Written Answers

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Written Answers To Questions

Wednesday, 10th May, 1967

Scotland

Four-Term School Year

17.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will recommend to education authorities in Scotland the adoption of a four-term school year.

No. This is a matter for education authorities to consider in the light of local circumstances. There is nothing to prevent an education authority which wishes to do so from introducing a four-term school year.

Strathclyde General Hospital, Motherwell

44.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the date on which the building of the new Strathclyde General Hospital, Motherwell, is due to begin.

This scheme was not one of those listed for start in the period to 1971 in the Review of the Hospital Plan published last year. I am sorry I cannot yet give a provisional starting date for it.

Health Checks

45.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for initiating sample health checks in named towns or cities, comparable to the recent survey at Rotherham, Yorkshire.

On present information my right hon. Friend would not feel justified in recommending this technique to local authorities generally.

Gaskin Report

48.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the report of the economic survey of North-East Scotland being conducted by Professor Gaskin; if he will have the report made public; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend expects to receive Professor Gaskin's report in the autumn of next year and to make arrangements for it to be published thereafter.

Roads (Resurfacing)

47.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for strengthening and resurfacing of roads, particularly the landwards areas of Upper Banffshire; and if he will make a statement.

In Upper Banffshire these are matters for the County Council highway authority.

Sheep, Cow And Beef Subsidies

49.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on which half-yearly returns the upland ewe subsidy will be paid; and on which returns the increase in the hill cow and beef cow subsidy will be paid.

The detailed conditions governing the upland sheep subsidy have yet to be determined, but the first payment will probably be made on the number of ewes and gimmers at 1st December, 1967. The increased rates of hill cow and of beef cow subsidy will be on the basis of the number of cows and in-calf heifers at the date of December, 1966, Return or the number of cows at the date of the June, 1967, Return, whichever is the less.

Illegitimate Births

50.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he intends to take to deal with the problem of the increasing numbers of illegitimate births.

The number of illegitimate births is determined by a complex of social and moral factors and there is no simple answer to this problem.

Geriatric Beds, Glasgow (Waiting List)

51.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of patients waiting for geriatric beds in the hospitals in the city of Glasgow; and what is the longest waiting period for any applicant.

At 31st March, 1967, there were 216 persons on the waiting list for geriatric beds in Glasgow. All but 18 had then waited for less than six months. Of this number one had waited for just over two years.11 of the 18 (that is including the last mentioned) are being treated at other hospital; before transfer to a geriatric hospital.

Craiginches Prison, Aberdeen (Overcrowding)

52.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the overcrowding of prisoners in Craiginches Prison, Aberdeen; and what plans he has for solving the problem.

Yes. With the greatly increased number of persons, particularly those under 21, coming into detention there can be no early solution to the problem of overcrowding, but 350 additional places will be provided at existing institutions within the next two years and three new establishments are being planned.

Peterhead Prison (Prisoner's Letter)

53.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the letter from R. Coubrough, of Aberdeen, a prisoner in Her Majesty's Prison, Peterhead, stating that his complaints of ill treatment made to the prison authorities and his requests to see the visiting committee have been ignored; and if he will now inquire into and report upon these complaints and requests.

Yes. My right hon. Friend can find no foundation for these complaints, but he has written to my hon. and learned Friend about the letter which he forwarded to him.

Local Authority Houses (Interest Charges)

54.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the total interest charges repayable over 60 years incurred by local authorities in Scotland for a house built at a cost of £2,000 in the years 1950–51, 1962–63, and 1965–66, respectively.

This would depend on the borrowing arrangements of the particular authority. On the basis of the appropriate Public Works Loan Board rates at the end of 1950, 1962 and 1965, the figures would be £2,324, £5,275 and £6,112, respectively.

Slums

55.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how long it will take to clear the slums in Scotland on the basis of the progress made since October, 1964.

The rate of clearance has been increased by nearly 30 per cent. since October, 1964, but my right hon. Friend is still not satisfied with this and intends to achieve a further increase. However, on the basis of the present rate, it would take 10 years to clear those houses with a life of less than five years.

Spey Bridge

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the breach which has appeared in the bridge over the Spey, on the main Aberdeen-Inverness road, and which has led to the prohibition since 6th May of all traffic except pedestrians on that part of the road.

On Friday, 5th May, Moray County Council reported a hole 9 ft. × 3 ft. in the road surface on the bridge across the Spey at Fochabers. An engineer of the Scottish Development Department inspected the bridge on Saturday, and on his advice the bridge was closed to all but pedestrian traffic. A further inspection was made on Monday, and it is now expected that the bridge can be reopened in a month's time for traffic up to 12 tons. In the meantime traffic can use road B.9103 via Boat O'Brig, which adds two or three miles to the distance between Elgin and Keith, and my engineers are seeing what immediate improvements are necessary to this route. Plans will now be made for the reconstruction or replacement of the Fochabers Bridge.

Highland Development Board (Youth Services)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many young volunteers from International Voluntary Service, Enterprise Youth and similar organisations the Highland Development Board will be using for development projects in 1967; and what plans the Board has to increase the number in 1968.

The Board hopes that it will be able to make use of youth services, but it is not yet ready to put firm proposals to the organisations mentioned.

Scottish Trawlers' Federation (Secretary's Letter)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the letter sent to him by R. S. Junor, the secretary of the Scottish Trawlers' Federation, dated 18th April about the future of the fishing industry; and what reply he has sent.

The Federation has been informed that my right hon. Friend has taken note of its views, and that its letter will be considered by the interdepartmental working party which is now reviewing current policy on assistance to the fishing industry.

Scottish Administration (Commissions And Statutory Bodies)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number and nature of Government-appointed commissions and statutory authorities now concerned with different aspects of administration in Scotland.

A full list would contain a large number of names, and the cost of compiling it would be excessive. But I have just had prepared a revised edition of the Handbook on Scottish Administration which Her Majesty's Stationery Office will shortly be publishing, and which, I think, will be helpful to the hon. Member.

Higher Mathematics Examination Paper (Error)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the Higher Mathematics Leaving Certificate examination paper this year contained a problem which was incapable of solution; and if he will consult the Examination Board regarding the desirability of providing facilities for those who fail this particular examination to sit another paper before the end of the school session.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will ensure that all students who fail the May examination for the Scottish Certificate of Higher Education in Mathematics will be given the opportunity to resit the examination so that they are not penalised by a printing error in the original paper.

The Scottish Certificate of Education Examination Board is responsible for the conduct of the examination. I understand that the Board is meeting on 15th May when this year's Higher Mathematics paper will be discussed. I have asked the Board to tell me what it decides to do and I will then write to the hon. Members. I am confident that the Board will do its utmost to ensure that pupils are not penalised in any way by the error in the paper.

Teachers (Roberts Report)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will implement the recommendations of the Roberts Report on Measures to secure a more equitable distribution of teachers in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is considering the whole matter, but he is not yet in a position to make a statement.

Egg Producers (Financial Returns)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now satisfied with the level of returns to egg producers; and if he will make a statement.

Financial returns to egg producers were considered, along with other relevant factors at the 1967 Annual Review. As was indicated in the Review White Paper, there is a continued danger of production rising faster than demand, and the guaranteed price was therefore reduced.

Rail Closures And Disposal Of Assets

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of rail closure or disposal of redundant railway assets have been referred to the Scottish Economic Planning Council.

36 rail closure cases and 42 cases relating to the disposal of track formation and station sites.

Non-Graduate Men Teachers (Remuneration)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will announce the terms of remuneration for non-graduate men entering the teaching profession.

Men entering teaching through the college of education diploma courses for primary teachers are not covered by the present Salaries Regulations since these courses have hitherto been confined to women. Provision will, however, be made when salaries are next reviewed.

Authority					Needs Element (Advance 98 per cent.)	Resources Element (1st Advance 90 per cent.)	Domestic Element (100 per cent.)	Total Rate Support Grant
					£	£	£	£
CITIES
Aberdeen	…	…	…	…	4,130,657	550,974	100,365	4,781,996
Dundee	…	…	…	…	3,806,798	516,667	106,804	4,430,269
Edinburgh	…	…	…	…	9,118,365	—	338,850	9,457,215
Glasgow	…	…	…	…	21,092,885	2,767,544	478,792	24,339,221
ABERDEEN CO.
Landward Area		…	…	…	2,084,301	1,188,873	42,859	3,316,033
Ballater	…	…	…	…	22,997	3,875	735	27,607
Ellon	…	…	…	…	32,606	7,639	830	41,075
Fraserburgh	…	…	…	…	240,642	98,728	4,993	344,363
Huntly	…	…	…	…	81,484	37,325	1,947	120,756
Inverurie	…	…	…	…	113,114	54,066	2,327	169,507
Kintore	…	…	…	…	17,066	6,884	344	24,294
Old Meldrum	…	…	…	…	23,644	7,120	543	31,307
Peterhead	…	…	…	…	293,860	141,892	5,736	441,488
Rosehearty	…	…	…	…	24,605	14,068	536	39,209
Turriff...	…	…	…	…	59,036	15,842	1,495	76,373
ANGUS CO.
Landward Area		…	…	…	622,709	308,364	15,157	946,230
^*Arbroath	…	…	…	…	371,040	200,493	11,042	582,575
Brechin	…	…	…	…	128,356	62,980	3,361	194,697
Carnoustie	…	…	…	…	100,292	41,692	3,743	145,727
Forfar	…	…	…	…	183,789	52,150	5,035	240,974
Kirriemuir	…	…	…	…	70,756	29,256	1,975	101,987
Monifieth	…	…	…	…	79,199	22,656	3,340	105,195
Montrose	…	…	…	…	196,839	71,273	5,192	273,304
ARGYLL CO.
Landward Area		…	…	…	875,189	469,811	17,240	1,362,240
Campbeltown	…	…	…	…	169,190	87,570	3,023	259,783
Dunoon	…	…	…	…	228,220	91,964	5,703	325,887
Inveraray	…	…	…	…	12,844	6,049	249	19,142
Lochgilphead	…	…	…	…	32,325	14,489	611	47,425
Oban	…	…	…	…	172,200	80,749	3,218	256,167
Tobermory	…	…	…	…	15,750	6,670	345	22,765
^* Large Burgh.

Scottish Plan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now revise the Scottish Plan in the light of the Government's target of 3 per cent. per annum growth in production for the United Kingdom as a whole.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave today to the hon. Members for Moray and Nairn (Mr. G. Campbell), and Edinburgh, North (Earl of Dalkeith).

Rate Support Grants

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the amount of rate support grant for each local authority for 1967–68.

The information is as follows:—

Authority			Needs Element (Advance 98 per cent.)	Resources Element (1st Advance 90 per cent.)	Domestic Element (100 per cent.)	Total Rate Support Grant
AYR CO.			£	£	£	£
Landward Area	…	…	2,522,286	954,598	62,693	3,539,577
Ardrossan	…	…	188,302	52,836	5,140	246,278
^*Ayr Burgh	…	…	858,068	154,096	30,058	1,042,222
Cumnock and Holmhead	…	…	112,463	66,033	3,059	181,555
Darvel	…	…	59,458	23,876	1,633	84,967
Galston	…	…	75,234	46,932	1,882	123,988
Girvan	…	…	120,497	28,862	3,739	153,098
Irvine	…	…	395,341	206,368	10,634	612,343
^*Kilmarnock	…	…	906,288	350,553	26,119	1,282,960
Kilwinning	…	…	149,584	62,008	4,202	215,794
Largs	…	…	162,350	16,916	7,524	186,790
Maybole	…	…	88,513	60,984	2,079	151,576
Newmilns and Greenholm	…	…	63,429	29,837	1,708	94,974
Prestwick	…	…	244,736	86,790	9,756	341,282
Saltcoats	…	…	281,762	149,455	7,925	439,142
Stevenston	…	…	217,496	154,411	5,766	377,673
Stewarton	…	…	70,813	37,105	1,765	109,683
Troon	…	…	197,486	46,049	7,972	251,507
BANFF CO.
Landward Area	…	…	365,137	165,199	7,120	537,456
Aberchirder	…	…	17,186	10,776	301	28,263
Aberlour	…	…	21,048	10,815	392	32,255
Banff Burgh	…	…	69,097	27,885	1,764	98,746
Buckie	…	…	156,310	98,932	3,494	258,736
Cuilen	…	…	25,250	14,793	716	40,759
Dufftown	…	…	30,895	12,264	686	43,845
Findochty	…	…	25,312	19,086	588	44,986
Keith	…	…	84,374	39,824	1,901	126,099
Macduff	…	…	73,099	46,682	1,751	121,532
Portknockie	…	…	22,676	15,153	594	38,423
Portsoy	…	…	35,082	19,095	815	54,992
BERWICK Co.
Landward Area	…	…	424,281	224,968	8,794	658,043
Coldstream	…	…	32,349	11,839	779	44,967
Duns	…	…	50,810	20,587	1,033	72,430
Eyemouth	…	…	59,675	28,740	1,253	89,668
Lauder	…	…	15,378	7,069	335	22,782
BUTE CO.
Landward Area	…	…	113,558	40,163	3,611	157,332
Millport	…	…	30,317	—	1,351	31,668
Rothesay	…	…	140,889	21,048	4,704	166,641
CAITHNESS CO.
Landward Area	…	…	300,582	174,599	2,558	477,739
Thurso	…	…	247,253	166,983	3,683	417,919
Wick	…	…	193,332	130,389	2,529	326,250
CLACKMANNAN CO.
Landward Area	…	…	345,886	—	9,522	355,408
Alloa	…	…	248,199	17,171	8,197	273,567
Alva	…	…	69,583	52,848	2,287	124,718
Dollar	…	…	37,663	18,071	1,526	57,260
Tillicoultry	…	…	72,117	39,509	2,413	114,039
DUMFRIES CO.
Landward Area	…	…	948,223	443,224	21,095	1,412,542
Annan	…	…	128,609	72,485	3,260	204,354
^*Dumfries	…	…	501,753	140,591	16,029	658,373
Langholm	…	…	48,102	19,112	1,163	68,377
Lochmaben	…	…	27,649	16,438	673	44,760
Lockerbie	…	…	59,121	12,352	1,686	73,159
Moffat	…	…	41,745	16,916	1,200	59,861
Sanquhar	…	…	44,328	23,298	1,100	68,726
DUNBARTON CO.
Landward Area	…	…	1,370,102	491,170	37,502	1,898,774
Bearsden	…	…	430,920	97,306	23,081	551,307
^*Clydebank	…	…	885,604	504,060	25,097	1,414,761
Cove and Kilcreggan	…	…	19,857	3,726	1,011	24,594
^*Dumbarton	…	…	458,341	192,333	13,811	664,485
Helensburgh	…	…	205,967	41,994	9,431	257,392
Kirkintilloch	…	…	465,905	337,603	13,723	817,231
Milngavie	…	…	191,923	52,173	8,977	253,073
^* Large Burgh.

Authority			Needs Element (Advance 98 per cent.)	Resources Element (1st Advance 90 per cent.)	Domestic Element (100 per cent.)	Total Rate Support Grant
			£	£	£	£
EAST LOTHIAN CO.
Landward Area	…	…	435,098	134,506	15,310	584,914
Cockenzie and Port Seton	…	…	62,028	31,267	2,036	95,331
Dunbar	…	…	79,089	20,980	3,028	103,097
East Linton	…	…	14,796	6,441	540	21,777
Haddington	…	…	109,303	26,177	3,791	139,271
North Berwick	…	…	84,443	—	3,871	88,314
Prestonpans	…	…	57,261	39,747	1,497	98,505
Tranent	…	…	114,900	66,088	3,239	184,227
FIFE CO.
Landward Area	…	…	2,476,385	1,081,816	62,533	3,620,734
Auchtermuchty	…	…	27,477	7,315	842	35,634
Buckhaven and Methil	…	…	416,488	181,913	10,033	608,434
Burntisland	…	…	116,780	28,707	3,449	148,936
Cowdenbeath	…	…	223,431	97,250	5,694	326,375
Crail	…	…	20,378	2,184	902	23,464
Culross	…	…	10,576	76	297	10,949
Cupar	…	…	141,210	—	4,272	145,482
Dunfermline	…	…	1,001,411	264,954	26,709	1,293,074
Elie and Earlsferry	…	…	27,118	—	1,331	28,449
Falkland	…	…	18,905	7,296	600	26,801
Inverkeithing	…	…	86,572	48,109	2,073	136,754
Kilrenny and Anstruther	…	…	57,224	12,686	1,904	71,814
Kinghorn	…	…	39,363	13,187	1,294	53,844
^*Kirkcaldy	…	…	1,039,266	233,065	29,839	1,302,170
Ladybank	…	…	24,116	11,948	629	36,693
Leslie	…	…	64,541	26,207	1,764	92,512
Leven	…	…	174,584	24,115	5,745	204,444
Lochgelly	…	…	172,084	118,036	4,392	294,512
Markimh	…	…	48,285	4,164	1,342	53,791
Newburgh	…	…	43,700	8,266	1,134	53,100
Newport-on-Tay	…	…	66,725	12,375	2,966	82,066
Pittenwsem	…	…	29,910	10,360	1,044	41,314
St. Andrews	…	…	242,030	—	7,286	249,316
St. Monance	…	…	25,525	8,967	893	35,385
Tayport	…	…	60,302	24,839	1,863	87,004
INVERNESS CO.
Landward Area	…	…	1,517,547	1,130,212	17,228	2,664,987
Fort William	…	…	100,986	38,881	1,623	141,490
^*Inverness	…	…	600,987	119,810	16,367	737,164
Kingussie	…	…	30,959	18,350	592	49,901
KINCARDINE CO.
Landward Area	…	…	401,733	185,318	7,491	594,542
Banchory	…	…	45,426	11,091	1,341	57,858
Inverbervie	…	…	20,394	6,998	433	27,825
Laurencekirk	…	…	32,749	11,860	668	45,277
Stonehaven	…	…	101,258	44,305	2,392	147,955
KIRKCUDBRIGHT CO.
Landward Area	…	…	476,404	202,070	10,070	688,544
Castle Douglas	…	…	82,996	27,108	1,865	111,969
Dalbeattie	…	…	82,979	49,035	1,603	133,617
Gatehouse-of-Fleet	…	…	20,651	7,096	523	28,270
Kirkcudbright Burgh	…	…	69,076	34,532	1,482	105,090
New Galloway	…	…	8,283	3,711	199	12,193
LANARK CO.
Landward Area	…	…	5,481,831	2,637,271	151,569	8,270,671
^*Airdrie	…	…	674,082	313,826	20,140	1,008,048
Biggar	…	…	32,499	5,739	1,237	39,475
Bishopbriggs	…	…	349,057	103,133	13,496	465,686
^*Coatbridge	…	…	1,023,339	602,772	25,455	1,651,566
East Kilbride	…	…	971,145	277,006	27,386	1,275,537
^*Hamilton	…	…	868,054	314,562	25,123	1,207,739
Lanark Burgh	…	…	155,126	18,379	4,859	178,364
^*Motherwell and Wishaw	…	…	1,639,162	—	41,111	1,680,263
^*Rutherglen	…	…	474,159	231,927	14,534	720,620
^* Large Burgh.

Authority			Needs Element (Advance 98 per cent.)	Resources Element (1st Advance 90 per cent.)	Domestic Element (100 per cent.)	Total Rate Support Grant
			£	£	£	£
MIDLOTHIAN CO.
Landward Area	…	…	1,562,729	726,392	39,250	2,328,371
Bonnyrigg	…	…	142,474	73,700	4,294	220,468
Dalkeith	…	…	189,804	65,974	5,699	261,477
Loanhead	…	…	113,204	65,888	3,005	182,097
Musselburgh	…	…	349,297	118,351	9,290	476,938
Penicuik	…	…	162,682	64,334	4,480	231,496
MORAY AND NAIRN
Moray Landward Area	…	…	380,331	33,218	8,368	421,917
Nairn Landward Area	…	…	59,259	27,749	1,628	88,636
Burghead	…	…	26,881	16,512	508	43,901
Elgin	…	…	302,203	136,029	7,468	445,700
Forres	…	…	83,193	28,629	2,301	114,123
Grantown-on-Spey	…	…	27,534	4,384	819	32,737
Lossiemouth and Branderburgh		…	123,969	70,247	2,801	197,017
Rothes	…	…	34,833	—	519	35,352
Nairn Burgh	…	…	89,740	31,965	2,866	124,571
ORKNEY CO.
Landward Area	…	…	320,684	268,732	1,986	591,402
Kirkwall	…	…	125,227	83,501	1,572	210,300
Stromness	…	…	42,391	32,050	480	74,921
PEEBLES CO.
Landward Area	…	…	132,140	—	3,488	135,628
Innerleithen	…	…	46,534	16,036	1,224	63,794
Peebles Burgh	…	…	111,744	25,736	3,638	141,118
PERTH AND KINROSS
Perth Landward Area	…	…	1,145,936	348,380	31,360	1,525,676
Kinross Landward Area	…	…	108,214	—	2,270	110,484
Aberfeldy	…	…	31,635	8,246	953	40,834
Abernethy	…	…	16,371	9,991	449	26,811
Alyth	…	…	34,974	15,805	932	51,711
Auchterarder	…	…	48,733	22,360	1,355	72,448
Blairgowrie and Rattray	…	…	104,986	41,073	2,933	148,992
Callander	…	…	35,238	2,858	1,103	39,199
Coupar Angus	…	…	40,486	17,308	1,014	58,808
Crieff	…	…	113,044	38,485	3,267	154,796
Doune	…	…	15,825	6,742	447	23,014
Dunblane	…	…	71,997	19,893	2,770	94,660
Kinross Burgh	…	…	46,527	14,788	1,342	62,657
^*Perth Burgh	…	…	694,515	107,604	23,945	826,064
Pitlochry	…	…	47,474	4,917	1,517	53,908
RENFREW CO.
Landward Area	…	…	1,874,493	264,209	80,489	2,219,191
Barrhead	…	…	342,139	167,366	9,887	519,392
Gourock	…	…	197,680	83,356	7,557	288,593
^*Greenock	…	…	1,320,759	740,867	35,494	2,097,120
Johnstone	…	…	428,140	341,164	11,635	780,939
^*Paisley	…	…	1,718,386	660,602	49,770	2,428,758
^*Port Glasgow	…	…	414,790	283,883	10,226	708,899
Renfrew Burgh	…	…	478,756	—	10,297	489,053
Ross AND CROMARTY CO.
Landward Area	…	…	1,294,358	959,788	12,637	2,266,783
Cromarty Burgh	…	…	17,340	10,704	265	28,309
Dingwall	…	…	120,238	47,507	1,701	169,446
Fortrose	…	…	28,841	11,375	602	40,818
Invergordon	…	…	100,500	—	859	101,359
Stornoway	…	…	156,159	53,734	2,258	212,151
Tain	…	…	51,638	24,163	905	76,706
ROXBURGH CO.
Landward Area	…	…	335,672	187,728	9,993	533,393
Hawick	…	…	329,006	171,469	8,522	508,997
Jedburgh	…	…	75,540	41,596	2,043	119,179
Kelso	…	…	81,298	16,946	2,499	100,743
Melrose	…	…	43,675	16,242	1,263	61,180
SELKIRK CO.
Landward Area	…	…	64,151	27,441	1,525	93,117
Galashiels	…	…	284,738	115,507	6,271	406,516
Selkirk Burgh	…	…	126,500	56,045	2,800	185,345
^* Large Burgh.

Authority			Needs Element (Advance 98 per cent)	Resources Element (1st Advance 90 per cent.)	Domestic Element (100 per cent.)	Total Rate Support Grant
			£	£	£	£
STIRLING CO.
Landward Area	…	…	1,578,712	747,853	49,185	2,375,750
Bridge-on-Allan	…	…	65,785	11,954	2,929	80,668
Denny and Dunipace			145,716	109,182	4,282	259,180
^*Falkirk	…	…	676,619	—	20,773	697,392
Grangemouth	…	…	908,117	—	11,873	919,990
Kilsyth	…	…	166,453	120,797	4,828	292,078
?Stirling	…	…	480,833	112,255	16,768	609,826
SUTHERLAND CO.
Landward Area	…	…	576,061	511,568	3,887	1,091,516
Dornoch	…	…	44,709	30,611	469	75,789
WEST LOTHIAN CO.
Landward Area	…	…	1,045,131	646,022	23,932	1,715,085
Armadale	…	…	128,438	87,553	3,350	219,341
Bathgate	…	…	286,828	92,559	8,101	387,488
Bo'ness	…	…	264,677	226,611	6,489	497,777
Linlithgow	…	…	93,125	31,323	2,965	127,413
Queenslerry	…	…	70,730	29,608	2,000	102,338
Whitburn	…	…	182,602	142,108	4,333	329,043
WIGTOWN Co.
Landward Area	…	…	345,029	281,981	6,644	633,654
Newton-Stewart	…	…	41,217	10,867	1,179	53,263
Stranraer	…	…	212,606	112,462	4,817	329,885
Whitho-n	…	…	23,933	18,725	436	43,094
Wigtown Burgh	…	…	26,667	18,039	548	45,254
ZETLAND CO.
Landward Area	…	…	359,752	410,917	1,230	771,899
Lerwick	…	…	187,179	150,791	1,694	339,664
Total, Scotland		…	107,901,061	33,065,999	2,850,000	143,817,060
^* Large Burgh.

Scottish Housing Advisory Committee (Report)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now publish the report of the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee on the allocation of council houses; and if he will make a statement.

The report will be published later this month; printing it has taken longer than I had hoped. My right hon. Friend will ask the local authorities and others interested for comments on it before coming to any conclusions.

Post Primary Education, Midlothian

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many appeals were received by his Department from parents or guardians residing in the county of Midlothian in relation to the post primary education of their children in the years l960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, and to the nearest available date in 1967.

No disputes between parents and Midlothian Education Authority about secondary education were referred to me under Section 29(2) of the Education (Scotland) Act in the years mentioned.

Selective Employment Tax (Repayment Claims)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many claims for repayment of Selective Employment Tax to farmers in Scotland for the second period are now outstanding.

1,423 claims were outstanding on 8th May, and I expect that most of these will be repaid shortly.

Scottish Woodland Owners' Association (Chipboard)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Scottish Woodland Owners' Association about the effects on his forestry programme of the cut in the production of chipboard; and what reply he has sent.

The Scottish Woodland Owners's Association wrote to me on 5th April. I am sending the hon. Gentleman a copy of my reply to the Association.

Rent Registration (Angus)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to be able to designate the county of Angus under the terms of Section 11 of the Rent Act, 1965.

Not until my right hon. Friend is satisfied that the rent registration machinery can cope with the additional work.

Irvine New Town (Development Corporation)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress he has made in preparing for the development of the new town at Irvine.

I am glad to say that Mr. A. W. Hardie has accepted my invitation to be chairman of the Development Corporation. Mr. Hardie will relinquish in July his appointment as vice-chairman of Cumbernauld Development Corporation. I hope to announce soon the names of the other Corporation members. I will be making available to the Corporation, and also publishing shortly, a report prepared by Mr. Hugh Wilson containing planning proposals for the new town area.

Highland Transport Board (Report)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement about the final report of the Highland Transport Board.

The report will be published on Wednesday, 17th May. I should like to pay tribute to the thorough manner in which the Board has undertaken its review of all forms of transport in the Highlands and Islands. I am making a careful study of the report, and shall have full regard to any comments made on its recommendations by local authorities and other interests. I shall also consult my right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Trade and the Minister of Transport about the recommendations which affect their fields of responsibility. Transport matters will continue to be kept under review by the Highlands and Islands Development Board and the Transport Committee of the Scottish Economic Planning Council in consultation with the other bodies concerned.

Scottish Marriage Law

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will set up a committee to review the Scottish marriage laws.

I have appointed a Committee under the chairmanship of Lord Kilbrandon, chairman of the Scottish Law Commission, to review the law of the constitution of marriage in Scotland, as distinct from related questions such as divorce and property rights. It is the intention that the Committee will work in close association with the Scottish Law Commission. The Committee's terms of reference are as follows:—

"To enquire into the requirements (both fundamental and formal) for the constitution of marriage in Scotland, and their relationship with those of other countries, and to recommend what changes, if any, are required to bring them up to date."

The other members of the Committee are:—

Mr. D. A. P. Barry.
Mrs. J. Blackie.
Dr. J. Freedman.
Mrs. R. O. Gould.
Mr. G. B. Houston.
Professor R. Insley.
Mr. A. R. McIlwraith.
Councillor Agnes M. Patrick.
Sheriff Isobel Sinclair.

Ministry Of Defence

"Torrey Canyon"

56.

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

This is now the subject of legal proceedings and details of costs will feature in the pleadings in the action. It would not be in the general interest to disclose them at present.

Project Mallard

57.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what part Britain is to play in Project Mallard; and what contribution is being made to the cost of this Project.

I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Eldon Griffiths) on 12th April.—[Vol. 744, c. 188.]

Polaris Warheads (Underground Tests)

58.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what further British underground tests are proposed for Polaris warheads.

None.

British Shipyards (Orders)

59.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what additional orders he is giving to British shipyards to compensate them for the loss of overseas orders he is refusing to place.

None.

Anglo-French Variable Geometry Aircraft

60.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he agreed to a common specification for the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft with the French Minister of Defence.

Proposals for the specification for the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft and the industrial arrangements for carrying out the project are now under consideration by both Governments.

61.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he agreed with the French Minister of Defence on a firm price for the prototype aircraft of the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft.

We have not yet reached the stage of letting contracts for the prototype aircraft.

British Army

62.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence approximately how many officers and men in the Army are serving, at any one time, in the teeth arms, in the administration tail services, at headquarters, training, research and other establishments, and on international headquarters staff, respectively.

In the teeth of the Army there are approximately 113,000 British adult officers and soldiers and in the tail approximately 66,000. Of this second total, 870 are at Ministry of Defence Headquarters, 21,250 at Training establishments (this figure includes Trainees), 710 at Research establishments and 1,700 at International headquarters. The remaining 41,470 are employed in the logistic and other services in the tail.

Mr Michael Moyle

63.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he will reply to the letters concerning Mr. Michael Moyle's discharge from the forces sent to him on 20th April by the hon. Member for Maidstone.

I wrote to the hon. Member yesterday.

Towers (Demolition)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to demolish all towers outside territorial waters for which there is now no foreseeable defence use.

Defence needs would not justify devoting money and manpower to demolishing all these towers.

Roughs Tower

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what permission he has granted to private persons for the demolition of gun mountings from Roughs Tower; what steps he proposes to take to prevent any such demolition; and if he will make a statement; (2) what steps he proposes to take to prevent the unauthorised use by helicopter aircraft or sea-going vessels of the Crown property known as Roughs Tower.

No permission has been granted for the demolition of the gun mountings. The question of the use by private persons of Roughs Tower is under consideration.

Scottish Infantry Battalions (Strength)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the establishment of each Scottish infantry battalion and its present strength.

The following table gives the established strength of each regular Scottish infantry battalion:

Regiment	Established Strength (Not including Bands or attached Personnel)
1st Bn The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment)	636
1st Bn The Royal Highland Fusiliers (Princess Margaret's Own Glasgow and Ayrshire Regiment)	636
1st Bn The King's Own Scottish Borderers	629
1st Bn The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)	609
1st Bn The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)	636
1 st Bn The Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons)	636
1st Bn The Gordon Highlanders	609
1st Bn The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)	609

In only two cases does the current strength differ from the established strength by more than 5 per cent.

Royal Naval Dockyards (Pay And Staff Structure)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the specific effects of the recommendations by the National Board for Prices and Incomes on the pay and staff structure in the Royal Naval Dockyards.

These recommendations are being negotiated with the trade unions concerned, and I cannot yet specify their effects.

Military Airfields, Sheffield (Civil Users)

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will name those establishments and aerodromes close to Sheffield which will, on request, allow civil aircraft and private fliers to land and take off; what are the lengths of hard runway available; and to what extent they are now being used by civil or Ministry of Defence aircraft.

The nearest military airfield to Sheffield, that is available to civil users on prior request, is Lindholme, which is 28 miles away by road. The runways are 5,919 feet and 4,119 feet in length. Lindholme is a Royal Air Force flying training station but in the 12 months ending 30th April, 1967, there were 244 civil movements, and in the preceding 12 months there were 276. The next nearest military airfields that are available to civil users on prior request are Syerston and Newton, both about 40 miles from Sheffield.

Indian Ocean Islands

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the £1 million paid recently for three Indian Ocean islands was included in the Defence Estimates; from whom they were bought; how they are to be defended in view of the reduction of British forces in the Far East; and what was the purpose of the purchase.

Yes. The freehold of the island of Desroches was acquired from M. Delhomme, of Farquhar from M. Moulinie, and of islands of the Chagos Archipelago from Chagos-Agalega Ltd. Full account has been taken of the defence of these islands in considering the current reductions of our forces in the Far East. For the purpose of the purchase, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Eldon Griffiths) on 12th April.—[Vol 744, c. 181–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what expenditure it is estimated will be made on construction and equipment work at the three Indian Ocean islands recently purchased by Great Britain.

The cost of facilities would depend on their nature. No decisions have yet been taken.

Roads

A20 (Improvement)

64.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in consultations between Kent County Council and her Department on proposed extensions to the A20 in East Kent; and if she will make a statement.

Improvement of the A20 east of Maidstone is included in the list of trunk road schemes announced on 21st February on which preparations are to proceed with a view to their subsequent inclusion in the programme. As the right hon. Member knows from the Answer given to his Question on 14th December, the Kent County Council have completed a preliminary investigation of possible alignments for the improved route. Further decisions must await the outcome of the aerial survey which is now in hand. —[Vol. 738, c. 92–93.]

Speed Limits

65.

asked the Minister of Transport how many miles of road are restricted to speed limits of 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 miles per hour, respectively; and whether she has reviewed these gradations.

The information about respective mileages is not readily available but limits of 25 m.p.h. or less are rare. If the hon. Member has a particular problem in mind, I should be willing to look into it.

A1 (Draft Order Representations)

asked the Minister of Transport, whether, in view of the large number of objections made to the draft Section 9 order under the Highways Act, 1959, she will now agree to hold a public inquiry into the proposed road widening scheme for the A1 road through Hampstead Garden Suburb.

My right hon. Friend is still considering the representations made in connection with the draft Order, which relates to those side roads affected by the improvement of Trunk Road A1. Orders under Section 7 or 9 of the Highways Act, 1959, are not required in respect of the widening of the trunk road itself.

Transport

Accidents (Shattered Windscreens)

asked the Minister of Transport how many road accidents were caused by shattered windscreens in 1966; and what was the established cause of the windscreen damage.

This information is not available, but in recent sample studies less that 0·1 per cent. of injury accidents were considered to have been caused by shattered windscreens.

Conurbation Authorities

asked the Minister of Transport if she will give the names of all proposed conurbation authorities.

My intention is to set up passenger transport authorities for the West Midlands, Merseyside, Tyneside and the Greater Manchester area as soon as I have the necessary powers. I have not yet formulated plans for other areas.

Taxis And Minicabs (Accidents)

asked the Minister of Transport what was the number of accidents in which taxis or minicabs, respectively, were involved in each of the last three years; and what proportion they represent of the total of each type of vehicle on the roads.

The number of accidents is not available as taxis and minicabs are not separately distinguished from cars in the official reports on road accidents. Registered hackney vehicles with fewer than five seats accounted for less than 0·1 per cent. of all road motor vehicles in 1966.

Co-Ordination (North-East Scotland—Northern Europe)

asked the Minister of Transport what plans she has to coordinate road, rail and air communications between North-East Scotland and Northern Europe.

The objective is served by developing and applying, with advice from the Scottish Economic Planning Council, various aspects of transport policy within the context of the 1966 White Paper on Transport Policy (Cmnd. 3057).

Aviation

Hum Airport

69.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many licences have been granted to aircraft companies to operate from Hurn Airport.

Twenty-three licences are currently valid for operations from or via Hurn Airport, of which nineteen are for scheduled services and four for inclusive tour charters.

70.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the increased holiday traffic to the South Coast, he will consider opening Hurn Airport for passenger aircraft on Saturdays for the season.

The demand from operators for facilities to be provided on Saturdays is insufficient to warrant the cost reversing the decision taken last year to confine hours of opening at Hurn to weekdays, i.e. within the limits of a single watch, but I am keeping the matter under review.

Abbotsinch And Turnhouse Airports (Diversions)

66.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many aircraft were diverted from Abbotsinch and Turn-house because of adverse weather conditions during the months of January, February and March, 1967.

The number of transport flights diverted or cancelled because of adverse weather conditions during January, February and March were:

From Abbotsinch—16, 2 and 8.
From Turnhouse—12, 54 and 62.

Autair International Limited

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to announce his decision on the appeal against the Air Transport Licensing Board's decision to grant Autair International Limited the licence to fly from Teeside to London, Luton.

My right hon. Friend hopes to announce his decision soon.

Aerodrome Development Projects (Government Grant)

asked the President of the Board of Trade which are those projects now receiving Government grants for airport construction or technical aid not yet completed; for what aerodromes, and for what purposes, have these grants being given; and what is the total cost outstanding.

The total amount of Government grant currently outstanding in respect of aerodrome development projects at non-State aerodromes is £1,152,747. The individual projects which qualify for this grant are listed in the attached schedule.

Board Of Trade

Detergents (Prices)

67.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that since 27th April, 1967 manufacturers of detergents have reduced the price of their products by as much as one shilling and threepence per packet; and whether he will introduce legislation to enable him to take proceedings against these manufacturers for over-charging on these products prior to that date.

I am aware that both Unilever and Proctor & Gamble have reduced the prices for some of their detergents, and that certain retailers have taken the opportunity of offering these at much reduced prices. I welcome this development.The Answer to the second part of the Question is "No".

Travel Agencies (Common Law Liabilities)

68.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the practice on the part of some agencies for foreign travel of contracting out of their common law liabilities and that hardship to holidaymakers may result; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that such agencies take a reasonable share of legal responsibility to members of the public.

I am aware of this practice. The need for general legislation on exclusion clauses will be considered in the light of the conclusions of the Working Party, set up by the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission, which is at present studying the subject.

Portuguese Cotton Dresses (Imports)

71 and 72.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what arrangements he has entered into with the Portuguese Minister of Economy about the export of cotton dresses from Portugal to the United Kingdom;(2) whether he has negotiated formal or informal agreements to limit the export from Portugal to the United Kingdom of cotton dresses; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Hale) on 15th March.—[Vol. 743, c. 474–5.]

Industrial Development (Surrey)

73.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in what circumstances an industrial development certificate was granted for the industrial development now taking place at King's Mill, South Nutfield, Surrey.

I understand that this development is taking place in consequence of an outline planning permission granted by Surrey County Council in 1963. No industrial development certificate was required as the production area involved was below the exemption limit of 5,000 sq. ft. in operation at that time.

Industrial Development, North East (Loans And Grants)

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state for the year ended 31st March, 1967, of the 36 applications approved by the Board of Trade Advisory Committee for firms in the North East region of the Northern Development Area; how many were for loans and how many for grants; and the estimated employment and sums involved.

The information, which refers only to loans and grants made under Section 4 of the Local Employment Acts, is as follows:—

				Number	Amount
Loans	…	…	…	26	£2,206,500
Grants	…	…	…	10	£249,260

Additional employment as estimated by firms: 6,107.It is not possible to give separate figures of employment associated with the indivi- dual types of assistance, since some applications were for both loans and grants.

Employment (Financial Assistance To Firms)

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state, in respect of total financial assistance to firms in Great Britain and Scotland, respectively, for the year ended 31st March, 1967, the average capital commitment for each job expected to be created.

The figure for Great Britain is £631 and for Scotland £537. These exclude advance factories built by the Board of Trade, for which no employment estimates are available.

Price Increases

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many representations he has received since the Prices and Incomes Act, 1966 came into force regarding price increases; in how many cases has advice been given by his Department to companies and firms regarding such representations; and in how many instances prices have been reduced voluntarily.

Some 4,500 since the Act came into force on 12th August, 1966. This figure includes representations of a general nature, and many of the specific cases duplicated one another or referred to increases made before the standstill. Firms were approached whenever it appeared that unjustified price increases might have taken place, and we know of 21 cases in which this action resulted in the withdrawal of price increases.

Trading Stamps

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many companies are operating trading stamp schemes.

This information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what information he has about the total turnover of trading stamps in the United Kingdom; and how this compares with the previous two years.

The Board of Trade has no such information for last year or for earlier years.

Direct Overseas Investment (Cmnd 3244)

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the main countries in which the direct overseas investment of £314 million referred to in Command Paper No. 3244 took place.

Detailed information is not yet available for 1966. Of the 1965 total of £316 million, about half was in Australia, South Africa, the European Economic Community and the United States; a full country analysis will be published in the Board of Trade Journal shortly.

Patent System

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will carry out a review of the patent system; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. I have decided to appoint a Departmental Committee with the following terms of reference:—

"To examine and report with recommendations upon the British patent system and patent law, in the light of the increasing need for international collaboration in patent matters, and, in particular, of the United Kingdom Government's intention to ratify the recent Council of Europe Convention on patent laws."

I am glad to say that Mr. Maurice Banks, who was, until recently, a Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of British Petroleum Ltd., has agreed to act as Chairman. I hope to announce the names of the Committee members shortly.In addition, I propose to set up a Standing Committee to advise the Board on questions about international collaboration on patents which require urgent consideration while the Departmental Committee is engaged on the longer-term review.

North Cornwall Abattoir Co Ltd (Building Grant)

asked the President of the Board of Trade what decision he has reached about the application for a building grant by the North Cornwall Abattoir Company Limited for the third and fourth phases of their project at Treburley.

I cannot comment on individual applications for assistance under the Local Employment Acts as these are confidential.

International Motor Insurance Cards (Monopolies Commission's Report)

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received the report of the Monopolies Commission on International Motor Insurance Cards; and when it will be available to Parliament.

I received the Commission's report on 4th May. It will be laid before Parliament and published as soon as possible.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Margarine (Prices)

74.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that the manufacturers and wholesalers of margarine have recently announced reductions in the prices of this product but before such reduced prices have become effective retailers of this product have announced price cuts of amounts up to 4d. per pound; and whether he will introduce legislation to enable him to take proceedings against those responsible for this overcharging.

I welcome the reductions manufacturers have made following a general downward trend in the price of their raw materials. I am also glad to see that some retailers are making cuts in advance. It is a common practice for retailers to sell selected commodities at reduced margins for limited periods. I have no evidence that retailers are in general working to excessive margins, and do not propose to introduce legislation.

European Economic Community (Fisheries Policy)

75.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the problems likely to be caused to the sea fishing interests in Sussex and elsewhere on Great Britain joining the European Economic Community, if he will ensure that boats from Belgium, France and Germany will not be allowed to take fish from any part of the United Kingdom's shores and that European fishermen will not be allowed to operate from United Kingdom ports, since, after recent negotiation, British fishery limits have been extended.

While I recognise the natural concern of our inshore fishermen about this matter, the European Economic Community has not yet formulated a common fisheries policy or any proposals for a common regime of fishery limits.

Live Poultry (Transport)

76.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will inquire into the conditions under which a consignment of battery hens was transported on 2nd May last from Anchalton, near Maybole, to Dacre, near Penrith, so that 2,600 of them had to be slaughtered at the termination of their journey in addition to 140 who had died during transport; and if he will take the steps necessary to see that this type of cruelty is not repeated.

The transport of live poultry is covered by the Conveyance of Live Poultry Order. I understand that the occurrence to which the hon. Member refers has been reported to the police and the R.S.P.C.A., so that they can consider if any further action should be taken.

Forestry Commission (Profit And Loss Account)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the profit or loss shown by the Forestry Commission allowing for all overheads in each of the last five years.

In the year ended 30th September, 1966, the deficit on the Profit and Loss Account for the operations of the Forestry Commission as a forestry enterprise was £1,621,551.It must be borne in mind that forestry is a very long-term investment and that the Commission's forests are still in course of development. Paragraphs 33–35 of the Commission's Annual Report for 1966 explain the factors governing their financial results and the form which their accounts take.

Comparable figures are not available for previous years because the form of the accounts has just been reorganised in line with the Estimates Committee's recommendation.

Technology

Northern Region (Manpower Statistics)

77.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will provide comparable statistics for the Northern Region to those given in the Report on the 1965 Triennial Manpower Survey of Engineers and Technologists.

No. The sample used in this Survey was too small to provide usable figures for the separate regions.

Home Department

Police Inspectors

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police inspectors there are per head of population; and how many towns with a population of 30,000 do not have a resident police inspector.

At 31st December, 1966, there was 1 inspector to approximately every 11,250 inhabitants of England and Wales. The information asked for in the second part of the question is not available.

Prison Officers

78.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied that the letter sent to applicants for entry to the Prison Officers Service who are rejected is sufficiently explanatory to satisfy those who are anxious to join the Service; and if he will make a statement.

I am in process of reviewing the wording of letters sent to unsuccessful candidates.

79.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications to enter the Prison Officers Service were received in 1964–65, 1965–66 and 1966–67; how many applicants were accepted and are still in the Service; and on what basis applicants are rejected.

Recruitment figures for England and Wales are kept only for calendar years and are given in the following table:—

MEN
	Total Candidates	Number Appointed
1964	6,858	576
1965	5,620	431
1966	8,696	750
1967 (to 31.3.67)	3,063	279
	24,237	2,036

WOMEN
	Total Candidates	Number Appointed
1964	725	38
1965	620	35
1966	662	29
1967 (to 31.3.67)	198	23
	2,205	125

I regret that information about the extent to which those appointed during the period 1964 to 1967 are still in post is not readily available.Applicants may be rejected if they do not fulfil specified requirements, as to

Act	Section	Offence	Maximum term of imprisonment on summary conviction and/or on indictment
Protection from Eviction Act 1964	1(3)	Unlawfully enforcing right to possession of premises, withholding services etc.	Summary: 6 months
Cereals Marketing Act 1965	17(1)	Failing to comply with requirement to be registered, to furnish information etc.	Summary: 3 months
	17(3)	Giving false information, unlawfully disclosing information etc.	Summary: 3 months
			Indictment: 2 years
Finance Act 1965	92(4)	Making false statements etc. to obtain fuel tax rebate	Summary: 3 months
			Indictment: 2 years
Control of Office and Industrial Development Act 1965	10(3)	Giving false information, producing falsified documents etc.	Summary: 3 months
			Indictment: 2 years
Gas Act 1965	5(13)	Carrying out controlled operations without consent of Minister or without complying with conditions	Summary: 3 months
			Indictment: 2 years
	21(5)	Failing to comply with notice imposing conditions on or requiring discontinuance of, underground gas storage	Summary: 3 months
			Indictment: 2 years
	Schedule 6 para. 9	Unlawfully disclosing information obtained under Act	Summary: 3 months
Firearms Act 1965	1	Carrying firearms with intent to commit an indictable offence or to resist arrest	Indictment: 10 years
	2	Carrying firearms in a public place	Summary: 6 months
			Indictment: 5 years
	3	Trespassing with firearms in a building	Summary: 6 months
			Indictment: 5 years
	4	Trespassing with firearms on land	Summary: 3 months
	5	Failing to hand over firearms or ammunition when required by constable	Summary: 3 months
	8(6)	Failing to comply with conditions of registration of firearms dealer	Summary: 6 months

age, height, medical fitness or nationality. Other reasons for rejection are unsuitability for the duties by reason of such considerations as standard of education or character defects.

Offences Punishable By Imprisonment (Acts)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences punishable by imprisonment have been created by Act of Parliament since 1st October, 1964; and if he will list the Acts which created them and the nature of the offences.

Because of difficulties of definition and interpretation, it is practicable to list only those provisions which expressly provide for imprisonment, and some of these provisions restate existing offences without substantial modification. The following is a list of such provisions in public Acts passed since 1st October, 1964, other than Acts extending only to Scotland and consolidation Acts.

Act	Section	Offence	Maximum term of imprisonment on summary conviction and/or on indictment
Monopolies and Mergers Act 1965	8(5)	Being concerned in unlawful transfer of newspaper or in breach of conditions of transfer	Indictment: 2 years
Redundancy Payments Act 1965	30(8)	Making false statements etc. in connection with claims	Summary: 3 months
			Indictment: 2 years
	33(4)	Making false statements etc. as to liability	Summary: 3 months
			Indictment: 2 years
Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1965	1	Using explosives etc. to take fish, possessing explosives etc. with intent etc.	Summary (2nd Offence): 3 months
			Indictment: 2 years
Race Relations Act 1965	6(3)	Publishing etc. matter or words likely to stir up racial hatred	Summary: 6 months
			Indictment: 2 years
Rent Act 1965	30	Unlawfully evicting or harassing occupier of premises	Summary: 6 months
Teachers' Superannuation Act 1965	5	Making false statements etc. to obtain benefit	Summary: 3 months
			Indictment: 2 years
Rating Act 1966	5(8)	Giving false information to obtain rebate	Summary: 3 months
Finance Act 1966	11	Contravention of provisions re	Indictment: 2 years
		lating to import or export by means of a pipeline	(Summary: 12 months, by virtue of Section 283 of the Customs and Excise Act 1952)
	Schedule 3	Using unlicensed premises for gaming	Summary: 12 months
	para. 21(1)		Indictment: 2 years
	para. 22(2)	Knowingly or recklessly keeping gaming machine without a licence	Summary: 12 months
			Indictment: 2 years
Ministry of Social Security Act 1966	29	Making false statements to obtain benefit	Summary: 3 months
	30	Persistently failing to maintain self or dependant	Summary: 3 months
	32	Illegally possessing documents relating to benefit etc.	Summary: 3 months
	Schedule 4	Failing to comply with conditions of entry to reception centre	Summary: 1 month
	para. 3(5)
	para. 4(l)	Contravention of regulations relating to reception centres etc.	Summary: 1 month
Building Control Act 1966	1(7)	Carrying out work without a licence or in contravention of conditions	Indictment: 2 years
			(Summary: fine only)
	9(3)	Failing to comply with notice requiring information etc.	Summary: 3 months
	9(4)	Giving false information etc.	Summary: 3 months
			Indictment: 2 years
Docks and Harbours Act 1966	23	Making false statements to obtain licence	Summary: 3 months
	52(7)	Failing to attend or produce documents at an inquiry	Summary: 3 months
Selective Employment Payments Act 1966	8(2)	Making false statements etc. to obtain payment	Summary: 3 months
			Indictment: 2 years
Prices and Incomes Act 1966	Schedule 1	Unlawfully disclosing information	Summary: 3 months
		para. 16(3)	Indictment: 2 years
Industrial Development Act 1966	8(6)	Making false statements etc. in response to notice	Summary: 3 months
			Indictment: 2 years
	9	Making false statements etc. to obtain grant	Summary: 3 months
			Indictment: 2 years
Armed Forces Act 1966	8	Making false statements on entry into Royal Navy	Summary: 3 months
Land Commission Act 1967	81(5)	Making false statements etc.	Summary: 3 months
			Indictment: 2 years
	89(3)	Unlawfully disclosing information	Summary: 3 months
			Indictment: 2 years
	93(2)	Giving false information etc. to obtain compensation	Summary: 3 months
			Indictment: 2 years
Iron and Steel Act 1967	42	Giving false information etc.	Summary: 3 months
			Indictment: 2 years
	43(2)	Unlawfully disclosing information	Summary: 3 months
			Indictment: 2 years

Prison Population

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total prison population during each of the last four years.

The average total population of prisons, remand centres, borstals and detention centres in England and Wales in 1963 to 1966, and the actual population on 30th April, 1967, were

1963	…	30,896
1964	…	29,600
1965	…	30,421
1966	…	33,278
30th April, 1967	…	35,621

Law Commission On Imputed Criminal Intent (Report)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take on the recent report of the Law Commission on Imputed Criminal Intent.

The Commission recommended that the law should be amended to reverse the decision of the House of Lords in the case of Director of Public Prosecutions v. Smith, and that a subjective test should be applied in ascertaining the intent required in murder and all other offences where it is necessary to ascertain the existence of intent or foresight. The Government agree with this proposal and will seek to amend the Criminal Justice Bill to give effect to it.The Law Commission also made wider recommendations concerning the nature of intent in murder. These require and are receiving further consideration.

Commonwealth Affairs

Zambia (British Detainees)

80.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what representation he has made to the authorities in Zambia about the arrest of Mrs. Doreen Fleming, a British subject, and her lodgment in Mumbwa Prison without trial; what instructions he has given to the British High Commissioner in Zambia to safeguard the interests of Mrs. Doreen Fleming and other British subjects so imprisoned; and if he will make a statement.

I have instructed our High Commissioner in Lusaka to make appropriate representations on behalf of Mrs. Fleming and other British subjects now under arrest in Zambia and to make clear that it is the view of H.M.G. that one country has no right to detain the citizens of another except with a view to their deportation or the institution of criminal proceedings. A member of our High Commissioner's staff saw Mrs. Fleming on 9th May.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the arrest in Zambia of Mrs. Fleming, a British subject, besides other recent arrests, he will now make representations to the Zambian Government to prevent imprisonment of British subjects without trial; and if he will suspend payment of the £18 million of British subventions of various sorts at present being paid annually by Her Majesty's Government to Zambia until satisfaction is obtained.

It is of course wrong that one country should detain the citizens of another country except with a view to their deportation or the institution of criminal proceedings against them. Our High Commissioner has therefore made appropriate representations to the Zambian Government. The Answer to the second part of this Question is "No".

Western Pacific Courts Order, 1967

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will state the purpose of the Western Pacific Courts Order, 1967, Statutory Instrument 1967, No. 586.

It was decided last year that the combined office of judge and legal adviser Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony should be abolished and replaced by two officers, namely, one an Attorney-General and the other a senior magistrate. Section 6(4) of the Western Pacific (Courts) Order in Council, 1961, before it was amended by the Western Pacific Courts Order, 1967, provided that the office of a judge should not be abolished during his continuance in office, and as there is a holder of the office of judge, Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony, the office could not have been abolished. Section 2 of the 1967 Order amends section 6(4) to bring it in to line with the provision to be found in some other constitutional instruments and to enable the office of a judge to be abolished with the consent of the holder.

Divorce Petitioners (Welsh Domicile)

asked the Attorney-General if he will seek to amend the law so as to remove the disability that a divorce petition may not be filed if the domicile of the petitioning spouse is described as being in Wales, though his permanent home may be in that country.

No. As I said in answer to the hon. Member on 3rd May, 1967, domicile is a legal concept involving a reference to the whole of a territory possessing its own system of law, which in this context means England and Wales. It is not accurate to describe anyone as domiciled in Wales even though he may have his permanent home there. He could, however, be described as domiciled in England and Wales.—[Vol. 746, c. 83–4.]

European Economic Community

asked the Prime Minister if he will give an assurance that, in the event of Great Britain entering into the European Economic Community upon the existing terms of the Treaty of Rome, Her Majesty's Government will not abandon its right to operate a policy of industrial development certificates as at present.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my speech in the House on 8th May.—[Vol. 746, c. 1061.]

Economic Affairs

Industrial Reorganisation Corporation

61.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the companies to which the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation has agreed to give aid, and the project in each case which will be supported.

No. It is for the Corporation to decide, in consultation with the companies concerned, whether it wishes information about individual transactions in which it has taken part to be made public. The Corporation's annual report will, however, contain some of the information which my hon. Friend is seeking.

National Finance

Taxation Revenue (Companies)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing United Kingdom taxes on income paid by companies, including tax recovered by deduction from dividends and interest paid, for 1938 and for each of the years since the war.

The following table gives estimates of the figures asked for:

PAYMENTS OF UNITED KINGDOM TAXES ON INCOME
		Falling on Companies	Deducted from dividends and interest paid to shareholders etc.	Total
		£m.	£m.	£m.
1938	…	92	133	225
1946	…	651	259	910
1947	…	513	276	789
1948	…	626	269	895
1949	…	786	258	1,044
1950	…	779	267	1,046
1951	…	746	291	1,037
1952	…	982	287	1,269
1953	…	944	319	1,263
1954	…	856	358	1,214
1955	…	940	367	1,307
1956	…	864	382	1,246
1957	…	950	403	1,353
1958	…	989	425	1,414
1959	…	957	436	1,393
1960	…	703	525	1,228
1961	…	801	576	1,377
1962	…	973	590	1,563
1963	…	854	636	1,490
1964	…	765	756	1,521
1965	…	746	899	1,645
1966	…	771	915	1,686

These figures are on a different basis from those given in a Written Answer to the hon. Member for Croydon, North-East (Mr. Weatherill) on 4th April, 1967. Those figures were for financial years (not calendar years) and did not include the tax withheld on investment income

received by companies from outside the company sector (other than interest on British Government Securities).—[Vol. 744, c.

5–6.]

European Reserve Currency Unit

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether, in view of Her Majesty's Government's decision to apply for membership of the European Economic Community, he will institute an investigation of the scope for a European reserve currency unit.

A European reserve unit is one of a number of possible means of closer co-operation in financial matters which we should be willing to investigate with our partners if we join the Community. But at present discussions are taking place in the International Monetary Fund and the Group of Ten about more wide-ranging international monetary arrangements.

Direct Investment (Sterling And Non-Sterling Areas)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the official criteria at present being applied in consideration of direct investment in the sterling area and the non-sterling area, respectively.

For direct investment in the non-sterling area exchange control consent is normally given provided that it is unlikely to disadvantage the balance of payments of the U.K. and is financed by appropriate borrowing abroad. Consent is also given for the use of investment currency for projects of £25,000 or less a year, and those of a greater amount which promise an early, substantial and continuing benefit to the U.K. balance of payments. This benefit may be in any form, including export earnings or profits or other income, which will equal or exceed the original outlay within two or three years.U.K. controlled subsidiary companies in the non-sterling area are expected to remit to the U.K. as much as possible of their earnings, but are allowed to retain, for ploughing back, what may reasonably be regarded as necessary to carry on the existing business.Under the Voluntary Programme companies wishing to make direct invest- merits over £25,000 a year in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa or the Republic of Ireland are requested so far as possible to finance them by appropriate borrowing abroad, or from normal retained earnings of local companies. Remittances from the U.K. should be confined to projects which meet the criterion already stated of early, substantial and continuing benefit to the U.K. balance of payments.Direct investment in the rest of the sterling area is not subject to the Voluntary Programme or to exchange control. In cases where consent is required under the Control of Borrowing Orders, it is given if the transaction is advantageous to the economy and balance of payments of the territory concerned, provided that there is no demonstrable and avoidable detriment to the U.K. balance of payments.

Government Departments (Press Advertising)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the total sum spent by Government Departments in Press advertising in the last complete year for which figures are available.

The latest estimated out-turn of expenditure by Government Departments, including the Post Office, on Press advertising space in 1966–67 is £6,350,000.

Stationery Office (Welsh Language Publications)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an assurance that all Welsh language publications of the Stationery Office not printed by the Stationery Office itself will be given only to printing firms in Wales.

It is the practice of the Stationery Office to arrange for their Welsh language publications to be printed in Wales unless considerations of speed and cost rule this out.

Ministry Of Health

Invalid Vehicles (Partially Disabled)

asked the Minister of Health what plans he has to extend the provision of invalid cars to those who are partially disabled but unable to register for work with the Ministry of Labour.

My right hon. Friend has no further plans other than those announced in his statement on 15th February.—[Vol. 741, c. 523–31.]

Housing

Local Authority Houses

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many houses have been built, are under construction, or are planned to be built, by local authorities to house workers and their families who have been redeployed.

While this is one of the factors which has to be morne in mind when local authorities' housing programmes are being fixed, authorities do not normally earmark the houses they build for specific purposes and the information is not therefore available. There are, however, special arrangements for coal miners for whom local authorities in England and Wales built 5,100 houses in the four years 1963–66.

Council Houses, Brighton

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many units of council accommodation for erection he has been asked to approve for the borough of Brighton in the years 1965, 1966 and 1967.

351 dwellings were approved in 1965, 35 in 1966 and some 300 are so far expected to be approved in 1967.

"Queen Elizabeth" And "Queen Mary"

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will take the necessary steps to acquire the "Queen Elizabeth" and "Queen Mary" for the housing of homeless families.

This is an imaginative idea which may however contain some practical difficulties. I am making inquiries and will get in touch with my hon. Friend about it.

Local Government

Buildings (Demolition Permission And Preservation Orders)

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what are the particulars of the four buildings in the list published on 28th April, 1963, for which permission to demolish has been given, and of the other two in respect of which preservation orders have been revoked.

The particulars are as follows:

Buildings in respect of which permission to demolish has been given by the local planning authority:

The Alexandra Hotel, Stafford.
Tithe Barn, Hitcham, Eton Rural District.
Hall and Armitage Chapel, Bawburgh, Forehoe and Henstead Rural District.
Great Hall at Cadwgan Hall, Bersham, Denbighshire.

Buildings in respect of which preservation orders have been revoked:

Barn at Southcote Farm, Reading.
No. 13 Doughty Street, Camden, London, N.W.1.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will place in the Library a copy of the list of all the buildings in England and Wales for which preservation orders have been made and confirmed.

There is no ready-made list of these buildings, and it would require much time and labour to make a special list of the 1,741 buildings affected. But if I can help the hon. Member in any other way, I hope he will let me know.

Ministry Of Labour

Cbr Jersey Mills, Brighton (Talks)

asked the Minister of Labour what progress is being made in talks between his Department and C.B.R. Jersey Mills, Brighton; and if he will make a statement.

Representatives of the company and the management have been invited to a meeting under the chairmanship of a Ministry official.

Unemployment (Greater London Area)

asked the Minister of Labour what were the unemployment figures for the Greater London area for the years 1964, 1965 and 1966, respectively; and what is his estimate for the year 1967.

Following is the information for 1964, 1965 and 1966:

Averages of monthly counts of the total numbers registered as unemployed at Employment Exchanges and Youth Employment Offices in the Greater London area:
1964	…	…	…	41,800
1965	…	…	…	36,100
1966	…	…	…	39,100

I am not prepared to forecast the level of unemployment in 1967.

Food Prices

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the official estimate of food price increases since July 1966 of 1·1 per cent. is much smaller than the real increases in the shops; and if he will ensure that the official index reflects more accurately the actual price increases.

I am satisfied that the Index of Retail Prices reflects accurately movements in the average level of prices of food. It is based on prices which are collected each month by my local officers from nearly 1,000 retailers in 200 towns spread throughout the United Kingdom in respect of about 100 items of food. In addition prices are collected in a smaller number of towns in respect of some 60 other food items.

Post Office

Special Stamp (British And Foreign Bible Society)

asked the Postmaster-General if he will, this year, authorise a commemorative postage stamp to commemorate the founding of the British and Foreign Bible Society in 1817 on the lines of the commemorative stamp issued by the Australian Government to commemorate this event.

No. I cannot add to this year's programme of special stamp issues which I have already announced.

Ministry Of Power

Power Stations (North Sea Gas)

asked the Minister of Power at what price per therm he estimates North Sea gas would have to be delivered at electricity generating stations to be able to compete with oil, assuming the removal of the duty on fuel oil.

About 2½d. or less delivered.

Wales

Welsh Language

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what recommendations as to translations of official documents from English into Welsh have to date been made by the Translation Panel.

The panel has been mainly concerned with advising on translations of official forms which have been submitted to it; on the layout of English/Welsh forms; and on how the work on translating forms now being done in the Welsh Office and by other authorities in Wales can be best conducted.

Social Security

Local Offices, Wales (Welsh Language)

asked the Minister of Social Security if she will state her policy with regard to the use of the Welsh language on her Department's buildings in Wales.

The title "Ministry of Social Security" in Welsh as well as in English is displayed outside 20 of our local offices in predominantly Welsh-speaking areas. I am always ready to consider sympathetically any representations for similar notices outside other offices in these areas.

Unemployment Benefit

asked the Minister of Social Security if she is aware that a man who retires at 60 years of age and draws an occupational pension can also draw unemployment benefit until he reaches the age of 65 years and draws a retirement pension, unless the employment exchange at which he is registered offers Lim a suitable post and he refuses it; and whether she will take steps to prevent this abuse.

Unemployment benefit is payable for up to a maximum of 312 clays to people who satisfy all the conditions for it including the key condition of availability for employment. I have been aware for some time that where a person who has retired with an occupational pension before reaching the minimum age for a National Insurance retirement pension claims unemployment benefit it is difficult under the ordinary rules to establish whether he is in fact available for work. It was for this reason that I asked the National Insurance Advisory Committee last year to consider the question whether additional conditions for the receipt of unemployment benefit should be introduced for occupational pensioners and, if so, what those conditions should be. I would refer the hon. Member to the announcement I made on Second Reading of the National Insurance Bill on 7th February, 1966. This difficult and complex question is still under consideration by the Committee.

Volume 746: debated on Wednesday 10 May 1967