asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assumptions he is making about trends in world commodity prices when assessing the cost to Great Britain, in terms of food prices, of entry into the Common Market.

The Government's estimate that acceptance of the common agricultural policy as it stands might result in an increase in retail food prices of 10 to 14 per cent. is made on the basis of present world and Community prices for the commodities affected.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will compare the total military overseas expenditure estimated for 1967–68 with such expenditure for 1966–67, and also the net foreign exchange military expenditure for 1967–68 compared with such expenditure for 1966–67, omitting in both cases the figure for West Germany, in order to overcome the omission of these figures from this year's Defence Estimates.

Overseas military expenditure in areas other than Germany is given for both years in table 1 of Annex H of Cmnd. 3203. The other elements in the total of net foreign exchange expenditure for areas other than Germany are all shown in tables 2 and 4 of the same annex and in table 4 of the corresponding annex of Cmnd. 2902.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Phantom aircraft he expects to deploy in the Middle and Far East.

I am not prepared to state numbers but R.A.F. Phantoms will be deployed, in due course, to the Middle and Far East, in the former case rotation from the United Kingdom. Other Phantom aircraft in the United Kingdom will be available for overseas reinforcement. Royal Navy Phantom aircraft on aircraft carriers will also be deployed East of Suez.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the radius of action of the British version of the F111.

It is not the practice to disclose details of the performance of military aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what he has done since October, 1964, to unify the financial control of the three armed forces.

Progress has been made in two main fields. The first concerns the rationalisation of Service logistics and administration. Provision of a number of items such as food, clothing material and small arms, is now, as has been recorded in successive Statements on Defence Estimates, the responsibility of one or other of the Services on behalf of all three, and in consequence the financial responsibility for these activities is now exercised on a unified basis. Similarly, Defence Lands expenditure has since 1st April, 1965 been unified.Secondly, good progress has been made in financial control in the field of Defence policy as a whole, particularly that of decisions on development and procurement of equipment. Methods and procedures of costing have been established on a broadly consistent basis so that realistic cost comparisons can be made as between the three Services. In particular the functional costing system has been developed. In conjunction with the improved resources for the objective analysis of defence problems such as are provided by the Defence Operational Analysis Establishment, it is now an effective instrument in the central planning of Defence policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost in 1962–63, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1965–66, and 1966–67, respectively, of the Byfleet Operational Analysis Establishment.

Figures for 1962–63 are not readily available. The cost in subsequent years of the Defence Operational Analysis organisation, which includes detachments in Germany and Singapore, was:

		£
1963–64	…	453,000
1964–65	…	590,000
1965–66	…	468,000
1966–67	…	575,000 (estimated)

The higher rate of expenditure in 1964–65, compared with the immediately preceding and following years, was due to the purchase of a computer.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what he estimates to be the annual running cost of C130 Hercules aircraft.

It is estimated that the total running costs of the Hercules force at its maximum strength will be about £10 million a year, including spares, repairs and fuel for both aircraft and associated ground equipment and the cost of aircrew and servicing personnel.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of a C130 Hercules; and when he expects to accept delivery of the last of the order of 66 aircraft from the United States of America.

The cost of a Hercules is just over £900,000. It is expected that the last aircraft on order will be delivered to the United Kingdom in June, 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what increase or decrease there has been in the non-industrial staff of his Department since 16th October, 1964; and what increase or decrease he anticipates in the period up to 15th October, 1967.

There has been a decrease of about 425 to date. There will, however, be an increase in non-industrial numbers during the coming year as the result of the reclassification of some 3,750 staff who are at present in industrial grades.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department began its investigations with reference to the commutation of service pensions, other ranks; whether he has now completed them; and what is his decision.

At the end of 1964. This has been a problem of great complexity, requiring reference to changes in the actuarial position and to developing pensions procedures in other fields. In the course of the investigation we have considered and discarded a number of possible schemes; we are now examining one which may hold out more hope of proving to be acceptable, but I cannot say when I shall be in a position to announce a decision on it.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what increase or decrease there has been in the staff of his Department since 16th October, 1964; and what increase or decrease he anticipates in the period up to 15th October, 1967.

The staff of the Department increased by 468 in the period 16th October, 1964, to 1st April, 1967, and is likely to increase by a further 10 by October, 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will state the spending on civil science in the years 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, and the proposed spending for 1967.

Government expenditure on Civil Research and Development for 1961–62 to 1967–68 is given in the table below. Figures for 1960–61 are not available as the civil expenditure of the Atomic Energy Authority was not separately distinguishable before 1961–62.Government expenditure on Civil Research and Development.

			£ million
1961–62	…	…	136·7
1962–63	…	…	154·2
1963–64	…	…	167·6
1964–65	…	…	195·3
1965–66	…	…	237·1
1966–67	…	…	261·7 (provisional)
1967–68	…	…	295 (estimated)

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are his criteria for determining spending on civil science.

I am advised on criteria for spending on civil science by the Council for Scientific Policy. In giving me their advice the Council considers the policies of the Research Councils for developing science within their own fields, and the effects of previous growth rates of expenditure on commitments for the future. They also consider the evidence on the growing complexity of scientific equipment and techniques; the effects of the expansion of higher education on the volume of scientific research in the universities; the implications of resources of highly-qualified manpower; and international implications. The Council are paying particular attention to the measures needed to foster vitality and progress in science within the resources which can be made available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give details of the work of the sub-committees of the Committee on Science Policy.

The Council for Scientific Policy has established from time to time working groups and subcommittees to study particular aspects of science policy. These groups include members of the Council and, when desirable, non-members who have relevant qualifications. These groups have no independent status, and are normally wound up when a report has been made to the Council. Working Groups on Computers for Research, Antarctic Research, and Liaison between Universities and Government Research Establishments have already completed their work. The Council has a Standing Committee on International Scientific Relations, and currently groups are studying Molecular Biology; the flow of Candidates in Science and Technology into Higher Education (in consultation with the Committee on Manpower Resources for Science and Technology); the Support of University Science; and the proposed European 300 Gev Proton Synchrotron.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what study is being given to the question of mobility of scientists between one scientific institution and another.

The question of mobility between Government research establishments and universities has been studied by Sir Gordon Sutherland's Working Party of the Council for Scientific Policy whose Report was published last month. The Committee on Manpower Resources for Science and Technology has recently established a Working Group under the chairmanship of Professor Ball to study the utilisation in employment of scientists, engineers, and technologists; this Group will examine the question of mobility as an important aspect of its work.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to announce his decisions on ways to promote a closer relationship between universities' science and research organisations as a result of the Sutherland Committee Report.

I welcome the Sutherland Report and am considering with my colleagues concerned how the valuable practices which this working Party has studied can be further developed within the fields of Government research. So far as the universities are concerned, I am commending the Report to the University Grants Committee and seeking their advice.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has been given by the universities of London, Edinburgh, and Strathclyde on their efforts to further the cause of science education of arts graduates.

I have not myself received any direct information from these universities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how he intends to promote research and higher studies in the polytechnics.

The guidance which I have given to local education authorities to assist them in preparing their schemes includes guidance on the place of research in Polytechnics. I have emphasised that, while the main responsibilities of the Polytechnics will be as teaching institutions, it will be necessary to make the provision for research which is essential to the proper fulfilment of their teaching functions and the maintenance and development of close links with industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what provision is being made for part-time facilities in the polytechnics.

My invitation to authorities to prepare Polytechnic schemes makes it clear that the object will be to create institutions which can be developed as comprehensive academic communities offering a wide range of disciplines for full-time, sandwich and part-time students at all levels of higher education. Before designating any Polytechnic I shall satisfy myself that the scheme provides adequately for the needs of part-time students.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give details of the rise in the social sciences in British universities since the publication of the Heyworth Report.

The Fourth Report of the Universities Central Council on Admissions 1965–66 shows that the number of students admitted to universities in Great Britain in October, 1966 for first degree and first diploma courses in social, administrative and business studies was 10,739.The Report indicates that the trend in university admissions of new entrants to social studies in recent years might be represented as follows:

1962	…	…	…	100·0
1963	…	…	…	115·6
1964	…	…	…	158·9
1965	…	…	…	193·7
1966	…	…	…	218·9

The number of postgraduate students in social studies in universities in Great Britain was 2,898 in 1964–65 and 3,800 in 1965–66; I regret that the figure for 1966–67 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what, in the light of the Willis Jackson Report, he is doing to provide facilities for the training of technicians.

The Willis Jackson report found that there was no lack of suitable facilities for obtaining nationally recognised technician qualifications, and that any restriction on the output of new technicians was due to insufficient numbers coming forward for training. The industrial training boards, a number of which have set up special committees to consider technician training, are making arrangements in their grant schemes to encourage employers to institute systematic programmes of training and education for technicians, and it is normally a condition for the payment of grant that technician trainees should be released from work to follow a suitable course of further education. The provision for technician courses in technical colleges will be expanded as necessary to meet the growing demand.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the question of early specialisation in schools.

This is an important part of the general question of curriculum and examinations and is under close and constant study in the educational world, in particular by the Schools Council. It is not practicable to make a useful statement within the necessarily brief reply to a Parliamentary Question, but the trend generally in secondary schools is away from early specialisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects the Second Report of the Dainton Committee.

I expect a Second Report in the autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consideration he is giving to the Swann Committee Report; and whether he will give instructions for systematic progress-chasing of this Report.

As I informed my hon. Friend on 7th April, the important issues raised by the Interim Report are being pursued both by the Working Group itself, and by the Research Councils and my Department.—[Vol. 744, c. 97.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, what he is doing to implement the Report of the Bosworth Committee.

My Department, in consultation with the Ministry of Technology, has sponsored two studies to test the feasibility of courses jointly planned by educationalists and industry on the lines recommended in the Report. These relate to semiconductor device technology, and electrical switchgear technology. These are now complete, and discussions are in progress to reach agreement on detailed arrangements. I hope that it may prove possible to start at least one prototype course in the next academic year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the sterling value of South African gold sales in London in the financial years 1966–67, 1965–66, and 1964–65, respectively.

United Kingdom customs returns show that imports of gold from South Africa (calendar years) were as follows:

			£ million
1964	…	…	397
1965	…	…	435
1966	…	…	300
1967 (to end-February)	…	…	84

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the net estimated amount of dollar investments made into North America or repatriated from North America in the years 1957 to 1966.

Estimates of private investment by the United Kingdom in North America are given in the following table:

					£ million
1958	…	…	…	…	60
1959	…	…	…	…	65
1960	…	…	…	…	50
1961	…	…	…	…	40
1962	…	…	…	…	25
1963	…	…	…	…	55
1964	…	…	…	…	90
1965	…	…	…	…	10

NOTES:(i) Figures are net of disinvestment.(ii) Figures before 1958 are not available.(iii) Estimates for 1966 are not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his new proposals to extend the higher quota rates for local loans to Devon and Cornwall also apply to the City of Plymouth.

I have decided that the higher quota rates for borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board shall apply to Plymouth and all other authorities in Devon and Cornwall, irrespective of whether they are included in the Development Area.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what official consultations he has recently had with the Swedish Government about their policy towards applying for full membership of the European Economic Community under present conditions.

The last occasion on which we had the opportunity of discussing with members of the Swedish Government our respective policies towards the European Economic Community was at the European Free Trade Association Ministerial Meeting in Stockholm on 2nd and 3rd March. As my hon. Friend will be aware, these meetings are confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, before the United Nations Mission left for Aden, he asked for and received an undertaking that its members would hold consultations with the South Arabian Federal Government; what reply he received; and what consultations were held.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave to a Question by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Kinross and West Perthshire (Sir Alec Douglas-Home) following my statement on this subject on 10th April.—[Vol. 744, c. 747.]

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that the £400 improvement grant is inadequate in areas such as the Cotswolds where many old houses are substantially built of stone and that this limit discriminates against such areas and is damaging to such areas of outstanding natural beauty; what proposals he has to remedy this situation; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is always ready to consider sympathetically applications from local authorities who wish to give improvement grants higher than the normal maximum in these circumstances. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind I shall be glad to look into it if he will send me details.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many leasehold houses he estimates to have less than five years, between five and 20 years, between 20 and 50 years, and more than 50 years, respectively, still to run out of original leases of more than 21 years.

According to sample surveys in England and Wales in 1963 and 1964 somewhat under 100,000 owner-occupied leasehold houses have leases due to expire before the end of this century, some 120,000 are due to expire in the following 20 years, and about a million have unexpired terms of more than 50 years.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what increase or decrease there has been in the staff of his Department since 16th October 1964; and what increase or decrease he anticipates in the period up to 15th October, 1967.

Between 16th October, 1964, and 1st April, 1967, there was an increase of 838. This figure includes the staff transferred to the Department on the dissolution of the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources on 16th February, 1967.I cannot at this stage predict what changes there will be over the next six months.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will state, for the year ended 31st March, 1967, in respect of development districts in the North-East the number of applications for grants for the improvements of basic services, the number and cost of those approved, rejected and under consideration under section 7 of the Local Employment Act, 1960, and

	Approved			Withdrawn		Under consideration
Number of Applications received in 1966–67	Number of schemes	Cost of schemes	Rejected	Number of schemes	Cost of schemes	Number of schemes	Cost of schemes
		£			£		£
7	2	51,700	NONE	1	22,000	4	591,274

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will reconsider his decision to refuse approval for the erection of an old people's home on the Vicarage Paddock, Tokyngton, Wembley, in view of the fact that the site is quite as accessible to shops and public transport as other old people's homes in Wembley.

The site to which the hon. Member refers is by no means ideal, but my right hon. Friend understands that the council considers it the best site available in that part of the borough, and he is awaiting further details from them. He has not given a final decision.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government which local authorities in mining districts have applied for loan sanction for development plans according to the procedure laid down in his Department's Circular 50/66; and what is the total sum for which each local authority has asked asked permission to borrow.

The information requested is not readily available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government which local authorities in the East Midlands have applied for loan sanction for development plans according to the procedure laid down in his Department's Circular 50/66; and what is the total sum for which each such local authority is asking permission to borrow.

The following is the information for water supplies and sewerage schemes in the part of the Northern Development Area which is in the North-East.

Following are the local authorities in the East Midlands who have submitted returns under Circular 50/66:

	£
Alfreton U.D.	425,000
Arnold U.D.	129,810
Ashbourne U.D.	12,750
Beeston & Stapleford U.D.	132,767
Blaby R.D.	77,000
Bolsover U.D.	97,500
Boston B.	210,000
Carlton U.D.	5,000
Chesterfield B.	5,253,600
Chesterfield R.D.	302,600
Clay Cross U.D.	258,652
Daventry B.	3,350,000
Derby C.B.	4,006,500
Desborough U.D.	64,000
Dronfield U.D.	443,500
East Retford B.	69,500
Hinckley U.D.	1,350,000
Hucknall U.D.	215,000
Ilkeston B.	80,000
Irthlingborough U.D.	73,500
Kirkby-in-Ashfield U.D.	291,000
Leicester C.B.	13,229,000
Long Eaton U.D.	9,000
Mansfield B.	2,701,655
Melton Mowbray U.D.	20,000
Nottingham C.B.	7,090,000
Oadby U.D.	110,000
Ripley U.D.	327,000
Stavely U.D.	65,000
Sutton-in-Ashfield U.D.	1,217,620
Swadlincote U.D.	13,500
Wellingborough U.D.	750,000
(32 Local Authorities)	£42,380,454

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government which areas, important for wild-life, will be protected by booms from oil pollution resulting from the "Torrey Canyon".

The Boom Advisory Unit at Plymouth, in considering where booms should be provided, took into account, among other factors, a list furnished by the Nature Conservancy of areas important for wild life. The places for which boom materials were available or were supplied include the Camel Estuary, Fowey, Hayle, and the Helford River, which were on the Nature Conservancy list. But even the best of the booms now available cannot be relied on to give complete protection except in sheltered waters and not all have been tested against oil.

asked the Minister of Labour by what percentage prices have risen since October, 1964 on the basis of the official cost of living index.

The Index of Retail Prices rose by 9·9 per cent. between 13th October, 1964 and 21st February, 1967.

asked the Minister of Labour by what percentage wages and salaries have risen since October, 1964.

Between October, 1964 and January, 1967, the latest month for which information is available, the monthly Index of Average Earnings, which is published in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette", shows that wages and salaries increased by 12·4 per cent. on a seasonally adjusted basis.

asked the Minister of Labour how many workplaces within the Factories Act, 1961 employ more than 50 employees; in how many of them there is a workplace safety committee; and what proportion of reported accidents in the year 1965 occurred, respectively, in those where there is, and those where there is not, such a committee.

A survey of works safety committees is in progress which should provide up to date information within the next few months on the first two points. Information on the last point is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour what increase or decrease there has been in the staff of his Department since 16th October, 1964; and what increase or decrease he anticipates in the period up to 15th October, 1967.

The date nearest to 16th October, 1964, for which statistics are available is 1st October, 1964. On that date there were in my Department 21,418 staff. By 1st April, 1967, there had been an increase of 6,195. It is expected that by October, 1967, the total number of staff will increase by about 2,000.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he is taking to promote an early settlement of the present dispute between the members of the Draughtsmen's and Allied Technicians Association and the shipbuilding employers.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave on 22nd March to a Question by the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Garrett).—[Vol. 743, c. 288.]

asked the Minister of Labour what has been the expenditure under the Local Employment Acts to assist expanding firms in the North-East development districts with training costs, in the year ended 31st March, 1967.

Under the scheme of assistance with industrial training costs to expanding firms in Development Areas, in the year ended 31st March, 1967, the Department paid out a total of £243,233 to firms in the Northern Development Area (and the earlier Development Districts of northern England).

asked the Minister of Labour what percentage of the insured population of Merioneth is employed in manufacturing industry.

In the area covered by Barmouth, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Corwen, Harlech and Towyn local offices (which approximates closely to the county of Merioneth) it is estimated that at June, 1965, just under 7 per cent. of the total number of employees in employment were in manufacturing industries.Local estimates for mid-1966 will be available in June, 1967.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the percentages of persons totally unemployed in the United Kingdom at the end of each of the years 1958 to 1966; and how they compare with corresponding percentages in France and the German Federal Republic.

The following information about percentage rates of wholly unemployed persons, which is available from the usual international sources for the Federal Republic of Germany (excluding West Berlin), is shown alongside data for the United Kingdom. Similar information is not available for France.Owing to differences in concept, scope, methodology and presentation, it cannot be assumed that figures for different countries are comparable.

WHOLLY UNEMPLOYED: PERCENTAGE RATES
Date		United Kingdom	Federal Republic of Germany
December, 1958	…	2·3	4·7*
December, 1959	…	2·0	2·2
December, 1960	…	1·6	1·3
December, 1961	…	1·7	1·1
December, 1962	…	2·4	1·0
December, 1963	…	2·1	1·1
December, 1964	…	1·6	0·9
December, 1965	…	1·5	0·8
December, 1966	…	2·1	1·6
* excluding Saar.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) if he will give details of the £4 million worth of computers already installed and in use in the Post Office;(2) if he will give details of the 20 large modern computers which he aims to have in use in the Post Office by 1971; and which of these will have random access and which will have sequential access.

The Post Office has the following computers in service:—

• 6 English Electric LEO 326.
• 2 Elliott 803.
• 1 Elliott 503.
• 2 National/Elliott 405.
• 1 ICT 1201.

A seventh LEO 326 will be added in the next few weeks.An order has been placed for 5 English Electric Systems 4/70 machines, with an option on four more. All these machines have disc stores, and are capable of providing random access facilities.Further orders will be placed, as necessary, to meet the requirements of new or expanded projects.

asked the Postmaster-General when he expects the public computers to be available for hire by individuals and firms.

We have already installed six large modern computers and a seventh will be added in the next few weeks. Spare time on these installations will be available as soon as the Post Office (Data Processing Service) Bill becomes law. We have placed firm orders for a further five of the most modern computers, with an option on four more, and these will be installed to meet demand.

asked the Postmaster-General how much was paid in compensation for loss of registered letters sent overseas in 1966 or the latest convenient 12-month period; and why the compensation is only £2 18s. for the same registration fee as the minimum for inland post.

The amount for 1966 was £1,048 14s. 3d. Compensation in the overseas registered letter post is limited to £2 18s. under the terms of the Universal Postal Union Convention, to which this country is a signatory. We give the same standard of security to overseas and inland items and therefore the same charge is applicable.

asked the Postmaster-General how much was paid in compensation for loss of registered letters in 1966 or the latest convenient 12-month period in each of the four categories £100, £200, £300 and £400 for inland post, respectively.

The total amount of compensation paid for the loss of inland registered letters (including those going to the Irish Republic) during 1966 was £118,166. The breakdown of this figure was as follows:

Payments of up to £100	…	£84,677
Payments of up to £200	…	£20,098
Payments of up to £300	…	£9,042
Payments of up to £400	…	£4,349

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what increase or decrease there has been in the staff of his Department since 16th October, 1964; and what increase or decrease he anticipates in the period up to 15th October, 1967.

There was an increase of 1,036 between October, 1964, and April,

		Flag
		Liberia		Panama		Honduras		Total
Year		Number	Th. gross tons	Number	Th. gross tons	Number	Th. gross tons	Number	Th. gross tons
1957	…	19	128	7	37	—	—	26	165
1958	…	24	164	9	43	—	—	33	207
1959	…	16	108	11	75	—	—	27	183
1960	…	4	27	11	94	—	—	15	121
1961	…	9	88	18	108	—	—	27	196
1962	…	14	92	12	88	—	—	26	180
1963	…	25	194	21	109	—	—	46	303
1964	…	33	345	18	145	—	—	51	490
1965	…	26	367	18	267	—	—	44	634
1966	…	19	164	14	101	4	20	37	285

asked the President of the Board of Trade what increase or decrease there has been in the staff of his Department since 16th October, 1964; and what increase or decrease he anticipates in the period up to 15th October, 1967.

There has been an increase of 11,460 including 8,613 transferred from the Ministry of Aviation in the Board of Trade and of 156 in the Export Credits Guarantee Department. The former figure includes, in addition to the transfers of shipping and aviation staff referred to in my Answer of 21st October last,

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the number and the tonnage of British ships transferred to the flags of Liberia, Panama and Honduras, in each of the last 10 years.

The number and gross tonnage of British sea-going merchant vessels of 500 gross tons and over transferred in each of the last ten years to the flags of Liberia, Panama and Honduras on change of ownership were as follows:—1,050 staff in Investment Grants Offices and some further 300 staff transferred from the Ministry of Aviation.Further increases of the order of 350 and 50 in the Board of Trade and in the Export Credits Guarantee Department respectively are expected by 15th October, 1967.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of recent collapses, he is satisfied that the safeguards provided by the Protection of Depositors Act are adequate; and if he will make a statement.

The main purpose of the Protection of Depositors Act is to enable depositors to judge for themselves the financial soundness of a company advertising for deposits by making available to them at six-monthly intervals accounts in a prescribed form. The effectiveness of the Act, therefore, largely depends on the use depositors make of this information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state, in respect of total financial assistance to firms in the North-East development districts for the year ended 31st March, 1967, the average capital commitment for each job expected to be created.

A figure is not yet available for the period in question, but for the eleven months to end February, 1967, it was £550. This excludes those advance factories for which no employment estimates are available and is in respect of assistance offered in the North-East part of the Northern development area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking to ensure compliance with the

		£ million f.o.b.
		1962	1963	1964	1965	1966
Total	…	1·2	1·4	1·6	1·9	4·8
of which
Beverages	…	0·1	0·1	0·1	0·2	0·6
Machinery, non-electric	…	0·3	0·3	0·3	0·3	0·8
Transport equipment	…	0·4	0·4	0·4	0·4	0·9
Miscellaneous manufactured articles*	…	0·1	0·1	0·1	0·2	1·2
* Includes musical instruments; printed matter including bank-notes; articles of artificial plastic material; toys and games; appliances for sports and games; works of art; jewellery and sundry other miscellaneous items.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will take steps to control vehicles' exhaust fumes in line with recent safeguards in the United States of America, details of which have been sent to her; and whether she will make a statement about the effect they have, as their quantity increases, in urban areas.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Monopolies Commission report on soap and detergent prices and advertising, in view of the companies' failure to implement it.

As I have explained in reply to previous Questions, I am still in negotiation with the companies concerned about implementation of this Report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table of British direct exports to South Vietnam in each of the previous five years, indicating generally which categories of goods showed the most significant increases; and if he will further estimate the increase over the same period in indirect British exports to South Vietnam via Singapore and Hong Kong, and by way of invisibles.

The following is the information about United Kingdom exports to the Republic of Vietnam and the categories of goods showing the most signficant increases.There is no information about United Kingdom exports consigned to Singapore and Hong Kong, but reaching the Republic of Vietnam. Estimates of United Kingdom invisible exports to individual countries are not available.Friend the Member for Sheffield, Attercliffe (Mr. John Hynd) and the hon. Member for Hertfordshire, South-West (Mr. Longden). Medical evidence related to the conditions in this country has not so far shown that further control is necessary. —[Vol. 742, c.

asked the Minister of Transport what increase or decrease there has been in the staff of her Department since 16th October, 1964; and what increase or decrease she anticipates in the period up to 15th October, 1967.

Since 16th October, 1964 there has been a decrease of 50: it is estimated that between now and 15th October, 1967 there will be an increase of some 500, mainly for duties connected with the roadworthiness of goods vehicles.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will now introduce legislation to provide for compulsorily passenger liability insurance for motor vehicles.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 13th April to my hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, South-East (Mr. Park).—[Vol. 744, c. 241.]

asked the Minister of Transport how soon she will make an announcement on extending the Underground line to Brixton; how long has this matter been under discussion; whether she is aware that already a number of people involved in the Victoria line extension have gone to other work; and if she will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend will make an announcement as soon as possible about this proposal which London Transport submitted to her in October, 1965. We realise the importance of continuity in this work, but there are difficult issues to resolve.

asked the Minister of Transport why the target completion dates for two schemes in Northumberland which, owing to the Government's economic measures in July, 1965, were deferred for six months now have target completion dates showing a deferment of 17 and 11 months; and if she will date the schemes deferred.

, pursuant to his Answer [OFFICIAL REPORT, 8th March, 1967; Vol. 742, c. 1518] supplied the following information:

asked the Minister of Transport why there is no sign at the Knockdown crossroads on A433 indicating the whereabouts of this substantial hamlet; what would be the cost of providing such signs; whether she is aware of the inconvenience caused to farmers, tradesmen and travellers by the absence of such signs; and whether she will now provide suitable signs.

The A433 is a classified road and the section at Knockdown is the responsibility of the Gloucestershire County Council as highway authority; they have decided that this hamlet is too small to warrant place name signs, which would cost some £30. On present evidence my right hon. Friend is not prepared to intervene.

asked the Minister of Transport when she expects to approve a 40 miles-per-hour speed limit on Terrace Road and Forest Road, Binfield, Berkshire.

My right hon. Friend is informing the Berkshire County Council of her approval of these speed limits.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what increase or decrease there has been in the staff of his Department since 16th October, 1964; and what increase or decrease he anticipates in the period up to 15th October, 1967.

There were 462 staff in post on 1st October, 1966, and there may be approximately 495 by 15th October, 1967. It is not possible to give a figure for 16th October, 1964.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works on what date a lease was taken by his Department of premises at Fountain Court, Steelhouse Lane, in the city of Birmingham; what is the amount of rent payable to date; what was the cost of fitting out offices upon the premises and the length of time taken in carrying out such work; and what is the date from which the premises will be occupied and rates payable.

The lease was formally completed in February, 1966, following an agreement in March, 1965. Work to prepare the premises for occupation, costing about £10,000, has been completed since that date. It is not the Ministry's practice to disclose rents. The offices are due to be occupied next week.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what increase or decrease there has been in the staff of his Department since 16th October, 1964; and what increase or decrease he anticipates in the period up to 15th October, 1967.

The total number of industrial and non-industrial staff employed by my Department has fallen by about 1,000 since October, 1964. I expect the number in October, 1967, to be very much the same as it is now.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what was the estimated cost of the construction of the Coulport Base as at October, 1965, March, 1966 October 1966 and March 1967 respectively.

The estimated cost of the construction of the Coulport Armament Depot on these dates was:

			£
October, 1965	…	…	5 million
March, 1966	…	…	5 million
October, 1966	…	…	5 million
March, 1967	…	…	5·5 million

The estimate has recently been increased to £5·5 million to cover additional requirements.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works, in view of the recurring failure of building firms in the North-East, particularly industrialised building firms, and of the need for an increase in industrialisation, if he will now take steps to set up a Government-sponsored industrialised building department in north-east England.

While noting the difficulties of certain building firms in the North East, I do not consider that setting up the department suggested by my hon. Friend would really help. The best way to encourage the use of industrialised building methods is by organising an adequate and continuous demand for building by local authorities and other clients and by promoting continuity of operation through improved contractual procedures. The Government is pursuing this policy with considerable success.

asked the Minister of Technology what encouragement and backing the National Research Development Corporation and other agencies are now giving to hovercraft manufacturing companies for the design, development, construction and trials of heavy oceangoing freight and passenger hover vehicles and vessels.

I understand that the National Research Development Corporation regard the British Hovercraft Company's SRN.4 as a necessary stage in the development of heavy ocean-going hovercraft.The first SRN.4 which is receiving launching support from the Corporation, should be undergoing its manufacturer's trials before the end of the year. Its performance will be closely watched by all those who are working on still heavier craft.

asked the Minister of Technology (1) what Government agencies are sponsoring or carrying out research and development on heavy ocean-going passenger and freight hover vehicles in excess of 150 tons; what expenditure has been allocated; how much of this is spent in total; which agencies have allocated funds, which agencies are spending it; and how much in each case;(2) if he will give the total value of funds made available to private industry for the manufacture, development and proving of heavy ocean-going passenger and freight hover vehicles in excess of 150 tons; what companies have received funds for this purpose; on what specific projects funds have been allocated; and what has been the amount in each instance.

A contract for preliminary studies for a military hovership has been let by my Department to the British Hovercraft Corporation. The National Research Development Corporation has given some financial support to the same company towards the launching costs of the SRN.4. It is not customary to disclose the sums involved.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the future of Harwell.

I am not yet ready to make a statement. A number of proposals are under consideration by the Atomic Energy Authority.

asked the Minister of Technology if he is satisfied that the centre for advanced studies on the design of machine tools and control equipment, which he proposes should be linked to the University of Strathclyde, will not duplicate, in equipment or lines of research, the work already well established at the University of Aston in Birmingham; and if he will make a statement.

On the question of equipment, I would refer the right hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Mr. Gurden) on the 2nd March, 1967. I am well aware of the research on machine tools and control equipment that is being carried out not only at the University of Aston but at many other universities throughout the country. The Institute of Advanced Machine Tool and Control Technology will help to promote the application of results of this research to industrial practice. The unique facilities of the Institute will be available to post-graduate students from any of these Universities.

asked the Minister of Technology what increase or decrease there has been in the staff of his Department since 16th October, 1964; and what increase or decrease he anticipates in the period up to 15th October, 1967.

There has been an increase of staff in my Department of 30,561 between 16th October, 1964 and 1st April, 1967, which includes branches transferred from other departments including 29,785 transferred from the former Ministry of Aviation. I anticipate a further increase of approximately 250 by October, 1967.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the cost of a Phantom aircraft; and what value in an aircraft is represented by British equipment such as the Rolls Royce Spey engine, the Ferranti navigation attack system, and airframe components.

A Spey Phantom aircraft costs about £1¼ million, of which some 46 per cent. relates to items manufactured in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Technology (1) what research he is doing into problems of the aerodynamic shape of bombs carried by supersonic military aircraft; and if he will state the cost of such research;(2) what research he is doing into problems of complex spring-loaded fins, in relation to bombs used by supersonic military aircraft; and what is the cost of such research.

We have decided that none is needed.

asked the Minister of Technology what research he is doing into problems of air friction in relation to bombs carried by supersonic aircraft; and if he will estimate the cost of this research.

Research work is being done, but it would not be in the public interest to disclose details.

asked the Minister of Health what estimate he has made of the total of funds and investments held by the 26 teaching hospitals in London; and if he will publish a list of the totals held by each in the Official Report.

The totals of the funds and investments held by the 26 teaching hospitals in London March, 1966 were as follows:

	£
St. Bartholomew	4,659,123
London	2,296,361
Royal Free	477,165
University College	859,142
Middlesex	1,925,468
Charing Cross	788,606
St. George's	1,061,430
Westminster	1,243,800
St. Mary's	1,157,593
Guy's	5,683,574
King's College	850,359
St. Thomas'	5,118,696
Hammersmith and St. Mark's	336,335
Hospital for Sick Children	1,389,431
National Hospitals for Nervous Diseases	104,966
Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear	237,138
Moorfields	239,660
Bethlem and Maudsley	1,751,726
St. John's	26,120
Diseases of the Chest	587,718
Royal National Orthopaedic	149,094
National Heart	120,192
St. Peter's. St. Paul's and St. Philip's	42,030
Royal Marsden	1,019,083
Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea	308,428
Eastman Dental	10,981
	£32,444,219

asked the Minister of Health if consultants who have retired from National Health Service engagements are permitted to use services, diagnostic equipment, and materials purchased by the hospital for their private patients; and what advice is given to hospital administrators in this matter.

Retired consultants who hold honorary contracts may treat their private patients in National Health Service hospitals in accordance with Section 5(2) of the National Health Service Act, 1946. Such patients pay the appropriate charges to the hospital for accommodation and services provided.

asked the Minister of Health what increase or decrease there has been in the staff of his Department since 16th October, 1964; and what increase or decrease he anticipates in the period up to 15th October, 1967.

An increase of 679 from October, 1964 to April, 1967. Some further increase is expected during the period to October, 1967 but I am not yet able to give a reliable estimate. The additional staff are needed to cope with the extra work arising from the continuing expansion of the health and welfare services, and the development of methods and techniques in those services to increase efficiency, improve quality, and to get better value for the money spent.

asked the Minister of Health what evidence he has received recently concerning baby-farms; and whether he will now take steps to ensure that standards are adequate.

I have been informed of the forthcoming report prepared by representatives of several voluntary organisations on the care of young children outside their own homes. So far as day nurseries and child minding are concerned I sent a circular of guidance to the responsible local authorities in April, 1965, calling for a review of their supervisory arrangements, and the authorities' reports have where necessary been followed up by my officers. I am considering whether further guidance is desirable.

asked the Minister of Health what were the detailed findings of the Health Week in Rotherham.

I understand that the Medical Officer of Health of Rotherham is preparing a report on the findings and I await this with interest.

asked the Minister of Health what plans are now being arranged to carry out other health weeks on similar lines to that held recently at Rotherham.

I have recently discussed these health weeks with my hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Mr. O'Malley) representatives of the Council and the Medical Officer of Health. I am most interested in what is being done in Rotherham, but as I told my hon. Friend in reply to his Question on 21st November I am not satisfied on present evidence that this method of detecting disease should be recommended to local authorities generally. —[Vol. 736, c. 217.]

asked the Minister of Health if health centres will attract the same level of rent/rate reimbursement as private premises used by doctors in practice.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Social Security what increase or decrease there has been in the staff of her Department since 16th October, 1964; and what increase or decrease she anticipates in the period up to 15th October, 1967.

The staff of my Department is greater by 6,851 than the total staff in October, 1964 of the former Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance and the former National Assistance Board. It is estimated that by October, 1967 the staff needed to meet the Department's present commitments will have further increased by about 1,300.