asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many male fiancés have been admitted as dependants under the Commonwealth Immigration Act in 1966 and 1967, respectively.

I can give only a rough estimate. In 1966 about 600 men who were subject to the Commonwealth immigration control, and in the first quarter of 1967 about 200, were admitted to marry women resident here.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the net increase in the number of Commonwealth citizens arriving in the United Kingdom since the appointment of the Wilson Committee; when the Committee's report will be published; and when legislation will be introduced to implement its recommendations.

The net increase from 1st March, 1966 to 30th April, 1967 was 71,581. For the rest, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answers given to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Eton and Slough (Miss Lestor) on 2nd May—[Vol. 746, c. 53–4.]—and to a Question by the hon. Member for Dorking (Sir G. Sinclair) on 7th June.—[Vol. 747, c. 225.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what authority he admitted 4,485 immigrants from India, 1,391 from Jamaica and 3,719 from Pakistan in April, 1967; if he is aware that about 15,000 coloured immigrants were admitted, which is at the rate of 180,000 per annum; and, in view of the shortage of housing, the probability of high unemployment next winter, the racial tension created and adverse public opinion, if he will introduce legislation to prohibit all immigration for the next five years.

Some Commonwealth citizens enter as of right under the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1962, and others are admitted in accord- ance with my "Instructions to Immigration Officers" (Cmnd. 3064).The figures quoted by the hon. Member include returning residents, students and visitors, as well as dependants and voucher holders coming for settlement. These figures thus give no guide to the rate at which Commonwealth citizens are settling here. The Answer to the last part of the Question is "No".

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many meetings a month the Advisory Council on the Penal System has held on average since its appointment; and how many meetings a month the Royal Commission on the Penal System and its committees and sub-committees held on average during the year before its dissolution.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many meetings have been held of the Advisory Committee on Penal Reform since its appointment; and what recommendations have so far been made to him.

The standing Advisory Council has met twice since its appointment in September, 1966; its sub-committees considering specific topics meet on average about once a month and have yet to make their reports. I understand that the Royal Commission on the Penal System met on an average of about one and a half days a month during the year before its dissolution, and that its sub-committees considering specific aspects of the penal system met on one or two days a month while they were active.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the report of the Advisory Council on the Penal System on restitution; and how soon after that he expects to introduce legislation.

I hope that the Council will be able to report next year. I cannot say now when it will be possible to introduce legislation. Much will depend on the nature of the Council's recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will announce the names and qualifications of the persons appointed to review the roles and controls of taxi-cabs and private hire cars in London's transport system; and how often this review body has met since 9th March last when he announced this review.

As my right hon. Friend the Minister of State said in the House on 9th June, the decision to conduct this review by means of an independent committee has only just been taken; and I am not yet in a position to announce the committee's membership.—[Vol. 747, c. 1562–66.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what decision he has taken on the report of the Poisons Board on the sale of quinine.

The Poisons Board has still to consider the representations against its earlier recommendation and my right hon. Friend will not take a decision until he has received its further report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to publish the regulations envisaged by the Dangerous Drugs Bill, 1967.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and I hope that the notification regulations can be brought into operation in the autumn and the prescribing regulations in the new year; but until consultations with the medical profession and other interests are further advanced I cannot say when these regulations will be published.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of accidents caused by the illegal manufacture of explosives in 1966, and the numbers killed and injured as a result.

There were 13 such accidents in England, Wales and Scotland. There were no deaths but 24 persons were injured.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give directions to the Metropolitan Police to exercise discretion in taking action against people charged with shoplifting by supermarket stores in cases where there is doubt between intent and careless or absent minded behaviour.

The decision whether the police should prosecute is for the chief officer to take according to the circumstances of each individual case, and it would be wrong for my right hon. Friend to attempt to give directions in such a matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the continuous threat to commit genocide against the people of Israel, he will now introduce the promised legislation for the purpose of Her Majesty's Government acceding to the Genocide Convention.

I regret that I cannot add to my Answer to a Question by my hon. Friend on 26th January.—[Vol. 739, c. 1751–53]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why foreign visitors are segregated on arrival at United Kingdom airports; if he is aware that this is the cause of unnecessary irritation; and whether he will bring British regulations into line with those of other countries.

I sympathise with the hon. Member's suggestion, but an experiment carried out on my instructions at Heathrow last summer showed that passengers pass through the immigration control faster if United Kingdom passport holders are examined at a separate point. But I appreciate that this practice does give rise to criticism, and I intend to keep the matter under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what evidence he has of increased bottle throwing in public places as a direct result of the introduction of the non-returnable glass containers for soft drinks; and if he will make a statement;(2) what increase in personal injuries in public places has occurred as a result of the introduction of the non-returnable glass soft drinks bottle; and if he will make a statement.

I have no evidence that the introduction of non-returnable bottles for soft drinks has led to increased bottle throwing in public places, or to more personal injuries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether vacancies in detention centres are normally available when required by magistrates' courts in the London area;(2) what plans he has for the provision of more places in detention centres, to be available when required by magistrates' courts in the London area.

A public inquiry was opened last week on an application for planning clearance for the use of premises near Wokingham as a detention centre which would provide an additional 200 places for courts in the London area. I am sorry to say that at present the requirements of these courts cannot be fully met.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now completed his review of small statutory fines; and if he will make a statement.

This review has been completed. Its results are included in the Criminal Justice Bill now before Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent the reduction in expenditure on Civil Defence in the Estimates is brought about by a reassessment by Her Majesty's Government of the role of the Civil Defence services in the event of nuclear war.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my statements of 2nd February and 14th December, 1966 in which I outlined the implications of the Government's decision to restrict Civil Defence preparations to those which would be likely to make a significant contribution to national survival.—[Vol. 723, c. 1089–96; Vol. 738 c. 458–63.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet considered the representations of the National Association of Fire Officers about the salary proposal of the National Board for Prices and Incomes; and whether he will make a statement.

The Association wrote to me about the recommendations of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on fire officers' pay and I have replied. As the report is now the subject of negotiations within the National Joint Council for Local Authorities' Fire Brigades, it would be inappropriate for me to make a statement at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the procedure in juvenile courts for making known to persons appearing there their right to apply for legal aid, and to be legally represented.

This is a matter for local arrangements; in criminal cases these are primarily the responsibility of the courts, and may vary according to the circumstances of each case. If my hon. Friend has any particular difficulty in mind, perhaps he will let me know and I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for reports from chief constables on the numbers and ranks of freemasons in police forces in England and Wales.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many unwanted or abandoned coloured children have been born in Great Britain either partially or wholly of Asian, African or West Indian parents; how many are already in children's homes; and what is the annual cost of maintaining them.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what study he has made of the evidence sent to him by the hon. Member for Twickenham tending to show that breath alcohol tests can give spuriously high results for as long as 30 minutes after the consumption of alcohol; and whether arrangements will he made to instruct the police fully about this aspect of the matter.

Authoritative investigations have shown that traces of alcohol in the mouth do not ordinarily persist after 20 minutes from the time of drinking. I shall advise the police that this is the minimum time which should elapse between a roadside breath test and the offer of a second test at a police station.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the visiting committee of Durham Prison has completed its investigation into allegations of brutality in the special security wing; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. The Committee, to whom I am most grateful, have completed the inquiry, which they decided to undertake after consultation with my Department, and to which I referred in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Chelmsford (Mr. St. John-Stevas) on 9th March. They have gone fully into the allegations of ill-treatment of prisoners; and have interviewed all the prisoners concerned, members of the staff, and other witnesses, including a former prisoner who repeated various allegations that had been made in the Press and on television.During the incident in the special security wing in February, three prisoners violently resisted removal from their cells and force had to be used. The Committee have reported that in face of a conflict of evidence they were unable either to substantiate or refute allegations of the ill-treatment of these three prisioners on that occasion. The Committee have found no evidence to substantiate any of the allegations of ill-treatment of prisoners in the special security wing either before or after this incident and they report that 18 prisoners in the wing stated definitely that they had no knowledge of any such brutality or ill-treatment. The Committee are also satisfied that there is no evidence to support the allegations made by former prisoners about ill-treatment in the main part of the prison.In the Committee's view, the disturbance in the special security wing in February resulted, not from brutality on the part of prison officers, but from tensions and conflicts which had built up there, in large measure due to the unsatisfactory physical conditions in which these maximum security prisoners have been confined; and was intended to draw attention to the prisoner's grievances about these conditions.My Department has now, on my directions, completed a thorough review of the regime in all the security wings. Certain changes are being introduced forthwith, including a more generous system of privileges. These changes are in line with the recommendations made to me by the Visiting Committee at Durham. Every effort is being made to improve the work available for prisoners in the security wings, and at Durham new workshop accommodation is being provided. We are handicapped by physical limitations and the overriding demands of security, but I believe that these changes will represent a considerable improvement in the conditions in the security wings which will have to be used until a new maximum security prison can be opened and that they will be of assistance to the staff of the wings in the continued performance of their very difficult duties.—[Vol. 743, c. 1731–2]

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will make a statement on the progress of the 400,000 acre resettlement scheme in Kenya.

As I indicated in my reply of the 4th May, this programme is in three parts. There has been no change as regards the programme of purchase for low density settlement. So far as private purchasers are concerned the Kenya Land Bank has now issued loans totalling £73,500. Under the Kenya Agricultural Development Corporation's programme of farm purchase, 31 offers have been made. Of these, 20 have been accepted; 7 have been refused and 4 withdrawn. 13 farms have been taken over, and dates have been agreed for the take-over of 4 more.—[Vol. 746, c. 716–17.]

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what contribution Her Majesty's Government will make towards the replenishment of the resources of the International Development Authority if the Government will insist that such funds remain untied as regards procurement in the subscribing country; and if he will make a statement on the latest negotiations.

International discussions on the terms of the replenishment are still taking place, and no decision has yet been reached on the size of the financial contribution which Her Majesty's Government will make. It is the view of Her Majesty's Government that contributions should be made in a freely usable form.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will introduce legislation to apply the same prohibition with regard to directorships of television companies to members of the other place, as is now being applied by the Independent Television Authority to members of the House of Commons.

As my right hon. Friend will recognise, Parliament has left this to the discretion of the Authority. I do not think any change is called for now.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will introduce legislation to require the Independent Television Authority to consult him before withdrawing franchises from television companies.

I have nothing to add to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead (Mr. Whitaker) on 21st June.—[Vol. 748, c. 302–3.]

asked the Postmaster-General if he will require the Independent Television Authority, under Section 15(5) of the Television Act, 1954, to furnish him with all forecasts, estimates, information and documents with respect to their financial transactions in regard to the changes recently made in awarding contracts.

No. The essential purpose of the subsection is to enable me to satisfy myself about the financial position of the Authority themselves, and they already provide me with all the information I need for this purpose.

asked the Postmaster-General what further plans have been made for the development of the ultra high frequency network of stations for B.B.C.2.

I have now approved in principle the building of a further sixteen high-power U.H.F. stations.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) what consultations he has had with the Gas Council about the use of land lines for the control of underground pipelines;(2) why land lines are not to be used for the control of underground pipelines.

The Post Office co-operates closely with the Gas Council and the Area Boards about their requirements for Post Office lines, and there has been no decision to discontinue their use for control purposes.

asked the Postmaster-General what functions the Post Office Users' Council will have when the reorganisation of the Post Office is completed.

The functions of the Post Office Users' Council will be defined in the legislation establishing the Post Office as a Corporation. The Government intends that the Corporation will be required to consult the Council about all major proposals affecting its main services, in so far as these affect users.

asked the Postmaster-General what are his plans for showing the public the work of the postal service.

I am arranging a postal fortnight that will start on 3rd July in England and Wales, on 25th September in Scotland and on 4th September in Northern Ireland. Its purpose will be to show representatives of the public, of the Press and also schoolchildren how our sorting offices work. I hope hon. Members will have time to see the exhibition in the Upper Waiting Hall from 26th to 30th June and the ten-minute film to be shown in the Grand Committee Room from 5.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. on 26th and 27th June.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the revised scale of special messenger charges; when it was authorised by him; and whether it was referred to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

The current scale of charges for special messenger services is as follows:—

asked the Postmaster-General whether any commemorative stamps additional to those announced on 30th November last are to be issued during 1967.

Yes. Besides the Sir Francis Chichester stamp which I have already announced, I have decided to issue an additional stamp for the British Discovery series due for issue on the 19th September. This issue will now comprise and 1s. 9d. denominations.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what advice he has given, and what financial assistance he will give, to enable the Cardiff City Corporation to take steps to make provision for an open space at Rhiwbina, Cardiff, near to the road known as Heol Llanishen Fach, in the light of correspondence from the hon. Member for Barry; and if he will make a statement.

The reply which the hon. Member will receive shortly will deal fully with the points raised in his letters to my right hon. Friend about the use of this land.The provision of public open space is a matter in the first place for the Cardiff City Council. It would not, therefore, be right for my right hon. Friend to give any advice to the Council at this stage or to make any comment other than to say that grant may be claimed on expenditure incurred by them in acquiring land for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what extra financial compensation he has approved or will approve, for the Cardiff Rural District Council, to assist them in meeting the problems caused by the reduction in rateable value and rates income due to the recent loss of areas affected by the Cardiff Order.

This issue was not raised at any time during the preparation of the Cardiff Order and the Order contained no provision for transitional arrangements. The rateable value per head of population is actually higher now than before the boundary change.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) when he expects the second part of the Welsh Economic Plan to be published;(2) how far the second part of the Welsh Economic Plan will cover the comprehensive development of the Welsh economy.

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the publication of the White Paper on the economy of Wales next month.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether it is proposed to publish any of the reports of the Welsh Economic Council.

The Welsh Economic Council by no means always express their views to me as formal reports. From the outset their advice has been sought and offered on a wide range of economic subjects. More formal reports have included studies of factors affecting industrial location and mobility and of employment problems. The Council has also made studies of transport and communications and problems affecting derelict land.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what have been the results of his further conversations with British Railways, who have been requested by various local authorities, by many organisations, and by the hon. Member for Barry, to abate the nuisance caused to residents by their coal depot at College Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff; and if he will make a statement.

British Railways have decided to discontinue the use of the siding nearest the adjacent houses, and they are considering the future of the depot against the background of plans for coal distribution in Cardiff generally.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much financial support is now given by the Medical Research Council to research on cancer; and how this compares with the years 1960 to 1966.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Down, North (Mr. Currie) on 13th February. Comparable total figures for 1960–61, 1961–62 and 1962–63 were respectively £650,000, £783,000 and £750,000.—[Vol. 741, c. 25–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will introduce legislation to make it possible for greater co-operation between those using rivers for sport and recreation, such as canoeists, and the local riparian authorities.

Those responsible for regional planning are doing their utmost to make the best provision possible for those concerned with the use of rivers. Rather than introduce legislation I hope that, as urged in the Water Sports Code, the aim can be achieved by friendly cooperation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what figures have been supplied to him of the annual costs of transporting all secondary school pupils from Portland to Weymouth; and what will be the cost.

None. My right hon. Friend has not yet received proposals from the local education authority for the reorganisation of schools in this area.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of the fact that the demands for tickets far exceeds the supply for performances at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, if he will now end the financial support from public funds and use the money for primary education.

Demand for tickets only exceeds the supply for certain performances. The grant to the Opera House is given to maintain its high standards and to keep down the price of seats. Without subsidy, prices would have to be more than doubled and this would place Covent Garden far beyond the means of many opera and ballet lovers.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will request one of his, inspectors to inquire into the general condition of the schools in the Huddersfield area, and, in particular the problems that have been created by the decision of the local authority to reorganise the Longwood County Primary School, the Paddock County Junior School and the Paddock County Infants School.

No, I am already aware of the general condition of schools in the Huddersfield area and the authority has explained to me the reasons for its decision to reorganise the Longwood and Paddock Primary Schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, if he is aware of the grave shortage of school places in the county borough of Huddersfield; and what priority he is giving to this problem.

I am not aware of any grave overall shortage, but I appreciate that geographical factors may prevent the full use of the places available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement about the future of the Polish Library in London.

I am glad to say that, as a result of discussions between the Polish Social and Cultural Association and the governing body of the University of London School of Slavonic and East European Studies, an agreement has been reached which, coupled with the efforts of the Polish Library Council to secure contributions towards the upkeep of the Library, gives grounds for every confidence that the Library will be able to continue to serve the needs of the Polish community and of scholarship and research in Polish studies. Accordingly, I have written to the Chairman of the Polish Social and Cultural Association conveying the Government's agreement to the ownership of the contents of the Library being vested in the Association with effect from 1st August next.The agreement provides for the School's making an annual grant of £2,500 towards the salaries of the Library staff; for the School to nominate a representative to the governing body of the Library; and for safeguards in the event either of the Library ceasing to be available to the students and staff of the School or of its governing body deciding to dispose of part of its contents. The agreement is, in the first place, for five years from 1st August, but it will be reviewed towards the end of the period and will, I hope, form the basis for a long-term association between the Polish Library and the University of London.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents have occurred on the new experimental pedestrian crossings in London; what prosecutions have taken place or are pending in this connection; and whether she will make a statement.

Since the X-way pedestrian crossing experiment began in March there have been 14 accidents on them in the Metropolitan Police Area. To date there have been three prosecutions and none is pending. Evaluation of the experiment will start in October and I hope to be able to make a statement before the end of the year.

asked the Minister of Transport how many concessionaires operating motorway service areas have made representations to vary the terms of their concessions; which firms made representations regarding which motorway service areas; and in which cases modified terms were arrived at.

Three concessionaires have made representations to vary significantly the terms of their leases.The Rank Organisation Ltd. have made general representations about the un-profitability of their concessions. They have also made special representations in respect of Hilton Park Service Area (M6) which has not been able to open because of the inability of the Local Authority to complete its sewage works until the late summer of this year. The firm are also concerned about diversion of traffic from this part of the motorway until the next length to Bescot is completed.Granada Motorway Services Ltd. have also made general representations about the unprofitability of their concessions and special representations in respect of Frankley Service Area (M5); after construction of this Service Area had started the Highway Authorities introduced a scheme of traffic diversions which have temporarily taken a considerable amount of traffic from the motorway.The Ross Group Ltd. have made general representations about the non-profitability of their concession at Leicester Forest East (M1).No modified terms have been agreed for any of these sites, although applications in respect of the special circumstances at Hilton Park and Frankley are under consideration.Following discussions with the Caterers Association of Great Britain on behalf of the operators of existing service areas we have agreed that, for the purposes of calculating additional rent, tobacco tax will be excluded from the gross turnover of all future service areas. A proposal that the same concession should apply to all existing service areas has been rejected.

asked the Minister of Transport how many motorway service areas are now in operation; where they are;

asked the Minister of Transport how many motorway service areas are expected to come into service in each of the next five years.

The number in each year will depend on progress in the construction of the relevant lengths of motorway, in the statutory procedures leading to land acquisition, and in the successful conclusion of negotiations with potential developers.We hope to put into operation during the next five years at least:

asked the Minister of Transport if she is making provision for a service area on the stretch of motorway (M5) now being constructed from Cribbs Causeway to Avonmouth.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport how the prices of food in motorway service areas compare with those in other catering services.

14 motorways service areas are now in operation. Details of the rents paid are confidential. The other particulars requested are:—

There are many dissimilar features in motorway and other kinds of catering. It must be borne in mind that prices charged at motorway service areas reflect high staff and other costs of offering a 24-hour service 7 days a week; of transport of staff and goods to sites often fairly remote from towns; of providing free facilities (parking, toilets, etc.) which must be available to all motorway users whether or not they patronise the catering facilities; or providing for sudden unpredictable peaks of traffic; and of dealing with the high level of pilfering, vandalism and litter.

asked the Minister of Transport how many departmental staff are dealing with motorway service areas; and what are their grades.

The section, the bulk of whose work deals with motorway service areas, numbers 17:

asked the Minister of Transport what were the reasons for altering the terms of the concession at Rank's Hilton Park motorway area.

The terms of the concession at Rank's Hilton Park motorway service area have not been altered. Various proposals for making adjustments to meet changed circumstances are being considered.

asked the Minister of Transport how many of the service areas on motorways give a full 24 hour, seven day a week, service including refreshments and serving both sides of the motorways.

12 of the 14 motorway Service Areas at present open to the public normally provide such a service. During slack periods catering service is not always available on both sides of the motorway simultaneously at 11 of these sites.At present the traffic flow past Frankley (M5) is insufficient to warrant full 24 hours a day service, and at Heston (M4) the catering buildings are not yet completed.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations she has received from the Rank Organisation to increase the minimum removal fee of £5 for vehicles breaking down; and if she will give an assurance that any new financial arrangements she agrees will not increase this charge.

None. The charge is fixed by Regulations made under Section 7 of the Severn Bridge Tolls Act, 1965 and not by the Rank Organisation.Although it is proposed to review the charges in due time I cannot anticipate the outcome of this review.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations she has received concerning the proposed alterations to the level crossing at Yapton; why the local residents were not consulted in the first place about these alterations; and whether, in view of local concern, she will arrange for a public inquiry to take place.

Representations about the safety of the proposed automatic half-barrier installation at Yapton level crossing have been received from the Chichester Rural District Council, three Parish Councils, and three local residents.Before applying for an Order to authorise this installation British Railways arranged a meeting of interested parties at the level crossing site. This meeting was attended by representatives of West Sussex County Council, Chichester Rural District Council, the National Farmers Union, and officers of the Divisional Road Engineer's staff. This meeting, and the two-month period for representations by the highway and local authorities following formal notification to them of an application for the Order, provided full opportunity for expression of local views, and a public inquiry would serve no useful purpose.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will take action to ensure that all local authroities, including parish councils, are consulted before any major alterations are made to level crossings in their area.

The existing statutory procedure requires the Railways Board to give written notice to the highway and local authorities concerned before they make any application to my right hon. Friend for an Order authorising a change of protection at a level crossing. Those authorities then have a two-month period in which to make representations, and this gives them opportunity for consultation with such other interested authorities and bodies as they may think appropriate. We see no need for any change in this procedure.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the risk to life from incorrectly inflated tyres, she will initiate legislation to make compulsory the testing of tyre pressure gauges in garages open to the public.

I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bodmin (Mr. Bessell) on 9th November, 1966.—[Vol. 735, c. 296.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in view of Her Majesty's Government's future plans for the defence of Aden and South Arabia, what reassessment he has made of the need for a replacement aircraft carrier.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will amend the regulations governing recruitment into the Armed Forces to the effect that any person who signs on below the age of 21 years of age shall have an option of applying for a discharge when he attains that age.

I am unable yet to add to my Answer of 6th March to the hon. Member for Surbiton (Mr. Fisher).—[Vol. 742, c. 214.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the bodies of the two junior soldiers lost on Tuesday in Aberdeen Bay off the Highland Brigade Depot have yet been recovered; and if he will make a statement.

The body of Junior Piper Hugh McPhee was recovered at sea on Wednesday afternoon. Junior Lance Corporal Andrew Sinclair is still missing. I wish to offer my profound sympathy to their parents. A party of junior soldiers from the Highland Brigade Depot was taking part in a canoeing exercise in the mouth of the River Don on Tuesday afternoon; some of the canoes capsized and Hugh McPhee and Andrew Sinclair were reported missing. A search was carried out by air and sea, and on the beaches on Tuesday afternoon and on Wednesday. A Military Board of Inquiry will be opened into this tragic accident on 26th June. I am arranging to keep the hon. Gentleman informed of any developments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has now been made with the preparation of a contingency plan for reform of the world monetary system; whether he expects such a plan to be ready for approval by Ministers at the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund in Rio de Janeiro; and if he will make a statement.

Good progress has been made on many of the elements of a contingency plan although a number of points remain to be resolved. I still hope that it may prove possible to have a generally acceptable outline plan before the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer where the Inland Revenue Board regional centres are to be cited.

Sites have been selected for Inland Revenue Pay-As-You-Earn computer centres at East Kilbride, Bootle, Cardiff and Manchester. Locations for the five other centres in the programme are under consideration.

asked the President of the Board, in view of the threat to supplies of oil from the Middle-East, what plans he has to encourage the importation of oil from the Soviet Union.

If any offers are made by the Soviet authorities, we will examine them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of Anglo-West German trade, exports and imports, in each of the previous five years for motor products.

The following is the information:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reply he has given to the application by the British Egg Marketing Board under the terms of the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act, 1957.

I have informed the Egg Marketing Board that my investigation of their anti-dumping application has disclosed no material injury or immediate threat of material injury to British producers, but that the Government intends to review the question of the future level of egg supplies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he has not yet decided on the anti-dumping application made by the Egg Marketing Board on 25th April; and when he expects to decide.

I have informed the Egg Marketing Board that my investigation of their anti-dumping application has disclosed no material injury or immediate threat of material injury to British producers, but that the Government intends to review the question of the future level of egg supplies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now announce the members of the Committee of Inquiry into Shipping.

In addition to Lord Rochdale, the following have accepted invitations to serve on the Committee:

• Professor A. D. Campbell, Professor of Applied Economics, University of St. Andrews.
• Mr. L. Cannon. General President, Electrical Trades Union.
• Mr. R. G. Leach, C.B.E., Partner, Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co.
• Mr. R. G. Soothill, Chairman, Turner & Newall Ltd.
• Mr. A. Siddall, Director, Joseph Lucas (Electrical) Ltd.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what estimates he has made of the importation of sheep from Eire this summer and autumn; and what effect such imports are likely to have on the price of lambs and of store sheep in the United Kingdom;(2) what estimates he has made of the importation of cattle from Eire this summer and autumn; and what effect such imports are likely to have on prices of beef and store cattle in the United Kingdom.

My Department is in regular and close consultation with the Department of Agriculture in the Irish Republic, but I cannot publish advance estimates of the level of imports, whether of fat animals, stores, or carcase meat. Further, the level of prices in our market is dependent upon total supplies from all sources, including home production, and their relationship to demand.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give for the years 1951, 1956, 1961 and 1966, respectively, the number of local authority representatives on regional hospital boards, hospital management committees, the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board and the North Staffordshire Hospital Management Committee.

No member of a Regional Hospital Board or Hospital Management Committee is appointed as a representative of any other authority, though local health authorities and other bodies are consulted about appointments. My right hon. Friend will be writing to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied with the speed of the development of the new Fulham Hospital; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. Initial site works are in progress. The main works, costing some £10 million, will begin this autumn, and the final phase is likely to start in 1972–73. The whole of this major project to rebuild the Charing Cross Teaching Hospital and Medical School and to replace a number of other scattered hospitals is scheduled for completion by 1976.

asked the Minister of Health in how many instances during the past 10 years his Department has given permission to a local authority to vary the form of any statutory committee required to be established under legislation for which he is the responsible Minister.

My right hon. Friend has no power to vary the form of statutory committees, but he can at the request of a local authority direct that all or any of the functions of the committee set up under the National Assistance Act, 1948 shall be discharged by another committee. Thirteen such directions have been given since 1957.

asked the Minister of Health (1) if he is aware of the staffing difficulties which have arisen in schools for mentally-handicapped children because some local authorities pay teachers more than others; and if he will take steps to ensure that, subject to local conditions, there is uniformity in the payment of staff engaged in this work;

Rates of remuneration and other conditions of service of staff of training centres for the mentally subnormal are matters for the National Joint Council for Local Authorities' Administrative, Professional, Technical and Clerical Services, and my right hon. Friend has no power to intervene.

asked the Minister of Health what he estimates the coloured population of Great Britain to be today; and to what figure it will grow by 1975 and 1985, respectively, on the basis of a continuation of the present immigration rate, and the known birth rate not diminishing.

It is not possible to make close estimates but the number of residents in Great Britain who were coloured immigrants from the New Commonwealth or one or both of whose parents was such an immigrant was probably of the order of one million at the end of 1966; and, on the assumptions that the current rate of net immigration and the current estimated fertility rate remain substantially unchanged, the number may be of the order of one-and-three-quarter million in 1975 and of three-and-a-half-million in 1985.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government which main rivers flowing in the Midlands area are too heavily polluted for the provision of drinking water; and what steps have been taken by his Department to remedy this position.

The principal river in the Midlands which is at present too heavily polluted to be used for supply of drinking water is the Trent. Other heavily polluted rivers include the Tame, the Cole and the Worcestershire Stour.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what full-scale surveys of Great Britain's ground water resources there have been, particularly in Wales and the Midlands area; and what were the results.

The former Geological Survey of Great Britain investigated ground water conditions over extensive areas of the country, including Wales and the Midlands, and the results of some of these investigations have been published. Additional information on ground-water conditions is included in the published reports of the hydrological surveys, carried out by the Department, of many river basins of England and Wales, including those of the Severn and the Wye. More detailed surveys of water resources, including groundwater, are now being undertaken by river authorities, but the results of these are unlikely to be available for some time. However, the Water Resources Board are themselves undertaking surveys of areas which present special problems, and their published report on water supplies in the South East England points to the possibility of increased exploitation of groundwater sources and has led to pilot studies into the possibilities of developing such sources in the Thames and Great Ouse areas.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the decision of the Huddersfield local authority to increase rents by 10 per cent. in spite of the fact that the immediate financial problems could be overcome with an increase of five per cent.; and whether he will refer this to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

The fixing of rents is the council's responsibility and they are not required to report their decisions to my right hon. Friend. The Government do not regard local authority rents as a suitable subject for the National Board for Prices and Incomes as they are not fixed on a commercial basis and are subsidised by the Exchequer. They hope, however that increases will be avoided as far as possible. They have made it clear that where local authorities find that rent increases cannot be avoided, the fullest use should be made of rent rebates to protect tenants of modest means.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will, before approving the Central Electricity Generating Board's proposal for the building of nuclear power stations at Seaton Carew in Durham and Heysham in Lancashire, arrange for a public inquiry to be held locally, in view of the nearness of the two sites to centres of population.

In considering the licensing of these sites under the Nuclear Installations Act, 1965, my right hon. Friend is giving careful attention to the population distribution in the respective areas. He will also take into account guidance given by his Nuclear Safety Advisory Committee. A public inquiry would, therefore, not be appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the number of applications for entry in session 1967–68 made for colleges of art in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, respectively; the number of such applications which came from prospective students outwith Scotland for each college; the final number of entrants for each college and the number of those entrants who came from outwith Scotland, giving if possible the countries of origin of the said entrants.

Information about entrants will not be available until about mid-August, and I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible thereafter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he hopes to be in a position to accept or reject the recommendations of the Highland Transport Board.

I am unable to forecast when I shall be in a position to decide on the various recommendations made in the final report of the Board; they cover a wide field and numerous organisations are being consulted. Action has already been taken on some of the recommendations put forward by the Board during its period of office.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to make a statement on the effect of the application of weekend speed limits on certain selected roads in Scotland.

Last year's experiment, although inconclusive, suggested that the 50 m.p.h. weekend speed limit may have reduced accidents on the selected roads, and I propose to repeat it this year, without prejudice to general decisions on future speed limits.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the numbers of men and women employed and unemployed in the main towns of Lancashire, and the numbers in each case employed and unemployed in the textile industry.

Following is the information:

asked the Minister of Social Security what steps she is taking to prevent members of local authorities from being adversely affected under the Incomes Related Benefits scheme as a result of their public service.

The structure of the earnings-related benefit scheme was kept as simple as possible so that it could be started quickly. Both earnings-related supplements and the graduated contributions needed to finance them are therefore related to earnings assessable to Schedule E and taxed through P.A.Y.E.

asked the Minister of Social Security how many people in receipt of industrial disease benefit died in each of the years 1964, 1965 and 1966; in how many of these cases was benefit automatically awarded to dependants for each of these years; and in how many of these cases were there no eligible dependants.

The numbers of deaths of persons receiving disablement benefits or allowances from the Industrial Injuries Fund for an industrial disease were as follows: