asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much has been paid in the last 10 years in compensation to German farmers for damaging their crops, lands and stock during British Army of the Rhine exercises;(2) how much has been paid in compensation in the last 10 years to German civilians in settlement of claims arising from the presence of the British Army of the Rhine.

In the ten years ending 31st December, 1966, the total sum paid by the Ministry of Defence was about £5,650,000. This includes a figure of £2,100,000 in respect of loss or damage sustained during training or manoeuvres.I regret that separate records of compensation to farmers are not maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will hold consultations with the Minister of Health to see what integration can take place of personnel and future building programmes between the Military Hospital Service and the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

Machinery for co-ordination in this field already exists and is working well.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what savings there will be from the withdrawal from South Africa of the Commander-in-Chief and his staff, following the revision of the Simonstown Agreement; and whether the frigate now stationed there will be recommissioned.

A naval and civilian staff of over 100 will be reduced to the small number required to support the Senior British Naval Officer (South Africa). The frigate to be withdrawn is required elsewhere to give the Fleet more flexibility in meeting its other tasks.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present ratio of flag officers to warships in commission; and how this compares with the last five years.

The ratio at 31st March, 1967, is expected to be 1 Flag Officer to 2·3 warships in commission. This ratio has not varied significantly over the last five years.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what cuts in defence expenditure he is proposing to make in Singapore.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what cuts in defence expenditure he is proposing to make in Singapore and Malaysia.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future level of defence expenditure proposed for Singapore.

I hope to consult the Singapore and Malaysia Governments in due course about our plans for further reductions in the area; but, as I said in my Speech in the debate on Monday, 27th February, I look forward to the possibility of reducing British forces as a whole in the Far East by the end of the next financial year within a total bracket of 18,000–23,000.—[Vol. 742, c. 104.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many British Servicemen and civilians are currently engaged in the building of one or more military aerodromes in Thailand; what plans he has to increase the numbers of British personnel so engaged; and why this assistance is being given.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much use is made of Prestwick Airport by his Department; and whether it can be increased.

R.A.F. and R.N. aircraft use Prestwick Airport only in emergency. The U.S.A.F. still make limited use of it. At the moment I do not foresee any other military use for this airfield.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of contracts for each of the three Services is placed in development areas and Northern Ireland, respectively.

Of the contracts placed during the last three years by the Ministry of Defence, and by the Ministry of Aviation on its behalf, 12 per cent. by value have gone to development areas and 1 per cent. to Northern Ireland. I regret that separate figures cannot be given for each of the three Services.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make inquiries to discover whether any confusion existed in his Department between Leslie Parkes and his brother George who served at the same time as his brother in the same regiment, in the same company and at the same camp but was discharged on medical grounds, having served only six years of a nine-year engagement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave on 27th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Roebuck).—[Vol. 742, c. 70.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence for what purpose the escort to Mr. Parkes at the Royal Army Ordnance Corp depot at Blackdown were carrying pick handles.

Blackdown is an open camp with no perimeter fence. It is the normal rule there that soldiers are equipped with pick helves on any kind of guard duty, and no special arrangement was made for Mr. Parkes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the future of Bishopscourt Airfield in County Down.

My right hon. Friend has decided to establish an air traffic control centre on this site. When this development is complete, it is likely that more land will be made available for agricultural use.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the troops being brought home from overseas will be stationed in Scotland.

About 5 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has now completed arrangements for accommodating the Servicemen and their families returning to this country from overseas stations during 1967.

Those who have already returned to this country have been accommodated; and the necessary arrangements to accommodate future arrivals are in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the medical report which did not justify compassionate leave being granted to Private Tubby. Royal Anglian Regiment, came from the hospital where his mother died.

No, from the doctor who had knowledge of the case.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in view of the fact that Army officers and warrant officers have known for some time that significant numbers of them would become redundant due to the contraction of the Service, and that publication of the terms of compensation have been repeatedly postponed, causing uncertainty and worry, he will now announce when he will be in a position to publish his scheme of compensation.

I regret that I am not yet able to say when compensation terms will be published.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the criteria on which Service men are allowed compassionate leave to attend a parent's funeral.

Service men overseas may be granted compassionate leave on the death of a parent when their presence at home is essential for medical reasons or to relieve family hardship, or if there is no other relative available to make funeral arrangements and attend to essential business.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why the statement on the Defence Estimates for 1967–68 omits a section (Annex H),headed geographical analysis of expenditure, which included figures giving the total cost of maintaining troops in different parts of the world, and tables giving total expenditure of foreign exchange.

The geographical analysis of expenditure was omitted because experience has shown that the figures were liable to be misinterpreted. Figures for foreign exchange expenditure are shown as usual, except that those for Germany have been omitted for the reasons given in Annex H.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how the amount of £7 million shown as the estimated cost for 1967–68 of chartering civil aircraft for the purpose of moving personnel, families and priority service freight will be spread amongst the air carriers involved, assuming the same pattern as in 1966–67.

The total provision in the Defence Estimates 1967–68 for the movement by air of personnel and families is almost £8·6 million and for air freight £0·8 million. About £3 million will be spent with the Corporations and most of the rest with independent operators under contract.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why Radio Operator 1st Class Alistair Shaw, Royal Navy, Singapore, was refused compassionate leave to attend a parent's funeral.

Compassionate leave from abroad is not usually granted after a parent's death unless there is nobody else at home to make funeral and other arrangements.In this sad case other relatives were available to help the mother and it was the medical opinion that the rating's presence at home was not essential.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he has made in accordance with his undertakings to ease financial hardships inflicted unexpectedly on Service medical officers in consequence of failure to pay their promised increase in salary.

None. My right hon. Friend has received no representations for such assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, under his Regulations, Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Associations may pay civilian employees no longer required on their strength the full amount of gratuities as well as redundancy payments.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the employees of Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Associations are employed as civil servants or Crown servants.

They are not civil servants. The Associations have powers and duties assigned to them by regulation, and to that extent their staff are in the service of the Crown.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many ammunition storage depots in use by the Services in the United Kingdom since 1939 were on 10th January, 1967, vacant and still equipped with their storage buildings; what are their names; where they are situated; which at that date were available or on offer for reoccupation by the Services; which were visited and inspected in the three months before 10th January by or on behalf or by the request or suggestion of the Ministry; who paid such visits; and why no other depot was selected for occupation by the United States Services instead of the former Admiralty depot at Ditton Priors.

A number of ammunition storage depots were available for this purpose on the date in question, but it was known, without carrying out special inspections, that only three of them met the necessary conditions in respect of size, condition and general location. All three of these, one of which was Ditton Priors, were required in order to meet the needs of the United States forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to improvements in anti-submarine warfare preparedness.

The programme referred to in the Statement on the Defence Estimates are proceeding satisfactorily. These include an extension of the Fleet Submarine programme, the introduction of two new anti-submarine helicopters, a new maritime reconnaissance aircraft and a variety of anti-submarine weapons, as well as research into underwater torpedo and noise reduction problems. About 20 per cent. of all naval R and D effort is devoted to anti-submarine warfare.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what orders have been given to H.M. ships on the Beira patrol as regards intercepting merchant ships inside territorial waters.

I do not propose to help the illegal regime in Rhodesia by publishing detailed technical instructions of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what ships will be armed with Seadart in 1967.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the United States Government about the future of aircraft carriers, with a view to joint defence.

None specifically; though we are in constant touch with the United States Government on defence questions generally.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the progress of the building of the Royal Navy's Polaris submarine fleet.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the Answer I gave today to the Question put down by the hon. and gallant Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall), the hon. and learned Member for Antrim, South (Sir Knox Cunningham), my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Exchange (Mr. Will Griffiths) and the hon. Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Polaris installations at Faslane and Coulport, and their accompanying barrack and family quarters, to be ready for occupation.

The Clyde Submarine Base is due to commission before the end of 1967 when most of its major elements will be complete. Some of the installations, for example, the Royal Naval Polaris School, are already in use. The barracks and family quarters are being built in phase with the expected arrival of naval personnel at the Base.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to equip the later Polaris boats with Poseidon.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave today to the right hon. Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Mr. Powell).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he next proposes to visit Nepal.

I have no plans for doing so at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he next proposes to visit Aden.

I hope to make a visit later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for increasing the base facilities for the Royal Navy at Gibraltar.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied that adequate deep-water training facilities will exist for the Royal Navy when it leaves Malta; and whether he will now retain the Londonderry base.

I am satisfied that there will be adequate deep-water training facilities for the Royal Navy after the rundown in Malta. There is no need to retain the Londonderry base on this account.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the number of civilians in the Armed Forces who have been redeployed into productive industry as a result of the payment of £20 million Selective Employment Tax.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has made to the Russian Prime Minister about Russian radar trawlers off Malta.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many export orders for British military equipment have been refused by Great Britain on strategic, political, economic or security grounds during the past year; which equipment was involved and which country in each case; what was the total gross value of the orders so forfeited during the period from 1st April, 1966, to 28th February, 1967; and what percentage of the total orders received during the above period it represents.

It is contrary to normal practice to disclose details of negotiations with other countries for the supply of defence equipment.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that Liverpool handles more of this country's exports than any other port, she will accord a higher priority than is at present planned to the building of a motorway to link Liverpool with the M6.

We have this consideration very much in mind. The South Lancashire Motorway (M52), linking Liverpool with the M6 and with Manchester, is included in the list of trunk road schemes announced on 21st February for preparation for the early 1970's programme. Preparation has already begun and is being pressed forward with all speed.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will now state the percentage of road accidents over the Christmas period which can be attributed to the excessive intake of alcohol by drivers and pedestrians.

Our information from coroners about drink in fatal accidents is still incomplete. But we know that 26 drivers and riders were killed on Friday. 23rd December. Reports on 15 are available. 11 of the 15 had been drinking and 9 of them had blood-alcohol levels over 150 mg/100 ml.

asked the Minister of Transport what will be the effect on prospects for a new bridge to replace, or relieve, the Selby Toll Bridge, of the Government's recent decision in regard to the Humberside road network.

We are now investigating what might be done to improve traffic conditions at Selby.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will now introduce legislation providing for the compulsory public acquisition of all toll bridges in private ownership.

No. The necessary legal powers already exist in the Highways Act, 1959, but the general use of these powers would not give the best value we could get for the money it would cost.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents, resulting in how many injured persons, including fatalities, have occurred in the neighbourhood of Skew Bridge, Tadcaster, on the A64 trunk road in the last 12 months.

In the twelve months to 31st January, 1967, there were eleven accidents, in which six persons were slightly injured. There were no fatalities.

asked the Minister of Transport if she is aware of the serious continuing traffic congestion in the neigh- bourhood of the London docks; and if she will endeavour to alleviate this by encouraging the transport of commercial goods, whenever possible, by river.

The Greater London Council as traffic and highway authority does what it can to relieve, in a variety of ways, congestion in the neighbourhood of the docks; and the Freight Group of the Transport Co-ordinating Council are keeping in mind the potentialities of river transport.

asked the Minister of Transport what reply she has sent to Ashford Urban District Council's representations of 10th February on the roads programme needed to implement the next phase in town expansion.

The representations made by the Ashford Urban District Council are receiving consideration. A reply will be sent as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will now state the number of casualties on the Preston-Blackpool road, A583 and the Garstang-Blackpool road, A586, during 1966.

Casualties on the Preston-Blackpool road (A583) and the Garstang-Blackpool road (A586) in 1966 were as follows:

A583		A586
Fatal	Injured (including slight)	Fatal	Injured (including slight)
6	150	1	78

asked the Minister of Transport what study she has made of a Sheffield-Manchester motorway via Woodhead; and if she will make a statement.

I initiated last year a large scale traffic survey in the area lying between Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham and Stoke-on-Trent to assess possible new routes connecting MI and M6.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will seek to increase the statutory penalties for vehicle owners who deliberately refuse to register their ownership of vehicles and thus prevent the authorities from tracing them for insurance offences, speeding and dangerous driving, and using vehicles without licences and certificates of roadworthiness.

My impression is that fines imposed by courts for this offence are generally well under the present statutory maximum of £20, but I will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind when a suitable legislative opportunity arises.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will introduce legislation to remove the anomalies now existing among publicly owned transport authorities regarding minimum ages for payment of reduced fares for children, and to standardise the upper age limit at 16 years when this becomes the official school leaving age.

These concessions are a matter for the transport undertakings concerned. I am however considering the anomalies to which my hon. Friend refers, as part of my general review of the Travel Concessions Acts.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will consult the Postmaster-General with a view to establishing a mail bus service in Cardiganshire where one quarter of the population is not served by any form of public transport.

As announced during the debate on transport policy on 22nd February, it is intended to arrange further experiments with rural mail buses. The places will be chosen by my Department and the General Post Office in consultation with the local authorities, the local bus operators and the Traffic Commissioners. The service must fit in with postal operating requirements and not conflict with other operators' services. If my hon. Friend has any particular route to suggest perhaps he will let me know.—[Vol 741, c. 1844.]

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether, in the interests of road safety, she will ask the lighting working party to treat with more urgency their study of the Road Research Laboratory Report of 12th January, 1967, and other relevant factors regarding the use of reflectorised number plates;(2) what inquiries have been made by the lighting working party since 12th January, 1967; and how frequently the working party meet to consider the possible use of reflectorised number plates.

The Working Party on Vehicle Lighting meets every two months and makes recommendations as soon as it has brought the study of any matter to a conclusion. It has had copies of this report and arranged to see a demonstration of reflectorised number plates. Any recommendation for their use would be likely to entail legislation before it could be brought into effect.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals she is now considering to help facilitate the development of the Port of Liverpool for container traffic.

I have just authorised the immediate provision of a deep-sea container berth by conversion of the Gladstone Graving Dock, and I am considering the proposals to provide a major new dock at Seaforth, at a cost of £33 million, which would include several container berths.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will give an undertaking that she will not sanction the closure of the railway to Mallaig until such time as the road is brought up to A standard.

My right hon. Friend would take full account of the need to improve this road before taking a decision on any future railway passenger closure application which might be put to her.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that 2,000 workers in Wigan and Little-borough, near Rochdale, are about to be dismissed because two cotton mills are to be closed down permanently; and since four other mills have been closed by the same firm, what action he proposes to take to help this big textile group over its difficulties so as to keep its workpeople fully employed.

Production at the two mills to which the hon. Member refers is to be phased out over a period of months. The closure of all the mills concerned is stated by the Group to be part of a programme of rationalisation designed to increase productivity by the concentration of production in modernised and re-equipped factories owned by them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that since January 1966 one out of every 10 Lancashire cotton workers, or 15,000 people, have been made unemployed as a direct consequence of Government policy; and, since another 100,000 are likely to become jobless leaving only 50,000 in the industry, if he will now seek to alter that policy so as to protect their livelihood.

I cannot accept the hon. Member's assumptions which are inaccurate and ill-informed. Unemployment in the cotton belt is below the national average. This Government have done more than any other to provide a stable background of imports so that the industry can carry forward a programe of reorganisation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will prohibit the import into this country of garments sold at less than half the Lancashire manufacturer's cost of production, samples of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Leigh.

No, but the Board of Trade stands ready at any time to consider applications for anti-dumping action, supported by necessary information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consultative machinery exists between his Department and the Textile Council in respect of cotton textile imports; and if he will make a statement.

I hope to make a statement shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his discussions with the Portuguese Government in regard to cotton textile imports from that country.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Heywood and Royton (Mr. Barrett) on Thursday, 23rd February, 1967.—[Vol. 741, c. 331–2.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he refuses to investigate the conduct of the Consumer Discounts Company Limited which accepted a mail order for wall cupboards on 12th October, 1966 and thereafter cashed the cheque in payment, but have failed to deliver the cupboards or answer the letters of the customer or the hon. Member for York and have temporarily disconnected their telephone, when these circumstances suggest prima facie a breach of Section 165(b)(ii) of the Companies Act, 1948.

On present information I am not satisfied that the Board of Trade would be justified in appointing an inspector under Section 165(b) of the Companies Act, 1948, to investigate the affairs of the company. I am, however, having inquiries made about its activities. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what grant aid has been given to social and welfare clubs in the North-East Development Area during the year 1966; and whether he will make a statement.

Separate figures in respect of assistance under the Local Employment Acts to social and welfare clubs are not readily available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications have been made in the Welsh Development Area for grants under the Local Employment Acts for the provision of social and welfare clubs; how many have been granted; and what is the total amount involved.

As my right hon. Friend told my hon. Friend on 22nd February, separate figures in respect of assistance to social and welfare clubs are not readily available.—[Vol. 741, c. 297–8.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that unemployment at 12th February, 1967, in Ilfracombe stood at 11·6 per cent. of the employed population; and what new measures he proposes to take to alleviate this problem.

Recruitment is in progress in the Board of Trade factory allocated to Coutant Electronics Ltd., and I am prepared to use my powers to the full to encourage other projects which would create employment suited to the resources of the area.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that the United Kingdom imported only 0·4 per cent. less food in 1966 than in 1965; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure the increase in home production necessary to lighten the load on the balance of payments.

I agree that there was little change in the volume of food and feedingstuffs imports between 1965 and 1966. The Answer to the second part of the Question is that the selective expansion programme calls on agriculture to save imports of food that can be grown in this country by meeting the major part of the increase in demand expected by 1970. At the current Annual Review we are examining the industry's progress towards the objectives of this programme and the resources needed to achieve it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give figures for the number of licences issued and for the quantities of strychnine supplied, in England and Wales for each of the years from 1961 to 1966.

If the hon. Member is referring to permits to purchase strychnine for the purpose of controlling mole infestations, the figures for England and Wales are:

				Number of Permits	Total quantities
					(oz.)
1961	…	…	…	7,300	1,250
1962	…	…	…	7,900	1,370
1963	…	…	…	7,500	1,330
1964	…	…	…	13,73	12,551
1965	…	…	…	11,485	2,245
1966	…	…	…	10,325	2,147

The figures for 1961 to 1963 inclusive are not available on a strictly comparable basis and therefore contain a small element of approximation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will enumerate the financial benefits under present policy which farmers of marginal land and small farmers receive which do not apply to other farmers.

The following are the special financial benefits available in England and Wales to farmers of marginal land and to small farmers.In hill areas hill cow subsidy at the rate of £13 per cow is available as is hill sheep subsidy at a standard rate of 19s. per ewe (or for some ewes at a reduced rate of 9s. 6d.). There is also a winter keep supplement of £5 per cow and 3s. 6d. for each ewe.Improvement grants at preferential rates are available to farmers on land situated in hill areas which is inherently suitable for rearing cattle and sheep but not to any material extent for dairying, fattening or cash cropping. The Government have announced their intention of introducing a scheme under Clause 40 of the Agriculture Bill now before Parliament to provide 50 per cent. grants for improvements which will increase the productivity of such hill land; and of paying a 10 per cent. supplement on the existing field drainage grant where it would benefit such land. In the meantime grants are being paid at the rate of 50 per cent. of approved cost under the Hill Farming and Livestock Rearing Acts, 1946–1959 on improvements in comprehensive schemes submitted down to November, 1963.There is also a Small Farm (Business Management) Scheme which is available for farms of between 20 and 125 acres of crops and grass with a labour requirement of 250–600 standard man days. Over a three-year period grants within a maximum of £1,000 may be earned by carrying out a programme designed to increase the efficiency of the enterprise. Other farmers are benefiting under the Small Farmer Scheme whereby business and field husbandry grants to a maximum of £1,000 are being paid for programmes submitted down to 31st December, 1965. Under the provisions of the Agriculture Bill the Government also propose to introduce a grant for small farmers who undertake a joint business plan on the lines indicated in the White Paper "The Development of Agriculture".Grassland which is at least 12 years old may attract a ploughing grant of £12 per acre where expenditure which is substantially heavier than normal is required to bring it into a state of cleanliness, fertility and fitness for cropping.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many nurses are receiving additional payment for Sunday and night duty; on what basis of selection such payments are made; what are the additions expressed as a percentage of the normal rate of salary; and why such extra payments are not made for work on public holidys.

Staff in non-training grades below ward sister are paid special duty allowances (which range from about 6½ per cent. to 13 per cent. of weekly salary) if called upon to work on Sundays or at nights; over half the nursing staff are in these grades. Extra payments are not made for public holidays as the current agreements in effect give extra leave instead.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now list the salaries of senior officers in the probation services and the salaries of those subordinate to them.

The current salary scale for basic grade probation officers in Great Britain is £820X£50—£1,120X£55—£1,450X£60—£1,510. The scale for senior probation officers is £1,450X£50—£1,650, with entry at £1,500 or £1,560 for officers promoted since 31st December, 1965 who were receiving salaries of £1,450 or £1,510 respectively before promotion.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what future plans he has for the use of computers in regional hospital boards in Scotland for specific medical purposes;(2) what future plans he has for the use of computers in regional hospital boards in Scotland, and in which regions.

Computers are at present used by the Eastern, South-Eastern and Western Regional Hospital Boards for various kinds of medical work including statistical analyses of certain types of treatment and investigation, and, in the Western Region, radiotherapy dosage calculations, as well as for payroll, accounting and allied work. In addition, the computer at the Scottish Medical Automation Centre, which I established in association with Elliott Medical Automation Ltd., is used to assist in various types of clinical investigation.The use of computers by regional boards is primarily a matter for the boards themselves, but I expect that there will be further developments on these lines and 1 am keeping in close touch with regional boards about the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) which hospitals in Scotland that previously had solid fuel heating have received his authorisation to install an oil-burning apparatus;(2) if he will name the regional hospital boards which have received his authorisation to install oil-burning heating in preference to coal in new hospital development projects.

The five regional hospital boards have been told that in choosing between coal and oil fuel for heating plant in hospitals the decision has to favour coal in all cases where coal is cheaper or where the cost difference in favour of oil does not exceed 5 per cent. Subject to his guidance regional hospital boards may at their own discretion and within the limits of their respective financial programmes install heating systems, in hospital developments costing up to £120,000, without any further authorisation, except for proposed installations in coal-mining areas, which are referred to my Department. The South-Eastern Regional Hospital Board has received separate authorisation in respect of one such project, at the Bangour Village Hospital, West Lothian.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of accidents in which motor vehicle drivers were involved in Scotland in each of the years from 1960 to 1966; and if he will arrange the figures for each year in the following age groups, namely, 25 years and under, 26 to 36, 37 to 47, 48 to 58, 59 to 69, and 70 and over.

I regret that this information is not available: the reports which I have relate to accidents in which someone is injured, and do not include comprehensive particulars of the drivers of vehicles involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many changes in the composition of valuation appeal courts have taken place in Scotland since the introduction of the Rating and Valuation Act, 1956, listing the counties and the number of changes.

Members of valuation appeal committees are appointed by sheriffs, and I do not have the information my hon. Friend requests.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received to the effect that a five-year revaluation in Scotland is too soon; and if he will make a statement.

I have received many representations that this year's revaluation should have been postponed, but I am not convinced that it would be desirable to depart from the pattern of quinquennial revaluations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to approve a site for a new primary school at Kirkcolm, Wigtownshire.

Wigtownshire Education Authority was informed on 24th February that the site selected by it is generally satisfactory for use for a new primary school.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that assessors and valuation appeal courts will be able to complete their statutory duties this year with fairness and equity to appellants; and if he will make a statement.

I have just received representations from the Association of Lands Valuation Assessors in Scotland that the time during which valuation appeals must be disposed of should be extended. I intend now to ask the valuation appeal committees whether they expect to be able to dispose of all appeals by the due date, which is 15th April.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will ensure that the West of Scotland Agricultural College, Auchincruive, maintains its full and direct link with Glasgow University, and that it will continue to play an important part in Scotland's agricultural education and research.

Yes. Whatever arrangements Glasgow University may decide to make about the teaching of agriculture the West of Scotland College will continue to play a full part in agricultural education and research and I certainly have it in mind that it should maintain links with the University.

asked the Minister of Technology what settlements have so far been made of the claims for compensation made by companies and for individuals as the result of the cancellation of TSR2.

The Department has not yet arrived at final settlements with the main contractors, but has paid very substantial sums on account.Settlement of the claims of sub-contractors is a matter for negotiation between them and the main contractors. Full details of all settlements made to date are not yet available to the Department.It is for the various firms themselves to deal with claims from individual employees.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the figure of the original estimated cost of each of the following aircraft and missile projects; Swift fighter, Bluestreak missile, Blue-water missile, TSR2, P1154, and HS681; and how much was spent ultimately on each of these projects.

Since most of these projects were cancelled before the production stage I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind estimates and expenditure relating to research and development. The figures with explanatory notes are:

(1)		(2)	(3)
Project		Original Estimated Cost for Research and Development	Estimated Expenditure
		(£m.)	(£m.)
Swift fighter	…	Not now available	22·0
Bluestreak missile	…	50	84·0
Bluewater missile	…	48	32·1
TSR2	…	80/90	195·0
P.1154	…	150/170	21·0
HS.681	…	40	4·0

asked the Postmaster-General why the minimum charge for telephone calls from public call boxes has been raised to 6d.; and what methods he adopted for informing the public of this 100 per cent. rise in charges.

To rationalise charges on a basis more closely related to costs.The increase was announced, along with some reductions, by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 20th July, and reported in the Press. There were further Press reports in December. Leaflets have been available in Post Offices and Telephone Managers' Offices since July and there are notices in the modified call boxes.—[Vol. 732, c. 654.]

asked the Postmaster-General (1) what are the estimated annual amount and respective percen- tages of Post Office investment at March, 1966, prices, for the period April, 1966, to April, 1971, on Strowger electromechanical exchange equipment, crossbar electro-mechanical exchange equipment and electronic exchange equipment, respectively;(2) what were the amounts and respective percentages of Post Office investment on exchange equipment in the year April, 1965, to April, 1966, on Strowger electromechanical exchange equipment, cross-bar electro-mechanical exchange equipment and electronic exchange equipment, respectively.

Payments for exchange equipment installed by contractors were £25 million in 1965–66 and in 1966–67 are estimated at about £35 million; the latter figure includes about £0·5 million for electronic and £0·2 million for cross-bar equipment. The programme for future years in under review.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give estimates of future amounts of investment on inland telecommunications equipment, divided into trunk and junction circuits, local lines, subscribers' circuits, exchange equipment, inland telecommunications equipment, and miscellaneous, respectively, and overseas telecommunications plant and machinery, on an annual basis for the period April, 1966, to April, 1971, at March, 1966, prices.

Estimates for 1966–67 and 1967–68 will be given in a White Paper on Post Office Prospects, to be published within the next few days. Detailed forecasts for later years are under review.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the recently announced allocation of independent television contracts from July, 1968, onwards will create new monopoly situations, he will seek legislation to enable him to direct the Independent Television Authority to avoid any such monopoly situations.

No.

asked the Minister of Social Security what are the estimated costs of supplementary benefits for 1966 and 1967.

£127·4 million in the financial year 1966–67 and £382 million in the financial year 1967–68. The estimated cost of National Assistance grants and non-contributory old age pensions between 1st April, 1966 and 28th November, 1966, when supplementary benefits commenced, is £172·9 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the approximate average cost to public funds per teacher employed, full-time and part-time, per hour of actual teaching time, in teaching English for foreigners, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, standard (Mandarin) Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, and other languages, respectively.

Full-time teachers are paid according to grade, qualifications and length of service and not according to actual teaching time or subjects taught. I am sending the hon. Member the latest edition of the booklet giving the salary scales for teachers in establishments for further education. Part-time teachers are often paid on an hourly basis but rates vary. I regret that the overall average per teaching hour is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many qualified students during each of the last three years have applied for grants from the Social Science Research Council, or the Science Research Council, and been refused.

Studentships are awarded only to nominees of university departments. The numbers of qualified students (excluding withdrawals) so nominated, and of those not offered awards were as follows:

	1964	1965	1966
Social Science Research Council
Nominations received in respect of qualified students	—	—	429
Number of nominees not offered awards	—	—	43
Science Research Council
Nominations received in respect of qualified students	2,567	2,928	3,096
Number of nominees not offered awards	60	143	321

The total number of applications received by university departments is not known.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many overseas students have in each of the last three years received awards from the Social Science Research Council and Science Research Council for postgraduate research.

No awards were made to students coming directly from overseas. To be eligible for the Councils' studentships a candidate must ordinarily be a British subject who is and whose parents are normally resident in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students with 2nd Class Honours Division Two received grants during each of the last three years from the Social Science Research Council and Science Research Council.

The information is as follows:

	1964	1965	1966
Social Science Research Council	—	—	23
Science Research Council	381	470	414

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the approximate total financial cost to public funds of adult education open to the public in technical colleges and similar establishments; and what proportion is devoted, respectively, to modern languages, commercial subjects, such as secretarial, accountancy and management skills, technological subjects, such as electronics, metal work and similar industrial processes or skills, educational subjects, aimed at obtaining professional qualifications such as a university degree, and social and amenity subjects, such as cookery, music, drama and literature.

In the financial year 1965–66, the total current and capital costs, excluding grants to students, of further and adult education borne by local education authorities in England and Wales, amounted to £174 million. A split of the costs between various types of courses is not practicable because most of the courses share teachers and facilities within the establishments in which they are conducted.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the approximate number of adult students completing courses in technical colleges and similar institutions open to the public in 1964 and 1965 in English for foreigners, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, standard (Mandarin) Chinese. Arabic, Japanese, and other languages, respectively.

Statistics of Education 1965, Part Two, shows, in Table 15, the number of students in independent further education establishments, recognised as efficient, teaching English to foreign students. Table 28 in the same volume shows numbers of students taking courses leading to recognised qualifications, at grant-aided further education establishments. On page 90 will be found numbers studying those languages for which details are available. In addition many students took languages as part of General Certificate of Education courses. Some corresponding information for 1964 has been published in Statistics of Education 1964, Part Two (Tables 5 and 15). Information on the ages of the students and on numbers completing courses is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many technical colleges and similar establishments including universities and teacher training colleges offer modern language training facilities for adults open to the public in England and Scotland in the following languages, namely, English for foreigners, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, standard (Mandarin) Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, and other languages.

Most technical colleges, universities and teacher training colleges offer courses in modern languages. Information in the detail required is, however, not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of revenue received to date from the betting and gaming taxes introduced in the Finance Act, 1966.

Receipts up to 31st January, 1967, were as follows:

		£ million
General betting duty	…	6·3
Gaming licences (premises)	…	2·0
Gaming machine licences	…	2·6
		10·9

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to appoint the technical member of the Decimal Currency Board.

I am glad to say that Mr. H. G. Conway, C.B E, Managing Director of Bristol Siddeley Engines Ltd., has accepted my invitation to join the Decimal Currency Board as the Technical Member.

asked the Minister of Health what consideration he has given to the request from the National Council for the Unmarried Mother and her Child for an Exchequer grant; and if he will make a statement.

Having regard to the Council's valuable and developing rôle in working for improved services for unmarried mothers and their children and in promoting public understanding of their

INDICTABLE OFFENCES KNOWN TO THE POLICE IN ENGLAND AND WALES
					Percentage variation
			1965	1966	1965/64	1966/65
Larceny	…	…	744,155	775,990	+5·7	+4·3
Breaking and entering	…	…	252,733	275,969	+8·0	+9·2
Receiving	…	…	19,406	21,676	+9·9	+11·7
Frauds and false pretences	…	…	48,308	50,934	+0·5	+5·4
Sexual offences	…	…	20,155	21,308	+1·3	+5·7
Violence against the person	…	…	25,549	26,718	+8·9	+4·6
Other offences	…	…	23,576	27,266	+13·3	+15·6
			1,133,882	1,199,861	+6·2	+5·8

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many local authorities in England and Wales have notified him of their intention to raise their council house rents during 1967; and what is the percentage increase in each case.

Local authorities are not required to notify me of rent increases but ninety-nine local authorities in England have informed me that they intend to raise their council house rents during 1967. The precentage increases are not available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many local authorities in England and Wales are encouraging the sale of council houses to existing tenants; what are problems, I have decided to increase the present grant of £1,750 a year to £5,000 a year for a period of three years from 1st April,1967.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give figures showing the amount of crime in England and Wales in 1966 and the comparison with 1965.

The following table gives the figures of indictable offences known to the police in England and Wales in 1965 and provisional figures for 1966, and shows the percentage variation between each of these years and the previous year:the numbers of sales during the past 12 months in each case; and whether he will make a statement.

184 local authorities in England and Wales sold 3,766 council houses in 1966, the number sold varying from 1 to 1,138 in the case of Birmingham. Full details are not readily available, but the following authorities sold more than 50:

Birmingham C.B.C.	…	1,138
Warley C.B.C.	…	297
Brighton C.B.C.	…	198
Wakefield R.D.C.	…	158
Stourbridge B.C.	…	139
Frimley and Camberley U.D.C.	…	96
Billingham U.D.C.	…	83
Bristol C.B.C.	…	74
Kendal B.C.	…	73
Reading C.B.C.	…	72
Stanley U.D.C.	…	61

Most local authorities do not encourage the sale of council houses to existing tenants but individual houses are sold in the normal course of housing management.I would also refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Christopher Price) on 23rd February, 1967.—[Vol. 741, c.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) what was the result of the meeting on 28th February under his chairmanship to take action following the Cameron Report;(2) when he hopes to have a report from the Trades Union Congress concerning the amalgamation of the printing unions into one body.

At the meeting under my chairmanship on 28th February, there was a preliminary exchange of views on the Cameron Report. I promised to consider the points raised and will be getting in touch with the organisations concerned about further action. I cannot anticipate developments on the amalgamation of the printing unions, but I shall keep in touch with the T.U.C. who are considering this matter with the unions concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on the Pearson Court of Inquiry into the Shipping Industry.

The final Report of the Court of Inquiry into certain matters concerning the shipping industry is published today as a Command Paper The Government is most grateful to Lord Pearson and his colleagues for the very comprehensive examination they have made of these matters.Part I of the Report sets out a number of important recommendations for the improvement of industrial relations within the industry. Part II puts forward suggestions for replacing those parts of the Merchant Shipping Acts concerned with terms and conditions of employment of seamen, and other matters.The Government and all sections of the industry will need time to study this wide ranging Report and to consider carefully its recommendations. The Government hopes that the Report will help the industry to develop policies which will improve its efficiency and competitive ability, and also its capacity to offer employees a worthwhile career. The Government is ready to play its part in helping the industry to achieve these objectives.My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is arranging for work to begin immediately leading to the preparation of a new Merchant Shipping Act. This will be a major undertaking, involving much detailed work. The Government also propose to consider with the industry what can be done to reduce the number of accidents to seamen and to examine the claim for Government assistance towards training costs.As a first step, I intend to invite representatives of the British Shipping Federation, the Officers' Association and the unions, as soon as they have had an opportunity of considering the Report, to discuss with me the action to be taken on the Report's recommendations. I shall of course have the assistance of my hon. friend the Minister of State at the Board of Trade who is concerned with shipping matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales, in view of the fact that by 1970 England will have 15·1 miles of motorway per million people and Wales 8·9 miles per million people, what plans he has to raise the Welsh to the level of the English proportion.