asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what modifications of the Selective Employment Tax are required to reduce the disproportionate burden placed on the South-West.

I do not accept that there is a disproportionate burden on the South-West. The Selective Employment Tax is a tax on service industries and its incidence in the South-West, as in any other part of the country, is proportionate to the number of persons employed in these industries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Selective Employment Tax is frustrating the employment of mentally-handicapped people and causing others to be discharged from employment; and what steps he proposes to take to overcome these results of the imposition of that tax.

I am glad to say there is no evidence that the Selective Employment Tax is having significantly adverse effects on the employment of the mentally-handicapped.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for a fiscal system which puts the emphasis on the productive work of management and labour.

I would refer the hon. Member to the section of my Budget statement dealing with the rewards of efficiency and productivity.—[Vol. 744, c. 989.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he is taking to widen the basis of recruitment to the administrative class of the home Civil Service.

Recruitment to the Civil Service is one of the matters being considered by the Fulton Committee. I am glad to say that the number of applicants and recruits from universities other than Oxford and Cambridge is increasing and I would welcome even more applicants from these other universities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to extend the time limit for the making of elections specified in paragraphs 3(4) and 4(4) of Schedule 19 to the Finance Act, 1965.

The Inland Revenue will in practice accept late elections under these provisions if made by 5th April next.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that bookmakers are only entitled to deduct 6d. in the £ sterling of stake money and not of winnings, he will introduce legislation to provide penalties for those bookmakers who do not comply with the law.

The hon. Member is misinformed: there is no such law on this point.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cost of British forces in Germany in the last five years ended 31st December, 1966; and what has been the total shortfall in contributions to this amount received from the German Government.

Figures are not readily available for calendar years. In the five financial years ending 31st March, 1967, the Deutschemark cost is expected to have been £399 million. German offset payments in or in respect of this period will fall short of this figure by about £122 million or 30 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the approximate proportion of assessments to Capital Gains Tax already made which are still under appeal at the present date.

On the last count in November, 1966, approximately 1½ per cent. of the assessments made up to the end of September.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the total gross yield of Capital Gains Tax since November, 1964, the total of capital losses allowed against the yield, and the estimated cost of collecting the tax.

The total gross yield of Capital Gains Tax to 31st March, 1967 was £7·2 million. This excludes the Corporation Tax on the capital gains of companies and a small amount of Capital Gains Tax taken into account in settling income tax liabilities.The figure for capital losses is not available. The cost of collecting Capital Gains Tax cannot satisfactorily be segregated from the cost of collecting other taxes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has for repaying all outstanding Post-War Credits of Income Tax.

I cannot at present propose any acceleration of these repayments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of regarding all unearned income as earned income for the purposes of taxation;(2) if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of regarding the first £500 of unearned income as earned income for tax purposes.

In a full year about £200 million and £60 million, respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the national income was taken up by national and local taxation, respectively, in each of the years 1951, 1956, 1961 and 1966; and what estimate he has made of the percentage which will apply in 1967.

The Answer is as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will advise the appointment of a Royal Commission to report on the increase in the Civil Service, the nationalised industries, and public administration generally with a view to achieving satisfactory economies and preventing the growth of bureaucracy.

The Civil Service is undergoing a very thorough examination by a Committee under Lord Fulton. There has recently been a report on local government staffing from a Committee under Sir George Mallaby; and there is also a Royal Commission on Local Government Reorganisation under Sir John Maud. The nationalised industries are responsible for their own staffing policies. I can see no reason for suggesting a further Royal Commission.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will instruct the Customs and Excise Department to repay the excess duty wrongly charged on a Zeiss Ikon camera imported by Dr. R. A. Strang, of Elms Lane, Wembley, at Lydd Airport in September, 1955.

Claims for repayment of duty are excluded by Section 11(4) of the Customs and Excise Act, 1952, unless they are made and established within six years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the estimated amount of tax evasion in the financial years 1964–65, 1965–66 and 1966–67; and in what categories of employment the evasion was most significant.

No estimate can be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will undertake the necessary research to discover how much financial assistance public schools received in the form of tax rebates in each of the past five financial years.

I regret that it would take a disproportionate time to find out this information and the cost would not be justified.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much more he expects the sum borrowed from the International Monetary Fund repayable in December, 1967 to be reduced by drawings of sterling by other countries from the Fund.

The sum has already been reduced from £357 million to £292 million. I expect a further reduction but it is impossible to say now how much.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to review the rates of salary paid to members of nationalised boards.

No date for a review has been fixed. It will be undertaken when necessary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total number of staff employed in the Valuation Department of the Inland Revenue at the nearest convenient dates to January, 1966, and January, 1967, respectively.

7,236 on 1st January, 1966, and 7,677 on 1st January, 1967.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how his officers arrive at the gross value of a poultry-house; and how many poultry-houses his Department knows have been let in the open market in the past five years in Cornwall.

Usually by reference to the capital value. The Answer to the second part is "None".

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue which would be obtained by the Exchequer from a 1 per cent. tax on all personal wealth above £10,000 and above £20,000, respectively.

£250 million and £175 million respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the increase in the effective rate of Excise Duty imposed in his Budget on a large proportion of the wines produced in this country amounts approximately to a shilling a gallon; and whether he will approve, under the Prices and Incomes Act, the consequential price increase of 2d. a bottle.

The July surcharges had the effect of increasing, beyond the limits agreed in international commitments, the margins between the rates of duty on British, Commonwealth and foreign heavy wines. On consolidating the surcharges the agreed margins had to be restored. Consequently, an effective duty increase of approximately I s. a gallon on heavy British wine was needed, balanced by decreases in duty on foreign heavy wines.I see no reason for any overall increase in the price of wines. The question of any specific increase is for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when implementing his decision to grant certain local authorities along the south-west coast more than 75 per cent. of the additional expenses incurred as a result of oil pollution, what considerations will be taken into account, and what criteria he will use.

If after payment of grant the balance of the additional expenditure reasonably incurred involves a burden on the rates exceeding a 2d. rate, the Government will meet the excess.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will seek powers to provide a special subsidy to those local authorities whose housing revenue accounts are in deficit, to provide a buffer against high rent increases.

The Housing Subsidies Bill provides for increased subsidies which should be of great assistance to local authorities faced with increased costs due to large building programmes.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement on the widespread evasion of the development levy in recent weeks; and if he will take steps to subject to the levy those landowners who, before 6th April, 1967, commenced development in an artificial way and for this purpose.

Under the recent Land Commission Act there is no power to charge levy on development which was begun before 6th April.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many firms have responded to the persuasions of the Location of Offices Bureau to move their offices out of Greater London; and how many employees have so moved in each of the years since the Bureau was set up.

As a result of the Bureau's activities, 153 firms involving a total of 11,896 posts had moved out of Greater London by the end of 1966. The figures for each year were in 1964–19 firms and 2,021 posts; in 1965–68 firms and 5,191 posts; in 1966–66 firms and 4,684 posts. In addition, 168 firms with 10,569 posts moved in these three years from Central London to the suburbs.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he has most recently taken to encourage the London boroughs to bring their areas under smoke control; and if he will again publish a list of those auth- orities which are not enforcing the provisions of the Clean Air Act.

My right hon. Friend does not consider that the London Boroughs need special encouragement from him. All have been making smoke control orders, which now cover about 60 per cent. of premises.Below is a list of those authorities who received letters from the Department in January, 1966, because they had done little or no smoke control, and who have not submitted any smoke control orders since. A number are considering the making of smoke control orders of whom, some have submitted programmes:

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the disputes between the Greater London Council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea which are delaying slum clearance and development; and what action he proposes to take to help remvoe the difficulties.

The Greater London Council had a number of objections to the Borough's application to redevelop the Lancaster Road (West) area. My right hon. Friend proposes to hold a public inquiry into the Borough's planning application.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will introduce legislation with a view to making the maintenance of roadside ditches a responsibility of local authorities, in view of the fact that while they are not generally public property they are often essential for the efficient drainage of the roads.

Local highway authorities already have very wide powers under Section 103 of the Highways Act, 1959 but if my hon. Friend has some particular problem in mind my right hon. Friend will certainly consider it in conjunction, as necessary, with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the estimated total of rate rebate provided under the Rating Act 1965 in the city of Bradford for 1966–67; and what amount was provided in the period 1964–65 and 1965–66 under the Rating (Interim Relief) Act 1964.

In 1966–67, rate rebates in Bradford under the Rating Act, 1966 amounted to about £54,500. In 1964–65 and 1965–66, under the Rating (Interim Relief) Act, 1964, the amount of rate relief granted to individual ratepayers in Bradford was nil.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, how many ratepayers in the City of Bradford obtained rate rebate for 1966–67 under the Rating Act, 1965; and what was the average amount of rebate per ratepayer.

There were 5,878 rate rebates granted in Bradford in the first half of 1966–67, and 6,598 in the second half. The average amount of rebate for the full year was £8 14s.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now authorise the Essex County Council to approve the Turner Road site in Col- chester for the development of a new general hospital.

A proposal for the development of this site is being considered by Essex County Council in accordance with the procedure for dealing with development by Government Departments. My right hon. Friend will be ready to give his opinion without delay, if and when he is consulted.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he now intends to take to ensure the future efficiency and cost consciousness of the Salford City Direct Labour Building Department in the light of his recent official discussions with representatives of that department.

I cannot at the moment add to my reply to the hon. Member's Question on 10th April.—[Vol. 744, c. 131.]

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will initiate discussions to set up a multiracial Commonwealth peacekeeping force.

International peacekeeping is vested by international agreement in the United Nations. It is Her Majesty's Government's policy to support the United Nations in this, and also I believe the policy of Commonwealth Governments generally. In these circumstances, I do not think that there would be a general wish for a separate Commonwealth force.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to improve commercial information in Hong Kong in support of the United Kingdom export drive; and whether he will make a statement.

In the past we have relied on the willing help of the Hong Kong Government Information Services but we realise this is not the best arrangement for commercial publicity and we are strengthening the staff of the United Kingdom Trade Commissioner so that additional information work can be undertaken. We intend to consider whether further expansion is necessary after we have gained experience of the working of the new arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he is satisfied with the existing state of communications between his Department and Commonwealth African territories.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for improving relations with the peoples of Rhodesia.

As the Prime Minister made clear on 20th December, we wish to secure a settlement of the Rhodesian problem which is just and fair and Her Majesty's Government remain willing to reach such a settlement through discussion and subsequent negotiations with a legal government in Rhodesia.I believe this to be in the interests of the people of Rhodesia as a whole and am convinced that relations will improve as soon as constitutional rule is restored.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs by what criteria he will judge the effectiveness of sanctions against Rhodesia.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in Answer to my hon. Friend on 13th April, our object is to bring about a return to constitutional rule.—[Vol. 744, c. 1364–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the increasing impact of sanctions upon the economy of Rhodesia.

According to statistics issued in Salisbury on 14th April Rhodesian exports in 1966 fell by well over one third from the 1965 figure, while imports fell by well over a quarter. These statistics do not show the greater reduction of trade in the second half of 1966, but they do indicate that even before the introduction of mandatory sanctions last December the Rhodesian economy was being heavily affected. Once the mandatory sanctions have had time to show their full effect, the warnings which the illegal régime are giving to the people of Rhodesia and the many criticisms which tobacco growers' and other spokesmen have been making of the régime's policies will be amply justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs when the building of the promised airport for the Seychelles is due to begin.

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on 23rd March.—[Vol. 743, c. 327.]

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about his recent visit to Hong Kong colony; and what changes he is proposing in the field of municipal government of the colony.

The object of my visit was to meet the members of the Government, both official and unofficial, and to learn something at first-hand of the situation in Hong Kong.The Report of the Official Working Party on local administration has recently been published. The proposals in it, together with any made by unofficial bodies in Hong Kong, are being studied but there must be full opportunity for public consideration of the various possibilities before any decisions are taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to help the Governments of Mauritius and the Seychelles, respectively, to exploit the rich tuna fishing banks of the Western Indian Ocean.

An 85 ft. fisheries research vessel is under construction in Mauritius financed from the capital budget to conduct trials with long line for tuna and with all types of gear for white fish on the banks between Mauritius and Seychelles. It should be in commission next year. Since 1963 the Mauritius Government has had the services of a fisheries adviser under the technical assistance programme of the Canadian Government.The Ministry of Overseas Development sent a fisheries expert to Seychelles towards the end of 1965 under the technical assistance programme to undertake a survey of the fishing industry. His report, which includes recommendations relating to tuna fishing, is being studied by the Seychelles Government. There has so far been no request from the Governments of either Mauritius or Seychelles for further assistance from Her Majesty's Government to develop tuna fishing.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he has yet decided on the composition and terms of reference of the joint mission to Malta agreed with the Government of Malta on 12th March.

This is a Joint Mission with members appointed by the British and Malta Governments. I am very glad to be able to announce that, following consultations between the two Governments, Lord Robens has agreed to act as Chairman. I hope to be in a position to announce at a very early date the names of the members of the Mission.The terms of reference of the Mission are as follows:—

asked the Minister of Power what protective measures against the leakage of oil, damage to fisheries and spoliation of British beaches are included in the licences he grants to persons and companies to drill for oil and gas in the North Sea; and in how many and which cases breaches of these protective measures have been reported to him.

Licensees are required to take all practicable steps to prevent the escape of petroleum into the sea.No breaches of these requirements have been reported to me.

asked the Minister of Power how many consumer complaints have been addressed, during 1966, to the Domestic Coal Consumers' Council; and what consideration is being given to enlarge this council on a regional basis to cover not only coal but coke and other solid smokeless fuels.

The Council, whose terms of reference cover all solid fuels, received 41 complaints from consumers in 1966. Most complaints are dealt with satisfactorily under the complaints procedure of the Approved Coal Merchants Scheme, which is organised on a regional basis, and do not reach the Council. The Council, the members of which are drawn from many parts of the country, concerns itself primarily with matters affecting the consumer generally—price, quality and supply of fuel and service to the public. These are best dealt with nationally and my right hon. Friend sees no need to enlarge the Council on a regional basis.

asked the Minister of Power what is the extent of waste from nuclear power stations; where it is stored; how long it is likely to remain virulent; what is the estimated expense of its disposal; and what is the estimated cost of storing the waste until its virulence fades.

The only radioactive waste stored on station sites is solid waste, with a half-life ranging from a few days to a few years. This is accumulated in suitable vaults, as authorised by my right hon. Friend. No station has as yet exhausted the storage capacity provided for solid waste, and most are far below capacity. It is not practicable to separate the cost of accumulating waste from the general capital and running costs of a station.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on his discussions with the French Government on Monday, 17th April, on the development and costing of the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer to a similar Question given him by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence today.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he is aware of the concern of British shipworkers at the Pacific and Orient Group Overseas Containers Limited placing an order for five ships valued at £25 million with German shipyards; why he is allowing this expenditure of foreign currency; and whether he will take action by financial or other means to enable this type of work to be done in Great Britain rather than abroad.

I understand that orders for five of the six container ships required by this company went to German yards because of the price and delivery terms they were able to offer. It is not the Government's policy to require British owners to order their ships from British yards but we are taking action through the Shipbuilding Industry Bill with the object of making British shipbuilding competitive on world markets.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the name of the firm that is currently under investigation by his Department in connection with a possible repayment to Her Majesty's Government; and whether he will take action under Section 10 of the Ministry of Supply Act, 1939 to order the company concerned to produce all the relevant books and papers.

As my right hon. Friend stated in his reply to various Questions on 11th April this case was reported to him only on the previous day. Investigations are still at a very early stage. The firm concerned has agreed to supply us with certain relevant information about costs and profits which will be examined urgently. If, as I hope, this information is sufficient to establish whether over-quoting occurred, and if so on what scale, the question of compulsion will not arise.—[Vol. 744, c. 954–7.]

asked the Minister of Technology if, before the conclusion of the talks which led to the agreement for repayment of £3·96 million to Her Majesty's Government, he was afforded access to the company accounts and books; and how this figure was arrived at.

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the Report of the Inquiry Committee referred to in my statement to the House on 5th April.—[Vol. 744, c. 256–68.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will list all the consultations he had before the relaxation of hire purchase restrictions on motor cycles.

It is not the practice to consult outside bodies on proposed changes in hire purchase restrictions, and no such consultations were held in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing for the last four years the number of male officers recruited into each of the Services and whether they were educated at public schools, direct grant schools, or state schools.

The numbers of male officers commissioned during the last four years are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what financial benefit is being received by the people of Malta and Singapore, respectively, per head of the population per year, from the British military presence in each area.

Local defence expenditure is running at about £12·5 million a year in Malta, and £60 million in Singapore. It would not be meaningful to convert these figures into expenditure per head of population.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place a copy of the contract with the United States Government for the purchase of F111K aircraft in the Library of this House.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what he expects to be the ratio of cost between the earliest replacement engines for the F111K and the original engines.

I have no separate ceiling price for the installed engines.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether all the modifica-

Yes, though some features, e.g. the strengthened undercarriage, are also being developed for United States versions of the aircraft other than the basic F111A.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he expects that the F111K aircraft ordered for Great Britain will be the first production F111 aircraft to be manufactured.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the result of the discussions he has had with the French Government on Monday, 17th April on the subject of the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft.

As announced in the Press communique issued yesterday, we noted the reports made to us on the present state of development of the programmes comprising the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft, Jaguar, Martel and helicopters and agreed to meet again in Paris in May.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what evidence he has of the effect of corporal punishment upon mentally maladjusted children.

There is a general consensus of informed opinion that the use of corporal punishment in schools for the maladjusted is to be deplored but there is no direct scientific evidence on the matter of which I am aware.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement upon the use of corporal punishment upon mentally maladjusted children at a special school at Liverpool.

I have now had the report from the Liverpool Local Education Authority to which I referred in my reply to my hon. Friend on 10th April. It is clear from this that the incident referred to was exceptional. The authority is arranging for the whole question of corporal punishment in all types of school to be reviewed.—[Vol. 744, c. 139.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he will institute a special inquiry to research into the workings of the jury system.

I am considering the need for such research, the difficulties involved and the possible forms which the research might take.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken on a letter sent to him on 14th February, 1967, by the Visiting Magistrates' Committee of Pentonville Prison regarding the detention in prison of persons who have been in mental institutions or who have a mental history and who, whilst in prison are likely to cause, or who are charged with, personal violence to a prison officer; if he will consider the possibility of such persons being grouped together in a wing where they could have supervision and care suitable to their condition; and if he will make a statement.

This difficult problem is being considered by my Department with the Ministry of Health, but I am advised that, in ordinary prison service establishments, it is generally more difficult to manage potentially violent persons when they are concentrated in a group than when they are distributed more widely.My officials have had discussions with the Deputy Chairman of the Visiting Committee about his letter of the 14th February, and a formal reply is being sent explaining the position in greater detail and commenting on an individual case which he had raised.

asked the Postmaster-General what geographical area in Wales will be able to receive B.B.C.2 by the end of the year.

This is a matter for the B.B.C. They tell me, however, that by the end of the year B.B.C.2 will be available to viewers in Anglesey and the north-west coastal belt of Caernarvon-shire; and in parts of the counties of Denbigh, Flint, Glamorgan and Monmouth.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of his satisfactory record of service for many years as an auxiliary postman, and of the fact that he is an ex-Serviceman with a 70 per cent. disability as a result of a serious war wound, he will reinstate Mr. Richard Davies, of Llanbrynmair, Montgomery-shire, as a postman.

I am sorry I cannot reverse my previous decision. I am writing again to the hon. Member to explain the circumstances. Meanwhile my right hon. Friend the Minister of Social Security is looking into the case.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what organisational methods studies are currently taking place in his Directorate General of Works to ensure maximum efficiency in administration and financial outlay.

The major reorganisation of the professional structure of the Ministry, which I announced on 12th April, is designed to promote greater integration and efficiency. The following are among the more detailed studies connected with the Directorate General of Works now being undertaken as part of a constant programme for increasing efficiency in the Ministry:

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is the present number of senior professional and technical staff employed by the Directorate General of Works; what were the figures for 1966, 1965, and 1964; and how many of them are fully established.

The figures are:

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many civil servants of the administrative class were engaged in each of the three works departments of the armed services prior to the amalgamation under his department, showing in each case their grades; and how many are currently engaged in the Directorate General of Works in his Department.

Before the merger, the Service Departments had 3 under-secretaries, 5 assistant secretaries, 6 principals and 1 assistant principal wholly or substantially employed on the administration of works service.At this level, my Department currently employs on comparable work 1 undersecretary, 4 assistant secretaries, 2 principals and 1 assistant principal.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many circulars to regional offices were issued by the Directorate General of Works, Supplies Division, establishments directorate accounts, contracts directorate, and Directorate General of Research and Development of his Department in 1966.

No circulars are issued exclusively to Regional Offices. During 1966, 1,050 circulars in the categories mentioned were issued throughout the Department.A number of these were sponsored by two or more divisions. About one-third of this total related to staff appointments and vacancies.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what estimate he has made of the financial savings of the late amalgamation of the works departments of the service ministries under his Department in each of the years 1964, 1965, and 1966.

Since the merger in 1963, the total annual work load of the Ministry has grown from £224 million to £292 million but there has been a net reduction in industrial and non-industrial staff of 2,500. Allowing for extra costs not reflected in these figures, the Min- istry's overheads on works services have fallen during the period.The work for the Service departments is now integrated with the rest of the Ministry's work and it is not possible to produce meaningful figures of savings from year to year on that aspect of the Ministry's work in isolation.

asked the Minister of Social Security how many claims for supplementary pensions have been received from the citizens of Bradford since 28th November; how many have resulted in the award of a supplementary allowance; and how many were entirely new claims.

About 4,750 from 3rd October, 1966, when claims were first invited; 3,400 resulted in pension awards. The great majority were entirely new claims.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the report which he has received from the Glasgow Regional Health Executive Committee about the operation of the emergency treatment service.

I have placed a copy of the report by Glasgow Executive Council in the Library. It indicates that the emergency treatment service provides a useful facility for the doctors in the city which almost half of them employ to a greater or lesser extent, that many improvements have been introduced into the service since its inception, and that it now seems to be functioning satisfactorily. I accept this view, but I propose to amend the terms of service of general practitioners to ensure that a doctor can enter into arrangements with a deputising service only if the organisation and procedures of that service have been approved by the Executive Council with which he is in contract.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when construction work will begin on the new bridge over the River Spey at Craigellachie.

I understand that consulting engineers are about to report to the Joint Bridges Committee of the County Councils of Banff and Moray and Nairn on the technical aspects of this scheme. When they have done so the Committee may wish to discuss with me the possibility of finding a place for the scheme in the approved road programme.

asked the Minister of Transport if she has decided locations for the proposed central offices for motor vehicle registration and licensing, and drivers' licensing, and for goods vehicle test bookings; and when it is planned to set up those offices.

I have decided to establish both offices in Swansea. The office for goods vehicles test bookings will be operating next year as part of the plans for testing and plating the heavier classes of goods vehicles under the provisions of the Road Safety Bill. The office for motor vehicle registration and licensing and drivers' licensing, with a computer, is being planned for the early 1970s and is expected to need a staff, when these functions are fully taken over, of about 2,500. Building work on the licensing office is expected to start in the later part of next year and to be completed in 1972. The goods vehicle office will eventually be integrated with the licensing organisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many factories closed down in the Principality in the year 1966; and what area of floor space this represents;(2) how many new factories were actually completed in Wales in 1966; and what area of factory floor space this represents.

Eighty-five new factories and extensions for which industrial development certificates were issued have so far been notified to the Government as having been completed for manufacturing industry in Wales during 1966. Their total area is 1·9 million sq. ft.I regret that the information for which the hon. Member asks in his first question is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the number of staff employed by the Welsh Planning Board; what are their broad qualifications; and how these figures compare with 12 months ago.

Officials representing all Departments concerned with Welsh affairs attend meetings of the Planning Board as necessary. The Secretariat is provided by the Welsh Office and no separate staff is employed. These arrangements have not changed over the past 12 months.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received with regard to the possible creation of an elected Council for Wales as part of his plan for the reorganisation of local government in Wales.

I have had views from the officers and members of local authorities consulted on an informal and confidential basis by my Inter-Departmental Working Party, and other people and bodies who have written to me on their own initiative. While some favoured the creation of an elected Council for Wales, others did not and opinions differed widely over the possible duties and composition of such a body.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what studies the Welsh Office have made of the possible danger of oil from the "Torrey Canyon" drifting into Cardigan Bay; and what broad conclusions have been reached.

The Welsh Office have throughout, received regular reports on the movement of oil from the "Torrey Canyon". At no time has it appeared that there was a serious threat of the oil reaching Cardigan Bay.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been done to relieve the inadequacy of the road transport system in southern Cardiganshire as a result of the closure of the Aberystwyth to Carmarthen railway line to passenger traffic.

A rail replacement bus service was introduced when the line was closed. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has power to vary the conditions of the consent to that closure should a sufficiently strong case be made to her. More recently, the Welsh Economic Council commissioned a report on the transport problems of this area and, as I have indicated previously, this is likely to be published in the near future. Finally, I understand that the Passenger Transport Co-ordinating Committee for Wales is looking at certain aspects of the transport problems in West Wales to which Professor Clayton drew attention in his report. I shall be kept informed of any conclusions they may reach.