asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps have been taken by Her Majesty's Government to implement the recommendations on Her Majesty's Customs and Excise procedures in the report "Through Transport to Europe"; and whether he will make a statement.

Following is the list of steps taken:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what studies he is making of the effect of possible entry of Great Britain into the European Economic Community on the distribution of taxation as between different income groups, consequent on the harmonisation of taxation policies.

As I said in reply to a Question from the hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Channon) on 31st January—[Vol. 740, c. 231]—it is too early to say what changes will be necessary in our taxation system if we enter the European Economic Community.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he expects taxation on profits of companies to yield in 1966–67 as a percentage compared with 1965–66.

No simple comparison between the two years is possible. The Budget estimates for 1966/67 included £1,000 million Corporation Tax and £95 million Profits Tax; out of the estimate for Income Tax about £170 million was attributable to companies, representing tax on past profits or on investment income. Against this must be set overspill payments estimated at £60 million. This leaves a net figure of £1,205 million. In 1965–66 companies paid £438 million Profits Tax and about £1,235 million Income Tax, a total of £1,673 million. Companies were, however, entitled to deduct and retain Income Tax on all dividends, etc., and some of these were paid out of profits which had not suffered Income Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the gross national product was expended by national and local government taken together in 1964–65; and what percentage he estimates it will be for 1967–68.

Total expenditure by central and local government (including debt interest and grants and net lending to public corporations) in 1964–65 was £12,294 million. Gross national product at factor cost in the same year was £29,506 million. For the reasons which my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary explained in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for St. Ives (Mr. Nott) on 18th January, 1967—[Vol. 739, c. 91]—I do not think it is useful to express the first of these figures as a percentage of the second.Corresponding estimates for 1967–68 are not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that recent research has shown that 90 per cent. of all goods sold retail under £10 are valued in terms of shillings and pence; and, as the use of the pound unit for decimal currency will adapt less conveniently to this system of valuation than if the 10s. unit were adopted, what steps he proposes to take to make his adoption of the pound unit more acceptable.

This argument in favour of the 10s. system was given due weight by both the Halsbury Committee and the Government, neither of whom accepted the hon. Gentleman's conclusions. It is the function of the Decimal Currency Board to facilitate the transition from the existing to the new currency and coinage.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the new decimal coins of 10d., 5d., 2d., 1d., and ½d. will compare in weight and size with the existing 2s., Is., 6d., 3d., and ld. coins; and if he has decided against the production of any 12-sided coins.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Appendix to the White Paper "Decimal Currency in the United Kingdom" published in December last which gives a detailed comparison of the present with the proposed coinage under the £-new penny decimal system. None of the new coins is twelve-sided.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has received from co-operative societies on the subject of decimalisation of the currency and the greater benefits of ease and transfer which would come from adopting the 10s. rather than £1 system; and what replies he has sent.

Three. In reply the reasons for the Government's decision to adopt the £ system are being explained.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will amend the Income Tax regulations so as to allow tax-free luncheon vouchers up to a value of 4s. 6d.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will cease the practice of referring to increases in Government expenditure in terms of constant prices.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will cease to give figures related to constant prices in relation to Government expenditure.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave this afternoon to the hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Hordern).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much extra foreign exchange he estimates would be involved in raising the travel allowance to £70 and if he will now increase the allowance accordingly.

As I replied to the hon. Member on 9th February—[Vol. 740, c. 358]—in response to a similar Question, the basic allowance has been fixed for the present travel year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the net deficit on current balance of payments accounts arising from Governmental transactions in the financial year 1967–68.

I cannot give an estimate of this kind, which would require me, for example, to make a hypothetical assumption about the consequences for world trade if Her Majesty's Government were to undertake no overseas commitments in the coming year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates to be the yield of an increase of 2½ per cent. in the rate of Corporation Tax.

On the basis of the 1966–67 estimates and allowing for consequential side effects on overspill relief and on the yield from Income Tax under Schedule F on dividends, etc., £78 million in a full year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the shortfall in fulfilment of the current agreement on support costs for the Rhine Army to 31st March, 1967, before allowance is made for any advance payments on account of equipment to be procured subsequently.

The obligation accepted by the Federal German Republic is to make payments which count for the purposes of Articles 2(a) and (b) of the Agreement of the 27th July, 1964, amounting, in the year 1966–67, to approximately DM600 million. I anticipate that by 31st March, 1967, procurement and payments will exceed this figure. Deliveries will not be completed until after the 31st March, 1967.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he proposes to take to increase the proportion of the national income going to wages and salaries, in view of recent trends.

The main instrument available to the Government to promote a proper distribution of the national income is the tax system, but my hon. Friend will not expect me to anticipate my Budget Statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to check the brain drain and to encourage industrial productivity, he will now consider reducing Corporation Tax to the French level of 25 per cent. and Income Tax to the French levels, and changing from Purchase Tax to the tax on added value.

I cannot anticipate my Budget Statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total number of Ministers of State of all ranks and the gross total of salaries paid to them on 18th April, 1966, and 20th February, 1967, respectively.

19 and 21 and ½118,625 and ½132,000 respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will prohibit the import of packets of chewing gum, an example of which has been sent to him, which also contain horror picture cards depicting bloody scenes alleged to have taken place during the American civil war and which on the reverse side of the card give a mock newspaper article setting out detailed descriptions of the alleged killings and events.

The importation of indecent or obscene articles is prohibited. Very similar cards to these were tested last September in a prosecution under the Obscene Publications Act, 1959. The magistrates ruled that the cards were not obscene and dismissed the case.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will establish the new Royal Mint in the North-East of England.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what conclusion he has now reached on the future of the Royal Mint; if he will establish two new locations, one for the present coinage and one for new decimal coinage; if he will locate one of these in the Northern Development area; and whether he will make a statement.

These matters are still under active consideration. My right hon. Friend hopes to make a statement in the next two months.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the City Treasurer of Manchester relating to the method of payment by local authorities of the Selective Employment Tax; and if he will make a statement.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the Selective Employment Tax has affected the economy.

The Selective Employment Tax has raised a substantial amount of revenue and made a significant contribution to the restraint of home demand during the past year. Premiums are now being paid to manufacturing industry and repayments in other cases. It is too early to make any precise estimates of its effects.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what advice the Treasury gave to the board of the Crown Cork Company regarding its dividend payment for 1966, in the light of the fact that profits for the year of £325,000 were disclosed.

Treasury advice was that it did not seem to be imperative for this company to increase its distributions during the period of the voluntary dividend standstill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the Report of the Family Survey for 1966 that pensioners have to draw on savings to meet commitments, he will institute a similar survey into conditions of public service pensioners and pensioners of the Armed Services.

No. One of the reasons for savings during working life is to have them to draw upon in retirement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the £25 added to the travel allowance to those who take a car abroad will in future be available also to yachtsmen.

No. Yachtsmen are already allowed to pay in sterling in the United Kingdom for bunkers and lubricants wherever lifted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an assurance that no commitment to enter the Common Market will be made without safeguards for meeting the increase in the price of food for non-tax payers and those who cannot draw on social service benefits.

If Her Majesty's Government joined the European Economic Community they would need to decide at the time, in the light of all the relevant circumstances, whether any resultant rise in the cost of living called for special action in relation to taxation or social security policies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost to the United Kingdom's balance of payments for imports of energy from abroad in the years 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, and 1966.

I cannot publish estimates of this kind, but the net cost to the balance of payments was considerably less than the c.i.f. valuation shown in the Trade Accounts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that private industry paid £789 million in direct taxation in 1964–65 and nationalised industry £3·5 million, what proposals he has to make the nationalised industries pay a greater share of the taxation burden.

None. The financial performance of the nationalised industries is in the main determined by financial objectives given to them by the Government. They pay direct tax on the same basis as any private Company although the amount paid has been affected both by their rate of expansion and capital allowances; and also by deficits where these have been incurred.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why his regulations permit overseas theatrical performers to build up large Income Tax arrears whilst performing in this country.

Assessing the liability is often unusually difficult in these cases, but Inland Revenue do all they can to get the liability worked out and the tax paid promptly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he will not introduce a National Lottery, as a way of using money spent on gambling for useful social purposes.

Because it is doubtful how much new saving it will attract, the administrative costs would be heavy and many people would find it objectionable in principle.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the distribution of capital wealth and the progress made in redistribution since 1964.

I would refer my hon. Friend to Table 166 in the 109th Report of the Board of Inland Revenue, which contains all the information we have.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to exempt from Customs and Excise duty religious objects used exclusively in connection with religious worship.

No. I am afraid that, other considerations apart, it would not be practicable to base an exemption upon the subsequent use of the goods.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations have been made by both horse racing and greyhound racing interests to the effect that a differential duty should be imposed so that in any review of the level of the present 2½ per cent. General Betting Duty, on-course betting could be taxed at a lower rate than off-course betting; and what reply he has sent.

Representations to this effect have recently been received from the National Greyhound Racing Society; they were informed that their representations would be borne in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether, since the new General Betting Duty was inaugurated on 24th October, 1966, the total yield from the duty has been within the estimated yield in respect of the categories, duty received from on-course bookmakers, duty received from off-course bookmakers, duty received from horse-race totalisator, and duty received from greyhound totalisator, respectively.

There was insufficient information available to prepare in advance detailed estimates of the yield of the General Betting Duty under these categories separately.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost to the revenue of raising the age relief allowance from £900 to £1,000 and of raising the age exemption limit for a single person from £390 to £490 and for a married man from £625 to £725, respectively.

The costs in a full year of the suggested increases in the income limits for age relief and age exemption would be about £1 million and about £21 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received the Report of the Working Party on Management Training in the Civil Service which he appointed in November, 1965.

Yes. The Working Party has submitted its Report which has been made available to the Committee on the Civil Service of which Lord Fulton is Chairman. The Report will be considered by the Committee as part of the evidence submitted to them. Copies of the Report have been placed in the Library of the House. I am grateful to the members of the Working Party for carrying out their assignment as quickly as was consistent with a thorough study of This important subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the net change in family income after tax, where the standard rate of tax is paid, if the tax allowances for children were replaced by taxable children's allowances, at the Supplementary Benefit Commission rates for dependent children, where there are two children under 11 years of age, where there is one child aged five, where there are children aged seven, 11 and 12, and where there are children aged one, three and six, respectively.

On the assumption that these rates of taxable children's allowances were paid for a full year, in addition to the present family allowances, the net changes in family income after tax (to the nearest £) would be:an increase of £4 a year (on the assumption that both children are aged 5 or over);an increase of £2 a year;an increase of £10 a year; anda reduction of £10 a year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he now has for reflating the economy; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave this afternoon to the hon. Members for Southend, West (Mr. Channon); Lewisham, West (Mr. Dickens); and Louth (Sir C. Osborne).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an assurance that it remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government to cut Government expenditure across the exchanges by £100 million over the whole of the financial year 1967–68.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in reply to the hon. Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Stratton Mills) on 28th February—[Vol. 742, c. 261–2]—we are determined to realise the savings announced on 20th July.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why he has agreed to switch the production of houses from the private to the public sector, in view of the fact that this costs a further £20 million a year in housing subsidies.

The extra houses built in the public sector are required to increase the programmes of authorities with urgent housing needs arising from slum clearance and shortages, and to increase the pool of houses to let at reasonable rents, especially in the big cities. There is no question of a switch from the private to the public sector; I want to see increases in both sectors, and to maintain an approximate balance between them.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why he has just authorised the initial spending of another £600,000 on a centre for environment studies.

Research in this field is urgently needed. The Government grant is limited to one and a half times the total contribution of the Ford Foundation, up to a maximum of £600,000 and will be spread over five years.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what plans he has to introduce legislation to municipalise all rented houses.

I have no plans for doing so.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government on what evidence his Department issued a Press release on Monday, 23rd January, 1967, to the effect that the London Borough of Newham had very heavy concentration of slums and that special talks would be held to speed-up the clearance of these black spots; and whether he will give an assurance that in such talks special financial assistance will be considered as a means of assisting this borough to overcome its special problem.

The evidence was obtained from the returns submitted in response to Circular 11/65 and at meetings held with the Council on 27th October and 20th December, 1966. On the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave in reply to questions by him on 28th February.—[Vol. 742, c. 62–65.]

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the result of his consultations with the House Builders Registration Council aimed at improving their inspection system.

The Council have appointed five regional managers and are recruiting additional inspectors. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that as their scheme expands the National House Builders Registration Council are taking adequate steps to expand their inspectorate.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will arrange for a nationwide noise survey to be carried out.

No. The Committee on Noise, presided over by Sir Alan Wilson, made an exhaustive study of this subject a few years ago and my right hon. Friend does not think that a nationwide survey at this stage would add to the information contained in the Committee's findings.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many local authorities have indicated their intention of implementing the sections of the Local Government Act, 1966, relating to the rating of unoccupied properties in the coming municipal year and subsequently.

By 6th March my right hon. Friend had received notifications from 22 authorities in England and Wales that they had resolved to apply these provisions in their areas.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether it is his intention to exercise his powers under the Local Government Act, 1966, and introduce regulations concerning the rating of unoccupied properties in the Greater London area; and what representations he has received in this connection from London borough councils or local authority associations.

My right hon. Friend's only power to make regulations under these provisions relate to possible extension of relief from liability. He has received no representations from the bodies mentioned about such regulations.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many cities or towns in England have populations of between 90,000 and 110,000; and what is the product of a penny rate in these boroughs.

The information is as follows:

		Population mid-1966	Estimated Penny Rate Product 1966–67
			£
Exeter C.B.	…	92,360	20,830
Halifax C.B.	…	94,950	10,960
Grimsby C.B.	…	95,030	14,700
Poole Boro.	…	96,390	20,600
Swindon Boro.	…	98,410	15,550
Cambridge Boro.	…	99,830	22,400
Gateshead C.B.	…	101,200	13,070
Blackburn C.B.	…	101,790	13,002
Wallasey C.B.	…	102,840	14,825
Solihull C.B.	…	103,600	18,740
St. Helens C.B.	…	103,780	14,120
York C.B.	…	106,010	15,000
Preston C.B.	…	107,400	17,580
South Shields C.B.	…	108,110	12,958
Oxford C.B.	…	109,510	29,000

These figures take no account of rate-deficiency grant or of the resources element of the rate support grant, which are payable to local authorities whose penny rate product per head of population is below the national average.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what information is available as to the implementation by local authorities of the Government Paper attached to Circular 71/65 of his Department.

Plans reaching the Department show that in designing their own buildings authorities are having regard to the recommendations in the accompanying pamphlet. I have no reason to doubt that they are also bringing them to the attention of private developers wherever appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what British Colonies in the Indian Ocean have airfields; and in which other Colonies in the area he proposes to develop civil or military airfields.

Mauritius is the only British territory in the area which has an airfield.A civil airfield will be built in Seychelles and I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 8th November, 1966, by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies—[Vol. 735, c. 242]. There are no plans for building further civil airfields in the area.Military airfields are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about his discussions with the Prime Minister of Malta.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Anglo-Maltese governmental talks.

My right hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio is still engaged in negotiations, but hopes to make a statement in the near future.

asked the Minister of Power if he will issue a general direction, in the public interest, to the electricity and gas boards not to make higher charges to hospitals than to domestic consumers.

No. The boards design their tariffs with the objective of reflecting as far as practicable the relevant costs. Hospitals like other local public services are not singled out for special treatment. Consumers who consider they are overcharged should take the matter up with the gas or electricity board, or the consultative council concerned.

asked the Minister of Power what steps are being taken to meet the power supply needs of the country during the next five years; and what new nuclear power station provision has been planned.

The Central Electricity Generating Board have 30500 MW. of plant on order, of which 28000 MW. is planned to be in service by the end of 1971. This programme will provide adequate capacity to meet the demand. Of these totals 3270 MW. is nuclear, including the A.G.R. station at Dungeness.For later years an A.G.R. station (1320 MW.) is approved for Hinckley Point, and further stations of this type are under consideration.

asked the Minister of Power whether, in dealing with the request for him to authorise the world's biggest nuclear power station at Heysham, he will have full regard for the fact that the site is much closer to centres of population than previously authorised stations.

Yes; in considering whether to license a nuclear power station under the Nuclear Installations Act, 1965, I consider all the relevant factors.

asked the Minister of Power what research is being carried out to prepare colliery spoil for commercial disposal; and what approximate time will be required for the studies to be completed.

The Board already sells large quantities of colliery waste—6·9 million tons in 1965–66. To develop further outlets it is examining the possibility of increasing disposals of waste for brickmaking and of developing its use for the manufacture of aggregates to replace gravel in concrete making. It is also studying the combination of sewage with colliery waste as a fertiliser. The studies are being hastened but I cannot say when they will be completed.

asked the Minister of Power what application he has had from the Gas Council for the underground storage of gas.

None.

asked the Minister of Power what are the annual figures for the years 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, and 1966 of hematite iron production, home sales and imports.

HEMATITE IRON
UNITED KINGDOM PRODUCTION, HOME SALES AND IMPORTS
		Production	Home Consumption*thousand tons	Imports
1962	…	875·7	882·4	59·1
1963	…	816·9	913·0	122·3
1964	…	956·8	1,051·2	166·9
1965	…	877·4	970·2	160·5
1966	…	677·9	775·9	232·5
Note:
* The deliveries of hematite pig iron to the home market, excluding deliveries to companies' own or associated works, as a proportion of home consumption were as follows:—

1962–49%	1965–40%
1963–44%	1966–35%
1964–41

Annual figures for production and home consumption are for 52 weeks except for 1964 where the figures relate to a 53 week period.

asked the Minister of Power what notification he has had of the estimated number of pit closures in the Northern Region during the next three years; how many men are involved; and what proportion of these is expected to be absorbed in the remaining mines in the Region.

At the time the Colliery Classification List was published in November, 1965, it was announced that all of the "C" pits and many of the "B" pits were likely to close in the next five years.At present there are 20 "B" pits and 30 "C" pits in the Northern Region employing approximately 37,000 men. Decisions on individual closures and their timing will only be taken by the N.C.B. after consulting the Unions. In the past three years nearly 80 per cent. of the men affected by closures have been transferred to other pits, nearly all within the Region. The Board will continue its policy of transferring as many men as possible in this way.

asked the Minister of Technology what was the tonnage of ships built in the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, and Japan in each of the last five years and the value of the tonnage built in each country in each of these years.

The information is as follows:

LAUNCHINGS
(Thousands of gross registered tons)
Year		U.K.	Federal Republic of Germany	Sweden	Japan
1962	…	1,073	1,010	841	2,183
1963	…	928	971	888	2,367
1964	…	1,043	890	1,020	4,085
1965	…	1,073	1,023	1,170	5,363
1966	…	1,084	1,184	1,161	6,685

Source: Lloyd's Register of Shipping

VALUE OF COMPLETIONS IN U.K.
						£ Millions
1962	…	…	…	…	…	137
1963	…	…	…	…	…	138
1964	…	…	…	…	…	106
1965	…	…	…	…	…	146
1966	…	…	…	…	…	145

Source: The Shipbuilding ConferenceNo information about the value of ships built in Germany, Sweden, or Japan is available.

asked the Minister of Technology how many gross registered tons of tankers were launched in 1956 and 1966, respectively; and what percentage of total launchings for the year each represented.

Launchings of tankers from United Kingdom yards amounted to 518,126 gross registered tons in 1956 and 244,036 gross registered tons in 1966, representing 37·5 per cent. and 22·5 per cent. respectively of total launchings from United Kingdom yards in those years.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the progress of research into fire hazards, and fire resistance, of new building materials.

The Fire Research Station undertakes research into fire properties of new materials and factors affecting the rate of spread and duration of fires in buildings.New materials under current investigation include plastics, laminated timber columns, new alloys of structural steel, reinforced concrete with various degrees of restraint, and glass fibre used to reinforce cement, plaster and plastics. The degree to which heated materials evolve smoke and toxic products is also studied.

asked the Minister of Technology if the site of the tests of the supersonic airliner has now been fixed; and if the city chosen will be in the West Country.

The ground tests and flight testing required for Concord will take place mainly at Filton, Bristol where the aircraft is being developed, but will also range over a wide area. No decision about sonic bang tests has yet been reached.

asked the Minister of Technology what progress is being made in research into methods of determining toxic substances in factory atmospheres.

Booklets describing methods for eight toxic substances, based on research carried out by the Laboratory of the Government Chemist for the Ministry of Labour, were published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in 1966. Booklets on chromic acid mist, phosgene, nitrous fumes, and mercury are in the Press, and methods for hydrogen fluoride, ozone, and organic di-isocyanates are now being investigated.

asked the Minister of Technology how many gross registered tons of refrigeration ships were launched in 1961 and 1966, respectively; and what percentage of total launchings for the year each represented.

Launchings from United Kingdom yards of vessels to be completed as refrigerated ships amounted to 129,320 gross registered tons in 1961, representing 11 per cent. of total launchings. It is not yet possible to give the comparable total for 1966.

asked the Minister of Labour what estimate he has formed of the numbers redeployed from service to manufacturing industries in the regions as a result of the Selective Employment Tax, including Scotland and Northern Ireland.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Wycombe (Mr. John Hall) on Monday, 13th February.—[Vol. 741, c. 11.]

asked the Minister of Labour what are the latest percentage rates of unemployment in York and Newcastle; what are the average earnings in these cities; and how they compare with the national average.

At 13th February, 1967, when the percentage rate of unemployment for Great Britain was 2·6, the rates for York and Tyneside were 1·9 and 3·6 per cent. respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour if the recent increase in pay for draughtsmen offered by Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson was confirmed by his Department as consistent with the criteria expected to be observed during the period of severe restraint; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that the firm made an offer for payment, subject to Government policy, after the period of severe restraint.

asked the Minister of Labour what immediate steps are to be taken to provide alternative employment for any railwaymen made redundant by the closure of Exmouth Junction Motive Power Depot, Exeter.

I understand that the majority of the railwaymen made redundant by this closure will be offered transfers within British Railways. The employment exchange is making arrangements to register any who require other jobs. They will be given all possible help to find employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what economies he has secured in costs of the British Army of the Rhine during 1966–67 in accordance with his Budget and reduction of forces this year; and what revised estimate of the cost of the British Army of the Rhine 1966–67 he has made following the Prime Minister's conversations in Bonn, mid-February, 1967.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 12th December, 1966—[Vol. 738, c. 441–451]—about the close connection between the foreign exchange costs of the Services in Germany and the current tripartite talks. As the Prime Minister announced on 16th February, 1967—[Vol. 741, c. 800–808]—it was agreed in Bonn that this issue should continue to be dealt with by the tripartite machinery. Meanwhile, the United States Government will make further purchases in the defence field in the United Kingdom to the amount of £12½ million during 1967 and measures not affecting combat capability have been taken to save about £4 million in 1967–68 and more eventually. The latest forecast of the 1966–67 Deutschemark costs of British Army of the Rhine is about £73 million (£86 million including the Royal Air Force).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what additional burden will fall on the United Kingdom dollar resources as a result of the increase in the cost of the United States F111K aircraft since the agreement to purchase it was concluded.

I have nothing to add at present to my remarks about the cost of this aircraft during the course of the Defence Debate on 27th February.—[Vol. 742, c. 213.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence under what conditions of the Anglo-American Fll1 Offset Agreement orders already placed by the United States of America and other countries with British industry and orders to be placed in future, respectively, count towards fulfilment of that agreement in the event of a decision by Her Majesty's Government not to confirm the purchase of the 40 Fl11s currently under option; and what compensation payments under the agreement would become due from Her Majesty's Government in that event.

Without in any way accepting the premise of the question, the answer is that there are no such conditions; there is provision, for consultation on the offset aspects of the F111 Arrangement.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution Portugal now makes to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in naval, military and economic terms; and if he will make a statement.

Such information as is available to me on Portgual's defence contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is security classified.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to make use of Glen Parva Barracks, at Wigston in Leicestershire, for returning overseas troops.

I regret that I cannot add to my hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Gentleman on 1st August, 1966.—[Vol. 733, c. 33.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give a list of arms sales to foreign countries in the last 18 months showing what has been sold, the quantities, the value and the purchasers, together with similar information where firm contracts exist but delivery has not yet been completed.

No. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister explained to the hon. Member on 28th July, 1966—[Vol. 732, c. 1900]—why it is undesirable to depart from the longstanding practice that details of arms exports to individual countries are not disclosed.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to protect the economically weaker areas of the country.

The Government is following a systematic policy of encouraging industrial activity in the development areas, including larger investment grants, loans and grants for premises, factories to rent, help with key workers and with training and access to credit. In addition excessive development in the more congested areas is strongly discouraged. Special measures were taken to reduce the impact of the restrictions of last July on the development areas and the Government is continuing to watch the position closely.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what consultations he has had with regional economic councils concerning the likely effect on regional policies and development of entry by Great Britain into the European Economic Community.

While development in Common Market policies towards regional planning are kept under review in my Department, no consultations have yet taken place with the regional economic planning councils.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether the Government have reached a decision on the need of economic development committees for more detailed information about imports of machinery and other products.

The Government have been convinced that, in order to promote the manufacture of competitive British goods the Economic Development Committees need to know what is being imported in more detail than is at present given by Customs statistics. We accordingly intend to introduce legislation to provide, with suitable safeguards, that more of the information at present supplied by importers to H.M. Customs and Excise may be made available where the Government consider this to be in the national interest. If the legislation is approved, such information would thereafter be provided from import documents presented to Customs after today. The Government's intention has been generally welcomed by the National Economic Development Council.

asked the Postmaster-General how many post offices in Northern Ireland are empowered to issue motor vehicle renewal licence forms; where they are situated; and how this figure compares with five and 10 years ago, respectively.

Motor vehicle licences can be renewed at the following 15 post offices in Northern Ireland:

Ballymena.	Lurgan.
Banbridge.	Newcastle.
Bangor.	Newry.
Coleraine.	Newtownards.
Cookstown.	Portadown.
Dungannon.	Portrush.
Larne.	Strabane.
Lisburn.

The figure has not altered over the past ten years. Application forms are available at many other offices which do not renew licences.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will announce the location of the first three local sound radio stations.

The first three stations will be at Leicester, Merseyside and Sheffield. I expect to announce the location of the remaining six before Easter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek to permit payment of dog licences on a quinquennial basis.

This is one of a number of issues relating to the licensing of dogs which is now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what minimum price scheme has been submitted to him by the White Fish Authority; and whether he will make a statement about his plans with regard to this scheme.

The White Fish Authority have published a scheme and are prepared to receive objections until 13th March. They cannot submit the scheme until they have considered any objections. Ministers will then consider it in the light of any unresolved objections, in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Third Schedule to the Sea Fish Industry Act, 1951.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the stagnation in the livestock position and the static condition of the national dairy herd, what are his plans to expand production.

These are matters for consideration at the Annual Review, and I cannot anticipate its outcome.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average price paid for imported pulpwood and the average paid for home-grown pulpwood in 1966.

The average price for imported pulpwood in 1966 was £32·52 per piled cubic fathom. I understand that the information to calculate the average price for home-grown pulpwood is not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now make a further statement about the comments he received from the British Egg Marketing Board on the Committee of Investigation's report on the arrangements for processing second-quality eggs.

Yes. The Board has now submitted its draft proposals outlining revised arrangements for the processing of both first and second quality eggs. My right hon. Friends and I propose to make copies available on request and invite comments on these proposals from anyone concerned in the processing of eggs or the distribution or use of the processed products. I should make it clear that we are not in any way committed at this stage to accepting these proposals, and we will take comments into account before reaching a decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussion he has held with the Arts Council and the directors of national and municipal galleries with a view to increasing the number of those trained in picture restoration.

As a result of views expressed by a number of bodies and individuals, including the Museums Association and the Directors of the National and Tate Galleries, I have asked the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries for their advice on this question and I am fully aware of the anxiety felt by all interested parties.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions his Department had with teachers and parents in the London Borough of Enfield concerning the future proposals for the reorganisation of secondary education within the borough; and whether he will give details of the way in which he consulted teachers and parents on these proposals.

This is a matter for the local education authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will grant polytechnic status to the Harris College, Preston, in view of its importance for the industrial progress of north-west Lancashire.

We are considering the claims of a number of colleges for inclusion in the list of polytechnics, and an announcement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will now revise his preliminary proposals for the establishment of polytechnics within the North-West Region, which has the worst ratio of polytechnics to population of all regions; and what additional polytechnics he has sanctioned to give effect to the Government policy of encouraging educational facilities in the regions that do not share the growth of the South-East.

We are considering the claims of colleges in a number of regions, including the North-West, for inclusion in the list of polytechnics and an announcement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what facilities exist for finding places at technical colleges for overseas students; how successful these facilities are proving; and whether they are adequate to meet the need.

Most students are placed as a result of individual application to colleges, and the Department has issued guidance to local education authorities and colleges to assist them in making appropriate admission arrangements. On all the evidence so far I believe the present system to be working satisfactorily and to be adequate to meet needs.

asked the Minister of Health what was the recorded number of deaths of women of fertile age attributable to thrombosis in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available

Deaths of women aged 15 to 49 in which a thromboembolic condition^* was assigned as the underlying cause of death:

ENGLAND AND WALES 1956–1965
			Numbers	Rates per million women aged 15–40
1956	…	…	732	68
1957	…	…	728	68
1958	…	…	806	75
1959	…	…	738	69
1960	…	…	771	72
1961	…	…	778	72
1962	…	…	860	79
1963	…	…	901	83
1964	…	…	951	87
1965	…	…	978	89

The increase in the rates for women over the period was 31 per cent compared with an increase of nearly 36 per cent among men in the same age group.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what basic and overtime rates are paid to civilian mechanics and fitters employed at Metropolitan Police garages; and whether he is satisfied these compare satisfactorily with rates at other garages.

The rates accord with the pay and overtime conditions for engineering workers in the Government's industrial establishments in the London area, as negotiated by the Engineering Trades Joint Council. To the basic rate for skilled craftsmen is added 4s. 10d. a week awarded by the Industrial Court and an extra 4s 0d. a week lead for certain specialists. Skilled craftsmen also receive supplements in recognition of service, skill, industry and other special factors, up to a maximum of 47s. Od. a week, in accordance with Joint Council arrangements. Semi-skilled staff receive leads reflecting the requirements of their particular jobs. A productivity bonus scheme has recently come into operation; the bonus payments are additional to the other elements of pay just described.