there were in the 12 months previous to December, 1965, and December, 1966;(4) what is the average increase in lamb and mutton production necessary to attain the National Plan target for lamb and mutton production by 1970; and what increases there were in the 12 months previous to December, 1965, and December, 1966.

Under the selective expansion programme announced in September, 1965, agriculture is expected to meet a major part of the increased demand by 1970 for those types of food which can be grown in this country. It would also, consistently with our international commitments, supply much of the additional cereals required for livestock feed. No definite production targets were set, but the Government made clear the general objectives for the main commodities. Following is the further information requested on dairy cows, pigs, lamb and mutton, and cereals.

	Number (United Kingdom)	Increase (+) or Decrease (—) over Previous Year
	('000s)
Dairy Herd
(a)Dairy Cows
December, 1964	3,260
December, 1965	3,270	+10
December, 1966 (Provisional)	3,252	-18
(b) Dairy Heifers in Calf
December, 1964	456
December, 1965	434	-22
December, 1966 (Provisional)	477	+43
Pigs
December, 1964	7,940
December, 1965	8,126	+186
December, 1966 (Provisional)	7,286	-840
	'000 tons
Lamb/Mutton Production
Calendar Year 1964	251·6
Calendar Year 1965	235·7	-15·9
Calendar Year 1966	266·0	+30·3
	million tons
Cereals Production
July-June, 1964–65	12·59
July-June, 1965–66	13·49	+0·90
July-June, 1966–67 (forecast)	13·52	+0·03

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of home-based students in British universities pay their fees from personal resources; and what proportion are wholly and partially, respectively, subsidised from national or local sources, respectively.

Over 95 per cent. of home-based university undergraduates in England and Wales receive awards from public funds and rather more than four-fifths of these awards are made by local education authorities. Awards to undergraduates are normally subject to parental contributions but in only relatively few cases is the value of the award reduced to such a level that it does not comprise the full fees as well as some allowance towards maintenance.Approximately two-thirds of home-based university postgraduates receive awards from public funds and about 90 per cent. of these awards are made by Government Departments or the Research Councils and cover fees and an allowance for maintenance. Many other home-based postgraduates have their fees paid by their employers or by scholarships from university or charitable sources, but the precise number is not known.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will consider the setting up of a consultative committee, with representation of the many organisations connected with overseas students, to advise him on the future conditions, including financial, for overseas students in Great Britain.

As I made clear to the House last Thursday I intend to keep the long-term situation under review in consultation with the Minister of Overseas Development and in collaboration with the universities, the local authorities and other interests concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students from overseas are Government sponsored; and how many are private, at present studying in universities, polytechnics, technical colleges, and other institutions.

In 1965–66, the latest year for which figures are available, there were 2,615 overseas students studying full-time in U.K. universities and establishments of further education (technical colleges and other grant-aided institutions) who were financed from U.K. public funds. This figure includes Commonwealth Scholars and Bursars, Technical Assistance trainees, British Council Scholars and holders of awards made by publicly-financed organisations.8,776 overseas students at universities were privately financed. The comparable figure for overseas students at establishments of further education is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether a student from a Commonwealth country holding a British passport and not eligible for a Government grant from his native country will be required to pay the extra fees.

It is intended that the application of higher fees shall depend entirely on the recent residence of a student, irrespective of nationality.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions the Advisory Committee on Penal Treatment has met; how many subcommittees it has formed; and how often these have met.

The Advisory Council has met twice. Four sub-committees have been formed; two have met once and two have not yet met.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases have been investigated by the City Fraud Squad in each of the last five years; how many resulted in prosecu- tions; and if he will tabulate the reasons why the remaining cases were not proceeded with.

The table below shows prosecutions undertaken each year by the City of London Police following investigation by the City component of the joint Metropolitan and City Company Fraud Department.

		Cases carried forward	New cases	Number of prosecutions
1962	…	25	24	18
1963	…	21	27	16
1964	…	25	18	10
1965	…	19	28	12
1966	…	29	21	9

It would be contrary to practice to give reasons for decisions not to prosecute.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recommendations he has made for the appointment of sergeants as full-time crime prevention officers in busier divisions.

H.M. Inspectors of Constabulary in England and Wales, in the course of their annual force inspections, are advising the appointment of sergeants where satisfied that there is a need.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Mr. George Raft, an American citizen, has been declared a prohibited immigrant.

Because I considered that Mr. Raft's continued presence here would not be conducive to the public good.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to amend the Race Relations Act so that its provisions apply to boarding-houses and private hotels.

The Government are proposing to review the need for revising the provisions of the Race Relations Act and this is one of the points which will be kept in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Mrs. Gabriel has yet been allowed to visit her son, Charles Gabriel, at Winchester Prison; and, if not, when she will be permitted to do so.

She visited him on 20th February, the day of his arrival in this country.

INDUSTRIAL ANALYSIS OF THE TOTAL NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED AT THE BLACKPOOL EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE
	13th February, 1967			14th February, 1966
Industry	Males	Females	Total	Males	Females	Total
Food manufacture	67	50	117	49	25	74
Non-electrical engineering	58	9	67	26	2	28
Motor vehicle manufacture	97	3	100	32	3	35
Overalls, men's shirts, underwear, etc.	1	50	51	1	4	5
Construction	384	3	387	176	3	179
Transport and communication	144	22	166	133	19	152
Distributive trades	246	218	464	203	172	375
Entertainment and sport	269	71	340	246	62	308
Catering, hotels, etc.	496	348	844	348	248	596
Motor repairers, distributors, garages and filling stations	40	3	43	39	4	43
National government service	56	20	76	40	28	68
Local government service	77	11	88	93	9	102
Other industries and services	353	233	586	336	187	523
Total, All industries and services	2,288	1,041	3,329	1,722	766	2,488

asked the Postmaster-General how many applicants are at present awaiting telephone service; and what is the size of the waiting list.

227,300 at 31st January, 1967, of which 122,700 were on the waiting list.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will ensure that there is adequate ventilation in the telephone boxes in the Palace of Westminster.

My right hon. Friend, the Minister of Public Building and Works, assures me that the telephone boxes provided by his Ministry are adequately ventilated.The boxes provided by the Post Office have ventilating grilles. I shall be pleased

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total number of unemployed in the Blackpool area; how it compares with the number in the previous year; and what industries have produced this figure.

Following is the information:to consider any suggestions for improvements in conjunction with the Services Committee.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will publish a table giving all the installation and rental costs of telephones installed for each political candidate during the general election campaigns in 1964 and 1966.

No. The information for 1964 is no longer available and that for 1966 could only be ascertained by very extensive inquiries which I do not consider to be justified.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will introduce concessionary rates for parcels sent by way of relief to those who have suffered in the Tasmanian fire disaster.

While I fully sympathise with the motive underlying the request, I am very sorry that I should not feel justified in doing as the hon. Member suggests. I continually receive similar suggestions on behalf of many deserving causes abroad. To attempt to choose between them would involve invidious distinctions; and yet to meet them all would entail an unacceptable loss of revenue.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) what are the latest estimates of Post Office capital expenditure on the postal section and the telecommunications section, respectively, for the years ending 31st March, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971;(2) how many telephones he estimates will have been installed between 1st April, 1967 and 31st March, 1968;(3) what are the latest estimates of the number of applicants who will be on the waiting list for telephones on 31st March, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971.

I plan to publish a White Paper on Post Office Prospects

			Beef		Mutton and Lamb		Pork		Bacon
			Home-killed	Imported	Home-killed	Imported	Home-killed	Imported	Home killed	Imported
			lbs.	lbs.	lbs.	lbs.	lbs.	lbs.	lbs.	lbs.
October, 1966	…	…	2,327	52¾	3,401	—	285¾	—	813	—
November, 1966	…	…	2,521¼	219	2,212	1,021	268	—	662	—
December, 1966	…	…	1,316½	68	1,476¾	236	209¾	—	291	—
January, 1967	…	…	2,453½	100	2,117¾	430	107¾	—	596½	—

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated number of student nurses from Scotland who have gone to England for their training during the last convenient 12-month period.

I regret that this information is not available; but selective inquiries suggest that the number is small.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) why, in the proceedings relating to the Loch Lomond Water Board

asked the Minister of Transport if she is satisfied that where railway closures have taken place, adequate alternative transport has been

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many tenders for house building, submitted by local authorities have been rejected by his Department in each of the past five years; and how many houses were involved each year.

The numbers of tenders considered unacceptable and referred back for reconsideration, and the numbers of houses involved, were as follows:

				Tenders	Houses
1962	…	…	…	24	1,209
1963	…	…	…	18	1,017
1964	…	…	…	31	1,790
1965	…	…	…	15	977
1966	…	…	…	43	2,996

In many instances, tenders which are referred back are subsequently resubmitted in amended form and are approved.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the number of persons charged with trafficking in drugs in Scotland in each of the last five years, the numbers of these convicted and the sentences imposed.

Separate figures are not available for drug trafficking. The following table provides the information requested in relation to all offences against the Dangerous Drugs Acts, 1951, 1964 and 1965 and the Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1964.provided; and what representations have been made to her Department regarding inadequate means of alternative transport due to railway closures.

Yes. With regard to the second part of the Question, various representations have been made from time to time about particuluar cases and my right hon. Friend is always willing to examine concrete evidence of need for additional public transport services for displaced rail users. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind perhaps he will write to me.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the number of railway officers from 1961 up to and including 1966; and whether she will give a general direction to the Board to secure a reduction in the number of railway officers in line with reduced mileage of British Railways.

The numbers of Senior Officers were:

1961	…	…	…	438
1962	…	…	…	445
1963	…	…	…	454
1964	…	…	…	533
1965	…	…	…	596
1966	…	…	…	631

Their number is a matter of management for which the British Railways Board is responsible. This is not an appropriate subject for a direction.

asked the Minister of Transport what has been the result of her research into the effect of offset double white lines on three-lane highways.

The experiment has been concluded and its results are being examined. My right hon. Friend hopes to make an announcement within the next few weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is aware of the lapse of time involved in completing the acquisition formalities of house property being purchased through the offices of the district valuer in connection with the Cardiff to Merthyr trunk road; and, in view of the policy of Her Majesty's Government to let such houses until required for road works, if he will expedite the procedure so as to avoid the dilapidation that ensues when houses are unoccupied for a lengthy period.

I am not aware of undue delay. While conveyancing is in progress, responsibility for maintenance rests with the vendor. Subsequent letting is generally possible only where houses are bought in advance of need under blighting provisions and everything possible is then done to arrange a quick letting.I shall be glad to look into any specific cases which my hon. Friend may have in mind.