asked the Minister of Social Security whether she will now make a statement of Government policy on family allowances.

I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member's Question on this subject on 30th January.—[Vol. 740, c. 28–30.]

asked the Minister of Social Security if she will estimate the cost of replacing the existing family allowances with a graded scale of children's benefits for all children including the first in accordance with the scale laid down for dependent children by the Supplementary Commission, assuming that these benefits would be treated as taxable income in the hands of the parents.

The net additional cost of such benefits, after taking into account the reductions in National Insurance dependency benefits and in supplementary benefits, and the amount recovered in tax, would be about £635 million a year.

asked the Minister of Social Security what was the cost of family allowances in the latest year for which figures are available.

The cost of family allowances for the year 1965–66 was £146 million.

asked the Minister of Social Security how far insurance against occupational diseases under the Industrial Injuries scheme corresponds with the detailed recommendations on occupational diseases sent by the European Commission to member-countries of the European Economic Community in 1962.

It is difficult to make a detailed comparison of the kind suggested because of the different approach adopted by the European Commission towards occupational diseases. Broadly speaking, most of the hazards listed by the Commission are covered either by the prescribed diseases provisions or by the more general accident provisions of the Industrial Injuries Acts. The few exceptions are not hazards met with in Great Britain or are outside the scope of the Industrial Injuries Acts.

asked the Minister of Social Security whether she will amend the appropriate regulations so as to enlarge, in the case of retirement pensioners and widows, the period in which late claims for benefits could be made.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply to his Question of 28th November last.—[Vol. 737, c. 12–13.]

asked the Minister of Social Security whether she will review the death grant in the light of rising costs since the last increase was made.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply on 13th February to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Chippenham (Mr. Awdry).—[Vol. 741, c. 19.]

asked the Minister of Social Security whether she will amend the rules governing the payment of unemployment benefit, whereby many nightshift workers on short-time receive no benefit, though working fewer hours than day-shift workers in receipt of benefit.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedfordshire, South (Mr. Gwilym Roberts) on 14th November last.—[Vol. 736, c. 21–2.]

asked the Minister of Social Security if she will instruct her local officers to suggest to people whose actual income is below the minimum scale laid down by the Act, but where assumed income from capital is above it, to seek professional advice as to how they can increase their investment income.

Where capital is substantial the assumed income is higher than the normal actual income, because it seems right that above a certain point capital should be drawn upon to some extent before supplementary benefit becomes payable. But I see the point of the hon. Gentleman's proposal, and I will ask the Supplementary Benefits Commission to consider ways of helping claimants on the lines suggested.

asked the Minister of Social Security how many retirement pensioners are now in receipt of supplementary pensions under the new regulations.

About 1,600,000, some of which include the requirements of more than one pensioner (mainly married couples).

asked the Minister of Social Security (1) approximately how many pensioners would continue to work part time if she relaxed the 12-hour rule, limiting them to that maximum working period a week if they are to retain their retirement pensions; what would be the increase in the cost of pensions and the approximate increase in national production; and, if necessary, if she will institute a survey to secure this information;(2) if she will ask the National Insurance Advisory Committee to consider increasing from 12 to 24 the maximum hours a pensioner is allowed to work whilst still retaining entitlement to his or her retirement pension.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for providing the opportunity to clarify this matter. A person can be treated as retired and paid a retirement pension in full if he earns not more than the amount disregarded under the earnings rule, or expects to exceed that amount only occasionally, even if he does work more than 12 hours a week. The present amount disregrded under the earnings rule is £5, but it is proposed to increase this to £6 10s. in the near future in accordance with the recent recommendations of the National Insurance Advisory Committee. I do not think that any further changes in this field are called for at present.

asked the Minister of Social Security what is the average number of industrial injury cases referred to the Medical Appeal Tribunal per annum; and of that number how many are supported by the appellant with independent medical advice and separately independent legal advice.

On average about 21,000 cases come before medical appeal tribunals each year. About a quarter of these are references by my Department and the remainder are appeals from claimants against the decisions of medical boards. I regret that the information requested in the second part of the question is not available.

asked the Minister of Social Security what steps she is taking to ensure that self-employed farmers who suffer from the disease known as farmers' lung can be paid compensation of the kind that is paid to employed persons suffering from the same disease.

Self-employment generally is not insurable under the Industrial Injuries Act and it is not practicable to make an exception for one form of self-employment in respect of one disease. A self-employed person who is incapacitated for work by reason of farmer's lung can, of course, receive sickness benefit under the National Insurance Act.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to protect employers in the country areas of the South-East where skilled labour is in short supply, unable to offer increased wages to their staff owing to the standstill, to compete with firms moving into the same area from an area where higher rates are being paid.

I will look into any complaint of difficulties caused by this. If the hon. Member has a specific example in mind I hope he will supply me with the details of the case.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the recommendation by the Electrical Contractors' Association of Scotland that its members should increase the pay of electricians from 6th March; if such payments fall within the Government's prices and incomes policy; and if he will make a statement.

I am aware of this recommendation. As announced on Friday the First Secretary is giving notice that he is considering the making of an Order under Section 29 of the Prices and Incomes Act to prohibit the further payment of the increase. It will be open to the parties, and others concerned, to make representations in the fourteen days following the publication of the notice.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) if he will now announce the names of the members of the committee set up to inquire into the engagement and use of labour and labour-only subcontracting in the construction industry; when the inquiry will commence; and when he anticipates that the final report and recommendations will be presented;(2) in view of the wider terms of reference of the committee of inquiry into labour-only subcontracting in the construction industry, if he will seek to ensure that an interim report on this aspect of the committee's work is presented, thus enabling appropriate recommendations to be made as a matter of urgency.

I have already announced that Professor Phelps Brown is to be Chairman of the Committee. Other members will be Mr. John Rhodes, of Imperial Chemical Industries, Mr. Charles Smith, of the Post Office Engineering Union, Dr. R. W. Rideout, of University College, London, and Mr. E. E. Wardell, of Urwick Orr and Partners Limited. I am considering whether an additional member should be appointed and am in touch with Professor Phelps Brown and the Economic Development Committees for Building and Civil Engineering about how these Committees might be associated with the work of the inquiry.The matters covered by the inquiry's terms of reference are complex and far-reaching. I cannot anticipate when the Committee's report and recommendations will be available, nor would it be practicable to consider the possibility of an interim report on one aspect before they have been able to survey the problem as a whole.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of new jobs created and actually filled in Welsh industry in 1966.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour, if he is aware that an engineering company recently provided free transport for employees; that an executive of the company estimated it was a fringe benefit worth between 15s. and 25s. weekly to each employee; and by what means the officials of his Department acquaint themselves of these developments in remunerating employees.

I assume that the hon. Member refers to a recent Press report. The Ministry has not completed its inquiries about the remuneration and conditions of employment in the firm which the report names. We receive information from a variety of sources.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he is taking to identify the 41 increases in pay negotiated by the Association of Salaried Staff, Executives and Technicians since the beginning of the wages and salaries standstill, and listed in the 1967 No. 1 Issue of the Association of Salaried Staffs, Executives and Technicians Journal, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

I am not proposing to pursue these anonymous cases. From the brief information given in the journal it appears that some of them may not be in breach of the standstill. I am glad to say that the vast majority of employers and workers are voluntarily observing the standstill.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, as a result of his talks in Bonn with the German Foreign Minister, he will propose that they should accept the Oder-Neisse frontier as permanent in exchange for a unified Germany; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said in the House on this subject on 27th February.—[Vol. 742, c. 71.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make available the draft text of the non-proliferation treaty.

Confidential discussions on non-proliferation proposals are continuing. We are hopeful that these will result in a draft text being tabled at Geneva, on the basis of which the Conference can proceed to negotiation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government of Indonesia's offer to compensate Her Majesty's Government and United Kingdom nationals for damages caused in Djakarta in September, 1963.

Yes. Discussions between the representatives of Indonesia and the United Kingdom resulted in an agreement constituted by an Exchange of Notes dated 1st December, 1966. Under this agreement, the Government of Indonesia accepts responsibility for the payment of compensation up to £660,000. I am happy to say that of this sum £255,000 has already been paid, and the remainder is to be paid in three equal instalments of £135,000 on 1st April and 1st October, 1967, and 1st April, 1968.Copies of the Exchange of Notes are in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list based on information from international organisations or elsewhere, of which countries still permit slavery; what representations he has made to their governments about this; and whether he will support the United Nations proposal for a committee to achieve the elimination of slavery.

A full account of the position is set out in a report pubblished last year by a United Nations Special Rapporteur, which is in the Library of the House. No representations have been made to other Governments but Her Majesty's Government supported a proposal by the Special Rapporteur to set up a Committee of Experts to advise the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations on slavery problems. Unfortunately this proposal did not attract sufficient support in the Economic and Social Council to be adopted and the question was referred to the United Nations Human Rights Commission for further consideration. It is now with that body.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how he proposes to maintain law and order in Aden during the remainder of the period for which Her Majesty's Government are responsible there.

As my right honourable Friend the Foreign Secretary stated on 27th February in reply to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Streatham (Mr. Sandys), we are taking resolute action to counter every threat to public security in Aden. This we shall continue to do.—[Vol. 742. c. 1.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what studies have been made in his Department on co-operation between the statutory and voluntary social services, in particular in the more extensive use of younger volunteers within the welfare services; and what plans he has for furthering these ends.

A committee of the Youth Service Development Council reported last year on the co-ordination of community service by young people; as I told my hon. Friend on 19th January, a statement will be made as soon as possible.—[Vol. 739, c. 622.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further proposals he has to help overseas students coming to this country and not covered by the special fund to aid those suffering hardship as a result of the decision to increase overseas students' fees.

I have nothing to add to earlier statements on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is aware that due to the inadequacy of basic pay scales, particularly during early years in the profession, many students for the teaching profession are now resolved not to teach in this country, and that for every five teachers leaving colleges of education only one will continue to pursue a teaching career in the country responsible for their training; and what steps he now proposes to take.

This is not correct. As I told the hon. Member for Hertfordshire, South-West (Mr. Longden) on 24th February, the latest available figures suggest that almost 20 per cent. of men and approximately 60 per cent. of women leave teaching service in maintained schools within five years of training. I have no evidence that a significant number emigrate. Many women, of course, leave the profession for domestic reasons.—[Vol. 741, c. 359.]

asked the Minister without Portfolio whether he will publish the latest figures of the anticipated needs during the next three years of qualified social workers for child care, welfare and health departments of local authorities; and what steps are being taken to ensure training of the required numbers.

The number of child care officers employed by local authorities in England and Wales on 31st March, 1966, was 2,341, and in Scotland, 146. Local authorities' forecast requirement, on the basis of their existing functions, is 3,884 staff in England and Wales as at 31st March, 1970, and 225 in Scotland as at 31st December, 1968. The number of students qualifying for the Central Training Council's Letter of Recognition is expected to rise from 280 in 1966 to about 675 in 1969. All but a few of these are expected to take up or resume employment in the local authority children's services in Great Britain.The number of social workers at present employed in local authority health and welfare departments is about 4,400 in England and Wales and 300 in Scotland. Local authorities' forecast requirement for 31st December, 1969, is 5,494 in England and Wales and 450 in Scotland.The number of students qualifying annually for the Certificate in Social Work of the Council for Training in Social Work is expected to rise from 208 in 1966 to about 500 in 1969. It is expected that most of those so qualifying will take up employment in the local authority health and welfare services in Great Britain. In addition, a number of those students who qualify as University-trained (or equivalent) social workers are also expected to take up such employment.The requirement figures as stated above do not distinguish between qualified staff and others; for all posts, applicants holding one of the qualifications referred to are preferred.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now make a statement about the proposals, of the inter-Service Committee, for returning to the United Kingdom for burial the bodies of Servicemen who die overseas.

An announcement will be made tomorrow.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the Controller, Army Pension Office, has yet been able to reply to the correspondence from Major (QM) W. Masterson, 111 Castle Hill, Reading, forwarded to him two months ago, regarding Major Masterson's pension rights.

I am looking into the position and will shortly be writing to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to install a more sophisticated armament in a Polaris submarine.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Merton and Morden (Mr. Humphrey Atkins) on 22nd June, 1966 [Vol. 730, c. 554] and to the hon. Member for St. Albans (Mr. Goodhew) on 13th February, 1967.—[Vol. 741, c. 35.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give an assurance that there will be no fur-the expenditure on the Polaris submarines than that already announced.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will take steps to ensure that the boundary markings of each car meter bay are also marked on the pavements, as motorists find it impossible on driving into the bay to see the markings on the road without putting their heads out of the car window or opening the car door.

No. I do not think that such additional markings would have benefits to outweigh the extra cost.

asked the Minister of Transport when the honourable Member for South Buckinghamshire may expect an answer to his letter dated 30th November 1966, relating to the dangers experienced by people who have to cross trunk road A40 at Holtspur on the western side of Beaconsfield, in respect of which letter a further letter, sent by way of a reminder on the 23rd January 1967 was written by the honourable Member.

I have written to the hon. Member today.

asked the Minister of Transport what estimate she has made of the cost to the economy of fatal road accidents in 1966; and how many people were killed in fatal road accidents in 1966, with the comparable figures for 1965, and 1964 respectively.

The estimated costs for 1966 are not yet available. 7,985 people were killed in road accidents during 1966 compared with 7,952 in 1965 and 7,820 in 1964.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the cost to the economy of accidents involving serious injury on the roads in 1966; and what was the cost of accidents involving slight injury in the same year.

The estimated costs for 1966 are not yet available. The estimated cost of serious injury road accidents in 1965 is £51 million and, of slight injury accidents, £50 million. The comparable estimates for 1964 are £48 million and £45 million respectively.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she is aware of the urgent need for extensions of speed limits in Fair Oak, Hampshire, especially in view of the building of new schools; and when she expects to be able to give her decision on this matter.

We are not aware of changes in the situation since an application by the Hampshire County Council for an extension of the speed limit was rejected in August, 1965.The conditions then prevailing indicated that the extension was not justified.I understand the county council may be considering a fresh application. If this is made, my right hon. Friend will, of course, consider it carefully in the light of any new conditions.

asked the Minister of Transport by what date crash barriers will be placed either side of the lamp standards at present being erected on the M4 between Brentford and London Airport.

Work should start soon and be finished by late summer.

asked the Minister of Transport what is at present the mileage of road schemes under construction; and how this figure compares with those for the same date four, eight, and 12 years ago, respectively.

I regret that information in this form is not readily available. Information is, however, being assembled on the mileage of trunk and Class I roads built in England in each financial year from 1955–56. I will let the hon. Member have this as soon as it is ready.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will reconsider her refusal to appoint a vehicle testing station in a rural area of Shropshire, which has been the subject of correspondence between her Department and the hon. Member for Shrewsbury, in view of the fact that the decision was based on the quality of the approach road only and without regard to the quality or efficiency of the testing station.

No. As has been fully explained to the hon. Member, this private road is not suitable either for traffic to and from a public testing station or for use for testing the braking efficiency of vehicles and the firm concerned has been so informed.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the estimated saving of £17 million per annum from the withdrawal of railway branch line services since the publication of the Beeching Report takes into account the loss of traffic to trunk routes as a result of the closure of feeder services; and what is the amount of revenue lost for this reason per annum.

The figure of £17 million per annum, which relates to the withdrawal of all railway passenger services, does take into account the loss of traffic to trunk routes. To ascertain the total annual revenue lost by analysing the records of several hundred closure cases would involve a disproportionate amount of time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has for establishing a Rural Development Board in Wales.

Under the Agriculture Bill the establishment of a Rural Development Board in Wales would be a matter for the Secretary of State for Wales and myself, acting jointly. The first step would be, before any formal proposal is published, to hold consultations with the local authorities and other interested public bodies in the area concerned. My right hon. Friend and I hope to open consultations, as soon as the Bill is passed, with a view to proposing the establishment of a board covering a substantial area of mid-Wales. The precise area to be included in a formal proposal would be decided thereafter in the light of the consultations to which I have referred.

asked Mr. Attorney-General whether, following the case of Christopher Haines, he will review the procedure for the release of people committed indefinitely to prison for contempt of court.

My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor is considering whether the procedure in cases of persons committed for contempt of court can be improved, particularly where, as in the case of Mr. Haines, he is privately represented and applies for legal aid. I understand that the Legal Aid Committee of the Law Society is also considering the matter.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what action he is taking to ensure that the reduction in transport costs due to the decision of the oil companies to reduce the retail price of petrol is reflected in the price of goods in the shops.

The Government Departments with price responsibilities will be keeping watch on this. All enterprises in whose case petrol is a significant element in costs are expected to have full regard to the guidance given in successive White Papers on the circumstances in which price reductions are called for.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what talks he has had, or contemplates having, with the Northern Economic Planning Council on the future role of Carlisle and Cumberland as a zone for population expansion; and if he will make a statement.

The Chairman of the Northern Economic Planning Council is to meet Ministers in the near future to discuss the recommendations the Council made in its Study of the Northern Region. The potential of the Carlisle/Solway area for population expansion will be among the topics discussed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated cost to the Revenue in a full year of raising the Estate Duty exemption limit from £5,000 to £10,000.

About £6 million in a full year assuming that there would be no change in the rates of duty for estates over £10,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated cost to the Revenue in a full year of raising the stamp duty exemption limit for property to £7,000.

About £6 million for a full year on the assumption that the full 1 per cent. rate would apply above £7,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated cost to the Revenue in a full year of raising the stamp duty exemption limit for leases on rents not exceeding £500 per annum.

Approximately £2 million in a full year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated cost to the Revenue in a full year of abolishing 2d. receipt stamps.

About £2 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the Purchase Tax on a colour television set costing £300; and if he will abolish the tax to encourage the development of colour television.

About £50. The answer to the second part of the Question is "No".

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money has been returned from the Exchequer in relief of the Selective Employment Tax to brewers and distillers; and if he will publish details.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has for a reduction in Income Tax for those on shift work.

I cannot anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give a general direction to the Bank of England that it should not use the services of private security firms.

No. This is a domestic matter for the Bank to decide.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider setting up a highly-qualified committee to examine and make recommendations on schools for delinquent and disturbed children.

I must ask my hon. Friend to await the outcome of the Government's consideration of the comments received on the proposals contained in The Child, the Family and the Young Offender (Cmnd. 2742).

asked the Minister of Health what is the average number of beds available in geriatric wards in England and Wales per 1,000 of the population.

1·2.

asked the Minister of Health how many beds are available in geriatric wards in Walsall per 1,000 of the population.

0·8 beds per 1,000 of the population served by the Walsall Hospital Management Committee.

asked the Minister of Health what is the approximate cost per annum of cotton textile materials purchased by the hospital boards; and what the proportion is in respect of home-produced materials.

I regret the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health what is the average total cost per patient per week in an average hospital; and whether this varies to any significant extent according to the hospital.

£39 11s. 9d. per in-patient week for 1965–66 in acute non-teaching hospitals in England and Wales. Costs vary significantly with the type of hospital, the specialties covered and the intensity of treatment provided.

asked the Minister of Health whether the length of hospitalisation between the date of an operation and the date of discharge varies to any significant extent as between one hospital and another for the same operation.

The limited statistics available in respect of individual hospitals show that there are significant variations in the total length of stay for the same conditions normally requiring an operation.There are many local factors which contribute to these differences: if the hon. Member wants information on any particular hospital, I will try to obtain it.

asked the Minister of Health what representations he has received regarding the decision of the South-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board to discontinue paying for 40 beds at St. Teresa's Maternity Hospital, Wimbledon; and what action he proposes to take.

I have received a number of representations from hon. Members and others in opposition to the Board's decision. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply today to the hon. Member for Richmond, Surrey (Mr. A. Royle).

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he will make a decision on the public inquiry held on 17th and 18th January 1967 into the objections made to the Leicester City Council's intention to acquire land for development in the area of Beaumanor Road/Corporation Road, Leicester.

My right hon. Friend hopes to issue his decision during April.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make an interim statement on the future of local government boundaries on Tyneside.

I well understand my hon. Friend's concern. I will make a statement as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Power what decision has been made on the application made to him to double the output capacity of the West Burton power station.

A final decision has not yet been taken as local planning conditions are still being considered.

asked the Minister of Power whether arrangements are being made to publish the contract details and prices on the Hinkley B and Hunterston B nuclear power stations in line with the comprehensive assessment published in the case of the Dungeness B nuclear power station.

This is a matter for the Boards concerned to decide, but they do not propose to publish a detailed economic appraisal of these two stations. They regard the appraisal produced in respect of Dungeness B as a special case, to enable comparisons to be drawn between British and American reactor systems.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) following correspondence with the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South, concerning housing in the Southhouse area of Edinburgh, what action he has taken with Edinburgh Corporation and other local authorities in Scotland to ensure that future tenders, specifications, supervision and contract terms covering local authority houses are clear, defined and watertight; and if he will make a statement;(2) what steps he has taken with Edinburgh Corporation and other local authorities in Scotland to ensure that in local authority house building each stage is clearly watched and tested and the materials approved by the clerk of works or other appropriate official.

I cannot intervene in particular issues arising from contracts to which I am not a party, but I expect to send to local authorities soon a circular giving general guidance on contracting procedures, with particular reference to contracts in which the builder is also responsible for the design, and also on the supervision of building work.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is at present the mileage of road schemes under construction in Scotland; and how this figure compares with those for the same date, four, eight, and 12 years ago.

I regret that comprehensive information is not available in respect of unclassified roads or of schemes costing under £100,000 on trunk and classified roads. The figures relating to larger schemes on trunk and classified roads are as follows:—

asked the Postmaster-General if he will confine the proposed increase in broadcast receiving licences relating to the introduction of colour television to those areas where colour television will be available.

As the White Paper on Broadcasting said, the supplementary fee for colour television will be required only from those equipped to receive colour programmes.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) what is the total cost to his Department of all telephones purchased from Associated Electrical Industries, General Electric, Standard Telephones, Automatic Telephone and Electric, Ericssons, Plessey, Phoenix and the Telephone Manufacturing Company; and what would have been the cost of these telephones if they had been purchased from other manufacturers;(2) what is the average cost per telephone purchased from Associated Electrical Industries, General Electric, Standard Telephones, Automatic Telephone and Electric, Ericssons, Plessey, Phoenix, and Telephone Manufacturing Company; and the average cost per telephone purchased from other manufacturers.

In 1965–66 orders to the value of £9·6 million were placed. It is quite impossible to say whether the same orders could have been placed elsewhere and, if so, what they would have cost. It is not the practice to disclose prices.

asked the Postmaster-General what plans he has to introduce a keyboard computer service for telephone subscribers.

The Datel 300 Service, to be introduced late this year, will provide facilities for sending data from punched cards (and later punched paper tape) from an ordinary telephone, and will include a simple keyboard for numerical data. The need for further data transmission services is being kept under close review.

asked the Postmaster-General what plans he has to introduce facsimile transmitters so that private telephones can transmit and receive written messages.

Privately owned facsimile equipments can, subject to certain technical safeguards, already be attached to telephones. A market survey is in progress to assess the potential demand for this form of communication. Consideration will be given to the possible introduction of a Post Office facsimile service in the light of the demand disclosed.

asked the Postmaster-General what discussions his Department has had with Elliott Automation about the manufacture of telephone exchange equipment.

My officials have from time to time discussed the subject with the company. They would always be willing to do so again.

asked the Postmaster-General what changes are proposed for Spalding Post Office.

My right hon. Friend is proposing to transfer early next year administrative control of the Spalding Head Post Office area to Peterborough. This will save money without affecting the service to the public. Discussions are now taking place with local authorities and staff interests concerned.

asked the Postmaster-General what discussions he has had with organisations representing the retailers of newspapers, milk, and foodstuffs, to introduce a joint postal delivery service in rural areas.

None. But, in cooperation with British Railways, we are experimenting with a joint parcel delivery service in rural areas.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the numbers of postmen and clerks in the Wembley area on the latest convenient date; and by how much these fall short of the numbers required.

At 10th March, 1967, there were 123 full-time Postmen, 6 Auxiliary (part-time) Postmen and 15 Postal and Telegraph Officers (Counter Clerks). There was a shortage of 2 full-time Postmen and 6 Auxiliary (part-time) Postmen.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works which of the completed research projects undertaken by the Director General Research and Development have been reported on; and which of these reports he proposes to publish and when.

The staff of the Directorate General do not themselves undertake research projects of the kind which my hon. Friend appears to have in mind, but their publications reflect the results of the considerable programme of development work which they carry out.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what research projects have been undertaken externally under research contract or consultancy arrangements placed by the Director General Research and Development; what are the subjects; where are the projects placed; what are the starting and expected completion dates; and what is the total amount involved.

The information asked for is as follows:

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what was the cost of cutting the grass at Royal Air Force, Saint Mawgan, in the last year for which figures are available.

The cost in the financial year 1965–66 was £11,474.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he has appointed a new chairman of the Agreement Board.

Following the death of Lord Cohen of Brighton, I have invited Lord Peddie to succeed him and I am very glad to say that he has accepted this appointment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which public houses in areas of high unemployment have received grants other than the Whitbread-owned public houses in Swansea.

As the hon. Member was informed on 3rd March, separate figures in respect of assistance under the Local Employment Acts to public houses are not readily available. In any event,

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the location of the advance factories in Wales in which 146 men found jobs during 1965 and 1966.

The factories are at Milford Haven, Bethesda and Welshpool.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent steel and iron castings for the shipbuilding industry are imported into this country; and how prices compare with those manufactured in the United Kingdom.

It is not possible to distinguish imports of these items for particular industries in the import statistics; information of comparative prices is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what he estimates will be the cost to the Exchequer of investment grants for 1967–68.

As I said in reply to the hon. Member for South Angus (Mr. Bruce-Gardyne) on 6th March, £166 million is the estimate in the Vote on Account.—[Vol. 742, c. 222.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much he estimates it would cost his Department in grants to provide 1,100 jobs at Millom, Cumberland.

The amount would vary with the circumstances of the particular project or projects providing employment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will reduce the 42-week down-payment on colour television for hire-purchase purposes to encourage the development of the media.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has appointed the chairman of the council which the 10 principal Societies of Estate Agents are proposing to set up.

When the proposed Estate Agents Council is set up, I intend to appoint Sir Ronald German, who was until recently Director General of the Post Office, as its first independent Chairman.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the import arrangements for butter for the year beginning 1st April, 1967.

The Government have decided to continue the quota system for imports of butter for a further 12 months beginning 1st April, 1967.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received the report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on the prices of compound fertilisers; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. The report on the reference made to the Board jointly by my right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State and me is published today. In the light of its conclusion that a price increase of up to 6 per cent. for fertilisers, other than straight nitrogenous fertilisers, is justified against the criteria for price increases during the period of severe restraint, we would not wish to object to increases of this order now being made by the manufacturers.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now announce a list of road schemes to be prepared for inclusion in the Welsh road programme.

Yes, the list will be published tomorrow and will be available in the Vote Office.