asked the Minister of Social Security whether she will arrange in consultation with the Minister of Labour to have an office open for the whole or part of each weekday at Huntingdon, at St. Ives, at Ramsey, and at St. Neots to deal with applications for National Assistance, sickness benefit, unemployment benefit and any urgent claim which may arise.

I have reviewed the facilities in this area and have made arrangements at St. Neots for the payment of Supplementary Benefit in cases of

RATES OF PENSION* FROM JUNE, 1945, TO DATE AND AMOUNTS OF INCREASES
Date			Weekly rate of pension in payment		Amount of increase		Interval between increases since 1946		Pension at constant June, 1945 value† as a percentage of June, 1945 pension
			s.	d.	s.	d.	Years	Months
					SINGLE PERSON
June, 1945	…	…	10	0	0	0	—	—	100
October, 1946	…	…	26	0	16	0	—	—	261
October, 1951‡	…	…	30	0	4	0	5	—	234
October, 1952	…	…	32	6	2	6	1	—	237
April, 1955	…	…	40	0	7	6	2	6	274
January, 1958	…	…	50	0	10	0	2	9	303
April, 1961	…	…	57	6	7	6	3	3	332
May, 1963	…	…	67	6	10	0	2	1	362
March, 1965	…	…	80	0	12	6	1	10	406
May, 1967§	…	…	80	0	0	0	—	—	374
							Average
							2	8
* From 1926 to July, 1948 the pension was a contributory old age pension: the rate was 10s. a week until October, 1946 when it was increased to 26s. for a single person and 42s. for a couple, and became subject to the retirement condition for the first five years after pension age. The National Insurance scheme of retirement pensions operated from July, 1948.
† Measured by the Cost of Living Index to June, 1947 and the Index of Retail Prices thereafter.
‡ Applied to all pensioners who had attained 65 (60 for women) on 1st October, 1951.
§ Latest month for which the Index of Retail Prices has been published.

asked the Minister of Social Security what action she is taking to improve the unsatisfactory conditions in the premises occupied by her Department at 6 Camberwell New Road, London, S.E.5, which is inadequate to accommodate the number of callers.

The Department expects to acquire some additional space in mid-August. Plans to improve the public facilities have been drawn up and work will proceed as soon as this space is available.

asked the Minister of Social Security if she will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the basic retirement pension in June 1945, the dates and amounts of subsequent increases to date, the average interval of time between such increases, and taking the figure for June 1945 as an index of 100, the value of the pension at the time of each increase, including the latest figure for May 1967.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Social Security under what circumstances officers of the Supplementary Benefits Commission are authorised to refer persons in need of clothing to voluntary agencies instead of making an appropriate cash grant.

People are only referred to voluntary agencies in connection with the provision of clothing if a cash grant by the Ministry is not considered to be justified.

asked the Minister of Social Security (1) how many widows who receive only partial benefit because their husbands failed to pay the requisite average of contributions receive supplementary benefit; and what is the cost of such benefit annually;(2) how many widows under 50 years of age are in receipt of supplementary benefit; and what is the amount paid in such benefit annually;(3) how many women have applied for a widows' benefit on the presumption of death of their husband; and how many such women have been granted widows' benefit during each of last five years.

I regret this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Social Security if she will seek to reform and humanise the basis of qualification for widows' benefit.

As I have said before, the conditions for widow's benefit are being looked at in the Government's review of the social services.

asked the Minister of Social Security if she will instigate a survey of poverty among widows who fail to qualify for benefit or for full benefit.

The need for further information about the circumstances of widows will be taken into account in deciding what research should be carried out by my Department and what the priorities are.

asked the Minister of Social Security (1) how many widows applied for benefit but were refused on the ground that they had been married for less than three years during each of the last five years;(2) how many widows have been refused widows' benefit because they are under 50 years of age during each of the last five years.

I regret that the precise information requested is not available. It is estimated that out of some 84–89,000 widows who received widow's allowance in each of the last five years for which figures are available, the total numbers who had no succeeding widow's benefit were as follows:

1961	…	…	…	…	3,400
1962	…	…	…	…	3,500
1963	…	…	…	…	3,800
1964	…	…	…	…	3,700
1965	…	…	…	…	3,700

The benefits for the first six months of widowhood, widow's allowance and the earnings-related widow's special allowance, are payable irrespective of the widow's age or the duration of her marriage.

asked the Minister of Social Security whether widows' benefit is granted in all cases to an otherwise qualified applicant when a high court decree of presumption of death has been obtained.

Whether a woman can establish title to widows' benefit, depends on the determining authorities being satisfied on the evidence before them that the husband is, or may be presumed to be, dead. These authorities might on occasion reach a conclusion on the question of presumed death different from a decision of the High Court, for example, where there was later evidence that the husband was alive.

asked the Minister of Social Security what percentage of widows in receipt of benefit does not qualify for full benefit because their husband failed to pay at least 50 National Insurance contributions during each year of his working life.

About 6 per cent. of widows in receipt of benefit do not qualify for the full rate because the yearly average of contributions paid by or credited to the husband was less than 50.

asked the Minister of Social Security how many widows have had their benefit terminated during each of the last five years because their children ceased to be dependent within the meaning of the regulations.

Figures of terminations of widowed mothers allowance for the four years 1963 to 1966 are given below. I regret that similar figures for 1962 are not available.

			W.M.A.*	W.M.A. (Personal)†
1963	…	…	140	330
1964	…	…	140	270
1965	…	…	120	320
1966	…	…	90	390
* Terminated because the children in respect of whom the allowance was payable ceased to be dependent.
† Terminated because the sons and daughters whose presence at home qualified mothers for W.M.A. (Personal) left home or reached the age of 19.

asked the Minister of Social Security why the allowance for dependent children ceases if a widow remarries; and if she will introduce legislation to continue such payments while the child or children remain dependant.

Under the National Insurance scheme the general principle has always been that widows' benefits should cease when the widow marries again. However, this is a matter which will be borne in mind in the course of our review of social security.

asked the Minister of Social Security (1) what is the number of dependent children whose fathers are on National Assistance through being ill or receiving industrial injury benefit in Scotland; if she will give similar details for the County of Fife; and if she will also state the figures for Fife as percentages of the figures for Scotland.(2) what is the number of dependent children whose fathers receive unemployment benefit in Scotland; if she will give similar details for the county of Fife; and if she will also state the figures for Fife as percentages of the figures for Scotland;(3) what is the number of dependent children whose fathers' unemployment benefit has been stopped or has run out in Scotland; if she will give similar details for the county of Fife; and if she will also state the figures for Fife as percentages of the figures for Scotland;(4) what is the number of dependent children in families who receive benefits below National Assistance Board scales and cannot apply because of the wage stop ruling in Scotland; if she will give similar details for the county of Fife; and if she will also state the figures for Fife as percentages of the figures for Scotland;(5) what is the number of children in families without fathers, where the mother is widowed, divorced, separated or unmarried, who are dependent on National Assistance in Scotland; if she will give similar details for the county of Fife; and if she will also state the figures for Fife as percentages of the figures for Scotland.

I regret that the information requested is not available. I am writing to my hon. Friend to explain why this is so.

asked the Minister of Social Security how many deputations she has received during the last two years.

I have received 25 deputations.

asked the Minister of Social Security how many exceptional need grants were made by the National Assistance Board and the Supplementary Benefits Commission in the first three months of 1966 and 1967, respectively; and what was the average value of such grants in each period.

In the 15 weeks ending 29th March, 1966, the National Assistance Board made 121,775 exceptional needs grants, of an average value of £4 7s. 2d. During the 12 weeks ending 28th March, 1967, the Supplementary Benefits Commission made 84,257 such grants, of an average value of £5 2s. 9d.

asked the Minister of Health what changes would be required in the constitution and powers of the General Medical Council, the General Dental Council and the General Nursing Council if Great Britain joined the European Economic Committee under the present provisions of the Treaty of Rome.

No changes in the constitution of the Councils would appear necessary. Any changes in their powers that may be required to ensure compliance with Community directives would be considered as part of the more general legislation that would be needed should we enter the Community.

asked the Minister of Health what is the position with regard to medical services in Welbeck Colliery Village and the building of a health centre at Warsop, Nottinghamshire.

Medical services for the village are provided by doctors practising from Warsop. The Nottingham County and City Executive Council have so far been unable to find a doctor to practise in the village itself, although they have recently re-advertised the vacancy. One application has been received and will be considered later this week. I understand that a health centre at Warsop is included in the County Council's provisional capital building programme for 1969–70.

asked the Minister of Health why he has excluded an ambulance station at Brough, Westmorland, which had been in the county council's programme, from 1968–69 building programme.

So far no ambulance station at Brough has been included in the capital building programme sent to my right hon. Friend by the Westmorland County Council, but I understand that the Council may propose one when they review their programme later this year.

asked the Minister of Health what are the conditions laid down before a doctor's practice can be classified as designated; and what are the conditions of payment.

The Medical Practices Committee, as the body statutorily responsible for securing an adequate distribution of general practitioners, classifies areas, not individual practices. They "designate" those areas which seem to them, after inquiry, in serious need of additional doctors. Under the new scheme of payments, an allowance is payable to principals providing full medical services in areas which have been continuously "designated" by the Committee for three years or more. Allowances of a different kind are available to doctors who, subject to certain conditions, set up new single-handed practices, fill vacancies in small single-handed practices or join other practices in any "designated" area.

asked the Minister of Health what conclusion he has now reached regarding the detention of mentally disordered criminals; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the Answer I gave the hon. Member on 8th May.—[Vol. 746, c. 1042–43.]

asked the Attorney-General what steps he proposes to take to stop abuses of the legal aid system, which costs over £3 million a year, and to prevent the waste of public money.

Those concerned with the administration of the Legal Aid Scheme do their utmost to prevent abuses. The increased cost of the Scheme is almost entirely due to the increased number of litigants who qualify for legal aid. The average cost to public funds of a legal aided case has only increased by 1·88 per cent. over the last four years.

asked the Minister without Portfolio how many staff in his Department are engaged full time in studying the future development of the social services.

None.

asked the Minister of Labour how many wage claims have been agreed to operate from 1st July onwards; the numbers involved and the approximate average expected increase in rates; and if he will give the corresponding information in relation to salaries.

Thirty-seven major wage settlements covering five and three-quarter million employees are due to be implemented between July 1967 and February 1968. The approximate average increase in minimum rates is 3·9 per cent. Five major settlements affecting salaried workers are due to be implemented; these cover 196,000 workers two-thirds of them Police Officers and Merchant Navy Officers. The approximate average increase is 8 per cent.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will take steps to allow workshops for the adult blind, run by local authorities, to qualify for Selective Employment Tax premiums for their employees.

No. Payments to local authorities to offset the cost of the tax are made by my right hon. Friends the Minister of Housing and Local Government, the Secretary of State for Wales and the Secretary of State for Scotland. I see no reason for altering this arrangement in respect of local authority workshops for the adult blind.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he has taken regarding the dispute arising from the refusal of the employers side of the National Joint Council for the Workshops for the Blind, to honour existing terms of employment until such time as they are superseded by any further agreed terms.

I understand that an offer by the Employers' Side is still in the procedure provided by the constitution of the National Joint Council for Workshops for the Blind. It would there- fore be inappropriate for me to intervene at this stage. I am, however, keeping in touch with developments.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the number of men registered in employment at the Mexborough and Wombwell employment exchanges, respectively, at the latest available date; and how these figures compare with those in 1950, 1960 and 1964.

Following is the information:

ESTIMATED NUMBERS OF MALE EMPLOYEES
(EMPLOYED AND UNEMPLOYED)
		Mexborough (including Goldthorpe)	Wombwell
Mid-1950	…	25,400	10,200
Mid-1960	…	26,300	8,100
Mid-1964	…	25,400	8,000
Mid-1966	…	23,500	7,600

Local estimates do not distinguish men and boys separately.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the number of women registered in employment at the Mexborough and Wombwell employment exchanges, respectively, at the latest available date; and how many of them travel to work at a distance of 10 miles from their respective districts.

At mid-1966, the estimated numbers of female employees (employed and unemployed) in the areas covered by Mexborough (including Goldthorpe) and Wombwell Employment Exchanges were 7,900 and 1,600 respectively. Local estimates do not distinguish women and girls separately and relate to the area in which people work, not the area in which they live. It is known that about 200 women and girls living in the Mexborough and 100 living in the Wombwell area travel more than 10 miles to work in transport provided by employers. The number who travel by other means is not known.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will seek to amend the Race Relations Act in order to prevent discrimination in employment against individuals for their religious observances.

This is one of the matter under consideration in connection with the Government's general review of the Race Relations Act.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will publish figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT showing the number of males and females, over and under 18 years of age, who were registering for

		Total numbers registered as unemployed at 12th June, 1967					Registered unemployed as percentage of estimated numbers of employees
		Men	Boys	Women	Girls	Total
Airdrie	…	754	46	453	31	1,284	4·8*
Bellshill	…	251	15	153	8	427
Blantyre	…	306	1	94	4	405
Cambuslang	…	271	10	102	8	391
Carluke	…	50	3	33	1	87
Coatbridge	…	1,033	35	493	29	1,590
East Kilbride	…	132	5	57	—	194
Hamilton	…	774	22	352	20	1,168
Larkhall	…	149	4	107	6	266
Motherwell	…	485	27	349	14	875
Uggingston	…	198	11	100	2	311
Wishaw	…	515	30	394	14	953
Lanark	…	260	4	77	5	346	3·9
Lesmahagow	…	106	2	31	4	143	5·8
Shotts	…	155	6	275	3	439	7·0
* Percentage rates of unemployment can be calculated for the whole of the North Lanarkshire "travel to work" area but not separately for its constituent parts.

asked the Minister of Labour how many applications he has received for dental surgeons' establishments to be divided so that a single technician may qualify for selective employment premium; and how many of these he has approved.

Twenty-nine, of which two have been approved.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is satisfied that he will be able to find alternative employment in the Market Rasen area for the 29 civilians who are becoming redundant because of changes at the Royal Air Force Station, Faldingworth; and if he will make a statement.

My Department makes annual estimates of the numbers of employees (employed and unemployed) in Employment Exchange areas. Comparable estimates of the numbers of self-employed and non-insured persons are not available.Following is the information available:

I understand that as a result of a reorganisation of administrative work 24 workers are due to lose their employment by September. We are arranging to interview them and will have a clearer indication of the prospects of placing when this has been done. They will be given every possible assistance to find other employment.

asked the Minister of Labour what proportions of employed persons in Great Britain are in the Scottish, Welsh and North-West Regions, respectively; what proportions of total cash payments to redundant workers under the provisions of the Redundancy Payments Act, 1965, were made in these regions, respectively; and what were the corresponding figures in relation to the numbers of redundant workers who received cash payments, to the latest convenient date.

		Scotland	Wales	North West
1. Number of employed persons	expressed as a percentage of figures for Greats Britain.	9·5	4·3	12·9
2. Amount of redundancy payments issued†‡		8·7	5·1	11·6
3. Number of redundant workers who received payments as in 2†‡		10·0	5·3	12·8
* As at September, 1966.
† Up to 31st May, 1967.
‡ These figures relate to payments made in the named regions.As some firms operate centralised pay systems, the figures may include payments to some workers in other regions and exclude payments made by other regions to workers in these regions.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) if he will establish an industrial retraining centre at Dumfries in view of the high level of unemployment;(2) if he will establish an industrial retraining centre at Kirkconnel or Sanquhar in view of the impending pit closure.

Government Training Centres can only be established successfully in relatively large centres of population where there is a continuing local demand both for training places and for trainees who have completed their courses. Men living in the areas mentioned in the Questions could be found places in other Scottish Training Centres and lodgings could be arranged to make their attendance possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the facts that heads of agreement concerning the compensation to be paid to British shareholders in the Port of Para Agreement were signed in June, 1966, and the Presidential Decree authorising the first two payments was signed on 9th March, 1967, what are now the administrative problems; when he last discussed this with the French Ambassador in Rio de Janeiro; and why he has not also consulted the World Bank and the United States of America about this matter.

I understand that the decree of 9th March authorising the opening of credits must be supplemented by further administrative action to define the procedure for payment. Her Majesty's Embassy are in constant touch with the

The information which is necessarily approximate is given in the following table:Brazilian Government and French Embassy. In the light of the assurances which Her Majesty's Ambassador has received from the Brazilian authorities, we have not yet thought it necessary to consult the World Bank or the United States Government, but if the delay continues we shall consider, in conjunction with other interested parties, what further steps we should take.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why, on or about Thursday, 15th June, 1967, he issued an official statement repudiating a suggestion made by a private person, Lord Gladwyn, that Great Britain should accept an associate membership of the Common Market; and on how many previous occasions during the past 12 months he has issued statements disassociating Her Majesty's Government from statements made by private individuals.

Because we wanted to make sure that the Government's position was not misunderstood. There has been no exactly similar case in the past 12 months.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in negotiations to achieve British membership of the Common Market.

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 20th June to my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, South (Mr. Winnick).—[Vol. 748, c. 1412.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement about the present condition of, and future plans for, the British Council Library in Mogadishu.

There is no longer a British Council Library is Mogadishu. The British Council Centre in Mogadishu, which included a library, was closed in March 1963 when the Council Representation was withdrawn following the breach of diplomatic relations. The lease of the Centre was terminated on 30th April this year and the major part of the library was presented to the National University Institute of the Somali Republic.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will issue a White Paper on behalf of the Government indicating the acts of aggression judged by the United Nations to have been committed by various countries in violation of the United Nations Charter since the end of the Second World War.

My right hon. Friend will see from the following information that no White Paper is required.The General Assembly has judged on only one occasion that an act of aggression had been committed (by China against South Korea) (Resolution 498(v) of the 1st February, 1951). Additionally, the Assembly has stated that the following acts, if they occurred, would constitute acts of aggression:—

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will seek President Nasser's agreement to publication of their recent correspondence.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs with which Arab countries and States Her Majesty's Government has full diplomatic relations and what steps he is taking to restore ruptured relations and improve existing ones.

Her Majesty's Government have diplomatic relations with all Arab countries and States except for the United Arab Republic, Algeria, Iraq and Syria. The Sudan Government notified us on 6th June of a break of diplomatic relations but the formalities of the breach have not yet been completed. The Lebanese Government on 8th June requested the withdrawal of our Ambassador. In each case the initiative has been taken by the foreign Government concerned. Britain has many interests in common with the countries of the Arab world and we will continue to work to maintain or re-establish friendly relations with all Arab countries who are prepared to reciprocate our own good will.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what report he has received of the number, condition and needs of new refugees in Jordan following the occupation by Israel of all of Jordan west of the River Jordan; what is the total contribution in cash and kind made by Her Majesty's Government to assist these refugees; and what further initiatives or assistance he proposes to provide further help.

As my noble Friend stated in another place on 19th June, Her Majesty's Government estimate that at least 100,000 refugees have crossed from West Jordan to the East Bank, of whom some 80,000 were already registered with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. We have made an additional emergency contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency of $500,000. We have also agreed to provide a grant of £500,000 for urgent rehabilitation and reconstruction in Jordan and at our request the International Red Cross have flown to Amman blankets and medical supplies from British Government stocks in Cyprus. We are discussing with the Jordanian Government what their most pressing needs are and we remain in close touch with the principal voluntary relief agencies in this country.— [Vol. 283 [Lords], c. 1162.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent visit to the United Nations Assembly.

I shall be making a statement after Questions and hope that my right hon. Friend will not mind waiting until then.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what he estimates to be the probable total cost to British public funds of all British undertakings or declared intentions in respect of the South Arabian territories in the three years after 9th January, 1968; and what part of this is aid which is solely economic.

I estimate that the probable total cost of Her Majesty's Government's financial assistance by way of outright grants to South Arabia after independence will be of the order of £55 million. Of this figure, which must be regarded as approximate since detailed costs of the recently agreed additional military aid have still to be worked out, £9 million will be available to the South Arabian Government for general budgetary support, and the remainder for military aid. In addition Her Majesty's Government are ready to provide South Arabia with interest-free development loans for economic projects in amounts to be decided later.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proposals he has to include China in any future disarmament agreement.

As we have already made clear, we should like to see the People's Republic of China participating in disarmament negotiations. Unfortunately, they have so far declined to do so. We very much hope nevertheless that they will in due course subscribe to agreements reached in the arms control and disarmament field.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in order to facilitate the future representation of China at the United Nations he will now propose that the present representative of Nationalist China be described as the representative of Taiwan or Formosa.

No. It is likely that such a move would be opposed both by those who support the Nationalists and those who support the Chinese People's Government. It would therefore frustrate rather than facilitate our main objective which is to secure the representation of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to how many embassies and high commissions accredited to the Court of St. James there are attached education attaches or counsellors.

One Embassy and ten High Commisions in London have Education Attachés or Counsellors.The diplomatic Missions and the number of diplomatic personnel concerned in each case are:—

EMBASSIES
Greece	Cultural and Educational Counsellor	1
HIGH COMMISSIONS
Australia	Educational Adviser	1
Ceylon	Educational and Technical Attaché	1
Ghana	Education Attaché	1
	Assistant Education Attaché	3
India	Minister (Education and Scientific Affairs)	1
Kenya	Education Attaché	1
	Assistant Education Attaché	1
Malaysia	Education Adviser	1
	Education Attaché(Welfare)	2
	Education Attaché	3
Nigeria	First Secretary (Education)	2
	Second Secretary (Education)	4
	Assistant Education Attaché	5
Sierra Leone	Education Attaché	2
	Assistant Education Attaché	1
Uganda	Counsellor (Education)	1
	Assistant Education Attaché	1
Zambia	Education Attaché	1

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what special grant the Government is making to the United Nations Relief and Works Administration following the Middle East crisis; and how this compares with similar grants made by other Governments, including that of Sweden.

As my right hon. Friend said in his reply to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Dorking (Sir G. Sinclair) on 21st June, Her Majesty's Government have made an emergency contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency of $500,000 in addition to the $4·5 million already pledged as our contribution for 1967. The Swedish Government have made an emergency contribution of Swedish Kronor 10·5 million (approximately $1,954,000) in addition to their regular contribution of approximately $145,000. We do not yet have precise information about the special contributions of other countries. Since the United Naitons Relief and Works Agency was set up in 1950, Her Majesty's Government have contributed 14 per cent. of its total budget. My right hon. Friend announced to the House the other steps we have taken to help refugees on 19th June in reply to a Question by the hon. Gentleman the Member for Moray and Nairn (Mr. G. Campbell). Britain's total contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency now amounts to 95 million dollars. The totals of other contributors are as follows:

United States	$	387·4
Canada	$	18·6
France	$	12·4
United Arab Republic	$	5·3
Sweden	$	4·5
Federal Republic of Germany	$	3·6
Australia	$	3·4
Other countries	$	20·7
Soviet Union		nil

—[Vol. 748, c. 294; c. 176.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in the light of the ill treatment and imprisonment of the Daily Teleqraph correspondent in Cairo, Mr. Fahmy, by the Egyptian authorities, he will ask the protecting Powers to safeguard the interests and personal safety of his wife Mrs. Fahmy, a British subject now alone in Cairo.

Mrs. Fahmy holds both British and United Arab Republic nationality and holds a United Arab Republic passport. As she is a resident in the United Arab Republic, the protecting Power has no locus standi for intervening on her behalf with the local authorities but, within these limits, they will do what they can to look after her. Every effort was made to assist her in obtaining an exit visa so that she could leave Cairo along with the other British subjects, but the visa was not granted.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he proposes leasing or otherwise acquiring a building for use as central offices of the Ministry of Social Security in Stockport, which will cater for the whole of the people of the town who have need of that Department's services.

No. I am planning to extend the existing Crown building in the centre of the town. Work on the extension is due to start at the end of 1968 and should be completed early in 1971.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works on how many occasions during the present session repair work has been carried out on the lift at No. 1 Bridge Street; how many man-hours have been devoted to this task; and what is the approximate cost of the labour and materials involved.

Minor repairs and adjustments have been carried out on 19 occasions during the present session. The work has occupied about 108 man hours at a cost, including materials, of about £125. I am aware of the shortcomings of this lift but the only way of improving the facilities would be by installing a completely new lift. Not only would this cost nearly £10,000 but it would also take 18 months and cause considerable inconvenience, including interruption of the lift service, while in progress. As No. 1 Bridge Street is in any case due to be demolished within the next few years, I should not be justified in undertaking this work.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will arrange for an exhibition to be held of paintings by hon. Members of this House.

Yes. I have arranged with the authorities of the House for an exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from the 3rd to the 13th of July. The exhibition is being organised by my hon. Friend the Member for Kensington, North.

asked the Minister of Technology (1) what steps he is taking to ensure the continuance of the Dragon Reactor experiment;

Negotiations are continuing with the other participants in the Dragon reactor experiment to secure its continuation as a joint international project. This is the only reactor experiment in the United Kingdom to which Euratom has contributed funds.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the policy of the National Research and Development Corporation with regard to interest charges on loans for development of hovercraft; whether he is satisfied that high interest charges are not causing a slowing up of essential hovercraft research or development; and if he will make a statement.

In negotiating its assistance to industry the National Research Development Corporation is required by Statute to take account of profitability, as well as the national interest. Its recovery terms therefore normally include an allowance for the commercial rate of interest. I do not think that this has hindered hovercraft research and development.

asked the Minister of Technology why there is delay in appointing a director of hovercraft; and whether he will announce the appointment before the summer adjournment.

Mr. F. G. R. Cook has been appointed Director of Hovercraft.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans she has to link Heathrow Airport with the M1.

Heathrow is already linked to M1 by M4, the North Circular Road and A41. In due course the D Ring will provide an improved link between the airport and M1.

asked the Minister of Transport what links are planned by road, rail or other means between Stansted Airport and Heathrow Airport, and between Stansted Airport and Gatwick Airport, respectively.

Road links between the airports will be improved under general plans for the London area. Stansted will be linked to Heathrow initially by M11, an improved North Circular Road and M4. Later, the D Ring will provide a still better link between M 11 and M4. Stansted and Gatwick will be linked by M11, one of the projected ring roads and M23. Rail links via Victoria can, if necessary, be provided.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals she has for improving road communications between Southampton and the Midlands.

I have nothing to add to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Dorset, West (Mr. Wingfield Digby) on 8th March.—[Vol. 742, c. 271.]

asked the Minister of Transport if she will list the yearly amounts spent on roads in the South-West for each year from 1955–56 to 1965–66, and the estimated expenditure for subsequent years.

Expenditure from 1955–56 to 1966–67 is shown in the following table:—

					£ Million
1955–56	…	…	…	…	9·7
1956–57	…	…	…	…	10·5
1957–58	…	…	…	…	11·1
1958–59	…	…	…	…	11·4
1959–60	…	…	…	…	12·8
1960–61	…	…	…	…	14·6
1961–62	…	…	…	…	15·5
1962–63	…	…	…	…	20·2
1963–64	…	…	…	…	25·0
1964–65	…	…	…	…	30·3
1965–66	…	…	…	…	25·7
1966–67	…	…	…	…	37·0
					(estimated)

A comparable estimate for 1967-68 is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport what has been the outcome of her consultations with the Secretary of State for Scotland regarding retention of the Deeside railway line against the need for future restoration of the railway services between Aberdeen and Ballater.

Consultations are not yet completed.

asked the Minister of Transport when Victoria Station, Nottingham, is to be closed to rail traffic; and whether she is satisfied that there will be satisfactory alternative facilities available.

The Railways Board has told us that it plans to close Nottingham Victoria Station in September this year. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that alternative facilities for the remaining passenger services will be provided at Arkwright Street Station which will be reopened at the same time.

asked the Minister of Transport what approvals have been sought from her for electrification of railways in the future in Wales, Scotland and England, respectively; and what is the expenditure involved.

Lea Valley, Hertfordshire, estimated at £¼ million.

asked the Minister of Transport how much of the £7,604,000 paid by British Railways to British Railways workshops for carriage building work in 1966 was spent in Wales.

There is no direct expenditure in Wales by British Railways Workshops on carriage building work but substantial purchases of materials are made in the Principality.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the location of the central office in Swansea for vehicle registration and licensing and driver licensing has been decided.

A site at Morriston is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what communication, direct or indirect, he has had from the Government of Tanzania, about their inability to continue to pay pensions of ex-patriate officers employed under the colonial régime in Tanganyika.

The Government of Tanzania have forwarded representations through the protecting Power to the effect that they would like to modify existing agreements relating to pensions and compensation payments. The proposed modifications concern in particular pensions arising out of service prior to 1st July, 1961.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development (1) how much aid to date has been given by Her Majesty's Government to India and, in particular, to the inhabitants of Bihar since 1st January, 1967;(2) what specific programme of aid for India and, in particular, for the inhabitants of Bihar, Her Majesty's Government have prepared for the next six months;(3) whether Her Majesty's Government will accelerate aid to India and, in particular, to the famine area of Bihar, in view of adverse effect upon the flow of aid which has been caused by the closure of the Suez Canal.

British financial aid to India takes the form of interest-free loans to the Indian Government and is not provided direct to individual States of the Indian Union. Between 1st January and 31st May this year disbursements of financial aid to India totalled nearly £14½ million.We have so far promised, as an advance instalment of our 1967 pledge, £19 million of new aid for the current financial year, including £12 million for general purposes. A non-project loan for the balance of £7 million was signed on 19th June.In deciding both how much aid we can pledge or disburse to India in total and in what form it should be provided I naturally take fully into account all the relevant factors including those relating to the food situation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the members of the Air Transport Licensing Board, and their ages.

Yes. Following is the information:

Name	Age
Sir Daniel Jack, C.B.E., Hon.LL.D., M.A. (Chairman)	65
Mr. J. J. Taylor, O.B.E (Deputy Chairman)	71
Members
Sir Roy Allen, C.B.E. M.A., D.Sc. (Econ.)	61
Mr. E. Baldry, O.B.E., F.C.A.	72
Mr C. P. Harvey, Q.C	66
Sir Friston How, Kt., C.B.	69
Mr. J. H. Lawrie	60

asked the President of the Board of Trade what study he has given to the document entitled Conclusions of the Council of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation on the action to be taken on the problems brought to light by the loss of the "Torrey Canyon"; and what steps Her Maesty's Government are taking to assist and expedite the study of the legal problems set out in the document.

Work on these studies both legal and technical is being pushed ahead as quickly as possible, and on many of them we have already had discussions with the shipping and oil industries. We sent a strong delegation to the recent meeting of I.M.C.O's Legal Sub-Committee and have undertaken to produce working papers for it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will list all long-term undertakings with overseas, other than Commonwealth, suppliers, regarding access to the United Kingdom markets for foodstuffs, and give in each case the quantities involved, the duration of the undertaking, and details of any provision for earlier termination at the demand of either party.

It will take some time to assemble the necessary information and I will write shortly to the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what he estimates will be the average percentage level of the common external tariff of the European Economic Community after the full implementation of the reductions, recently agreed upon by the Governments of those States which are parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

I have nothing at present to add to the statement I made on 31st May. A White Paper will be presented to the House as soon as possible.—[Vol. 747, c. 96–101.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider some relaxation of import duties on tools imported into this country for educational purposes only, which would assist technological progress.

I am prepared to consider applications for relief of duty under Section 6 and paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Fourth Schedule of the Import Duties Act, 1958. The articles respectively qualifying for relief under these paragraphs are as follows:—

"2. Articles intended and reasonably required for the purpose of subjecting the articles, or any material or component in the articles, to examination or tests with a view to promoting or improving the manufacture in the United Kingdom of goods similar to those articles or to that material or component, as the case may be, or for the purpose of subjecting goods capable of use with those or similar articles (including goods which might be used as materials or components in such articles or in which such articles might be used as materials or components) to examination or tests with a view to promoting or improving the manufacture in the United Kingdom of those or similar goods.

3. Articles intended to be used in scientific research, or for a purpose connected with the advancement of any branch of learning or art or with the promotion of any sport, and not intended to be sold, or to be used for any purpose which is substantially a commercial purpose."

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to protect the rights and liberty of James Milne Gaskell, a British citizen arrested on 10th June in St. Kitts, now transferred to Nevis gaol, and held without any trial or charge against him.

Immediately he learned of the arrest of Mr. Gaskell the British Government Representative made sure he had been allowed to see his lawyer and pressed that Mr. Gaskell should be released or charged. Mr. Gaskell has now been given a statement of the grounds for his detention. The British Government Representative who was then in St. Kitts, visited Mr. Gaskell on 21st June and intended visiting again during the past two days. Mr. Gaskell is free to move about the prison yard until the evening: he can see his lawyer as often as he wishes; he can have what food he wishes, and order whatever paper he requires.The British Government Representative has also been instructed to make clear to the Government of St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla their obligations in respect of the provision of information about any declaration of emergency and emergency regulations, including regulations under which Mr. Gaskell has been detained.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give an assurance that a decision by the people of Gibraltar to remain linked to Great Britain will preclude further talks thereafter with Spain on the Constitutional future, in an international sense as opposed to economic or social or cultural relations, of Gibraltar with Spain.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 20th June.—[Vol. 748, c. 225.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in which year he proposes to allow the rebuilding of St. Laurence's Primary School, Northfield, Birmingham.

My right hon. Friend is considering representations recently made to him by the local education authority on this matter and hopes to reach a decision shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will make a statement on the British Government's policy with regard to the Amaldi Report on a nuclear reactor.

Her Majesty's Government welcomes the Amaldi Report which furnishes much of the information on which in due course decisions on the future of C.E.R.N. will be taken by the member States.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a study of the potential use of surplus Royal Air Force equipment in school classes taking technical subjects.

Two studies of this kind not limited to R.A.F. equipment are being made. It is too early to say whether a useful and practicable scheme can be evolved.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the cost of any subventions from public funds to foreign students in British universities; and what other forms of grant are open to them.

In 1966–67 £4 million was provided from U.K. Government funds for grants to overseas students for maintenance costs and tuition fees, of this sum more than half went to overseas students in universities. Comprehensive information is not available about awards made to overseas students by local education authorities or about public expenditure on welfare services for overseas students, including the provision of hostel accommodation. In addition, there is a subsidy to all overseas students at universities, arising from the fee structure, and in 1965–66 this subsidy was estimated as amounting to £12 million for overseas students on full time and sandwich university courses.It is proposed to provide a fund of up to £½ million in the academic year 1967–68 to mitigate hardship where an overseas student might, because of the new higher level of fees, have to curtail his studies.Grants to overseas students are also available from a number of overseas Governments who provide support for certain of their nationals, from some inter-Governmental agencies and from some industrial organisations and charitable and educational trusts.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to purchase for the nation the unique collection of original nineteenth century costumes to be offered by auction on 11th July, details of which have been sent to him.

This is a matter on which the initiative must come from the museums. It is for them to decide how they wish to spend the annual purchase grants which are at their disposal. In addition, they are at liberty to apply for special supplementary grants.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of veterinary colleges in England and Scotland, respectively.

Four in England and two in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of students from Wales who are at the moment pursuing courses of study in England and Scotland.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many persons were employed in the Arms Salesman's department on 1st June; who they were; and what were their duties and salaries.

220, comprising 216 Civil Servants and 4 Army Officers; their duties are to implement Government policy for the sale of defence equipment; their salaries range from about £700 per annum to £8,000 per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what action was taken by the Arms Salesman to increase the export of arms to countries in the Middle East in the first quarter of 1967.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what provision he intends to make for assistance to the French Government to cover anticipated increases in the development costs of the Anglo-French variable geometry aircraft.

I do not accept the implication in the latter part of the question but in any case I cannot add to what I told the House last week until I have had a further meeting with M. Messmer, which I hope will take place next Thursday.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much money will be saved gross per year by withdrawing our forces from Aden and ceasing to maintain a base there, no account being taken of other expenditure which may be incurred by Her Majesty's Government thereafter for the assistance of the South Arabian territories.

About £15 million a year will be saved in foreign exchange. I am also taking account of the redevelopment from Aden in planning the future size and shape of the forces as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he is giving to the purchase of a Chipmunk replacement for the Royal Air Force.

None. A Chipmunk replacement will not be required, on current plans, until the late 1970s.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what shortage has been experienced in respect of attestation and notice papers for Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve II; and when this was first drawn to his attention.

The matter was first brought to my attention by the hon. Member early in May when he wrote to my hon. Friend the Minister of Defence for Administration about a particular shortage in the Guildford area. I am glad to say that sufficient supplies of these papers are now available.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total expenditure on the aircraft carrier and its aircraft that is to operate in South Arabian waters up to 31st May; and what he estimates will be the weekly cost when it is on this service.

I regret that the information required to answer the first part of the Question is not available. The cost of operation in South Arabian waters does not differ significantly from the cost of operation elsewhere.

asked the Prime Minister whether his proposal to visit India in October has been accepted.

I have as yet nothing to add to the Answers I gave on 6th June to Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. Francis Noel-Baker).—[Vol. 747, c. 787–8.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the recent statement of the Board of Inland Revenue that they will not in future require banks to deduct Income Tax from deposit interest in circumstances where it has been deducted hitherto, what has led the Board to alter its view as to the requirements of the law governing this matter.

The practice has always been that interest on deposits for less than a year has been paid in full. In the case of deposits for longer periods the practice has varied and the Board of Inland Revenue were recently asked to clarify the position so that practice might be uniform. The Board therefore announced, with my approval, that in these cases also banks would not be required to deduct tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, taking the value of 3½ per cent. War Stock on 1st July 1946 as 103 3/16, what would be its comparable value in present day terms as at 1st June 1967, taking into account the fall in the value of the £ sterling in the intervening 21 years.

On 1st June 1967 the price of 31 per cent. War Loan was 52⅞. Taking account of changes in the purchasing power of the £ sterling in the intervening years, the price on 1st June 1967 would be equivalent to about 25 in 1946.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on parity of pensions for retired public servants based on the position held and length of service, regardless of the date of retirement.

I would refer the hon. Member to my speech during the debate on the Public Service and Armed Forces Pensions Commission Bill on 3rd February, 1967.—[Vol. 740, c. 986–990.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider some relaxation of the exchange control regulations to enable British firms wishing to increase their non-sterling area exports to set up subsidiaries which would facilitate this increase.

These matters are kept under review. While present policy already encourages export-promoting projects, I am aware that there are some projects which will merit special consideration when some relaxation of exchange control is in prospect.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many gold sovereigns were minted by the Royal Mint in 1966 and in the first six months of 1967, respectively; and how many of these have been sold in the United Kingdom and imported into the United Kingdom, respectively.

7·25 million sovereigns were minted by the Royal Mint in 1966 and 2·4 million in the first six months of 1967. It is not the practice to give details of sales from the Exchange Equalisation Account. Separate figures for the importation of sovereigns of any given year are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many gold coins minted after 1837 have been offered for sale to authorised dealers pursuant to section two of the Exchange Control Act 1947, in each month since April, 1966.

I refer to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Essex, South-East (Mr. Braine) on 23rd June, 1967.—[Vol. 748, c. 358.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the number of applications to hold gold coins under Statutory Instrument 1966 Number 438, which have been received by the Bank of England in each month since April, 1966.

The following figures relate to the number of applications for collector status:

1966
April	…	…	…	5
May	…	…	…	921
June	…	…	…	957
July	…	…	…	466
August	…	…	…	304
September	…	…	…	365
October	…	…	…	261
November	…	…	…	197
December	…	…	…	162
1967
January	…	…	…	254
February	…	…	…	302
March	…	…	…	195
April	…	…	…	185
May	…	…	…	174