asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Federal Government of Nigeria over the blockade of the Eastern Region; and what effect this blockade has had on British interests in Nigeria.

There has been no approach from the Federal Government about their economic sanctions against the Eastern Region. Except for oil, normal trade in and out of the Eastern Region seems largely at a standstill for the time being, but beyond that it is too early to say what effect the Federal measures will have on British commercial interests in Nigeria.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what official contact is maintained with the authorities controlling Eastern Nigeria or Biafra.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Commonwealth Secretary gave in the House on 6th June on this subject, when he said that there is some association between our representatives in Enugu and the breakaway régime.—[Vol. 747, c. 810–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to prevent the expansion of Unilever's activities in Rhodesia.

The Government do not wish to see expansions of this kind in present circumstances by subsidiaries or associates of British companies in Rhodesia, but Lever Bros (Pvt.) is a Rhodesian company and, as such, is subject to control by the Smith régime. There is no question in this case of any transfer of British capital, which we should certainly not permit. The funds which they will be using consist of Rhodesian currency available locally.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will given an up-to-date esti- mate of the cost to Great Britain of the Government's policy of sanctions against Rhodesia.

The direct cost to the Exchequer for the period from i.d.i. to 31st May is now estimated to be about £20 million.With regard to the cost to the balance of payments, and loss of earnings from exports and invisibles, I have nothing to add to the Answers given to Questions on this subject by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21st February and 16th March, and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 7th March.—[Vol. 741, c. 1433–8; Vol. 742, c. 1232–4; Vol 743, c. 151–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of the advice he gave to the organisers of John Charles All Stars soccer team before they accepted an engagement to play in Rhodesia en route to carrying out fixtures in Zambia; and if he will make a statement.

Her Majesty's Government were not consulted. In the event, the team decided to cancel the fixture in Rhodesia and the Zambian Government withdrew the ban on their entry to Zambia which had been imposed when their intention to play in Rhodesia became known.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he is aware that the Gibraltar referendum will be held at a time when the United Kingdom Parliament is not sitting; and what machinery he will make available to receive representations from Members of Parliament about irregularities either on the Spanish side or on the United Kingdom Government's side in the propaganda used in the weeks before the referendum.

The exact date of holding the referendum has not yet been fixed but it is certainly likely to be during the Recess. Although the House may be in Recess Ministers will, of course, be available to consider any representations which may be made to them by Members of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken and plans to take to protect Gibraltar and its citizens, and also British citizens in and British transport in and to Gibraltar.

Her Majesty's Government's intention to support Gibraltar and to safeguard the interests of its people has been made clear on numerous occasions. As regards flights to Gibraltar, as I informed the House on 14th June—[Vol. 748, c. 563–72]—we have held bilateral talks with Spain about the Prohibited Area near Gibraltar, and we are now taking steps to raise the question again with the I.C.A.O.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs who will be allowed to vote in the referendum in Gibraltar; if it will include all those males and females over 21 years of age; and what steps are being taken to register those who will by then be over 21 years of age but were not when the last register was completed.

I am not yet in a position to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Rutland and Stamford (Mr. Kenneth Lewis) on 20th June. The Order in Council is expected to be made very shortly.—[Vol. 678, c. 225.]

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what action is to be taken by members of the Government and what opportunity is to be given to members of the House for visits to Gibraltar to explain to the Gibraltarians the merits or demerits of the alternative proposals which they are to be asked to consider in the referendum.

I do not think any special arrangements are necessary, though hon. Members will of course, as always, be free to make such visits if they so desire.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek guarantees from the Spanish Government to ensure that Jewish citizens of Gibraltar and practising Free Masons in Gibraltar will have the same protection and rights of practising their faith or their cusoms, if they elect to become part of Spain, as they now possess.

The proposals made by the Spanish Government, which, unless they wish to change them, will constitute Option A of the referendum, in May, 1966, expressly included freedom of religion.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs how far known supporters of Nationalist China have supported the Hong Kong Government in efforts to stop the spread of Communism and hooliganism in Hong Kong; how far money has been withdrawn from Hong Kong to Taiwan; and how many Chinese have gone from Hong Kong to Taiwan during February, March, April and May, respectively.

The Government of Hong Kong did not inquire into the political affiliations of those expressing support for its actions during the recent disturbances. No figures for the movement of money to or from Hong Kong as a result of the disturbances are available. The approximate figures for travellers of Chinese race from Hong Kong to Taiwan during February, March, April and May respectively were 1,440, 2,770, 2,376 and 1,684.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the recent Urban Council Elections in Hong Kong for that section of this council elected by popular vote; what difficulties were experienced in conducting this election; and if he will consult with the Governor with a view to extending the franchise in those local matters to cover a wider section of the population.

A report has been received from the Governor; no difficulties were experienced in conducting the elections. The franchise for local authorities in the colony will be considered during the current review of local administration which the Hong Kong Government are undertaking.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to make available grants to relieve the hardship occasioned to students of the Eastern Region of Nigeria living in the United Kingdom whose financial aid and scholarship income have been cut off during the present crisis in Nigeria.

I am not aware that this has yet become a serious problem.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs why he has so far provided only an interim reply, dated 1st March, 1967, to a letter sent to his predecessor on 8th September, 1966, by the hon. Member for Wanstead and Woodford about grievances alleged by Chu Leung, a former detective staff sergeant in the Hong Kong Police Force; and when he hopes to send a final reply.

I am sorry that it is taking such a long time to give a substantive reply, but Mr. Chu's letter is being treated as a petition to the Secretary of State. All the papers in the case, including the record of the disciplinary proceedings are now in London and our legal advisers are being consulted.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he can now state his plans to enlarge Admiralty jurisdiction under the Administration of Justice Act, 1956, indicating the present and future limits of that jurisdiction in British Antarctic territories, in Tonga and in what were formerly West Indies territories.

I have no present plans for future territorial extension of the enlarged Admiralty jurisdiction under the Administration of Justice Act, 1956. With regard to the British Antarctic Territory and Tonga, I have nothing to add to my reply of 2nd May [Vol. 746, c. 279–80]. With regard to the West Indies, the Act has already been suitably extended to all those West Indian States and Territories for whose external relations the British Government is responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a White Paper on the means of ensuring strong and binding safeguards for the trade and other interests of Com- monwealth countries in the light of the application to join the European Economic Community.

It is the position of Her Majesty's Government that we would be ready to enter the European Economic Community provided essential British and Commonwealth interests were safeguarded. The methods of doing this would be for negotiation with the Member States of the Community and it is not possible, in advance of negotiations, to publish a White Paper on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress being made in the development of Lantau Island to accommodate the expanding population of Hong Kong.

There are no plans for any major development of Lantau Island which is less suitable than sites at Castle Peak and Sha Tin where it is planned to build two new towns to meet Hong Kong's population needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what is the cost to date of installing, using and protecting the transmitter at Francis-town; what staff are employed there; and what representations he has received from the Government of Botswana about the presence of this transmitter on its soil.

Installation costs amounted to £255,000. Running costs up to 30th June are estimated at £122,000 and the cost of protection up to that date at £147,000. The Diplomatic Wireless Service employs 17 U.K.-based and 62 locally-recruited personnel at Francis-town. The station is operated under licence from the Botswana Government so the last part of the question does not arise.

asked the Minister of Power what is the average charge made by gas boards for connection to mains gas.

Charges for connection to mains gas are made only in exceptional circumstances as, for instance, where the consumer is unusually distant from the main.

asked the Minister of Power what is the cost per them of methane gas imported from abroad.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dearne Valley (Mr. Edwin Wainwright) on 16th June.—[Vol. 748, c. 152.]

asked the Minister of Power what is the total production of gas produced in Great Britain; and how much of it is being produced by mined coal.

In 1966–67 total output was about 4,125 million therms of which about 1,900 million therms was coal based gas.

asked the Minister of Power if he will give the number of cargoes, and total tonnage, of imported natural gas reaching the Canvey terminal in each month of this year; to what extent cargoes have been held up; and how much is now being supplied from liquefaction plants at Arzew.

From January to May, five or six cargoes a month amounting in all to 339,000 tons; in June three cargoes amounting to 36,300 tons. Supplies were interrupted when a tanker was refused loading on Thursday, 22nd June.

asked the Minister of Power (1) what has been the flow of natural gas from the North Sea to the gas grid in each month of the current year so far; and what is budgeted for the remainder of the year;(2) when it is expected that sufficient North Sea gas will be available to the Gas Council not to justify the importation of liquid methane from overseas.

Supplies of North Sea gas should reach the methane line next month at an average annual rate of 100 m.c.f.d., equivalent to the annual amount contracted for import. Additional quantities should become available from the North Sea next year. Present plans provide for imported liquid gas being primarily used for meeting peak demands as North Sea supplies become available.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will introduce legislation to require the transit, storage and bagging of smokeless fuels to take place under cover.

No; the cost of such protection would outweigh the value of the benefits obtained.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will take steps to ensure that reductions in the price of domestic coal announced by the National Coal Board are passed on to the consumer by coal merchants.

My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the retail coal trade is cooperating in the Government's prices policy and he does not think it necessary to intervene.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will now arrange for all the social costs arising from the contraction of the coal industry, to be met out of the £30 million provided in the Coal Industry Act, 1965, instead of requiring the National Coal Board to carry the greater part of these costs.

This is one of the most important questions which I have under consideration at the moment. I shall hope to be able to say something about it to the House in the near future.

asked the Minister of Power what Plans Her Majesty's Government have to reopen uneconomic coal mines in the event of interference with Great Britain's oil supplies; to what extent they include the conversion of oilfired power stations to coal burners; how much time would be required to convert such power stations; and where the coal industry would recruit its manpower.

asked the Minister of Power whether, and to what extent, the proposed new national fuel policy will take fully into account the insecurity of Middle East oil supplies, as experienced in recent weeks; and if he will state what the cost of such supplies will be in military terms.

In my review of fuel policy I am taking full account of all relevant considerations, including the adequacy and security of supplies and the pattern of primary fuel use at power stations.

asked the Minister of Power what representations he has received concerning workers' participation in management in the new National Steel Corporation.

If the hon. Member is referring to the general subject of workers' participation, a large number; if he is referring to the National Steel Corporation's proposals now under discussion with the T.U.C., the answer is none.

asked the Minister of Power what steps he is taking to ensure that the United Kingdom becomes less dependent upon sources of oil supply in the Middle East which have proved liable to total or partial restriction for political reasons.

I have this matter under review.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will make a statement concerning Middle East oil supplies to Great Britain following blockage of the Suez Canal, the passage of oil round the Cape and the severance of oil supplies to Great Britain from certain Middle East countries; and what estimate he has made of petrol price increases in Great Britain consequent upon these disturbances.

Some shortfall in normal supplies is already being experienced not only in the U.K. but also in Western Europe as a result of the need to reroute tankers.Additional costs are being incurred by the oil supplying companies and my right hon. Friend is considering urgently with the oil industry what price increases will be necessary and how best to apply them.

asked the Minister of Power (1) by what amounts, during the present threats to oil supplies, the Central Electricity Generating Board and the South of Scotland Electricity Board are increasing their consumption of coal and reducing their use of fuel oil;(2) what plans the electricity generating boards have for holding increased stocks of coal while the present threats to oil supplies exist; if he is satisfied with their adequacy; and if he will make a statement.

Stocks of coal are adequate and all necessary plans are in hand to deal with any shortage of oil that may arise.

asked the Minister of Technology what progress-chasing he is doing on the results of the Harwell Conference on the development of the technology of the seabed.

The Proceedings of the Conference on the Technology of the Sea and the Seabed held at Harwell from the 5th to the 7th April, 1967, will be published within the next two months.A review is being undertaken by the Ministry of Technology to identify areas where an expanded effort would be likely to be of economic benefit.

asked the Minister of Technology when he expects to reply to representations from the Institution of Professional Civil Servants on the future of Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston.

I have received no representations from the Institution of Professional Civil Servants as such about the future of the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment. The Institution was, however, represented on a deputation on this matter from the Central Staff Side of the U.K. Atomic Energy Authority Whitley Council which met my predecessor in April, 1966. There was a useful exchange of views on that occasion. They have just asked for a further meeting.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement about the proposed change in chairmanship of Short Brothers and Harland.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will now make a statement about the chairmanship of Short Brothers.

The Company is passing through a period of reorganisation and I am therefore considering a successor to the present chairman to lead the company in the new phase that lies ahead.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will give details, and state the total value of, missile orders placed in each of the past five years with Short Brothers and Harland.

It would not be in the public interest to give this information.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the total value of aircraft construction work at present on order with Short Brothers and Harland.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the number and total value of sub-contract aircraft construction order at present being executed by Short Brothers and Harland.

The outstanding value of my Department's aircraft orders with Short Brothers and Harland is approximately £4 million. Information on the amount of Government aircraft work subcontracted to this company is not readily available to my Department.

asked the Minister of Technology what was the total value of overseas sales of aircraft and missiles including sub-contract work completed in each of the past seven years by Short Brothers and Harland.

This information is only available to my Department in confidence.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the total value of orders received by Short Brothers and Harland for the Skyvan light freighter aircraft.

Shorts have contracts for Skyvan, either firm or in the closing stages of negotiation, worth some £7 millions. I am pleased to be able to inform the House that the Government have decided to continue financial support for this promising aircraft.

asked the Minister of Technology what plans he has for the future organisation of Short Brothers and Harland; and to what extent aircraft and missile production is to be continued.

The Company will continue to be engaged in the production of the Tigercat and Seacat missiles both for the use of H.M. Forces and for export. As regards the Company's aircraft interests, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Stratton Mills) on 23rd June.—[Vol. 748, c. 346.]

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement about the constitution of the Board of Short Brothers and Harland.

The present Board is comprised, in addition to two executive directors, of four directors appointed by SB (Realisations) Ltd., which holds the Government's shareholding in Short Brothers and Harland Ltd., two directors representing Bristol Aeroplane Company Limited (now a subsidiary of Rolls-Royce Ltd.) and one director representing Harland and Wolff Ltd.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will give details of the use he has made of Section 4 of the Science and Technology Act, 1965.

I have required the Authority, under Section 4 of the Science and Technology Act, 1965, to carry out scientific research in the following fields:—

	Date of issue of requirement
Methods of desalination of salt water	23. 4.65
Development of high speed centrifuges for use in medical and biological research and in the pharmaceutical industry	21. 5.65
Payload for the large astronomical satelite project under consideration by ESRO	16. 7.65
Design, construction, commissioning and operation of a large scale automatic machine, embodying the augmented principle, to demonstrate hydrostatic extrusion under commercial manufacturing conditions	11.10.65
Design and engineering development of single-purpose transfucers suitable for incorporation in electronic instrumentation systems	31. 1.66
Properties of high strength beryllia ceramic	6. 5.66
Advanced radio-telescopes, including the design and construction of an advanced radio-telescope on behalf of the Science Research Council	21.12.66
Ceramic materials	27. 1.67
Methods and equipment for nondestructive testing of materials, processes and products	27. 1.67
Development work aimed at the improved utilisation of steels	6. 2.67
Fuel cells	28. 3.67

NOTES:1. In addition, work has been authorised on a number of minor projects.2. The list excludes non-atomic research by Weapons Group, commissioned and paid for by customers, the bulk of which is undertaken on behalf of Government Departments.

asked the Minister of Technology when he expects to make a statement on the future of Culham.

I hope to be able to make a statement shortly.

asked the Minister of Technology what study he is making of the use of reactors to provide processed steam for industrial and district heating purposes.

No current study is being made of the use of nuclear reactors to provide process steam for industrial and district heating purposes, but the Atomic Energy Authority is keeping the matter under review in consultation with the Ministry of Public Building and Works.

asked the Minister of Technology whether, in view of the urgency of bringing fast-breeder reactors into commercial use, he will increase research into the potential of steam-cooled fast reactors.

Before seeking authorisation for the construction of the sodium cooled prototype fast reactor, the Atomic Energy Authority appraised the relative merits of fast reactors using other coolants including gas and steam. They concluded that the use of sodium coolant offered the best prospect for early commercial exploitation of fast reactors but evaluation of the possibility of other coolants will continue in the light of developments.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the nature of the study he is making of the ways in which Government laboratories and scientific organisations in the United States of America, such as the National Aeronautic and Space Administration, disseminate information to industrial firms.

On my recent visit to the United States I had general discussions on these matters with the authorities concerned and one of my senior officials is now over there seeking more detailed information.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on his negotiations with Vickers on the possibility of a marine nuclear reactor being installed in a container ship.

I have recently received from Vickers Engineering their Report on a study of the application of nuclear power to container ships.The report makes proposals for more extensive studies which would be necessary before any decision could be taken to embark on building a nuclear powered ship. I am considering these proposals.

asked the Minister of Technology when he expects to make public his study of the possibility of utilising off-peak nuclear power under suitable geographical conditions for purposes of desalination.

There is no study in progress at present on utilisation of off-peak nuclear power for desalination of water. Studies have been concentrated and are continuing to determine the cost of water from dual purpose nuclear power/desalination plants; these are however related to base-load operation of both the water and power sides of the installation.

asked the Minister of Technology what representations have been made to him by the Royal Aeronautical Society on the need for planning and coordination of a long-term programme for aviation and space activities in Great Britain; what facilities already exist for this purpose within his Department; and what further action he proposes to take.

During the last year or so the Royal Aeronautical Society has submitted several memoranda outlining its views on long-term planning in aviation.I discussed the most recent of these informally with the Society on 2nd May. Earlier this year a new division, the Air C division, was set up in the Aviation Group of my Ministry, and given a special responsibility for long-term planning, including co-ordinating the efforts of Government Departments and outside bodies.

asked the Minister of Technology if he is aware that the United States Government are likely to subsidise the design and development of a 90-ton hovercraft with six times the amount invested by the United Kingdom in all hovercraft research and development to date, and what action he is taking to safeguard Great Britain's lead and retain British designers in the face of growing world competition.

I read the Press reports describing some American plans for a 90-ton hovercraft. In this country a much larger hovercraft weighing 160 tons is actually in the final stage of manufacture and will be launched within a few months.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how soon the Inland Revenue will be sufficiently computorised to introduce the Income Tax in reverse method of making social security payments.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given to him yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Social Security.—[Vol. 748, c. 64.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to introduce a Pensions Increase Act and recommend a Royal Warrant for a pensions increase in respect of the Armed Forces.

I would refer the hon. Lady to the Financial Secretary's speech on the Public Service and Armed Forces Pensions Commission Bill on 3rd February, 1967.—[Vol. 740, c. 989–90.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the foreign exchange loss to the country caused by the closure of the Suez Canal, the dislocation of oil supplies and the boycott of British goods imposed by some Middle Eastern countries.

It is not possible now to estimate the likely impact on our balance of payments since so much depends on how soon there will be a return to normal trading conditions in the Middle East.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will list the Members of Parliament who have for the past 12 months, or for any convenient stated period, been on overseas visits the costs of which his Department have contributed to in any way, the countries these Members visited, and the dates and the costs involved to public funds.

No overseas visits by Members other than Ministers were paid for from the Treasury Vote in the financial year 1966–67. Grants-in-aid are made to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, but I have no detailed information about the visits sponsored by these bodies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest available figure of the actual percentage, correct to one place of decimals, of registered disabled persons employed in the Civil Service in comparison with all other employments.

The latest available figures show that at 1st October, 1966, the actual percentage, correct to one place of decimals, was 3·0 per cent. (or 2·951 per cent. to three places of decimals) for the Civil Service as compared with 2·6 per cent. for all other employments.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what assessment he has made of new office blocks in the Greater London area which are still empty; and if he will introduce legislation to restore to residential occupancy houses within a radius of five miles of Parliament which have been converted for use as offices since 1939.

In April, 1966, 31 million square feet of new office space remained unoccupied. Local planning authorities are now submitting returns for April, 1967 but they are not yet complete.As regards the second part of the Question, my right hon. Friend does not think that legislation would be justified.Where residential buildings are being used with temporary planning permission for offices, the planning authorities will be able to secure restoration to housing if they are suitable for it, when the permissions expire. Where, however, buildings have permanent planning permission for office use, the cost of buying them up or paying compensation to ensure their return to residential use could be very high. Many of them would be expensive to adapt for modern living conditions.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has reached a decision regarding the application by the Hailsham Rural District Council for a main drainage system for the village of Jevington.

The council's proposals were approved in principle on 22nd June.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether his attention has been called to the recent investigations carried out by Applied Research and Engineering Limited of Peterlee, details of which have been sent to him, which demonstrates that under the right conditions it should be possible to produce fresh water from sea water at a price as low as 2s. 4d. per thousand gallons; and whether he will arrange a further investigation into these methods before approving further schemes for using large land areas for conversion to reservoirs.

My right hon. Friend is aware that these investigations have been conducted and he will be studying a report on them as soon as it is available. The Government recognise the possibilities of large scale desalination in this country when this becomes an economic proposition.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he is taking to ensure that increased social security benefits do not result in any disadvantage regarding rate rebates or differential rents.

Increases in benefits are increases in income and it would be difficult to treat them differently from similar increases in small incomes from other sources. Indeed in the case of rate rebates such a distinction could not be made without legislation. Persons in receipt of supplementary benefits, who are those most in need of assistance, normally receive an allowance to cover their rent and rates.I am writing further to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many people in the county borough of Bolton are in receipt of individual rate relief in the current year; and what is the range of the relief being given.

I have no information about the current year but the Council have informed me that in 1966–67 there were 3,635 recipients of rate rebate in the first rebate period and 3,856 in the second. The average amount of rebate for the whole year was £9 8s.The amount of the rebate due to an applicant who qualifies depends on the amount of his rate bill. The average domestic rate bill in Bolton in 1966–67 was only £28 18s., compared with the national average of £40 7s., and for this reason the average rate rebate was correspondingly less.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, in view of the unsatisfied demand for council

DETERMINATIONS BY RENT OFFICERS IN LANCASHIRE UP TO 16TH JUNE, 1967
			Number of Determinations
						Amount so far Reimbursed
Area		Previous rent reduced	Previous rent unchanged	Previous rent increased	Total	£
Lancashire C.C.	…	277	75	258	610	30,538
Barrow C.B.	…	5	1	39	45	247
Blackburn C.B.	…	7	3	7	17	955
Blackpool C.B.	…	13	10	42	65	2,348
Bolton C.B.	…	11	2	4	17	1,920
Bootle C.B.	…	31	2	20	53	2,733
Burnley C.B.	…	12	1	6	19	1,018
Bury	…	11	3	2	16	2,222
Liverpool C.B.	…	380	84	162	626	4,983
Manchester C.B.	…	403	34	117	554	5,127
Oldham C.B.	…	30	—	7	37	2,906
Preston C.B.	…	30	9	9	48	2,748
Rochdale C.B.	…	4	—	2	6	960
St. Helens C.B.	…	24	9	46	79	1,588
Salford C.B.	…	102	6	7	115	1,221
Southport C.B.	…	9	7	22	38	278
Warrington C.B.	…	39	5	5	49	2,784
Wigan C.B.	…	11	23	15	49	829
Totals	…	1,399	274	770	2,443	£65,405
In addition there were 294 cases outstanding.

My right hon. Friend intends to review the general consent to the sale of council houses in the light of experience over the twelve months following the publication of Circular No. 24/67 on 20th March and the action taken by local authorities during that period. If necessary he could withdraw or modify the consent at any time. No council houses have been sold in Havering in the past six years.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will publish a table showing the number of cases considered by rent officers in the area of the Lancashire County Council and county boroughs in Lancashire; how many such cases showed an increase or decrease in rent; and what were the respective amounts reimbursed to the several local authorities for the service of such rent officers.

The information is given in the following table.A number of six-monthly claims for reimbursement have not yet been received, but, on the other hand, the amount so far reimbursed includes nonrecurring expenditure incurred in setting up the rent officer service.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in respect of Sutton Coldfield, a residential area serving a large industrial conurbation and consequently subject to numerous transfers of houses, he will relax the present restriction on mortgage loans, especially that which deducts the value of uncompleted loans from the following year's allocation.

I regret that it is not possible to increase the allocation of £91,000 already notified to Sutton Coldfield, which has been fixed on the same basis as for other local authorities within the overall amount available for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will issue a White Paper on the short- and longer-term defence implications to the United Kingdom of entry into the European Economic Community.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications were received by the Royal Navy careers offices in Northern Ireland during 1965 and 1966, respectively; and how many of these applicants subsequently joined the Royal Navy in each of these years.

934 applications were received during 1966, resulting in 226 entries. The corresponding figures for 1965 were 756 and 205 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications were received by the Royal Air Force careers offices in Northern Ireland during 1965 and 1966, respectively; and how many of these applicants subsequently joined the Royal Air Force in each of these years.

In 1965 the Belfast Careers Information Office received 839 applications for enlistment as airmen or airwomen in ground trades and 381 of these applicants subsequently joined the Royal Air Force. The comparable figure for applications in 1966 is 807; 356 of these applicants have so far joined the Royal Air Force.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications were received by the Army careers offices in Northern Ireland during 1965 and 1966, respectively; and how many of these applicants subsequently joined the Army in each of these years.

There were 2,032 applicants in 1965, from whom 1,002 recruits were enlisted, and 2,094 in 1966, from whom 990 were enlisted. These figures include women, young soldiers, and boys.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will state the average width of trunk road in England in 1962 and 1967, respectively.

A sample survey conducted by the Road Research Laboratory in 1958 indicated that the average carriageway width of trunk roads in England was then 26 ft. No figure is available for 1962 but a further sample survey is now being conducted and the results will be made known in due course.

asked the Minister of Transport what percentage of the total mileage of class one or principal roads in England are below the minimum width recommended by her Department.

There is no minimum width for principal roads generally. Standards for new or improved roads are related to the volumes of traffic to be carried. The extent to which existing roads are below these width standards is not meaningful unless similarly related in each case to traffic. This is a matter for the Local Highway Authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Transport how many stations and halts have been closed in Wales since 1964.

82.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will consider the establishment of a veterinary college for Wales at Aberystwyth, to be developed in conjunction with the proposed agricultural college for Wales.

Existing facilities are at present expected to meet the demand for places and the need for qualified veterinarians. If any proposals for a new school are formulated by a university I am sure they will be given careful consideration by the University Grants Committee in the light of the resources available and the future need for additional veterinarians.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will state the number of universities and colleges of further education who teach industrial marketing to degree level.

This information is not available without extensive inquiries. I understand however that most undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered in universities and colleges of further education in the general field of management and business studies include marketing and that this subject normally contains some element of industrial marketing. At least one university offers a postgraduate course in which industrial marketing can be taken as a major subject.

asked the Minister of Health what was the total payment to pharmacists for the year 1965–66 for dispensing prescriptions issued by hospital doctors; and what average annual increase this would give to each pharmacist employed in the hospital service if this sum were allocated to a pay increase for them.

Excluding the cost of drugs, containers and overheads about £190,000 to retail chemists. Divided by the number of hospital pharmacists this gives a quotient of about £125.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will request local authorities to consider an extension of their present services for incontinent persons, not only to patients living in their own homes and in residential homes, but also to patients in private nursing homes.

I am not clear that there is a need which is not at present being met satisfactorily, but if the hon. Lady has evidence to the contrary I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Minister of Health what was the average number of patients on the lists of doctors providing full general medical services in England and Wales in each of the past five years.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Somerset, North (Mr. Dean) on 31st May.—[Vol. 747, c. 36.]

asked the Minister of Health what representations have been made to him concerning the condition laid down in the General Dental Regulations that dental practitioners practising in health centres must be remunerated on a salaried rather than item-for-item or fees basis; and whether it is proposed to give dentists using health centres an option to choose the method of remuneration.

None recently; the regulations were amended on 13th March, 1967, to give dentists using health centres the option of remuneration either by salary or by fee for item of service.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will seek to modify the National Health Service Act with a view to making it possible for local authorities to offer full-time salaried employment to doctors, dentists and opticians working in health centres.

Local health authorities can employ their staff on a salaried basis at health centres to meet the needs of their own services. Dentists providing general dental services at health centres can be remunerated by salary by Executive Councils and there is power to provide for the salaried remuneration of general medical practitioners by Executive Councils with the practitioners consent. There is at present no provision for opticians to provide supplementary ophthalmic services at health centres, but apart from this I see no need for any modification of the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his plans to increase the number of detention centres in Lancashire.

My right hon. Friend's present aim is to provide 200 additional detention centre places to serve the north west.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the labour costs of the average worker engaged in British industry, including wages, salaries, sick pay, training time off, holidays, National Insurance, etc., together with the annual amount of each category stated as a percentage of the whole, in the most recent year.

Information in respect of 1964 was published in the December, 1966 and March, 1967 issues of the Minstry of Labour Gazette. I am sending my hon. Friend copies of the articles.

asked the Minister of Labour how many disabled persons are unemployed in the North Fylde area.

On 8th May, 1967 there were 104 male and 17 female registered disabled persons registered as unemployed at the Fleetwood and Thornton Cleveleys Employment Exchanges.

asked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed in the North Fylde area are now being retrained in Government establishments or under Government schemes.

Seven men from the North Fylde area who were unemployed when they applied for training are now attending Government Training Centres and one man is being trained under a Government scheme at a nautical training college. Seven others have applied for training. Three are awaiting allocation to courses end four are about to be interviewed by selection panels.

asked the Minister of Labour what information he has, with regard to European engineering industries, about the hours normally worked per week, the number of days holiday and the hours worked per year in France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands compared with the United Kingdom.

The following information, which is available from the usual international sources for the overseas countries concerned, is shown alongside data on average hours worked for the United Kingdom. Owing to differences in concept, scope, methodology and presentation, the figures do not provide a satisfactory basis for comparisons between one country and another.

AVERAGE HOURS WORKED PER WEEK BY WAGE EARNERS IN METAL PRODUCTS, MACHINERY, ETC. INDUSTRIES IN 1965
France	47·1
Belgium (a)	(b)
Germany (Federal Republic) (c):
Males	44·9
Females	41·1
Sweden	Not available
Netherlands (d):
Adult males	46·1
United Kingdom (e)	43·8
(a) The figures relate to October.
(b) An average for the group of industries is not published. Averages for the component industries, however, were as follows:
Metal products: 39·4 hours; Machinery (non-electrical) 41·6 hours; Electrical machinery: 42·2 hours, and Transport equipment: 40·9 hours.
(c) Including West Berlin.
(d) The figure relates to one week in October and includes also metal manufacturing.
(e) The figures relate to October and to all full-time manual workers.

Similar information is not available from these sources in relation to the number of hours worked per year, or the number of paid holidays in the engineering industries.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the special allocation of 1,000 vouchers a year for Malta provided for in the White Paper on Immigration from the Commonwealth is to be continued beyond the two years which will end on 31st July next.

The special allocation will be continued at the existing rates for the time being; it will be reviewed from time to time.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has completed his study of the imbalance in tariffs; whether he now proposes to make any alteration in yearly telephone rentals; and if he will make a statement.

The Answer to the first part of the Question is "No", and am not, therefore, yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average number of patients on the lists of doctors providing full general medical services in Scotland in each of the past five years.

The estimated average number of patients on the lists of doctors providing unrestricted general medical services was as follows:

1962	…	…	…	1979
1963	…	…	…	1983
1964	…	…	…	2000
1965	…	…	…	2039
1966	…	…	…	2067

(The figures relate to 1st July of each year and are inflated by up to 3 per cent. since it is not possible to elminate all duplicate entries from doctors' lists.)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many certificated and other teachers are employed in local authority secondary schools; and what estimates he has made of the numbers available in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973.

At December, 1966 there were 18,502 certificated and 1,847 uncertificated teachers in education authority secondary schools. Specific estimates cannot usefully be made for future years, but I would expect the number of certificated teachers in these schools to be not less than 20,000 in 1970–71 and 22,700 in 1973–74.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many pupils are attending local authority secondary schools in Scotland; and what estimates he has made of the numbers in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973.

At January, 1966, 271,035. The estimated number at January 1967 is 280,090. Estimates for the remaining years are:

1969	…	…	…	291,320
1970	…	…	…	299,950
1971	…	…	…	321,070
1972	…	…	…	354,490
1973	…	…	…	363,660

NOTE.—Figures from 1971 onwards take account of the raising of the statutory leaving age.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average number of pupils per class in local authority secondary schools; and what estimates he has made of average class sizes in 1969. 1970. 1971, 1972 and 1973.

The average size of class as taught, derived from statistics obtained on a census day in January, 1966, is estimated to be 18.9 for education authority secondary schools. No corresponding estimates have been made for future years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of capital investment for school-building in each of the three years from 1967–68 to 1969–70.

The capital investment allocated to school building for the three financial years 1967–68 to 1969–70 is £78 million, allowing an average of £26 million for each of these years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the imports of cotton fabrics from Portugal for the first five months of 1967 expressed as a percentage of similar imports for the corresponding period of 1966, and as a percentage of similar imports for the last five months of 1966.

In the five months January to May, 1967 the total quantity imported from Portugal, including imports for process and re-export, was 182 per cent. more than in January to May, 1966 and 78 per cent. more than in August to December, 1966. Imports have fallen since the first quarter of 1967; the average for April-May was less than half the average for the first quarter of the year.

asked the Minister of Social Security how many old people excluded from National Insurance in 1948 are now in receipt of supplementary benefits.

About 185,000 people over pensionable age but not in receipt of Retirement Pension are currently receiving Supplementary Pensions. It is not known how many of these were excluded from National Insurance in 1948.

asked the Minister of Social Security what would be the additional cost, at the proposed new rates, of giving the widow's pension to all widows who were in receipt of a widow's pension before remarriage were subsequently widowed again and not then eligible for the widow's pension because of the three year rule; and how many widows would be affected.

None. A widow who had a National Insurance widow's pension before her second marriage is already able to draw a widow's pension on her second husband's insurance regardless of the duration of her second marriage.

asked the Minister of Social Security what would be the additional cost, at the proposed new rates, of giving all widows, widowed below the age of 50 years who have not re-married and who are not receiving the widowed mother's allowance, the widow's pension on reaching the age of 50 years; and how many widows would be affected.