asked the Minister of Technology why Great Britain's space communications system for the military network Skynet is to be built and launched in the United States of America; and why it is not being built by the British aerospace industry.

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced to the House on 22nd November, 1966, the United States will construct and launch two geo-stationary communication satellites for our Skynet system. The communication terminals to be used in this system will be made in this country. American satellites and launchers were chosen on the grounds of availability and cost.

asked the Minister of Technology what progress has been made by the Shipbuilding Industry Board in promoting mergers and the reorganisation of shipyards; and if he will make a statement.

The Shipbuilding Industry Board is co-operating with firms in the industry in planning shipbuilding groups, and in recent weeks two working parties have been set up, one by five firms on the Upper Clyde and the other by five firms on the Wear.

asked the Minister of Technology what was the value of orders held by British shipyards at the most recent date for which figures are available; and if he will state the comparable figures for the same dates in 1966 and 1965.

It is estimated that at the end of March merchant ships to the value of £260 million and fighting ships to the value of £283 million were on order from British yards. The comparable figures for the end of March, 1965, were £339 million and £240 million, and the end of March, 1966, £321 million and £252 million.

asked the Minister of Technology (1) if he will name the firms involved in fulfilling the Seacat missile project, and the names of firms which will be the subject of inquiry following the discovery of the making of excess profits;

(2) what steps he has taken to recover from Short Brothers of Belfast the excess profits made on contracts for the Seacat missile; when such contracts were signed; and on what basis.

Until the examination which is in progress has been completed it is not possible to say that excess profits have been made on the Seacat missile. The principal contract, which is for the missile body, was placed with Short Brothers and Harland Ltd. In April, 1962, and fixed prices were agreed for two separate batches in April and December, 1964, respectively. A number of other firms are associated with work on the missile, but their individual contributions are relatively small and they are not the subject of this inquiry.

asked the Minister of Technology, in view of the failure of the Atomic Energy Authority to produce civil nuclear reactor designs that are internationally competitive, if he will set up an inquiry to consider how to reform the Atomic Energy Authority.

I do not accept the hon. Member's criticism of the Atomic Energy Authority. The Select Committee on Science and Technology is at present examining the nuclear reactor programme and all issues connected with it. The setting up of a parallel inquiry would confuse the issue.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will seek to arrange that the costs incurred by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority in research into civilian nuclear power reactors are charged against the operating costs of those stations, instead of to the Exchequer as at present.

The policy of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority is to seek to secure such return, principally by way of royalties, as the market will bear; and as my hon. Friend told the House of 9th May agreement has recently been reached concerning the royalty to be paid by C.E.G.B. on its first A.G.R. stations.

asked the Minister of Technology what plans he has for extending research and development in the atomic energy establishments, beyond that directly connected with atomic energy.

The resources of the Authority will be used for non-atomic Research and Development work of importance to the economy where it is appropriate to do so. Each proposal is looked at on its merits and with regard to other means of seeing that the work is done.

asked the Minister of Technology if he is aware of the many uses of seaweed, including its use for food and for fertiliser, and that those uses are being diminished by the pollution in the sea around Great Britain's coasts and beaches, thereby causing national loss; and what steps his Department is taking to rectify these losses to Great Britain's food and other industries.

Yes, but the major sources of seaweed are in unpolluted Scottish waters so that pollution is not so far as I am aware causing a national loss. However, the effects of pollution on seaweed are being studied at several universities and the scope of the review of work on the sea and the seabed, which the Department is undertaking, includes seaweed and pollution aspects.

asked the Minister of Technology what research has been undertaken on the subject of oil pollution and its prevention arising from the experience of the "Torrey Canyon" incident; and to what extent his Department is actively co-operating with other State Departments to consider related matters.

My Department is collaborating with several other Government Departments in reviewing the scientific aspects of the problem, and will carry out any further research work which is appropriate to it.

asked the Minister of Technology what discussions he has had with Rolls Royce Limited in order to ensure that its Bristol Siddeley works at Coventry receives an adequate share of Government supported contracts.

The distribution between individual factories of work placed with the merged Rolls Royce and Bristol Siddeley Company is the responsibility of the company. I have, however, discussed this matter with the firm which is examining the problem.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he has approved the proposals of the National Research and Development Corporation to set up a subsidiary, Tracked Hovercraft Limited, to develop a 250 miles per hour hovertrain.

My right hon. Friend is at present considering these proposals in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will give the total cost so far of the civilian nuclear power research and development programme and the value of exports gained therefrom.

The total cost so far of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's civilian nuclear power research and development programme is approximately £270 million. It is not possible to quantify the value of exports gained therefrom by private industrial firms and by the Authority. I should add that export promotion is only a part, and not the main, justification of this programme.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the effect of agreements between Her Majesty's Government and the United States of America on the sharing of information and know-how on nuclear enrichment processes with other European countries.

Her Majesty's Government and the U.S. Government have regarded the know-how which they independently possess about the processes for enrichment of uranium as classified information. Any change of policy by Her Majesty's Government in the context of our application to join the European Communities could only be made after consideration of the security and other implications.

asked the Minister of Technology what progress has been made with his proposal last January that British Motor Holdings and the Leyland Motor Company should merge in order to increase their competitive position in the export markets; and why no action has been taken in the intervening five months.

No such proposal was made by me. In my statement to the House on 17th January I said that there would be discussions with the British-controlled motor manufacturing firms on the possibility of close co-ordination and co-operation between them in their efforts overseas. I have nothing further to add to that statement.

asked the Minister of Technology what action he is taking to give greater support to oceanography and the technology of developing the seabed.

I am now preparing technological proposals which will be discussed with those of my right hon. Friends with responsibilities in this field.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will issue statements every six months on the current estimates for research and development costs of the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and I will continue the practice we have established of giving the House the maximum information possible on aircraft projects.

asked the Minister of Technology what rate of profit is being allowed to companies developing the Concord and its components in Great Britain.

Profit rates have not yet been agreed, nor have prices.

We are currently making progress payments based on costs actually incurred. Discussions are proceeding with the aim of concluding incentive contracts.

asked the Minister of Technology how many visits were made to the Culham Laboratory by the committee appointed to advise on its future; how many of the members of the committee were not present on the occasion of each visit; and which members of the staff they interviewed.

I am informed that the Committee, from which one member was absent at the time, made one visit to the Culham Laboratory when they met about 18 senior members of the staff.

asked the Minister of Technology when the Atomic Energy Authority received the report on the future of Culham; and if he will make a statement on the recommendations made by the committee appointed for that purpose.

The Authority received the report of the committee in question on 22nd February. I was informed of their views on it on 12th April and have subsequently discussed them with the Chairman.

A statement will be made when we have completed our talks.

asked the Minister of Technology what information he has from international sources about the relative amounts being spent in the United States of America, Germany and France on research similar to that being conducted at the Culham Laboratory.

I understand that expenditure in the United States on nuclear fusion and plasma physics research is running at about £14 million per annum.

Budgets for this work in Germany and France are currently about £4 million per annum and £3 million per annum respectively.

asked the Minister of Technology how many distinguished foreign scientists have visited Culham in each of the last three years.

Foreign visitors to Culham in each of the last three years were 25, 67 and 100 respectively.

In the same years foreign scientists working in the Laboratory numbered 26, 42 and 45 respectively. In addition, 243 foreign delegates attended the International Atomic Energy Agency Plasma Physics Conference at Culham in 1965 and 90 attended a spectroscopy conference in 1966.

asked the Minister of Technology how many senior members of the staff of Culham Laboratory are at present in the United States of America; and how many of these staff have indicated that they will not be returning to Great Britain.

Three are there. None of them has said they will not be returning.

asked the Minister of Technology it he will take steps to ensure that the contract for the European Space Research Organisation satellite can still be fulfilled not withstanding any changes in the rôle of the Culham Laboratory.

I shall certainly not overlook this important matter in considering the proposals for the future of the Culham Laboratory which have been put to me by the Chairman of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a statement about Government assistance for the hovertrain; and when he expects the first prototype to be in operation.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I have given today to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. J. H. Osborn).

asked the Minister of Technology if he will draw to the attention of the builders of an electronics laboratory, costing £15 million on a site near Cambridge, the facilities afforded at Culham and Harwell in this field.

I cannot identify the electronics laboratory project to which the hon. Member is referring. I shall be glad to pursue this matter if he can be more specific.

asked the Minister of Technology what discussions have recently been held by his Department regarding the establishment of a science and technology town near Cambridge; and if he will make a statement.

This proposal was made to the Department by Mr. Stafford Smith, who is a land agent and surveyor. He was advised to discuss the proposal with the Board of Trade and the Scientific Instrument Manufacturers Association.

As yet the Department has not held any official discussions on this proposal.

asked the Minister of Technology why the Statistics Branch of his Department was closed on Friday, 26th May; and if he is aware of the subsequent inconvenience to industrialists seeking to contact this branch.

It was the day on which the Civil Service observe the Queen's Birthday.

asked the Minister of Technology what was the annual output value of the motor car industry in 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1966.

The total value of deliveries reported by the motor vehicle manufacturers, excluding tractors, was as follows: £ million 1963 1964 1965 1966 1,105 1,264 1,276 1,287

asked the Minister of Technology whether the Government has yet taken a positive decision to participate in the development of a European regional communications satellite system; and if he will give an assurance to this effect at the European space conference in July.

The European Space Research Organisation is undertaking, on behalf of the European Conference on Satellite Communications of which Britain is a member, a study of a possible programme to develop an experiment communications satellite. The E.S.R.O. report is expected shortly. Until this has been studied it will not be possible to take decisions of British participation in the C.E.T.S. project.

asked the Minister of Technology what new arrangements he is making to ensure that the public gets value for money in large and complex contracts placed by his Department.

The principal change which is necessary is to secure equality of information and post-costing rights in contracts where prices are negotiated. I shall continue to keep my Department's procedures and organisation under close review.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will state the number of overseas countries who are buying Seacat missiles and the total value of orders so far placed.

Seacat has been purchased by eight overseas navies and the total Seacat systems overseas orders to date are worth £8.6 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now seek powers to exempt sanatorium societies from the effects of the Selective Employment Tax.

No, but they are entitled to refund if they are registered as charities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of Her Majesty's Government's decision to apply for membership of the Common Market, he will now support the European Economic Community's approach to international monetary reform.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to what my right hon. Friend said on this subject in the recent debate on membership of the European Communities.—[Vol. 746, c. 1321–2.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he intends to take to reverse the present discrimination in United Kingdom company taxation against distributed profits, and in favour of retained profits, to bring it more closely into line with the evolution of company taxation within the European Economic Community which Her Majesty's Government is now seeking to join.

As my right hon. Friend explained in his Budget Speech, he will consider any tax changes that may become necessary when the future of our relationship with Europe becomes clearer.—[Vol. 744, c. 1002.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied that the subsistence allowances paid to civil servants on temporary visits to the United Nations in New York are sufficient; and if he will make a statement.

The present rates which were fixed in September, 1964, are about to be reviewed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will hold further discussions with building societies regarding the possibility of reduction in their borrowing interest rates; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government gave to the Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby (Mr. William Price) on 25th April.—[Vol. 745, c. 1303–4.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now state the overseas tourist allowance for the forthcoming tourist year.

My right hon. Friend hopes to make an announcement before long.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that United Kingdom holidaymakers proceeding to Spain and North Africa via Gibraltar can increase their tourist allowance of foreign exchange by the unrestricted encashment of sterling credits in Gibraltar and the uncontrolled export of the resulting currency from that colony; and whether he will take the necessary steps to stop the practice.

The practice described is illegal. If the hon. Member has any information about evasion I shall be happy to have it investigated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will begin his review of the consequences of Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, so far as it relates to assistance in meeting increased food costs for those living on small fixed incomes who cannot be helped by increases in social benefits or reductions in taxation.

It would be premature to undertake a review until the outcome of negotiations with the Community is known, but as the Government have made clear, they have very much in mind the situation that would arise from a prospective rise in food costs.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he is aware that the coverage of indirect taxation in the Common Market countries is generally wider than in Great Britain; as Her Majesty's Government will have to harmonise Great Britain's turnover taxation to include goods not now taxed in this country, what action he has taken, or intends to take, to do this; what extra goods will have to be taxed and by what amounts; and what will be the total increase in revenue resulting from this new taxation when Great Britain enters the European Economic Community;

(2) whether he is aware that the system of indirect taxation as operated in the Common Market affects fuel; what action he has taken or intends to take to harmonise the taxation of fuel on the basis operating in the European Economic Community; and to what extent these taxes will increase the cost of fuel on the United Kingdom's entry into the European Economic Community.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary gave to his previous Question on 1st June.—[Vol. 747, c. 77–78.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he is aware that under the Treaty of Rome, if the request for membership is granted, Great Britain will have to allow unlimited currency for travel purposes within the Community and for the purchase of shares and property; and whether, to show to the Community Great Britain's earnestness for membership, he will now permit freedom of currency for these purposes.

I am aware of the obligations imposed by the Treaty of Rome and subsequent E.E.C. Directives. The Answer to the second part of the Question is "No".

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in HANSARD a table of figures giving the various types of taxes now operated in the countries of the European Economic Community; how these compare with those in Great Britain; and to what extent there will be changes in Great Britain's tax system on entry into the European Economic Community.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on Tuesday, 9th May, and, on the question of fiscal harmonisation, to the Prime Minister's speech in the Common Market Debate.—[Vol. 746, c. 189; c. 1089–91.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what instructions he has given to Rating Valuation Officers to assess caravans at a higher comparable figure than prefabricated houses; and whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction at the high assessments being made on caravans.

The Valuation Officer has to assess the annual value in accordance with rating law. Any occupier who is dissatisfied has a right of appeal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of the fact that whereas it was estimated in the 1964 White Paper on the Budget of that year that dividends would increase by 9.7 per cent., they actually rose by 13.4 per cent., to what extent he has now revised the estimates made in the White Paper published this year, Command Paper No. 3244.

Revise destimates will not be available until the National Income Blue Book is published in September.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many houses and offices of Crown or Government property are empty in Carlton House Terrace; and if he will ensure that they are now made use of.

Nine. The Crown Estate Commissioners are negotiating with prospective tenants willing to undertake their conversion and restoration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what agreement he has reached with the Confederation of British Industry on the disclosure of financial information relating to contracts with Her Majesty's Government.

Discussions on this question are still proceeding with the C.B.I.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the proposals of the Rugby Portland Cement Company to move capital abroad, of the Shell Transport Company to move overseas if the price of North Sea Gas is not increased, and of the Albright and Wilson group to move their activities abroad, he will strengthen his restrictions on the investment of private capital overseas.

The present restraints on overseas investment are working satisfactorily and do not need strengthening.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the gross national product has been consumed privately for each of the last 10 years; why this is higher than most of Great Britain's industrial competitors; and what steps he is taking to reduce it.

The Government's measures to restrain the rise in consumption have contributed to the decline in the proportion of g.n.p. going to consumption in recent years.

Proportion of gross national product at current market prices devoted to private consumption 1957 … … … 66.1 1958 … … … 66.7 1959 … … … 66.7 1960 … … … 66.1 1961 … … … 65.2 1962 … … … 65.7 1963 … … … 65.7 1964 … … … 64.7 1965 … … … 64.2 1966 … … … 64.2

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will seek to amend the Income Tax Acts to provide greater protection for the taxpayer to reclaim excessive payments made to the Inland Revenue.

I think the existing safeguards are adequate. But if the hon. Member will send me details I will consider any suggestions or individual cases he may have in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of the consideration cost of giving a £50 additional tax relief to the parents of spastic children.

I regret that it is not possible to make an estimate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many qualified valuers have been transferred from their previous duties with the Inland Revenue to work connected with the Land Commission; how many non-qualified valuers lacking professional qualifications, are now engaged by the Revenue on rating revaluation work; how many non-qualified staff have been promoted to posts involving the making of professional valuation judgments since 1st January, 1967; and what estimate he has of the shortfall of professionally qualified valuation officers for both the Revenue proper and the Land Commission.

The valuation work for the Land Commission is integrated with the other duties of the Inland Revenue Valuation Office and it is not possible at present to say what proportion of these duties it forms. The information asked for in the second part of the Question is not available. No non-qualified staff have been promoted to posts of valuer since 1st January, 1967. The Valuation Office is short of its needs, but the extent of the shortfall cannot be precisely estimated until the work arising from the Land Commission builds up.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total revenue received by his Department up to the latest available date from the betting duty tax; how much of this has been paid by on-course bookmakers; and how much from off-course betting offices.

Net receipts from the General Betting Duty from its introduction up to 30th April, 1967 were £13,486,532, £1,431,502 was paid by on-course and £10,984,955 by off-course bookmakers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a complete list of disaster funds started since the end of the first world war, giving the amount received as a result of public appeal, the amounts claimed to date, and the balances still in the funds as registered under the Charities Act.

I regret that this information is not available in the Treasury. However, in so far as these disaster funds are charities and have been registered with the Charity Commission, the Commissioners would no doubt be glad to make available to my hon. Friend such information as they may have.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what steps he proposes to take to expedite further rationalisation within the banking system;

(2) if he will propose the imposition of a levy on the additional profits of the banks arising out of Governmental policy

My right hon. Friend is studying these and other proposals put forward in the report on bank charges recently published by the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what help, other than legal representation, he will give tenants appearing before rent assessment committees.

My right hon. Friend is considering, with the professional bodies concerned, how a surveyor's assistance might be more easily obtained by those who need it. He is also considering whether some general guidance should be issued on how to present a case before a committee.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will introduce new legislation to assist tenants who wish to improve the amenities in rented accommodation by making it obligatory for landlords to utilise improvement grants for this purpose.

Local authorities already have powers to compel landlords to improve their property with the aid of grant. Where an authority have declared an area for compulsory improvement the initiative is for them to take, but elsewhere they may act on the representations of the tenant.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, for the guidance of local authorities, he will publish a list of those whose rent rebate schemes comply and a list of those whose schemes do not comply with the criteria on which his policy in regard to such schemes is based.

No. My right hon. Friend intends to issue guidance to local authorities on the principles and practice of rent rebate schemes, but it will be for each local authority to adapt this to the needs of their own area.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now introduce legislation to amend the Rent Act.

My right hon. Friend has no proposals at present, but he is of course studying the operation of the Act carefully.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will lay down firm principles in relation to the limits of local authority action in selling council houses.

Circular 24/67 issued to local authorities on 20th March, 1967, sets out clearly the principles which the Government believe should govern the action of local authorities in this matter. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent the proposed 8 per cent. to 15 per cent. increase in electricity charges will increase the cost of a three-bedroom council house.

The amount of electricity used in the construction of a house varies with the site and the method of construction. The average cost of the electricity used is not known but is thought to be very small, so that an increase in electricity charges of between 8 per cent. and 15 per cent. is likely to have only a very slight effect on cost.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) whether he will publish in HANSARD details of the estimated changes which would result upon Great Britain's joining the Common Market in rents, rates and taxes thereon of council and private property, both as regards furnished and unfurnished lettings;

(2) whether he is aware that the system of indirect taxation as followed in the Common Market countries could affect rents as charged in this country; and what action he has taken or intends to take to harmonise the rents of council houses and private houses, by amendment of the Rent Acts or otherwise, to those applying in the Common Market; and to what extent rents will increase on entry into the European Economic Community.

Entry to the Common Market would be unlikely to necessitate any immediate changes in legislation affecting rents or housing subsidies. It is too early to say what effect, if any, entry might have on housing costs.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will review the policy for the rating of caravans, taking into account the limitations of this type of dwelling.

My right hon. Friend is not yet satisfied that any special review is necessary. Where a caravan with its pitch is rated at all, it is assessed as a dwelling on the normal rental value basis, subject to the normal rights of objection and appeal, so its limitations can already be taken fully into account.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government which local authorities employ their own valuation officers to assess fair market price for property which they purchase compulsorily; and if he will introduce legislation to oblige them to pay all costs, including solicitors' fees, of appeals to the Lands Tribunal, whatever the outcome of the appeal, and to provide interest-free finance to the owners, and to pay a solatium of 10 per cent. above the award.

The information in answer to the first part of the Question is not immediately available but my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer hopes to be able to give it when he replies to the hon. Member's Question on 20th June. As regards the second part of the Question, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government sees great disadvantages in a proposal which would make the public pay more than the market price.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) whether he will arrange to have placed in the Library the summary of the report on the feasibility of a road crossing of the Dee estuary and associated works compiled by officers of the Cheshire and Flintshire County Councils and the Dee and Clwyd River Authority with the cooperation of his Department;

(2) when the full consultants report entitled, The Dee Crossing Study—Phase 1, will be available to hon. Members.

Copies of the summary compiled by officers of the three authorities have been placed in the Library.

The complete report by the consulting engineers is now expected to be published by the end of July.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, as a result of the recent conferences at which his Department was represented on the code of standards for advertising on business premises, he will amend the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations, 1960.

Yes; amending regulations are now in preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what action he will take following the damage to the tourist industry of Gibraltar resulting from the decision of travel agents of the Travel Trust Group to discontinue routing their tours through Gibraltar.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for West Dorset on 31st May.—[Vol. 747, c. 38–91. ]

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that broadcasts from Radio Tanzania continue to call upon Rhodesian Africans to murder missionaries, public officers, farm managers and white people in general; and what representations Her Majesty's Government have made, and what other action they have taken, against such incitement to genocide.

As I said in answer to a similar Question by the hon. Member on 2nd May, Her Majesty's Government have made it clear on many occasions that they deplore incitement to violence from whatever quarter it may come. I believe that Her Majesty's Government's position on this is well known internationally.—[Vol. 746, c. 298–9.]

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what facilities are provided for visiting American forces in Hong Kong; and how many American service personnel have visited Hong Kong during the course of the last 12 months.

Rest and recreational facilities only are provided for visiting American Service personnel in Hong Kong. I regret that no precise figures are available to enable us to distinguish between U.S. servicemen, civilians and dependents who passed through the Colony (some of whom stayed only a few hours) and service personnel who stayed for short or long periods on rest and recreation.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the serious and continuing nature of the riots in Hong Kong, he will appoint an all-party parliamentary commission of inquiry on the lines of that sent to Kenya in 1954 during the emergency in that territory.

No. There are a number of relevant differences between the situation in Kenya in 1954, and that in Hong Kong.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will give a figure, for the latest convenient date, of exports from and imports to Fiji, and relate them to the relevant figures for each of the previous periods of 12 months.

I will with permission circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table giving the figures for the years 1961 to 1966.

EXPORTS FROM AND IMPORTS TO FIJI BY VALUE—£ STERLING Year Exports million Imports million 1961 … … … 11.8 15.5 1962 … … … 14.2 15.7 1963 … … … 19.9 18.2 1964 … … … 23.5 24.9 1965 … … … 19.2 26.2 1966* … … … 17.2 22.8 * Provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Democratic Party of the Seychelles with regard to the future relationship of that Colony with the United Kingdom.

The Seychelles Democratic Party have from time to time advocated "integration" with the United Kingdom. In replying to representations last September the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies confirmed that it is the policy of H.M.G. that, in any decision which may be taken on the future relationship between the United Kingdom and Seychelles, the wishes of the colony will be taken fully into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if, in view of the fact that Mr. Ali Simbule has reiterated his insulting statements about Great Britain, he proposes to advise Her Majesty to accept Mr. Simbule's credentials as Zambian High Commissioner in London.

Her Majesty's Government are still in communication with the Zambian Government on this matter and I cannot at present add to the reply I gave on 9th May.—[Vol. 746, c. 200. ]

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make available facilities to enable Gipsy Moth IV to be shown at Expo 67 in Montreal inside or outside the British pavilion.

The Commonwealth Office and the Board of Trade has for some weeks been considering the possibility that Sir Francis Chichester and Gipsy Moth IV should visit the British Week at Toronto as well as Expo 67 at Montreal. An approach in this sense has been made to Sir Francis Chichester and his views are awaited.

asked the Minister of Power if he is now satisfied that all slag heaps have been sufficiently examined to ensure that they do not constitute a hazard to the surrounding area; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has ascertained from the National Coal Board that all colliery spoil heaps in their ownership have been critically examined and remedial measures taken in any case where there was the possibility of a hazard to the surrounding area.

A procedure has been established by the Board for technical and operational control over spoil heaps which includes frequent and regular investigations by specialists to ensure safety and stability. The Board have also arranged courses of instruction in spoil heap management which are now being held throughout the country, and have offered specialist advice and assistance to local authorities and private owners in regard to spoil heaps which are not the Board's responsibility.

asked the Minister of Power what powers over the pricing of steel and steel products the National Steel Corporation would be required to surrender to the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community on becoming a member.

None, so far as I am aware although these powers would of course require to be exercised in conformity with the Treaty of Paris.

asked the Minister of Power if he will state the comparative costs of producing one ton of coal and that of atomic energy of equal energy content.

It is not meaningful to compare the cost of producing coal with that of generating electricity, whatever the source of generation. For comparative costs of producing electricity from coal and from nuclear power, I refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to my hon. Friend the Member for Ince (Mr. McGuire) and my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, West (Mr. Dickens) on 9th May.—[Vol. 746, c. 1263.]

asked the Minister of Power if he will state the amount of debt owed by the National Coal Board to his Department.

The amounts of borrowing outstanding at 31st March, 1967 were £16.235 million under Section 1(1) and £609.5 million under Section 1(2) of the Coal Industry Act, 1965.

asked the Minister of Power what target he envisages for coal production up to and including 1970.

Future levels of coal production and demand are amongst the most important issues I am considering in the fuel policy review. I intend to report progress on the review before the House rises for the long Recess.

asked the Minister of Power what representations he has received from the South-West Regional Economic Planning Advisory Committee on the proposal to increase electricity charges in the South West; and if he will make a statement.

I have seen a copy of a letter on this subject which the Chairman of the South Western Economic Planning Council sent to the Chairman of the South Western Electricity Board on 26th May. It is not possible to say what the increases will be in the South West until the Board's specific proposals under the arrangements for the early warning of price increases have been seen.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will give directions to prevent electricity boards from increasing their charges in development areas during the present period of financial restraint.

There will be no increases until after the period of severe restraint.

asked the Minister of Power whether, in view of the Government's practice of referring small wage increases to the National Board for his decision not to refer the proposed 8 per cent. to 15 per cent. increase in Prices and Incomes, he will reconsider electricity charges to the Board.

No. As my right hon. Friend explained in his Statement to the House on 12th May, the Government are satisfied that an increase in tariffs to improve the rate of return would be justified against the criteria for price increases after 30th June.—[Vol. 746, c. 1875–7.]

asked the Minister of Power whether his estimate of a 0.3 per cent. rise in the cost of living resulting from the forthcoming 10 per cent. rise in the price of electricity takes account of the cumulative effects of the passing on of these increases by the steel industry, coal industry, road and rail industry, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, local authorities and central Government to the general public of the rise in the costs of these various sections of the country's industrial and administrative undertakings.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Power if he will give an assurance that no increase in electricity charges will be permitted before the House of Commons has had the opportunity to debate the matter.

No. The House discussed the matter on 12th May.

asked the Minister of Power in what year the Dungeness B nuclear station is now expected to start generating electricity; and in what year it was originally expected to do so.

1970 in both cases.

asked the Minister of Power if he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the steam conditions for each of the stations under construction or planned by the Central Electricity Generating Board; what are the results of recent research into the introduction of magnesium hydroxide into the combustion chamber of an oil-fired electricity generating plant as a means of preventing high temperature corrosion; what improvement in steam conditions will follow recent work on this problem; and to what stations the improvement can be applied.

Information about steam conditions at C.E.G.B. stations under construction or planned as at 31st March, 1966, is given in Appendix 3 of the Board's Annual Report for 1965–66.

Research into the prevention of corrosion was mentioned in Chapter 5 of the Board's report for 1965–66, and this research is continuing.

asked the Minister of Power to what extent, when reviewing energy policy, he will take into consideration the fact that the estimated running costs for the next nuclear power stations have risen sharply and that the capital costs of nuclear stations remain considerably higher than those of conventional stations.

asked the Minister of Power what plans he has to slow down the rate of nuclear power station building now that his Department have revised upwards their estimates of the costs of electricity to be produced from the early advanced gas-cooled reactors.

I take all relevant facts into consideration including those given in my Answers to my hon. Friend the Member for Ince (Mr. McGuire) on 9th May.—[Vol. 746, c. 1263.]

asked the Minister of Power what is the total capacity of the nuclear power stations now operating; and what has been the capital cost of those stations compared with the capital cost of conventional stations built instead.

For Central Electricity Generating Board Stations, 2,706 Megawatts. For the answer to the second part of his Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 9th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Mr. Concannon)—[Vol. 746, c. 180. ]

asked the Minister of Power if he will state the estimated total capacity of the advanced gas-cooled reactor nuclear power stations now being built and for which approval has been sought, the estimated capital cost of the programme, and the estimated capital cost of conventional stations providing the same capacity.

The capacity of the advanced gas-cooled reactor stations being built and approved is 2,520 Megawatts, and of stations for which approval has been sought (including a station in Scotland requiring the approval of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State) 5,000 Megawatts. The capital cost of the programme will depend on its total size and on the progress made in reducing costs: for a programme totalling 8,000 Megawatts, I should expect the capital cost (excluding initial fuel) to be about £550 million, as compared with about £400 million for the same capacity of conventional plant.

asked the Minister of Power to what extent the £60 million shortfall in the income for the electricity industry was due to the stagnation in production and unemployment in industry; and if he will now take steps to remedy the £100 million shortfall expected in the current year.

It would be impracticable to quantify all the factors which affected the shortfall in 1966–67. The shortfall in 1967–68 will, of course, be reduced by the increases in prices.

asked the Minister of Power whether the rate of flow of natural gas from the North Sea will be uniform throughout the year or controlled to suit seasonal variations in the demand.

If the supply of natural gas from the North Sea develops in accordance with current estimates of potential capacity it will constitute a rapidly increasing proportion of the total supply of gas for United Kingdom consumption. In these circumstances it is to be expected that, whatever may be done by other means to adjust the supply of gas to demand, for example by the use of frozen storage and of increased production of manufactured gas, it will be necessary to regulate the flow of North Sea gas to suit seasonal variations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he has taken to expedite productive action through the United Nations Commission for Trade and Development.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Blenkinsop) on 31st May. The

UNITED KINGDOM IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS OF COMPUTERS 1961 * 1962 * 1963 * Number £'000 Number £'000 Number £'000 Electronic computers, complete electronic computing systems and central processing units Imports (c.i.f.) n.s.d.† Exports (f.o.b.) ‡ 1,630 ‡ 3,668 142 3,883 Re-exports (f.o.b.) n.s.d. Peripheral units for electronic computers§ Imports (c.i.f.) n.s.d. Exports (f.o.b.) n.s.d. Re-exports (f.o.b.) n.s.d.

1964 1965 1966 Number £'000 Number £'000 Number £'000 Electronic computers, electronic computing systems and central processing unit Imports (c.i.f.) 486 12,420 427 12,833 555 27,603 Exports (f.o.b.) 149 6,593 112 5,424 353 12,024 Re-exports (f.o.b.) 7 173 34 849 19 278 Peripheral units for electronic computers§ Imports (c.i.f.) 1,444 2,732 3,220 5,758 2,969 8,336 Exports (f.o.b.) 204 282 405 677 602 1,126 Re-exports (f.o.b.) 28 107 80 352 339 1,275 NOTES: * The Export List heading in 1961 and 1962 was "Electronic computers, including electronic machines operated in conjunction with punched cards", and in 1963 "Electronic computers". † n.s.d.=not separately distinguished. ‡ Weight only in these years. § Parts of electronic computers, other than peripheral units, were not separately distinguished in the trade statistics and are not included in the table. It is known that in 1966 there were substantial exports of these.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if consultants employed by the National Board for Prices and Incomes are required to undertake to observe the Official Secrets Act in a manner similar to full-time members of the board.

United Kingdom has taken an active part in all these matters.—[Vol. 747, c. 19.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many computers were imported and how many were exported for the years 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1966, respectively; and what was the total value for each year.

The following is the information—

The statutory provisions relating to disclosure of information obtained in connection with inquiries made by the National Board for Prices and Incomes are contained in paragraph 16 of Schedule 1 to the Prices and Incomes Act, 1966. All consultants employed by the Board are required, as a condition of employment, to sign a form of declaration signifying their awareness of these provisions and of the penalties attaching to any breach of these.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what reports have been made to him about price reductions brought about by the abolition of the 10 per cent. surcharge; and whether he will make a statement.

Inquiries by the Government Departments concerned show that since the removal of the surcharge there have been reductions in the price of such goods as wines and spirits, cigars, toys, carpets, cameras, cars and engineering goods.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will request the Industrial Reorganisation Development Corporation to assist the development of the Associated Electrical Industries factory at Barton, Hill, Bristol, and thus avoid its closure.