asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will introduce legislation to prohibit the use of the gin trap in Scotland.

My right hon. Friend recognises the widespread concern about this matter and he is considering it carefully in the light of the results of a recent survey of the use of the gin trap to kill foxes in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what calculation in respect of increased efficiency on the part of Scottish agriculture was applied during the recent Price Review.

The assessment of the value of the agricultural industry's increased efficiency considered at the Annual Reviews relates to the United Kingdom as a whole and separate assessments are not made for individual countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total of the additional costs falling upon farmers in Scotland which were taken into account at the recent Price Review.

About £1½ million.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy as to the future use of hill land for farming or forestry.

It is the Government's policy to try to achieve a balanced development of farming and forestry on hill land and to secure the maximum afforestation possible without significant detriment to agriculture.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the extent to which the provision of maternity beds in Scotland falls short of the need for such beds.

On the basis recommended in the Montgomery Report pub- lished in 1959, 3,700 maternity beds would be needed in Scotland and the present provision is 3,200; but the level of occupancy assumed in the Montgomery Report is well below what is actually being achieved in practice and the proportion of confinements taking place in hospital has now reached 85 per cent. compared with the 70–75 per cent, recommended by the Montgomery Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of pupils in Scotland is now continuing at school beyond the age of 15 years; and how this compares with past years.

In January, 1966, the number of 15 year olds at school was 42·1 per cent, of that age group. This compares with, for example, 28·4 per cent. in 1960 and 33·2 per cent. in 1963. The corresponding figures for 16 year olds in 1960, 1963 and 1966 are 16·4 per cent., 18·7 per cent. and 23 per cent.; and for 17 year olds, 9·9 per cent., 11·3 per cent. and 13·3 percent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he permits the South of Scotland Electricity Board to use any fuel it wants to fire its electricity generating stations; and what directions he has given on this matter.

I have given no general direction to the Board in this matter.The Board, however, requires my consent to any proposal to construct, extend or convert a generating station, and all such proposals involve a choice of fuel.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether an agricultural fencing contractor qualifies for a refund of Selective Employment Tax in respect of his employees in the same way as a woodland fencing contractor; and if he will make a statement.

A contractor whose business is wholly concerned with the fencing of agricultural land does not at present qualify for refund. Those contractors who undertake woodland as well as agricultural fencing are entitled to refund of tax only for periods when the majority of their employees are wholly or mainly engaged in fencing of woodland. The position of agricultural fencing contractors will however be considered in the review of the operation of the tax now being undertaken by officials.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in a table details of the new rent structures in the new towns of Scotland compared with existing rents in other new towns in Great Britain.

I am sending to my hon. Friend a set of extensive tables showing the standard rents to be reached in the Scottish new towns by 1971–72, and the graduation of rents below the standard rents according to the income of the tenants, under the comprehensive scheme recently announced by the development corporations.The full standard, ungraduated rents to be reached in Scotland by 1971–72 are broadly equivalent to the 1966–67 rents at present payable in the English new towns.I regret that because of the number of new towns involved, the absence of a comprehensive scheme of rents for all the English new towns, and the number of variable factors, all the information requested cannot be made available in a suitable table.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what criteria he based his approval of the new rent structure in new towns.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the rents charged for different types of houses in each of the new towns in the month of March in 1951, 1955, 1959, 1964 and 1966, respectively.

The following table gives the average standard rents for three apart- ment and four apartment houses, built for general needs, in November of each of these years. The figures for March of each year would not be significantly different. These figures are exclusive of any abatements.

NEW TOWNS IN SCOTLAND
		Average standard rent (November)
		3 Apt.	4 Apt.
		£	£
1951
East Kilbride	…	—	*39:17: 7
Glenrothes	…	—	*40:—:—
1955
East Kilbride	…	36:16: 1	42: 3:10
Glenrothes	…	36:16: 1	41: 5:10
1959
Cumbernauld	…	27:12:—	29:17: 8
East Kilbride	…	28: 4: 1	33: 1: 4
Glenrothes	…	33:—:—	36:—: 6
1964
Cumbernauld	…	56:15: 3	67:16: 1
East Kilbride	…	49: 8: 8	60:18: 9
Glenrothes	…	40:13: 2	45:13: 1
1966
Cumbernauld	…	69: 2: 4	80:12:—
East Kilbride	…	61:19: 4	78:17: 4
Glenrothes	…	56:15: 4	62:12: 4
Livingston	…	55: 5:—	68: 9: 4
* This figure covers houses of both sizes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the all-industries, manufacturing industries, and mining and quarrying industries indices of output per head in Scotland failed to increase in 1965 in line with the forecasts set out in Table A, page 8, of Command Paper No. 2864; and if he will now readjust Table A to take account of the non-fulfilment in 1965 of targets for output per head in each of these categories and in the construction industry.

The figures in the Table referred to were not targets to be achieved between 1964 and 1965, but were the projected annual average rates of growth over the six year period 1964–70. Accordingly the Answer to the second part of the Question is "No".

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what level of cumulative net emigration from Scotland over the period 1966–70 he estimates to be required to achieve the 1970 home population target of 5·3 million set out in the Scottish Plan, Command Paper No. 2864;

Table 5 of Cmnd. 2864 indicates the effect of different migration assumptions on the home population of Scotland in 1970. Revision of these projections to deal with the hon. Member's precise queries would not, I think, serve any useful purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the cost of restoring damage caused in Galloway by the recent floods.

Information available to me suggests that the cost of restoring flood banks on agricultural land may be of the order of £24,000, of which half relates to properties which are in any case wholly financed from public funds. I have no information about the costs of making good other damage.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses were completed in each of the years 1966, 1965 and 1964 in Scotland; and if he will state the numbers started and the numbers approved in these years.

This information is given in the Housing Return for Scotland to 31st December, 1966 (Command 3196).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much argicultural land is expected to be used for forestry purposes in 1967 compared with 1966.

In 1967, the Forestry Commission proposes to plant 32,000 acres in Scotland. The corresponding area in 1966 was 31,900 acres. Nearly all this land is marginal hill grazing. Statistics are not available for private forestry on the same basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the number of pharmacists in hospital service is up to establishment; and if he will make a statement.

Staffing levels are a matter for the employing authorities and there is no fixed establishment. Inquiry has shown that at 1st February, 1967 there were 38 vacancies for hospital pharmacists in Scotland. In general, the numbers of pharmacists have been rising recently, following the increases in pay in 1965.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that the financial return to agriculture in Scotland is sufficient to produce expansion in hill farming and dairy fanning; and if he will make a statement.

The determinations resulting from the 1967 Annual Review are, I believe, well designed to enable these sectors of Scottish farming to play their part in achieving the selective expansion programme by 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he will take to ease the shortage of teachers in Glasgow.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given today to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Pollok (Mr. Wright).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent during each of the last 10 years Her Majesty's Government have encouraged by financial grants and otherwise athletics in Scotland and Scottish athletes to compete in international events and with what results.

The information is contained in the table set out below. I am sure that athletics in Scotland are benefiting from the assistance given.

Grants paid to various in Scotland to national organisations assist athletics
				£
1957–58	…	…	…	1,114
1958–59	…	…	…	1,249
1959–60	…	…	…	800
1960–61	…	…	…	1,103
1961–62	…	…	…	1,407
1962–63	…	…	…	285
1963–64	…	…	…	918
1964–65	…	…	…	854
1965–66	…	…	…	3,213
1966–67	…	…	…	3,750

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements were made by his Department for the visit by General Steinhoff, Chief of the German Air Staff, to discuss the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft.

The full programme for General Steinhoff's recent visit to the United Kingdom was arranged by the Ministry of Technology, though naturally my Department kept in close touch and itself arranged the discussions with the Air Staff mentioned in the Answer given to a Question by the hon. Member on 23rd March.—[Vol. 743, c. 1905–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he first became aware of the visit to Great Britain of General Johannes Steinhoff, Chief of the German Air Staff, to discuss German purchase of the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft.

Action on General Steinhoff's programme began in January, but as I indicated to the hon. Member on 1st March, he did not come to negotiate about the purchase of the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate has been made by his Department of the effectiveness of destroying by naval or air action the oil cargo of a static oil tanker when clearly visible and in one piece.

As yesterday's White Paper on the "Torrey Canyon" made clear the problem is not to destroy a wrecked oil tanker but to open its oil tanks to allow free combustion of its cargo. The success of such a precision operation depends on many factors including the construction and state of the ship, its position and list.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he is aware that the United States Government restricts to United States banks its arrangements for providing foreign currency for its over- seas forces; and if he will restrict to British banks the Command Paymaster General for Singapore's tenders for similar purposes;(2) why remittances of sterling, amounting to over £8 million in 1967 so far, to meet the expenses of Her Majesty's forces in Singapore and Malaysia have been made through a United States bank; whether he is aware that the bank in question has converted these funds into United States dollars; and what the drain on the sterling area's reserves has been in consequence.

Following a recent review, arrangements have already been made to restrict tendering to British and local banks. Without knowing the end use of any funds converted to American dollars, I cannot estimated the drain on the sterling area's reserves consequent on an American bank's having been successful in past tendering.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence in view of the surplus productive capacity represented by manhours spent on waiting time in the Royal Naval Dockyards, what action he will take to ensure constantly fuller use of these resources.

Every endeavour is made to use the productive capacity of H.M. Dockyards to the full and measures are being taken to increase efficiency, including the reorganisation of management and the improvement of planning techniques. But the task of the Dockyards is such that some waiting time is inevitable.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will state the cost to date of materials used solely in the "Torrey Canyon" operation by the Royal Air Force and the total amount to date that would have been charged to cover the use of personnel, materials, machinery and all other plant if this operation had been carried out by the Royal Air Force for payment;(2) if he will state the cost to date of materials used solely in the "Torrey Canyon" operation by the Army and the total amount to date that would have been charged to cover the use of personnel, materials, machinery and all other plant if this operation had been carried out by the Army for payment;(3) if he will state the cost to date of materials used solely in the "Torrey Canyon" operation by the Royal Navy and the total amount to date that would have been charged to cover the use of personnel, materials, machinery and all other plant if this operation had been carried out by the Royal Navy for payment.

As yesterday's White Paper on the "Torrey Canyon" stated no balance sheet can at present be drawn up.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to introduce the Consumer Protection (Trade Descriptions) Bill.

As soon as possible, but not this Session.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why, in view of the crisis in the textile industry, all local authorities have been issued by the Government with a circular requiring them to treat European Free Trade Association produced goods on the same terms as British manufactured goods when deciding upon their purchases.

The circular was issued in pursuance of the obligation placed on Member States by the Stockholm Convention to endeavour to ensure that all discrimination in the public sector against imports from other E.F.T.A. countries is eliminated. This is a general obligation unrelated to any particular kind of goods; and other E.F.T.A. countries must of course extend the same treatment to us.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what factors accounted for the 13 per cent, increase in imports of mainly capital goods during 1966 as compared with 1965, when the change in the value of capital expenditure by private manufacturers between 1965 and 1966 showed a 1 per cent. fall.

The increase in capital expenditure by manufacturers on plant and machinery between 1965 and 1966 was 6 per cent, at current prices. This increase is not directly comparable with the rise of 13 per cent, in the value of imports of mainly capital goods, as this latter figure includes imports for capital investment by non-manufacturing firms and those in the public sector. Imports of capital goods have grown faster than manufacturers' capital expenditure throughout the past decade. Other countries have also experienced a rapid increase in imports of capital goods. One factor is the growing international specialisation in the manufacture of machinery and equipment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the percentage increase in imports of manufactured goods into the European Economic Community from countries outside it between 1958 and 1965; and what were the figures for the European Free Trade Association and for the United States of America, Japan, Australia, India, Pakistan and Nigeria.

The following is the information:

IMPORTS OF MANUFACTURED GOODS* INCREASES 1958–65
Imports into	Per cent.
European Economic Community, from countries outside it	132
European Free Trade Association†, from countries outside it	112
United States of America	134
Japan	181
Australia‡	99
India	69
Pakistan§	250 approx.
Nigeria	72
* Manufactured goods are defined as Sections 5 to 8 inclusive of the Standard International Trade Classification (Revised), except in the case of Australia. For Australia a national classification is used, as figures based on the S.I.T.C. are not available for the earlier period.
† Including Finland.
‡ The increase for Australia is between the fiscal years 1957–58 and 1964–65.
§ Estimated for 1958.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value and percentage of total British imports in 1960 and 1966, respectively, of imports of food, beverages and tobacco, basic materials, fuels, and manufactured goods, respectively.

The following is the information:

UNITED KINGDOM IMPORTS (C.I.F.)
			1960		1966
			£ million	Per cent. of total	£ million	Per cent. of total
TOTAL*	…	…	4,655	100·0	5,954	100·0
Food, beverages and tobacco†	…	…	1,540	33·1	1,714	28·8
Basic materials‡	…	…	1,080	23·2	1,062	17·8
Fuels§	…	…	480	10·3	627	10·5
Manufactured Goods║	…	…	1,522	32·7	2,472	41·5
* Sections 0 to 9 of the Standard International Trade Classification (Revised).
† Sections 0 and 1 of the Standard International Trade Classification (Revised).
‡Sections 2 and 4 of the Standard International Trade Classification (Revised).
§ Section 3 of the Standard International Trade Classification (Revised).
║ Sections 5 to 8 of the Standard International Trade (Classification (Revised).

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of imports from Canada and New Zealand, respectively, are subject to United Kingdom import duties; and what percentage of United Kingdom exports to Australia and New Zealand, respectively, are subject to Australian or New Zealand import duties.

About 4 per cent, of Canadian exports and a negligible proportion of New Zealand exports to the United Kingdom; about 30 per cent, of our exports to Australia and 45 per cent, of those to New Zealand are subject to duty.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the percentage of United Kingdom exports

UNITED KINGDOM IMPORTS (F.O.B.)
				1960		1966
				£ million	Per cent of total	£ million	Per cent of total
TOTAL	…	…	…	3,648	100·0	5,042	100·0
Non-manufactures*	…	…	…	462	12·7	615	12·2
Manufactured goods†	…	…	…	3,059	83·9	4,275	84·8
Other items‡	…	…	…	126	3·5	152	3·0
* Sections 0 to 4 of the Standard International Trade Classification (Revised).
† Sections 5 to 8 of the Standard International Trade Classification (Revised).
‡Section 9 of the Standard International Trade Classification (Revised).

asked the President of the Board of Trade, (1) why herbs are imported from the United States of America to impregnate cat scratching posts;(2) what is the amount involved, in volume and in dollars, of the herbs imported from the United States of America to impregnate cat scratching posts;

The percentage of United Kingdom exports in 1966 to these areas was:

European Economic Community	19
European Free Trade Association (including Finland)	15
Commonwealth Preference Area	34

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value and percentage of total British exports in 1960 and 1966, respectively, of exports of non-manufactures, manufactured goods, and other items, respectively.

The following is the information:(3) whether, in view of a 25 per cent, increase in the price of herbs used to impregnate cat scratching posts, he will prohibit this import and seek an alternative source of supply.

These particular herbs are not shown separately in the trade statistics. The source of supply depends presumably upon availability and commercial judgment. My right hon. Friend is not prepared to prohibit imports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of the capital expenditure by manufacturing industry in Scotland in each of the years 1960 to 1965, inclusive, at constant 1965 prices.

The following is the information:

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE BY MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN SCOTLAND
£ million, estimated 1965 prices
1960	1961	1962	1963	1964	1965
109	129	126	97*	97*	115*
* Provisional estimates.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will itemise the expenditure of £276,000 on industrial development in Stranraer since October, 1964 under the appropriate heads of expenditure; and whether he will give the same details for expenditure in the Newton Stewart area.

This detail cannot be provided because it would involve the disclosure of information which is confidential to individual firms.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consideration he has given to the February Confedera-

			U.K. imports (c.i.f.)		U.K. exports (f.o.b.)
			£ million	Per cent. of total	£ million	Per cent. of total
TOTAL	…	1960	4,655	100·0	3,648	100·0
		1966	5,954	100·0	5,042	100·0
Commonwealth	…	1960	1,510	32·4	1,332	36·5
		1966	1,643	27·6	1,305	25·9
Non-Commonwealth Sterling Area	…	1960	450	9·7	323	8·8
		1966	570	9·6	505	10·0
European Free Trade Association	…	1960	561	12·1	433	11·9
		1966	841	14·1	740	14·7
European Economic Community	…	1960	670	14·4	563	15·4
		1966	1,104	18·5	956	19·0
Rest of World	…	1960	1,463	31·4	997	27·3
		1966	1,796	30·2	1,536	30·5

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will refuse permission for a helicopter service to and from London Airport, Heathrow.

I have read this survey with interest, though I do not necessarily accept the particular conclusion to which the hon. Member refers. We shall continue to give special attention to the need to encourage investment in the Scottish and other Development Areas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what was the value and percentage of total British exports in 1960 and 1966, respectively, of exports to Commonwealth countries, the rest of the sterling area, European Free Trade Association countries, European Economic Community countries, and the rest of the world, respectively;(2) what was the value and percentage of total British imports in 1960 and 1966, respectively, of imports from Commonwealth countries, the rest of the sterling area, European Free Trade Association countries, European Economic Community countries, and the rest of the world, respectively.

The following is the information.

I presume my hon. Friend has in mind B.E.A.'s proposals for various helicopter services, including one between Heathrow and central London. To the extent that B.E.A. require my right hon. Friend's approval for the scheme it has not yet been sought and his view has been that he should not intervene until a decision has been taken on the Corporation's application to the G.L.C. for planning permission to construct a new heliport. I can, however, assure my hon. Friend that the public interest, including in particular the noise implications, is being fully borne in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he had with Lloyds in the week ended 26th March on the liability of and cost to the British Government if the "Torrey Canyon" had been fired by British forces during that week.

None. But the Treasury Solicitor's representative discussed these aspects with solicitors representing the owners and insurers during the following week.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he had with the owners of the "Torrey Canyon" and its cargo in the week ended 26th March; and what view they expressed to the British Government on the course of action to be pursued in dealing with the effects of its collision.

None, but in the week ended 26th March my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy held discussions with representatives of the owners of the "Torrey Canyon" and its cargo. Neither dissented from the view of the Government and Dutch salvage experts that there was a reasonable chance of refloating the vessel and that refloating would be the best way of minimising further oil pollution.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will launch a campaign designed to limit the consumption in the United Kingdom of imported foreign foods.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his Ques- tion on 22nd March.—[Vol. 743, c. 1710–11.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy with regard to the import of foreign agricultural and horticultural products which can be produced at home.

The Government have emphasised the importance of the contribution agriculture and horticulture can make to the national economy by import saving under the selective expansion programme consistently with our international obligations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will institute measures to ensure more effective flood prevention in the Thames Valley.

River management and control in the Thames Valley is the responsibility of the Thames Conservancy Catchment Board. Any reduction in the frequency of flooding demands an increase in the channel capacity. A great deal has already been achieved, but 1 am advised that for technical and economic reasons there is limited scope for further channel improvement.The Department is, however, currently discussing with the Conservancy the possibility of further improving land drainage in the area to make possible more profitable use of agricultural land.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the dangers to marine life from the use of emulsifiers to disperse oil from the "Torrey Canyon".

I regret that a recent Press article grossly miscalculated (by a factor of nearly 2,000) the concentration that would result from the amounts of emulsifier used and caused needless concern to those engaged in the fishing industry. I am glad to be able to confirm the accuracy of the reply given by my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary on 23rd March to a Question by the hon. Member for St. Ives (Mr. Nott). Although these chemicals are highly toxic, the risk to fish in the open sea is very small because of the enormous dilution that occurs. This is confirmed by the fact that fish caught in the area since the disaster took place have been perfectly wholesome, and very few dead fish have been found.As my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary stated, care must be taken in the use of chemicals in estuaries and other places where dilution and dispersal is less, and oyster beds are therefore being protected by booms.—[Vol. 743, c.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for legislation to increase the penalties in Scotland for being in possession of illegal drugs or trafficking in drugs.

The maximum penalties for unlawful possession or supply under the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1965 and for unlawful possession under the Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1964 enable the courts to award severe punishment where this is merited, and I have no proposals at present for increasing them.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what date has been fixed in 1968 for the independence of British Honduras; and what announcement has been made in British Honduras on this point.

None. No decisions have been taken on the timing of independence.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will provide fuller information about the planning work which he has been discussing with the National Economic Development Council.

I am placing copies of a paper on this subject in the Library of the House. Copies will also be available in the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, what would be the saving in cost if the teaching of agriculture at Glasgow University were discontinued; and what was the total amount derived by Glasgow University from public funds during the latest year for which accounts are available.

It is not possible to say how much would be saved if the teaching of agriculture were discontinued at a particular university in accordance with the University Grants Committee's rationalisation proposals. The reduction in expenditure would be offset to some extent by additional expenditure required elsewhere to maintain the existing output of graduates in agriculture. It is expected, however, that the concentration of resources into fewer and larger schools would strengthen teaching and research and so lead to better value for money.The total amount derived by Glasgow University from public funds on recurrent account in the academic year 1965–66 was about £5 million.

asked the Minister of Technology what are the experience and qualifications of the project director of the Anglo-French variable geometry project.

The project director has been involved in aircraft research and development since entering the Government service in 1942. His academic qualifications include a Doctor of Science degree. Much of his career has been at the Royal Aircraft Establishment. He has also had three years experience with the British Joint Services Mission in Washington, D.C., U.S.A., and is fully conversant with American as well as European aircraft development procedures. He attended the 1964 course at the Imperial Defence College. In 1965 he was responsible for setting up the new Project Time and Cost Analysis section in the Department. He held a pilot's licence for several years.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will set out a table in the OFFICIAL REPORT stating the number, grade, and relevant qualifications of members of the branch of his Department in which is centralised the technical and financial responsibility for estimating and control of the Anglo-French variable geometry project; and how many members of the branch are engaged full-time on the Anglo-French variable geometry project.

The project team comprises:

No.	Grade	Function
1	Project Director (Deputy Chief Scientific Officer)	General leadership of the project team.
1	Assistant Director (Senior Principal Scientific Officer)	Scientific, technological and operational supervision and co-ordination of the project.
1	Principal Scientific Officer
2	Serving Officers on secondment from the R.A.F.
1	Principal	Administrative and financial duties.
1	Assistant Principal
2	Higher Executive Officers
3	Executive Officers
6	Supporting clerical staff
1	Assistant Director of Contracts	Contract services for the project team.
1	Senior Executive officer
1	Executive Officer

With the exception of the Assistant Director and his technical staff, these officers are also responsible for the Anglo-French Jaguar Project, on which many of the problems of joint project management are similar, particularly in the areas of administration, finance and contracts.The project team also has the assistance of the senior officers of my Department and of many specialists in other branches. As the project develops, many of the latter will become fully engaged on it. For example, there is already a Principal Scientific Officer full-time on the engine.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will give the year-by-year expenditure on roads in Great Britain since 1946 by central Government and by local government under the new classification in force since 1st April, 1967.

Records of expenditure on roads in previous years have not been kept in such form as to allow analysis in the form requested. It is estimated that, if the system which came in force on 1st April, 1967 had been introduced on 1st April, 1966, the provision in the published Estimates for the Roads (England) Vote for that year would have been:

	£ million
Major Improvements Motorways and Trunk Roads	104
Principal Roads	53
Maintenance Motorways and Trunk Roads	12
Classified Roads (grants in respect of expenditure incurred prior to 1st April, 1966)	12
Lighting	2
	183

Local authority expenditure then estimated at approximately £175 million would have been eligible for assistance through Rate Support Grant.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents have occurred at the new continental style level crossings; and in how many cases there have been fatalities.

There have been three accidents involving collisions between cars and trains at automatic half-barrier crossings, none involving motor-cyclists, pedal-cyclists or pedestrians. One accident resulted in the death of the car driver. It has been reported that in all three cases the automatic half-barrier equipment and the associated red flashing light signals were operating correctly.

asked the Minister of Power what rate of return on new capital invested in non-coalmining activities he expects the National Coal Board to earn.

The Board normally aims to achieve a minimum return of 14 per cent, after depreciation and interest on new capital invested in ancillary activities carried by the Board.

UNEMPLOYMENT: ANNUAL AVERAGES AND PERCENTAGE RATES
		Austria		Denmark		Norway		Portugal	Sweden		Switzerland		United Kingdom
		Number	Per cent.	Number	Per cent.	Number	Per cent.		Number	Per cent.	Number	Per cent.	Number	Per cent.
		A	D	B	E	A	D		C	F	A		A	D
1960	…	82,300	3·5	31,400	4·3	17,100	1·7		18,900	1·4	1,230	..	392,800	1·7
1961	…	63,500	2·7	28,900	3·9	13,000	1·2	No information available	16,600	1·2	650	..	376,800	1·6
1962	…	64,700	2·7	25,000	3·3	15,200	1·4		18,600	1·3	600	..	499,900	2·1
1963	…	70,600	2·9	33,000	4·3	17,700	1·7		20,100	1·4	830	..	612,300	2·6
1964	…	65,800	2·7	21,800	2·9	15,500	1·4		17,000	1·1	290	..	413,400	1·7
1965	…	65,500	2·7	18,300	2·4	13,400	1·2		16,600	1·1	300	..	359,700	1·5
1966	…	..		..		..			..		..	..	390,900	1·6
A = Employment Office statistics—unemployed persons registered.
B = Statistics of trade union benefit funds—unemployment among insured members of trade union funds.
C = Employment Office statistics—unemployed members of unemployment insurance funds, registered at employment offices.
D = Numbers registered as unemployed expressed as a percentage of the total numbers of employees (employed and unemployed).
E = Numbers registered as unemployed expressed as a percentage of the total numbers of insured trade union members.
F = Numbers registered as unemployed expressed as a percentage of the total numbers of persons insured against unemployment.
.. Not available.

asked the Minister of Labour what information he has from international sources about the unemployment figures for the European Free Trade Association countries in the years 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1966.

The following information, which is available from the usual international sources for the overseas countries concerned, is shown alongside data on unemployment for the United Kingdom. Annual averages of unemployment in 1966 for the overseas countries have not yet been published.Owing to differences in concept, scope, methodology and presentation, the figures do not provide a satisfactory basis for comparisons between one country and another.