asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he proposes to amalgamate the Essex and Southend police forces.

Because I consider that this would be in the interests of efficiency in the prevention and detection of crime and the control of traffic over the two police areas as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent on modernisation and improvement at Dorchester Prison during the last 10 years.

Over the past 5 years about £137,000. Figures for earlier years are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with the facilities available for sending offenders between the ages of 14 and 17 years in the County of Holland to a detention centre; and whether he will make a statement.

These facilities are at present available only to the higher courts with jurisdiction in the county. I am planning to provide 850 additional detention centre places in the next few years, and will have in mind the needs of the county in deciding upon the areas and age groups to be served by this new accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated number of disqualified drivers who continue to drive; if he will seek to amend the law so as to facilitate their arrest; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces are by direction of the Chief Constable unable to arrest known offenders who are driving while disqualified; and whether he will introduce legislation to authorise all forces either to arrest such offenders or to stop suspected offenders.

I cannot give any worthwhile estimate of the numbers of persons who drive whilst disqualified. My right hon. Friend is considering with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport whether an amendment of the Road Traffic Acts to give the police an unambiguous power of arrest without warrant in these cases is desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the persons who have requested the summons to be in the Welsh language when summoned for failing to display in Wales a road fund licence have been given a prison sentence as an alternative to a fine; and how many elected to serve a term of imprisonment.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he first allowed Mr. George Raft to come to this country; when he first knew of his connection with the Colony Club; what charges and legal action were taken against Mr. Raft; with what results; and what legally proved charges against him became known during his stay in this country.

Mr. Raft arrived here on 4th April, 1966 with a view to taking up employment at the Colony Club. I first knew of his connection with the Club in February of that year. He has not been the subject of any criminal charges in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions he or officials of his Department have, in their official capacities, visited George Raft's Colony Club; and what discussions he had there before banning the re-entry into this country of George Raft.

The Answer to both parts of the Question is "None".

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proven evidence became available to him of an adverse nature concerning the character of Mr. George Raft during his stay in Great Britain which was different from that which was in being on his original entry into Great Britain.

It would be contrary to well-established practice to disclose information of this nature.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how certain prisoners at Wakefield Prison gained possession of substantial quantities of alcohol; and what action he has taken in the matter.

The two prisoners concerned in the incident to which the hon. Member no doubt refers had been members of an outside working party. Despite full inquiries by the police and prison authorities it has not been possible to discover how they succeeded in evading the precautions taken to prevent unauthorised articles being brought into the prison.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many doctors have written to him signifying their support for the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Bill.

About 650 since June, 1966.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Brigadier Mark Maunsell will have direct access to him in connection with his duties as inspector general of the prison service.

Yes, as necessary. I shall see him frequently, as I do my other senior advisers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under which of the regulations governing the entry and stay of overseas visitors is Mr. Lawrence Addison Nowlin resident in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Nowlin was admitted as a visitor in September and was subsequently granted an extension of stay on the same basis. He will shortly be leaving the country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will inquire into the circumstances in which highly inflammable dolls were imported into this country before his Department asked for their withdrawal from sale; and if he will make a statement.

The importers mainly concerned have already taken steps to ensure that no dolls of this kind will be imported in future and the sale of such dolls will in any case be illegal under the new regulations for children's toys which will be ready shortly. I doubt, therefore, whether an inquiry would help.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are being made for the purchase of breath meter testing devices in advance of Royal Assent being given to the Road Safety Bill.

Preliminary work will be carried as far as possible in advance but formal contracts must await the Royal Assent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what experiments are being carried out in setting up a vehicle removal unit manned by fire brigade personnel.

Emergency tenders carrying rescue equipment suitable for use in a variety of situations have been provided by most large fire brigades for many years. In view of the increasing attendance of the fire service at road accidents, a number of fire brigades are developing improved appliances and techniques.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will undertake that the pay award of 7 per cent. agreed by the National Joint Council for Local Authority Fire Brigades and due to come into effect on 1st August, 1966, will be able to be honoured, that it may be back-dated to 1st March, 1967, and that those who have retired since 1st August, 1966, may have the increase reflected in their pension rates.

There was no such agreement. The fire service claim has been referred to the National Board for Prices and Incomes and I am awaiting their recommendations.

asked the Secretary for the Home Department what are the results of the study made by his Department into the safety record of the 6,000 unattended self-service petrol filling stations in Western Germany; and how the record of such stations compares with ordinary attended petrol stations in that country.

One company, which controls about one-third of the installations in question, states that only two fires have occurred since 1964. I have no knowledge of the safety record at other installations, whether attended or unattended.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made towards giving approval to the Model Regulations for unattended self-service petrol filling stations; and when such aproval is likely to be given.

The appropriate technical committee of the Standing Advisory Committee on Dangerous Substances takes the view that self-service at unattended filling stations presents special problems which cannot conveniently be considered in the context of the present revision of the Model Code. They are, however, aware of the need to resolve those problems as quickly as posible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the continuing large annual net increase in the number of Commonwealth immigrants coming here for settlement increases the already very large demand for houses, schools and hospitals; and what steps he proposes to take to reduce substantially the number of immigrants.

I would refer the right hon. and learned Gentleman to the White Paper "Immigration from the Commonwealth" (Cmnd. 2739), and to what was said on behalf of the Government during the debates last autumn on the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now seek to offer repatriation to their own countries at public expense of those Commonwealth immigrants who have failed to obtain suitable housing accommodation or employment or who have been unable to settle in Great Britain.

No. In my view the existing arrangements for assisting Commonwealth immigrants who wish to return home are sufficient.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons under 18 years of age were held in Her Majesty's Prison at Oxford having been committed in custody awaiting sentence; and how long had each been in custody as at 1st March, 1967.

Five, of whom one had been in custody for 20 days, three for 9 days and one for 7 days.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present number of police man-hours spent each week on traffic duty outside the House of Commons when Parliament is sitting; if he will abolish this practice; and if he will make a statement.

In a week when the House rises each day at the normal hour, 327½ police man hours.I have indicated before that I would be ready to be guided by the wishes of the House in suggesting to the Commissioner of Police that the traffic lights in Parliament Square should continue in operation while the House is sitting, but I am informed that the Services Committee of this House recently resolved against this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the circumstances in which Nicholas Purcell was taken into police custody in the corridors of the Manchester City Magistrates' Court, on Thursday 2nd March, 1967, after the Manchester Stipendiary Magistrate had placed him on probation for two years.

Purcell was properly arrested as an absconder from borstal, but since he was placed on probation on 2nd March I decided to recommend the remission of the remainder of the borstal sentence. He has been released.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Metropolitan Police drivers were suspended from duty on account of accidents during the years 1964, 1965, and 1966; how many of these were directly involved in accidents themselves; how many of these were subsequently discover to be innocent of any driving offence; and what loss of pay was suffered by those found innocent of a driving offence.

Metropolitan police officers involved in accidents while driving police vehicles are not suspended from duty on that account. They may be transferred to other duties pending inquiries, but this does not involve reducing their pay. To obtain the other information requested would involve detailed examination of reports about individual accidents, and I do not think that this would be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cars and motor-cycles belonging to the Metropolitan Police have exceeded 50,000 miles; in what years these were first registered; and by which divisions they are used.

361 cars and 115 motor cycles.

METROPOLITAN POLICE VEHICLES WHICH HAVE EXCEEDED 50,000 MILES
Year of registration			Cars	Motor cycles
1960	…	…	2	15
1961	…	…	18	13
1962	…	…	25	5
1963	…	…	110	74
1964	…	…	111	8
1965	…	…	92	—
1966	…	…	3	—

The distribution of those used in Divisions is as follows:

Divisions			Cars	Motor cycles
A	…	…	2	—
B	…	…	10	—
C	…	…	4	—
D	…	…	7	—
E	…	…	9	—
F	…	…	4	—
G	…	…	9	3
H	…	…	7	—
J	…	…	13	8
K	…	…	17	5
L	…	…	11	3
M	…	…	8	—
N	…	…	7	3
P	…	…	15	10
Q	…	…	16	5
R	…	…	13	3
S	…	…	14	10
T	…	…	15	9
V	…	…	12	6
W	…	…	10	1
X	…	…	19	19
Y	…	…	19	9
Z	…	…	15	7

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much training in small arms members of the mobile Metropolitan Police Force receive.

A proportion of Metropolitan Police officers, both mobile and on foot, are trained in the use of firearms. In 1966 the training comprised an average of 4 hours' instruction, including firing practice. Plans to increase the amount of training provided are under consideration.

asked the Secretary Of State for the Home Department what reports of illegal action he has received concerning the running of George Raft's Colony Club; how many times the police have raided the club; how many prosecutions were initiated as a result of these raids; and what were the results of these prosecutions.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that no irregularities have come to notice at this club which would justify police action; and that it has not been raided by the police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to promote new research on fabrics and apparel ignition problems as proposed in the report of the Textile Institute published in January 1965, a copy of which has been sent to him.

The Committee of Directors of Textile Research Associations and my Department have jointly arranged for an agreed programme of research to be undertaken in textile research establishments. Work has begun.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has examined the evidence sent to him by the hon. Member for South Bedfordshire of a 17-year-old Dunstable girl sent to Holloway Prison; and what steps he is taking to increase the availability of appropriate remand homes and centres for teenagers.

I have seen a newspaper account of this case. Adequate remand centre accommodiation for girls will be available when a new remand centre opens in a few weeks' time. It is the responsibility of local authorities to provide remand homes for girls under 17.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of aliens admitted with work permits in 1965 and 1966; how these figures compare with the average for the years 1963 and 1964; and whether he will make a statement on the trend and his policy towards it.

48,874 in 1965 and 48,637 in 1966. These figures represent increases of 18·8 per cent. and 18·3 per cent., respectively over the average for 1963 and 1964, but those years produced the lowest annual figures since 1959. Allowing for changes in the general demand for labour, the pattern has remained fairly constant over the last 10 years and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and I see no need for any change of policy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for moving the site of Shrewsbury Prison.

None at present.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what instructions he has given to the Commonwealth Development Corporation regarding projects in the Republic of Cyprus; and why the Corporation does not participate in such projects.

My right hon. Friend has given no specific instructions. I understand that no acceptable project has yet come forward.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs why a civil servant was in attendance upon him at a Labour Party meeting in Glasgow on 25th February; and if he will make a statement.

I asked a member of my staff to remain with me as I had official business to transact at the hall in which the meeting was taking place: a number of representatives of the Press had asked me to meet them there to discuss my official visit earlier the same day to the Fairfields Shipyard.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if Mr. N. A. Morling will be bound by the Official Secrets Act, as a result of his appointment as a senior industrial adviser to the director general of the National Economic Development Council.

Yes, in the same way as other members of the National Economic Development Office.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what charge will fall on public funds as a result of the appointment of Mr. N. A. Morling as a senior industrial adviser to the director general of the National Economic Development Council.

A fee of £7,500 per annum will be paid to his firm in recognition of Mr. Morling's services with the National Economic Development Office.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he is aware that the National Board for Prices and Incomes is using both English and United States firms of business consultants; and what proposals he has to guarantee that information disclosed to these consultants under the Prices and Incomes Act is not subsequently used for commercial advantage.

Yes. On the second point, I would draw the hon. Member's attention to paragraph 16 of the first Schedule of the Prices and Incomes Act, 1966.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will make a statement on his refusal to meet a deputation of teachers' representatives to discuss the suspension of negotiations on salaries in the Burnham Committee until an announcement on his future policy on incomes is made.

My right hon. Friend has suggested to the National Union of Teachers that it would be more appropriate for them to see my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs when he expects to make an announcement on his future policy on incomes which will enable negotiations on teachers' salaries in the Burnham Committee to be continued.

My right hon. Friend will make an announcement as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General if, as a measure of economy he will introduce garden gate mail deliveries and also box mail deliveries on the ground floor of blocks of flats, which has proved an acceptable system in the United States of America and in Canada; and whether he will estimate the annual saving which would result.

We already do what we can to encourage provision of ground floor boxes in blocks of flats and offices. We have tried garden gate boxes; they were not favoured by the residents. Possible savings were earlier estimated at between £1½ and £2 million a year. We are considering various possibilities and are bringing our estimate of savings up to date.

asked the Postmaster-General what arrangements he has made to maintain a sub-post office at Blubberhouses; where the new sub-post office will be located; whether it will be in action before the present sub-post office is demolished; and whether he is aware of the anxiety felt by pensioners and others with regard to the maintenance of Post Office services in this moorland village.

I am aware of the concern felt by the residents of Blubber-houses. I am not yet able to say exactly where the new sub-post office will be located, but I certainly hope to have it in action immediately the present office has to close.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in view of the likelihood of the closure of the British Theatre Museum, owing to lack of funds, he will discuss with the Arts Council the possibility of a grant to maintain it or, alternatively, take it over and maintain it in the national interest in a manner analogous to the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich.

The Chairman of the Arts Council, on the invitation of the Trustees, has visited this Museum. Its problems are therefore fully appreciated by the Arts Council and the possibility of giving financial assistance is being looked into.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in order to avoid discrimination and to conform to the Robbins recommendation, he will consider increasing all university fees by a small amount instead of only overseas students' fees by a large amount.

No. My right hon. Friend explained in detail in the debate on 23rd February why such an arrangement was not acceptable.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will exempt the non-teaching staff at Christ's College, Liverpool, from the terms of the pay standstill, set out in his Department's College Letter No. 3/67 of 25th February, 1967, in view of the fact that in his Department's letter of 1st February, 1967, to the bursar, pay increases to this staff with effect from 1st February were specifically authorised, and consequently paid, for the month of February; and if he will make a statement.

No. I regret that a few of the colleges were mistakenly advised that grants would be available to cover expenditure on paying the increases from 1st February. As soon as this error was discovered steps were taken to correct it. The advice contained in College Letter 3/67 applies to all voluntary colleges of education and any college which has started to pay the new rates of pay should cease to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science on what dates within the past six months he has made representations to the Essex Education Authority about the reorganisation of Brentwood's secondary schools.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the number of performances that have already taken place and which are planned during the period 31st March, 1966 to 1st April, 1967 promoted by the orchestral management of each of the four London orchestras and each of the five major regional orchestras; and if he will state the average amount of the Arts Council grant for each such performance.

The following are the number of performances in 1966–67 promoted by the management of each regional orchestra, and the result of dividing the Arts Council grant by the numbers:

			£
City of Birmingham Symphony	…	79	(829)
Bournemouth Symphony	…	112	(744)
Halle	…	94	(767)
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic	…	88	(772)
Scottish National	…	97	(874)

The Arts Council grants to these orchestras are given to the work of the orchestra as a whole, and the number of concerts promoted by the management only represent a proportion of the total performances given by the orchestras.In 1966–67 the basis of grant to the London orchestras was changed. The Arts Council gave the four orchestras £176,250 in the form of concert subsidies, and the following table gives the

number of performances promoted by the Management and the average grant per concert:

				£
London Philharmonic	…	…	75	(825)
London Symphony	…	…	44	(866)
NewPhilharmonia	…	…	40	(953)
Royal Philharmonic	…	…	40	(953)

In addition, each of the four London Orchestras received a grant of £15,000 towards administrative and other costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many free school meals were served in the last year for which figures are available.

The exact figure is not known, but an estimate can be made based on the number taken on a day in the autumn when a count is made. On that basis the number which will have been taken in the current financial year is 61,595,500.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice he has given to local education authorities about the need to consult parents on the reorganisation of secondary education; and how long a period he has specified should be allowed for public discussion before these proposals are sent to him for approval.

In paragraph 42 of Circular 10/65 I advised that parents should be informed fully and authoritatively as soon as practicable in the planning stage. I have not specified any period that should be allowed for public discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the cost of free school milk for the last year for which figures are available.

£13·5 million in the financial year 1965–66.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what help he is giving to the British Museum in view of the shortage of storage places for valuable documents; and if he will make a statement.

If my hon. Friend is referring to the second paragraph on page 61 of the British Museum Report, I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works that the necessary work for the Map Room and the Egerton Room has been proceeding since the end of 1966. It is estimated to cost about £15,000. If my hon. Friend has some other point in mind, he will doubtless communicate with my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what arrangements exist for relating scientific research in Antarctica to that for which he is responsible.

The Government has decided that, with effect from 1st April, 1967, responsibility for the British Antarctic Survey should pass from the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs (formerly the Secretary of State for the Colonies) to me. The Survey will be assimilated to the Research Council structure for the support of civil science under the Science and Technology Act, 1965. Since its activities are predominantly in the environmental sciences I have asked the Natural Environment Research Council to accept responsibility for it, and the Council has agreed.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from staff of the Medical Research Council about their superannuation arrangements; and if he will take steps to ensure that all research councils have the same terms and conditions of employment.

Representations on this subject were made last year by the hon. Member for Abingdon (Mr. Neave) on behalf of certain Medical Research Council staff. Conditions of service among the Research Councils are already broadly similar in several respects, but in view of their differing functions and the wide variety of staff they employ, it would be neither desirable nor practicable to aim at complete uniformity.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will now visit, in his official capacity, the major brick works in Great Britain.

I have already paid visits to brickworks and I plan to visit another one this month. Apart from this, I am in constant touch with representatives of the industry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, having regard to changed financial and economic circumstances since May, 1966, what are his revised yields compared with original estimates for the year 1966–67, for Income Tax, Surtax, Corporation Tax, Purchase Tax, Selective Employment Tax, Capital Gains Duty, Estate Duty, Gambling Duties, excluding football pools, pools betting duty, tobacco, and Excise duties other than tobacco, respectively; and whether he will make a statement.

I must ask the hon. Gentleman to await the publication of the Financial Statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the level of sales above which a craftsman must pay Purchase Tax; when this level was last fixed; and what it should now be to take account of the rise in the cost of living.

Small manufacturers, including craftsmen, are required to account for Purchase Tax if their gross takings from sales of taxable goods exceed £500 a year on the average. This limit was fixed in 1941. It still serves its purpose of contributing to efficient administration of the tax and I do not accept that it should now be raised in line with the change in the value of money.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the amounts of tax revenue lost to the Exchequer as a result of free depreciation in development districts in the fiscal years 1962–63, 1963–64, and 1964–65; and what was the estimated cost of cash grants in development areas for the fiscal years 1965–66 and 1966–67.

Free depreciation related to expenditure incurred between 4th April, 1963, and 16th January, 1966. In 1963–64 the cost was negligble; the estimated cost in 1964–65 is £20 million. Expenditure incurred after 16th January, 1966 qualifies for grants which are initially payable 18 months after the expenditure. There is accordingly no cost to the Exchequer in 1965–66 or 1966–67.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the cost of minting the new coins for the proposed decimal currency system has increased from £22·5 million as estimated in the Halsbury Report to £30·75 million, the figure given in the financial memorandum to the Decimal Currency Bill; and if he will estimate the savings out of this total that would result if the sixpenny piece and halt-crown were retained as five and twenty-five new penny pieces, respectively, in a system based on a major unit of ten shillings.

The increase is due to a variety of factors, notably revised estimates of the cost of labour and materials and of coin requirements. The estimate assumes the replacement of all coins in circulation. No firm estimate has been made of the minting costs of any 10s. system, but the difference would not be significant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will instruct Her Majesty's Stationery Office that it should ensure that all publications held by its Belfast office should be available on demand in London.

It would be uneconomic for the Stationery Office to keep stocks of all Northern Ireland publications in London. Those for which there is normally a public demand are stocked in the Government Bookshop at Holborn and others may be obtained to order.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why qualified accountants are offered salaries of £3,500 at the age of 38 years by the Civil Service Commission, whereas qualified engineers are only offered £1,633, as shown in the official advertisements, copies of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Orpington; and how many replies have been received from applicants with the necessary qualifications to the advertisement for professional engineers.

The comparison is not valid: one advertisement relates to permanent appointments (in the Tax Inspectorate) for candidates aged 20 to 28, the other to temporary appointments for engineers aged 35 or over. In the former case, £3,500 is the salary attainable with a normally successful career involving two promotions whereas, in the latter case, £1,633 is the salary maximum of the recruitment grade for professional engineers. Engineers appointed to permanent posts below age 28 have good prospects of attaining a salary of £3,500 (or more) in the course of a normally successful career. The response to the advertisement for engineers is a matter for the Minister of Defence for the Army, but it is understood that one inquiry has so far been received to the advertisement of 1st March: over a period of 12 months the number of applicants with suitable qualifications for comparable posts has been 186.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates would be the cost to the Revenue of limiting the maximum rate of Surtax to 6s. 6d. for earned income and for total incomes respectively.

If in cases of mixed incomes the earned income was treated as the bottom slice of total income, the Answer to the first part of the Question is about £4 million for a full year. The Answer to the second part of the Question is about £30 million for a full year. Both costs are on the assumption that the lower Surtax rates and the bands of income to which they apply would be unchanged.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the recent flooding in Trefriw and the Conway Valley; and what progress has been made in alleviating the situation.

As a result of heavy rains flooding occurred in this area on 23rd and 28th February. No properties were affected on the first occasion but properties were flooded on 28th February in Dolwyddelan, Llanwrst and Trefriw. River improvement works in progress were damaged by the floods.There are three improvement schemes, together costing £25,000, nearing completion at Abbey Tanlan, Nant Gwydyr and Afon Ddu. Two further schemes at White Barn (Trefriw) and Dolgarrog Dyto have been completed within the last 9 months at a total cost of £7,500.The River authority expects shortly to start the main scheme at Trefriw costing £23,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the situation which develops repeatedly at times of heavy rain in the Conway Valley, what further steps he proposes to take to expedite work on the Cranfnant Diversion Scheme and the Trefriw Sewerage Scheme.

The River Crafnant scheme was approved for grant by my Department in June, 1965. The Gwynedd River Authority has since been negotiating the purchase of land and the diversion of footpaths. This has taken longer than it expected but it hopes to settle these matters within the next few weeks so that work can then start.With regard to the proposed sewerage scheme for Trefriw, I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales that, as further details are still awaited from the Nant Conway R.D.C., he is unable to say when it is likely to start.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on beer prices in the Mansfield area in relation to the prices and incomes policy.

On 1st January the Mansfield Brewery Company increased the wholesale price of some of its bitter beer concurrently with a long-term reorganisation of its rents structure. Discussions have been taking place since then between my Department, the company, the Brewers' Society and the Confederation of British Industry. As a result of these discussions, the company has agreed to withdraw from Monday, 13th March until the beginning of August the increase in the wholesale price of bitter beer, which the Government considered to be a breach of their present prices policy.My Department will be discussing retail prices of beer in the Mansfield area with representatives of the Licensed Victuallers next week.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the mothballing or refitting period for the four fishery protection squadron frigates H.M.S. "Dundas", H.M.S. "Russell", H.M.S. "Blackwood", and H.M.S. "Palliser" will begin; and what vessels will be assigned to their duties during those periods.

Of the four frigates listed by the hon. Member, only H.M. Ships "Blackwood" and "Palliser" formed part of the Fishery Protection Squadron immediately before 1st February. H.M.S. "Palliser" will commence her refit during April while H.M.S. "Blackwood" will begin refitting at the end of August. The remaining frigates which were formerly part of the Fishery Protection Squadron, H.M. Ships "Keppel" and "Malcolm", will continue to be available for fishery protection duties in distant waters, assisted as necessary by other frigates of the Home Fleet. This change will not involve any lessening of patrol activity by the Royal Navy.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is aware that captains of fishery protection vessels need specialised knowledge of fishing methods and the behaviour of foreign poachers; and what steps he is taking to equip officers of the home fleet who may be called upon to undertake these specialised duties of protecting British trawlermen.

The need for specialised knowledge will be amply met under the new arrangements. As far as the distant water patrols are concerned the staff of the Captain Fishery Protection will provide the necessary expertise and will be available to go afloat as required. Foreign poachers will remain the concern of the coastal minesweepers of the Squadron who are not affected by the change. The captains of these vessels have a wide knowledge of the fishing methods and behaviour of foreign poachers and the task is therefore in capable hands.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the exclusion of British launderers and cleaners from investment grants is retarding their modernisation plans, is so reducing their profits that their employees on profit-sharing agreements are suffering and that some laundries are paying out in Selective Employment Tax more than their profits; and if he will take steps to alleviate the situation.

I have been asked to reply. The investment grant scheme was designed to concentrate available resources on assistance to the manufacturing, extractive and construction industries, whose growth and efficiency can contribute most to the improvement of our economic position. It would be inconsistent with this objective to apply these grants also to service industries. Expenditure on new plant and machinery used by service industries does however benefit from the increase, from 10 per cent. to 30 per cent., in the initial allowance for taxation.

asked the Minister of Health what are the administrative difficulties in the way of amending Statutory Instrument, 1966, No. 1523, to allow married male employees of the National Health Service to exercise an option at the time of retirement waiving the right, after their death, of their widows to a widow's pension, where, as in a recent case submitted by the hon. Member for Monmouth, it is to the financial advantage of the employee so to do.

I have explained to my hon. Friend why the present provision in the Superannuation Regulations should not be amended. But my right hon. Friend is willing to consider whether anything can be done to alleviate hardship which might be caused in some individual cases by the recent extension of eligibility for widows' pensions to wives of certain National Health Service employees who previously had no such entitlement, and I will write to my hon. Friend again.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will refer the new council house rent structure being introduced by Rugby Borough Council to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

No. As I explained in my letter of 24th February to my hon. Friend, the Government do not regard local authority rents as a suitable subject for the Board.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the latest estimate of the amount of land which the Land Commission proposes to purchase in the next 12 months for disposal on concessionary terms for housing development; and how many units of housing are likely to be provided thereon.

Ministers are discussing with the Commission its programme for the acquisition of land for various purposes, and I can say no more at the moment.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what proposals he has for reviewing the present system of public rights of way and the procedures involved in recording, creating, closing and maintaining them.

My right hon. Friend in association with the Secretary of State for Wales is appointing a Committee under the chairmanship of Sir Arthur Gosling to consider the whole question and to make recommendations. The terms of reference are: "To consider how far the present system of footpaths, bridleways and other comparable rights of way in England and Wales and the arrangements for the recording, closure, diversion, creation and maintenance of such routes are suitable for present and potential needs in the countryside, and to make recommendations", and the membership is as follows:

Sir Arthur Gosling, K.B.E. (Chairman).

Mr. J. E. Blow, Clerk of the Kesteven County Council.

Mr. I. Campbell, LL.B., Secretary of the Commons, Open Spaces and Footpaths Preservation Society.

Mr. John Cripps, Member of the Council of the Rural District Councils Association and of the C.P.R.E.

Mr. M. R. Darke, Member of the National Farmers' Union.

Mr. T. E. Fairclough, Secretary of the Merseyside Youth Hostel Association and Member of the Snowdonia National Park Joint Advisory Committee.

Major Heywood, M.B.E., F.L.A.S., Member of the Country Landowners' Association.

Mr. G. McGuire, Member of the Youth Hostels Association.

Mr. H. E. G. Read, C.B.E., F.L.A.S., Land Agent.

Mr. E. Richards, Farmer, near Swansea. Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee of the N.F.U.

Mr. Tom Stephenson, Secretary of the Ramblers' Association.

Secretary—Miss C. E. Barson, O.B.E.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has has received the report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes concerning the proposals of the Retail Drapery Wages Council; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend The First Secretary and I have received the Board's Report which is being published today and we are studying it. The first step is for the Report to be considered by the Wages Council and a meeting which has, I understand, been fixed for 13th March will provide the Council with an early opportunity of doing so.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a statement with special reference to public safety and health on the plans of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority to use a south coast port as a disposal centre for European and British atomic waste.

The European Nuclear Energy Agency is studying a possible experimental disposal at sea of certain radio-active waste from several countries; the Atomic Energy Authority is considering how the U.K. contribution might be delivered to the ship. All the necessary precautions will be taken. There are no plans for centralising the disposal of European waste in the U.K.

asked the Minister of Power if he will publish a formula giving the relationship between the cost of electricity generated in gas turbine plant. the load factor, and the cost of fuel per therm, for each type of plant used by the Central Electricity Generating Board.

The C.E.G.B. have only one type of gas turbine plant, based on aircraft type jet engines. This plant is primarily intended for emergency and peak load operation, and it would not be appropriate to attempt to estimate costs at any other than low load factors.

asked the Minister of Power what is the present cost per therm of distillate fuel used in gas turbine plant by the Central Electricity Generating Board.

The cost per therm for distillate fuel in gas turbine plant will vary with the supplier and location of the plant and is a commercial matter between the C.E.B.G. and its suppliers.

asked the Minister of Power what would be the cost of modifying gas turbine plant owned by the Central Electricity Generating Board to burn natural gas.

I cannot give an accurate estimate but I understand that the cost of conversion is likely to be low compared with other factors such as the cost of supplying pipework and other equipment.In view of the comparatively small quantity of fuel used in these gas turbines, there would be little scope for economy by using natural gas.

asked the Minister of Power what will be the ultimate output capacity of the Drax Power Station; and at what date it will commence to generate.

The Central Electricity Generating Board has statutory consent to build a 4,000 MW station. The first half, comprising three 660 MW units, is under construction and the Board plans to have the first unit in operation in 1971.

asked the Minister of Power what is the estimated tonnage of coal which will be required each year by the Central Electricity Generating Board from 1967 to 1970; and what were the figures for each year from 1960 to 1966.

The Central Electricity Generating Board estimates that its coal consumption in 1967 will be about 62 million tons. Pending completion of the fuel policy review, I am unable to give reliable estimates for the years 1968–70.The figures of coal consumption in the years 1960 to 1966 are:

1960	…	…	…	47·3
1961	…	…	…	50·7
1962	…	…	…	55·6
1963	…	…	…	61·1
1964	…	…	…	62·8
1965	…	…	…	64·1
1966	…	…	…	62·8

asked the Minister of Transport what is her estimate of the size of the capital investment programme in British ports last year; and how this compares with each of the previous two years, and the average annual investment between 1954 and 1964.

Investment by port authorities amounted to £35·2 million last year; £26·5 million in 1965; £18·0 million in 1964; and averaged £18·7 million over the years 1954 to 1964.

asked the Minister of Transport how many municipal passenger undertakings there are in Area C; what is the total number of passenger vehicles operating in that area; and whether direct representation on the North West Regional Co-ordinating Committee has been offered to the Municipal Passenger Transport Association.

I understand that Area C of the Association includes 34 municipal undertakings, which operate about 5,700 of the 11,000 public service vehicles running in the area.The members of the Regional Passenger Transport Co-ordinating Committees have been appointed, not as representatives of particular organisations, but to represent the interests of the Region as a whole. The North-West Committee includes four members with exprience of bus operation, two of whom have municipal backgrounds.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she is aware that in the Greater London area alone during the calendar year ended 1966 there were 146,000 cases of unlicensed vehicles reported and that excluding lorries and heavy vehicles this was approximately a loss to the Treasury of £1,460,000, and that the 24,800 who paid a mitigated penalty only contributed £96,000; and what action she proposes to take to ensure a full tax revenue from this source in 1967.

As regards mitigated penalties, I would refer my hon. Friend to that reply given to his Question on 3rd March. The extent of evasion is comparatively small, but, as my hon. Friend knows, further measures to combat it are under consideration. As these might involve legislation I cannot go into details at this stage.—[Vol. 742, c. 176.]

asked the Minister of Transport how many trains have been delayed in Scotland and in lines leading to Scotland, respectively, in each of the years 1966, 1965, and 1964, respectively; and if she will state the number of delays which have been caused in these years by derailments, points failures, engine breakdowns, and breakdowns of technical and signalling equipment, respectively.

The information asked for is not readily available. To obtain it would entail a disproportionate amount of work.