asked the Postmaster-General what protest he has received from the Malton Urban District Council on his proposal to close the Malton Post Office at 4.30 p.m. on market days; and what reply he has sent.

The council asked us not to close this office early on Saturday as it is a busy market day in Malton. We have replied that the office is busy on Saturday up to 4 p.m. but that there is a marked decline in business thereafter. We should not therefore be justified in keeping the office open later than 4.30 p.m.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will revoke the lunch hour closure of the post office at Ross-on-Wye, referred to in a petition sent to him by the hon. Member for Hereford.

My right hon. Friend would not be justified in revoking the closure, but he is prepared to advance it by half an hour, making it 12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m., if this would help.

asked the Postmaster-General what plans he has for the introduction of Government-financed factories into the Northern Region for the manufacture of telecommunication equipment.

None.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the daily average number of letters posted at Strathpeffer Post Office; and what is the estimated financial saving which results from transferring them to Dingwall for postmarking thereby depriving Strathpeffer of its postmark.

200 rising to about 400 with postcards in the holiday season. About £100 a year is saved, but the main purpose of postmarking at Dingwall letters collected in Strathpeffer is to improve and speed mail handling methods.

asked the Postmaster-General in view of the urgent need to maintain and protect the provision of an adequate Post Office service in the Clifton area of Swinton, and of the efforts of the Swinton and Pendlebury Council, the hon. Member for Eccles and others, if he will now instruct the responsible staff at Manchester Post Office to take a more active and realistic interest in maintaining this essential postal service.

The staff at Manchester Post Office are fully aware of the urgent need to maintain a sub-post office in this area. They are doing everything possible to ensure that one continues to be provided. I will keep my hon. Friend informed of developments.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will reduce the telephone rental charge in cases where this regularly exceeds the charges for calls.

No. Rentals are related to costs which do not vary with the number of calls.

asked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made with the arrangements to set up nine experimental local sound radio stations; and if he will give details on the principles for their financing.

I have announced the locations of seven stations. It is for the B.B.C. to establish the stations and provide the service. I have nothing to add to my previous statements about the financial arrangements.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to encourage the sale of colour television sets.

The promotion of the sale of television sets is not a matter for me.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has now considered the advice from all the regional advisory councils for further education concerning any additions to be made to the list of polytechnics; and whether Bournemouth College of Technology and Commerce is included in the list, in view of the standards now being achieved by that College.

I regret that for the reasons given in his Statement to the House yesterday, my right hon. Friend has not felt justified in adding the Bournemouth College of Technology and Commerce to the list of proposed Polytechnics.—[Vol. 744, c. 151–5.]

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) what discussions have taken place between the Government and local authorities in Kent about protection of the coast from oil pollution following the "Torrey Canyon" disaster; what precautions are now being taken; and what further steps are envisaged;(2) to what extent there is now a threat of oil pollution to the Kent coast arising from the "Torrey Canyon" disaster;(3) to what extent there is now a threat of oil pollution to the north-east coast of Kent, and in particular the Isle of Sheppey, River Swale, Medway and Thames estuary areas; and what steps are being taken to meet it;(4) if he will give an assurance that all possible steps are being taken to overcome any threat of oil pollution to the Kent coast, including the Sheppey, Swale, Medway and Thames estuary areas.

On present information there is no threat of oil pollution from the "Torrey Canyon" to any part of the Kent coast. Precautionary measures in Kent have been co-ordinated by my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary, who has had a number of discussions with the local authorities. The measures taken include the issue by the Department of technical advice on the cleaning of polluted beaches, an appraisal by the county council of the equipment and manpower available to district councils for this work, and the building up of a small stockpile of detergents.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in view of his announcement that Lord Campbell is to receive £5,000 per annum for part-time employment as a chairman of a new town corporation, he will refer this matter to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

No. The salary properly reflects the responsibilities of the new appointment and is in accordance with the Government's incomes policy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will repeat his instructions that all immigration officers should show the same courtesy to foreign visitors as is shown by the majority of them.

These are standing instructions, and immigration officers are well aware of the importance my right hon. Friend attaches to them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals the Government have for the early introduction of new state-financed industries into the North-East England Development Area.

The vigorous use of existing powers under the Industrial Development and Local Employment Acts including the building of publicly-owned factories provides the most suitable means of encouraging the introduction of new industries into Development Areas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what was the value of exports in 1966 of road vehicles to the Commonwealth, the European

UNITED KINGDOM EXPORTS IN 1966
£ million
	Export List headings	Commonwealth	European Free Trade Association (incl. Finland)	European Economic Community
Road vehicles	73100–73381	179·2	104·7	82·0
Railway vehicles	73011–73081	7·7	0·7	0·6
Iron and steel	Division 67	54·3	38·9	22·9
Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances	Division 72	130·2	39·4	50·9
Man-made textiles*	26621–26641	19·8	22·8	8·4
	65092–65137
	65321–65415
	65432–65434
	65441; 65476;
	65481–65483
	65550; 65660;
	65701
* "Artificial textiles" has been taken to mean yarns and fabrics made wholly or predominantly from man-made fibres, including glass fibres.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what Export Credits Guarantee Department terms are available for orders for Yugoslavia for ships' engines.

For such orders the Department normally covers credit terms of up to five years. Longer terms may be agreed to match officially-backed foreign competition. The percentage of cover avail- Free Trade Association and the European Economic Community, respectively;(2) what was the value of exports in 1966 of railway vehicles to the Commonwealth, the European Free Trade Association and the European Economic Community, respectively;(3) what was the value of exports in 1966 of iron and steel to the Commonwealth, the European Free Trade Association and the European Economic Community, respectively;(4) what was the value of exports in 1966 of electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances to the Commonwealth, the European Free Trade Association and the European Economic Community, respectively;(5) what was the value of exports in 1966 of artificial textiles to the Commonwealth, the European Free Trade Association and the European Economic Community, respectively.

The following is the information:able for exports to Yugoslavia on medium term credit is 75 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many advance factories already built or in the course of erection in the Principality of Wales are still without a tenant.

Twelve. Of these, three have been completed and nine (of which four were begun in February this year) are under construction.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the existing sea salvage laws as contained in the Merchant Shipping Act, 1898 are conducive to the most speedy and profitable recovery of wrecks around the shores of the United Kingdom; and if he will study the need for improvements to the law with a view to taking action.

I am satisfied that in normal cases the rules relating to wreck and salvage are satisfactory. The case of vessels carrying hazardous cargoes is one of those which H.M.G. propose should be considered both nationally and internationally.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the main flight routes for Concord over the United Kingdom will be decided and by whom such decision will be made.

My right hon. Friend will decide in consultation with other interests concerned the routes to be used by supersonic aircraft on civil transport flights over the U.K., but I cannot at present say when the decision will be taken.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that out of approximately 290 Government directors on company boards numbering 45 in all, only 16 are women, of whom 10 are directors of the National Institute of House-craft; and whether he will arrange at some suitable opportunity to increase the proportion of women Government directors on such boards.

The Government seek the best people available and we shall be glad to see an increase in the number of women as opportunities for this occur.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the wreck of the "Torrey Canyon" and the likely loss caused by oil pollution.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Statement I made to the House on 4th April.—[Vol. 744, c. 38.]

asked the Prime Minister if he will state the total estimated cost to public funds of the "Torrey Canyon" operation to date.

The White Paper issued last Tuesday explained why no balance sheet can yet be drawn up. The best guess which can be made at the moment, however, is that the total cost so far, including costs incurred by local authorities, may be of the order of £2 million.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the arrangements for co-ordinating the activities of various Departments to deal with coastal oil pollution; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave on 23rd March to a Question by the hon. Member for St. Ives (Mr. Nott), and to the White Paper (Command 3246) published on 4th April.—[Vol. 743, c. 333.]

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the pollution of Great Britain's beaches presents a long-standing problem and that the "Torrey Canyon" disaster is an extension of the problem; and if he will set up a scientific and practical commission to devise means for its solution.

I would ask my hon. and learned Friend to await the debate which my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House announced earlier today.

asked the Prime Minister what consideration is being given to the implications for international law of the dangers from oil pollution as a result of the "Torrey Canyon" disaster; and if he will make a statement about any approaches to be made by Her Majesty's Government to other nations and international bodies.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Statement I made to the House on 4th April.—[Vol. 744, c. 38.]

asked the Prime Minister what action he has taken, or intends to take, to reduce the number of Ministers and their Departments, and civil servants, and to reduce costs of Government administration; and what success has been achieved in this field during the past two years.

As to the first part of my hon. Friend's Question, I would refer him to the amalgamation of the Colonial and Commonwealth Relations Offices; National Assistance Board and Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance; Ministries of Land and Housing and Local Government; of Aviation and Technology; and to the closer integration of the Ministry of Defence. As to the latter parts, he will know that economy in administration must be measured in relation to the job which Parliament has decided must be done. Continuous efforts are of course made to improve efficiency by applying a full range of modern management techniques.

asked the Prime Minister what steps he proposes taking, in view of recent happenings, to ensure that in placing Government contracts the public interest will not be subordinated to private profit-making.

asked the Prime Minister if he will introduce legislation to ensure that the Government has powers to obtain the repayment of excess profits made by private firms working on public contracts.

I would refer my hon. Friends to the Statement made and Answers to supplementary Questions given, by my hon. Friend the Minister of State Ministry of Technology, yesterday.—[Vol. 744. c. 256–68.]

asked the Prime Minister whether he will bring to the notice of the United Nations or other suitable body the urgent necessity of controlling the undesirable, and in many cases the corrupt, use of flags by oil tankers as these ships operate on lower standards and can be a serious danger to the maritime countries of the world.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Statement I made to the House on 4th April.—[Vol. 744, c. 38.]

asked the Prime Minister when he expects the Government to announce its decision regarding an application to join the European Economic Community.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave on 9th March to a Supplementary Question by the right hon. Member for Barnet (Mr. Maudling).—[Vol. 742, c. 1751.]

asked the Prime Minister whether he will advise Ministers to use British public transport whenever possible when travelling overseas, and thus save foreign currency, and not to use private charter flights when normal public services are available.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave on 10th November, 1966, to a similar Question by him.—[Vol. 735, c. 352–3.]

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the situation in Rhodesia.

I have at present nothing to add to the Answer I gave on 7th March to a Question by the hon. Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison).—[Vol. 742, c. 1254]

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what were Hong Kong's visible trade balances including re-exports with Japan, expressed as percentages of total visible trade between the two countries in 1964, 1965, and 1966; and what were the corresponding figures for Hong Kong's trade with the United Kingdom.

Hong Kong had adverse balances of 66 per cent., 60 per cent., 61 per cent. with Japan in 1964, 1965 and 1966 respectively. With the United Kingdom there was a favourable balance of 10 per cent. in 1964 and adverse balances of 3 per cent. and 0·3 per cent. in 1965 and 1966.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether the registration of electors in Mauritius has yet been completed; whether he intends to publish the reports of the Commonwealth observers who were present in Mauritius during the registration; and what were their conclusions.

The registration of electors in Mauritius took place between 5th September, 1966 and 23rd January, 1967 when the new electoral registers were published. They were brought into force the following day. One or more Commonwealth observer was continuously present in the territory between 5th September and 28th November.My right hon. Friend has published the reports of the observers today and copies are available in the Vote Office. The observers state that the administrative arrangements for registration were conducted fairly and properly and ensured that all those who were entitled to register and wished to do so were able to register. I am therefore satisfied that these registers can properly be used for the forthcoming elections under the new Constitution.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence under what circumstances corporal punishment is authorised in Royal Navy establishments.

Caning is the only corporal punishment permitted in the Royal Navy; it is strictly controlled by regulation and restricted to junior ratings under 18 years of age at the two Junior Training Establishments. It is administered on the authority of the Commanding Officer only for the more serious offences, particularly bullying.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many patrol hovercraft Great Britain has supplied to the United States of America for use in the war in Vietnam; and when they were so supplied.

None. As I told the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun) on 2nd February, and again on 1st March, the hulls of seven hovercraft, which were not specifically designed for military use, were supplied to Bell Aero-systems by Westland Aircraft Limited for evaluation purposes under a licensing agreement for which Government approval was not required and before licensing control was introduced.—[Vol. 740, c. 167–8; Vol. 742, c. 502.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what representations he has had in the last six weeks from the French Government on the subject of a higher ceiling for the proposed Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft;(2) what representations he has had from the French Government on the subject of a faster top speed for the proposed Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft;(3) what representations he has had from the French Government for an improved specification of the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft, above the basic requirement which was mutually decided upon in 1966.

None. As part of the studies aimed at producing a joint specification British and French officials have been examining a variety of differing performance characteristics, including some at French request for a higher standard.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has had in March/April, 1967, since the visit of General Steinhoff, for participation by the German Government in the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft project.

I have not had ally representation from the Government of the Federal Republic on this subject but, as my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Technology said in the debate on the adjournment on 22nd March, we shall continue with the French to press forward with the idea of aligning Germany with this project.—[Vol. 743, c. 1675–80.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he will hold discussions in London with representatives of the French Government on the project for an Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence hopes to meet the French Minister for the Armed Forces later this month.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the approximate revenue obtained from the Capital Gains Tax in the period April to December, 1966; and what he now estimates will be the total yield in the full financial year 1966–67.

£3·6 million and £7·2 million respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the exporter of plastic flowers receives a rebate of three per cent., whereas the export rebate given to the grower of live plants is only 2¼ per cent.

The rates reflect the different percentages of indirect taxation in the overall costs of the two industry groups which produce plastic flowers and live plants respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out for each year from 1947 to the latest convenient year the capital investment of the Exchequer in the nationalised industries taken as a whole, and the interest paid by them on that capital to the Exchequer.

The following table, based largely on information published each year in the Finance Accounts of the United Kingdom, shows the net amount issued in each year since 1946 in Exchequer Loans to the Nationalised Industries, and the interest paid to the Exchequer by the industries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will ensure that the Government's policy on wage and salary restraint applies to chairmen of Government boards, including the £5,000 per annum for the part-time appointment of the chairman of the new town corporation in Buckinghamshire.

Yes. The remuneration of the Chairman in question takes account of the greater responsibilities which will fall on him due to the proposed size and other features of Milton Keynes.

asked the Minister of Labour how many summer school-leavers in Wales are still without their first job; and how many unfilled vacancies for school-leavers still exist at the present time in the Principality.

At mid-March 1967, the latest date for which information is available, 154 summer 1966 school-leavers in Wales were still registered for first employment and there were 1,634 notified vacancies for young persons.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received the report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on the pay and conditions of limb fitters; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the First Secretary and I have received the Board's Report on the Pay and Conditions of Limb Fitters and it has been laid today (Cmnd. 3245). The Government will be studying its conclusions and suggestions. In the meantime, however, in the light of the Board's finding that the £100 increase agreed last December is not justified under any of the criteria for the severe restraint period, I am inviting the parties to discuss whether they would now be prepared to agree on a voluntary basis to the deferment of the increase until 1st July. If such agreement were forthcoming my right hon. Friend would be willing to revoke the Order made under Part IV of the Prices and Incomes Act.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the orders that have been made under Part IV of the Prices and Incomes Act showing the number of persons involved in each case, the name of the firm, and the amount involved; and whether the majority of the persons employed, by the firms concerned were members of a trade union or not.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Stratton Mills) on 17th March. Since that date two further Orders have been made under Section 29 of the Prices and Incomes Act, 1966 as follows:

Title of Order	Approximate number of persons affected	Amount of increased pay involved
The Temporary Restrictions on Pay Increases (20th July, 1966 Levels) (No. 5) Order 1967	80	15 per cent.
Birmingham Corporation Transport Department
The Temporary Restrictions on Pay Increases (20th July, 1966 Levels) (No. 6) Order 1967	450	3d. per hour (plus 1½ hour reduction)
Autocar and Transporters Ltd. Auto Delivery Services (Birmingham) Ltd.
Barnett Transport Conveyances (Rednal) Ltd.
Car and Commercial Deliveries Co. Ltd.
Car Care Delivery Company
Carrington (Rednal) Ltd.
Challenor Car Delivery, Cheall, Knowles & Co. Ltd.
Dealers Delivery Services Ltd.
Furness and Parker Ltd.
Merseyside Car Delivery Services Ltd.
Midland Deliveries Ltd.
Motor Vehicle Transporters Ltd.
Progressive Deliveries Holdings Ltd.
Reliability Car Collection and Delivery Co. Ltd.
Safe Car Delivery Co. Co. Ltd.
Tessal Delivery Services Ltd.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will now define lower-paid workers for the purposes of prices and incomes policy.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given on 4th April by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Ministry of Labour to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen).— [Vol. 744, c. 30.]

asked the Minister of Power if, in view of the fact that there is no justification for charging a higher price for coal in Scotland because of the number of pit closures, he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board to review the matter.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Midlothian (Mr. Eadie) on 21st March, 1967.—[Vol. 743, c. 222–3.]

asked the Minister of Power what would be the cost of imported energy equivalent to the coal produced in the United Kingdom and in Scotland, respectively, each year.

On the assumption that fuel oil could be imported to give the thermal equivalent of the coal produced in the United Kingdom in 1966, the extra imports would be worth about £540 million as valued in the Trade and Navigation Accounts. About £48 million of this figure would be attributed to Scottish coal production.The cost to the Balance of Payments would be less to the extent that U.K. resources were employed in providing the supplies.

asked the Minister of Power if he will list the increases in the price of coal which have taken place in the various divisions of the National Coal Board since October, 1964, together with an indication of the amount of each rise.

On 1st April, 1966, the National Coal Board increased the pithead price of coals for industry, electricity and gas as follows:

Coalfield	Increase a ton
Scotland	15s.
Northumberland	15s.
Durham	16s.
Yorkshire	7s. 6d.
Cumberland	18s.
Lancashire and North Wales	15s.
East Midlands	Nil
North and South Staffs and Cannock	14s.
Warwickshire	21s. 6d.
South Wales, Somerset and Kent	30s.

On all coals delivered to coke ovens, the increase was limited to l0s a ton except in the case of Yorkshire (7s. 6d.) and East Midlands (Nil).The Board's prices of domestic coal sold delivered to merchants were increased on 1st May, 1966 as follows:

ENGLAND AND WALES AND SCOTLAND ZONE 57 (i.e. the Border counties of Berwick, Roxburgh and Selkirk)
Grade	Increase a ton
Special, Groups 1 and 2	20s.
Groups 3 and 4	10s.
Groups 5 and ungrouped	5s.
Welsh anthracite and dry steam coal Scotland (except Zone 57)	20s.
Groups 1 and 5	10s.
Groups 6 and 7	5s.

asked the Minister of Power if he will list the average revenue per unit obtained by each of the area gas boards from domestic consumers at the most recent date for which figures are available.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the Answer given on 19th January to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, North (Earl of Dalkeith).—[Vol. 739, c. 133.]

asked the Minister of Power if he will list the increases in the price of gas which have taken place in the areas of the various gas boards since October, 1964, together with an indication of the percentage rise in revenue which these increases were designed to secure.

Gas tariffs have been increased by six of the twelve Area Gas Boards since October, 1964.Details are:

Date	Area Gas Board	Approximate per cent, increase in revenue expected in a full year
1st February, 1965	Scottish	6 percent.
17th March, 1966		13 percent.
1st June, 1966	Northern	5 percent.
31st May,1966	West Midlands	7½ percent.
24th December, 1965	Wales	8¼ percent.
31st July,1965	North Thames	4 percent.
21st March, 1966	South Western	7½ percent.

asked the Minister of Power if he will list the increases in the price of electricity which have taken place in the areas of the various electricity boards since October, 1964, together with an indication of the percentage rise in revenue which these increases were designed to secure.

The following table lists the Area Boards in England and Wales which have increased their tariffs since October, 1964, together with the effective date of the increase and the overall estimated percentage increase in revenue in a full year:

			Per cent.
1st January, 1965	…	Midlands	12
1st February, 1965	…	East Midlands	9
1st April, 1965	…	South Eastern	7
1st April, 1965	…	Southern	7
1st April, 1965	…	Eastern	11
1st April, 1965	…	North Eastern	10
1st July, 1965	…	London	10·5

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what was the reason for the fall in output per head in the construction industry in Scotland between 1964 and 1965; and what steps he has taken to correct it.

Statistics collected by my Department indicate that, during this period, output per head rose by 3 per cent. at constant prices. This figure is derived from a twice-yearly census of manpower in all categories of employment, supplemented by monthly samples, and thus allows for seasonal variations. The figure quoted by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland in his reply to the hon. Member on 17th March was based on an annual count of persons employed at mid-year.—[Vol. 743, c. 171.]

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many bricks were in stock in Great Britain at the most recent date for which figures are available; and if he will give the figure of stocks at the same date in each of the past four years.

The number of bricks in stock at the end of February—the latest date for which figures are available—was 971 million.The figures for the same date in the previous four years are:

1963	…	…	…	886 million
1964	…	…	…	220 million
1965	…	…	…	145 million
1966	…	…	…	847 million

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the expenditure on roads in Scotland in 1963–64 as a percentage of national expenditure; and if he will give a similar percentage figure in respect of expenditure or estimated expenditure for 1964–65, 1965–66, 1966–67, and 1967–68, respectively.

Government expenditure under the Roads (Scotland) Vote as a percentage of total Government expenditure under the Roads Votes for Scotland, England and Wales (excluding expenditure on the registration of motor vehicles and collection of motor vehicle duties, etc.) is as follows:

Year			Percentage
1963–64	…	…	12·5
1964–65	…	…	12·3
1965–66	…	…	14·3
1966–67	…	…	13·3
		(estimated out-turns)
1967–68	…	…	11·9
		(Civil Estimates)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has approved the proposed increase in the price of electricity in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

The Government are satisfied that the increases notified by the South of Scotland Electricity Board are in accord with their stated policy on price increases during the period of severe restraint.

asked the Minister of Technology what tests have to date been held in the United Kingdom in simulated conditions to determine the approximate loudness of sonic bangs which will be caused by the flights of Concord over the United Kingdom on its routes between Europe and North America.

None of the nature indicated. But research into a number of methods of sonic bang simulation is continuing.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will give, for the past two years, details of persons in either the former Ministry of Civil Aviation and/or his Department who were dismissed, suspended, prosecuted or had some action taken against them for claiming wage and/or salary rates, overtime, or other moneys not properly earned.

Central records covering a substantial number of the staff concerned do not show a case of this kind over the past two years. Information about the remainder of the staff is not readily available and comprehensive reply could be given only at a cost which I would not think justified.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will estimate the amount of revenue paid in road user taxation by residents of each county, and also the amount of road expenditure by both the central Government and local authorities in each county for the current financial year.

The revenue received in each county in 1966–67 from vehicle excise licences is given below:

	£000
Bedfordshire	2,484
Berkshire	3,295
Buckinghamshire	3,253
Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely	1,783
Cheshire	6,713
Cornwall	1,986
Cumberland	1,476
Derbyshire	4,343
Devon	4,114
Dorset	1,827
Durham	4,965
Essex	6,294
Gloucestershire	5,893
Hampshire	7,378
Herefordshire	867
Hertfordshire	5,221
Huntingdon and Peterborough	1,201
Kent	6,329
Lancashire	21,182
Leicestershire	3,826
Lincs. (Holland)	824
Lincs. (Kesteven)	844
Lincs. (Lindsey)	3,028
Norfolk	3,503
Northamptonshire	2,409
Northumberland	3,272
Nottinghamshire	4,436
Oxfordshire	1,971
Rutland	151
Salop	1,752
Somerset	3,738
Staffordshire	9,079
Suffolk (East)	1,966
Suffolk (West)	838
Surrey	5,552
Sussex (East)	3,391
Sussex (West)	2,368

Warwickshire	…	10,466
Westmorland	…	439
Wight, Isle of	…	464
Wiltshire	…	2,535
Worcestershire	…	3,783
Yorks. East Riding	…	2,578
Yorks. North Riding	…	2,489
Yorks. West Riding	…	16,153
Greater London Council	…	40,472

I regret that information about expenditure on roads is not readily available in the form requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales under what section of the New Towns legislation it is possible for towns in mid-Wales, other than new towns, to be designated for development.

Section 1 of the New Towns Act, 1965 enables me to designate any area of land as the site of a new town. The area may include any existing town or other centre of population.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales on what evidence it was decided that a Cardiff by-pass is not necessary; if he will publish this information in the Official Report; on what date, and by whom, this evidence was collected; what were the precise locations of the points of inquiry, and over what period the inquiry took place; whether information was collected of traffic travelling through Cardiff to the North as well as to the West, and what evidence was sought of traffic taking detours around Cardiff in order to reach destinations in the North and West.

I have not decided that an outer by-pass is unnecessary. I am still considering its traffic and economic justification, including the possible effect of extensive development in the Llantrisant area. A traffic survey was undertaken by the Cardiff City Council in 1963 and reassessed in connection with the Buchanan study. It showed that, of the traffic which would be likely to use Eastern Avenue, only about 10 per cent. might be expected to transfer to an outer by-pass. The survey covered external zones, including zones to the north of Cardiff, as well as the central area of the city.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the total cost of the Occupational Guidance Service Unit in Cardiff during the year 1966; and how many persons received the benefit of advice or guidance from the Unit during the same year.

The additional cost incurred by the provision of this Unit during 1966 is estimated at about £4,300. 406 persons received guidance.

asked the Minister of Labour how many disabled persons are employed in the coalmining industry in Wales at the present time.

The precise information asked for is not available but the number of Registered Disabled Persons employed by the National Coal Board in Wales in April, 1966 was 2,863.