asked the Minister of Overseas Development what help is proposed for comprehensive schools and roads in the British Virgin Islands.

A C.D. and W. grant of £78,850 was approved in December, 1966, for the construction of a comprehensive school of 800 places in Road Town and building is expected to start shortly. C.D. and W. grants totalling over £244,000 have been made for road development since 1st April, 1965.

I am grateful for that Answer. Would not the Parliamentary Secretary agree that, if Colonies like this, which have been very loyal, are to become viable entities, we must concentrate more on infrastructures such as these? Now that we have fewer Colonies, could these Colonies get more of a share?

Although we have fewer Colonies, we have just the same number of anxious recipients of our aid and I would not like to be too forthcoming in answer to that supplementary question.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what aid the Government will give to the State of Bihar.

British aid is not given to individual Indian States. But because of India's special difficulties, particularly the need for foreign exchange to import food, we have offered to relieve India of debt payments of £11·5 million currently due to us. We are urging other countries to follow our example by untying aid in this way.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that that Answer will give some satisfaction to those of us who feel deeply about the tragedy of Bihar? Will he keep under consideration any practical help which can be given in the way of food direct to these tragic people?

Yes, but we are not a food-exporting nation and, therefore, the aid that we give in the form of industrial equipment and such things, by saving the Indians from spending foreign exchange in other ways, helps to provide food for the Indians.

Has not the water-table in Bihar fallen by about 30 ft.? Has not the whole situation in Bihar been greatly aggravated by the closure of the Suez Canal?

That is a point of view which can be put forward.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether the negotiations with India and Pakistan about aid for 1967–68 have yet been concluded; how much aid will be given to these countries; and in what form and on what terms this aid will be given.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what proposals he will make to increase aid to India and Pakistan in the year 1967–68.

The hon. Gentleman will now have seen my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford (Dr. Ernest A. Davies) on 15th June about aid for Pakistan.

As regards India, the position remains as given in my reply to the hon. Member for Torquay (Sir Frederic Bennett) on 4th May.—[Vol. 748, c. 133; Vol. 746, c. 711–12.]

Although the Minister gave the total amount of aid, he did not say in what form and under what terms the aid will be given. Is it to be given for specific projects?

No. The Indians themselves are responsible for deciding how and in what form the aid should be used.

asked the Minister for Overseas Development whether he will consider back dating from 1st January, 1967, to 1st July, 1965, the supplementary allowance to six officers of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service employed in the Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research and the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, whose brother officers have already received the allowance for the previous 18 months, and whose exclusion appears to have been due to an administrative oversight.

No, Sir. Since these men are not Nigerian civil servants, we cannot pay them allowances from July, 1965, under the Nigerian Public Service Scheme. They are being paid from January, 1967, as their Institutes concluded agreements with us during that month.

Why, then, do they contribute to the pension and widows' and orphans' fund and are regarded as members of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service? Is not this the worst possible advertisement for volunteering for research work overseas?

We can deal with these men only in agreement with the Nigerian authorities. We had to deal with these Institutes separately from the public service. These men are not civil servants in the public service. We must abide by the date when agreement on this separate scheme was reached?

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will increase aid to St. Kitts for the specific purpose of economic development in Nevis and Anguilla.

I am sorry that I cannot increase the amount of aid already promised to St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla.

Bearing in mind that many of the political frustrations in these two islands, as we have seen recently, may well be due to the lack of basic economic facilities for tourism, such as water, electricity, roads and the rest, will not the hon. Gentleman look into the matter again?

We are aware of the difficulties here, and we are prepared to discuss with the State Government the purposes to which our aid is put. We can certainly ask them to ensure that the needs of Anguilla are not overlooked.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the concern about the situation in Anguilla? Is it not difficult to see how, in the existing circumstances, any aid given to the St. Kitts Government will reach the island of Anguilla?

The Government of St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla are responsible for their own financial affairs. I have said that we are willing to take the matter up with them, but I do not think that we can do more.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether negotiations between the World Bank and contributors to the International Development Association have yet taken place as regards the replenishment of the funds of the International Development Association; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he is satisfied with the progress of negotiations on the replenishment of funds for the International Development Association; and if he will make a statement.

No clear basis on which it might be possible to reach agreement has yet emerged. Her Majesty's Government are anxious to reach a settlement quickly because the need of developing countries for further commitments of I.D.A. funds is very great.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that, as I.D.A. loans are untied, the United Kingdom wins about 30s. worth of export orders for every 20s. contributed? In view of that, will he resist any tendency on the part of the Chancellor to cut aid plans and, more than that, press for an expansion of contributions to the I.D.A.?

We are agreed that there is a need to replenish the funds of the I.D.A., and I hope, of course, that it will be at a greater amount than at present.

Will my right hon. Friend resist any pressures which may be put on the Government to tie the funds?

Yes, Sir; I think that it would be much better to have these funds untied.

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "quickly"? He said last winter that the funds should be substantially replenished. We are now past Midsummer Day. When shall we have a decision on it?

There are many other parties concerned in the question of replenishment of funds. From the point of view of the British Government, we hope that it will be brought about as speedily as possible.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will now give a firm forecast of the figure of British foreign aid in the current financial year.

Our target for aid programme expenditures in the current financial year is £205 million, but the actual rate of expenditure during the year depends largely on the progress of projects and other factors in recipient countries, not under Her Majesty's Government's control.

Does my right hon. Friend recall that, when the Labour Government first came to power, one of their main claims was that they would undertake a continuing increase in the amount of money devoted to aid and development schemes? When the cuts were made last year, the impression was given that it would be a once-for-all cutback? Does my right hon. Friend realise that there will be widespread disappointment that there is not to be a restoration to the previous level in the coming year?

There has been a continual increase in aid commitments by this Government until the necessary cuts last year following our economic difficulties. I assure my hon. Friend that I have much sympathy with his point of view and will continue to press it.

Might not some of the aid which is being paid to Tanzania be used to compensate the owners of the nationalised property?

The aid is not being paid to Tanzania.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development where the cuts in overseas aid to developing countries for the year 1967–68 will be made.

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the replies given to my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd) on 24th October and to the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow) on 22nd November last.—[Vol. 734, c. 118 and 270.]

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that disappointment at the reduced figure is increased by the rise in costs and, therefore, the reduced value of the aid below what it would otherwise have been? When may we expect to know about the prospects for 1968–69?

As regards the prospects, the Government are at the moment considering their estimates, and I hope in due course to be in a position to report to the House the result of the investigation.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will give an assurance that in accordance with the pledge given at the 1964 United Nations Commission for Trade and Development Conference, Great Britain will continue to supply financial resources to the developing countries of a minimum net amount of 1 per cent. of the national income in terms of the criteria agreed at this United Nations Commission for Trade and Development Conference.

We have consistently done better than 1 per cent. and our aim is to continue to do so.

Is the Minister aware that a number of us are becoming bemused by the different figures he has given to hon. Members, all of which in their turn differ from the figure given in the O.E.C.D. Development Review? May we have a single standard so that we can judge the Government's performance?

The reason is that the figures vary constantly in the official reports as well. Our performance in relation to the target for the years 1962–65 is as follows: 1962, 1·14 per cent.; 1963, 1·04 per cent.; 1964, 1·22 per cent.; and 1965, 1·26 per cent.

Is not the Government's task in meeting the 1 per cent. target being made much easier by their failure to increase the gross national product?

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the value of the aid which will be given in 1967 to countries that have broken diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom or are boycotting British goods.

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the Question by the right hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter).

On the second part of the Question I understand that certain of the Arab countries have said they will boycott British goods, but the extent to which they are doing so is not clear.

While no one wants aid to be turned on or off in response to odd political speeches, does the Minister appreciate that the continued subsidisation of countries which show their continued hostility to us undermines public support in this country for the many worth-while projects he supports elsewhere?

Yes, Sir. That is so. I have drawn the attention of many of our friends overseas to this fact.

Will my right hon. Friend resist any pressures to have strings, political or otherwise, attached to the kind of aid which we give to all underdeveloped countries?

Does the Minister agree that, while aid is essential to the underdeveloped countries, it must be dependent on the proper treatment of British subjects and British firms?

Yes, Sir. We shall, of course, expect British interests to be suitably treated—certainly with justice.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what steps he has taken to supplement Her Majesty's Government's assistance to technical training in the developing countries by sponsoring overseas students for courses provided here or projected under the Industrial Training Act.

The Ministry sponsors overseas students under technical assistance on a wide variety of courses in technical training. In addition, a new scheme has been devised, after consultation with industrial training boards, the Confederation of British Industry and the T.U.C., under which the Ministry of Labour hopes to find training places in British industry for several hundreds of additional students from developing countries each year.

I welcome that statement on the new scheme, but how soon does the Minister hope to have any results from it, and have the participating Governments yet been circularised?

All suitable publicity has been given to the scheme, but, as it was started only recently, it is too early yet to make an appraisal of its results.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development why the British grant to the Agricultural Research Council in Salisbury, Rhodesia, has been terminated; and what effects this will have on the development of African farming.

Zambia is withdrawing from the Agricultural Research Council of Central Africa, of which the other members are Rhodesia and Malawi. We could net agree to continue to support on a two-country basis a Council whose work would be located almost wholly in Rhodesia.

The research so far undertaken by the Council will be published and will be available for the benefit of African farmers. The extent to which the work can continue will depend upon retention of staff and provision of research facilities.

Is not this a wholly political decision. forcing the centre to close to the detriment of all farming in Central Africa'? Can the right hon. Gentleman say, for example, how the animal productivity study, which is so important to Zambia, will be continued?

The original undertaking was that support should be given to this institution, which was being worked on a three-country basis. Now that that no longer operates, it is up to the Government to see the best possible way in which we can further the interests of all the countries concerned, and we think that it can be done best by recognising that it is time we ought not to support the activities of an illegal régime.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether, following the request by the Government of Tanzania to Her Majesty's Government to assume responsibility for the pensions of those expatriate officers who served under the colonial régime in Tanganyika, he will assure all such pensioners that there will be no hiatus in the payment of their pensions.

The Tanzanian Government have said that, without prejudice to the outcome of their representations, they are continuing provisions for pensions payments to their Estimates for 1967–68,which have now been approved.

Is it not true that the Government of Tanzania hope, and have so requested, that the British Government will take over the pensions awarded before independence?

They have made representations to that effect. Pending the discussions which will result, I am confident that the Government of Tanzania will continue to honour their obligations.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what emergency aid the Government will now give to relieve the plight of refugees from the west bank of the Jordan.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies which my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and I gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Hornchurch (Mr. Alan Lee Williams) and for Brighouse and Spenborough (Mr. Colin Jackson) on 19th June, and also to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Sir T. Beamish) on 26th June.—[Vol. 748, c. 178 and c. 197.] [Vol. 749, c. 16–17.]

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, though I cannot carry the figures in my head. Will the British Government's contributions be over and above the aid programme already budgeted for this year?

No, I cannot say that it will be over and above the aid programme; it has to come within the ceiling of the aid programme as at present fixed.

Is there any scheme for those who want to volunteer from this country to help the refugees?

I am sure that the voluntary organisations which undertake this work would be willing to consider any proposition put to them.

Will my right hon. Friend take it that we shall all welcome whatever aid can be provided for those Jordan refugees on the west bank, but has he any information about the amount and nature of aid being provided by Arab countries, particularly those in possession of oil revenues, which are, in fact, responsible for much of the trouble?

The part that concerns me is the aid which Her Majesty's Government are prepared to give, and I can say that in the case of Jordan we have given as far as it is possible for us to do so.

If this sum comes from within the budget already provided for this year, what cuts are being made elsewhere to compensate?

It is not a question of making cuts. It is a question of looking at the programme as a whole and slowing down the programme to meet any other further calls which may be made upon it.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development on what aid development criteria the Government grant of £500,000 to the Jordanian Government following the recent Arab/ Israeli conflict was based.

For many years past Her Majesty's Government have helped the Jordan Government to maintain essential services and to develop the country's resources in accordance with accepted aid criteria. I am sure that my hon. Friend will agree that in the situation which has now arisen, and to enable the Jordan Government to resume that development, there is pressing need for the supplementary assistance which we have offered them for rehabilitation and reconstruction projects.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that, however urgently needed and important this grant was, it was motivated by political factors and had very little to do with overseas aid and development, and therefore should not have been offered through his Ministry?

That is partly so, but I did tell my hon. Friend that the aid was for rehabilitation and reconstruction, and is therefore concerned with development work.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that whilst most countries can find unlimited money to finance wars they seem little prepared to find money to remove the causes of those wars? Whilst one appreciates the help being given in this instance, could not we do more to try to solve the problem so that the seeds of a future war are not kept there in the Middle East?

Those are sentiments that could be uttered by us all.

In view of the present difficulties in Jordan, will the Minister say if there are any particular purposes for which the grant is being used in the short term?

As a result of a request from the Jordan Prime Minister, we have agreed that the first instalment of £250,000 should be spent on the construction of agricultural roads in the areas where refugees are being sheltered.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development which countries which have broken off diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom are in receipt of British aid; and whether it is intended to continue to give this aid.

Syria, Iraq and the Sudan—which notified Her Majesty's Government earlier this month that they were breaking diplomatic relations with Britain—have been in receipt of British aid. We are reviewing the question of future aid to these countries. Of the nine other countries which broke off relation as some previous time, six have been in receipt of British aid. I shall, with permission, publish the details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it not very demeaning for this country to go on providing aid to countries which have shown their attitude to us by breaking off diplomatic relations? How does the Minister secure that the aid is not misappropriated when there are no British representatives on the spot to check the expenditure?

Technical assistance officers have already been withdrawn from Syria and Iraq. The House will agree that the wisest course is not invariably to leap to decisions in these cases but to try to damp down the retaliations rather than encourage them.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that destitute children and old people are not always responsible for the actions of politicians, either in this country or abroad, and that diplomatic disputes are no excuse for failing to face up to our responsibilities?

My hon. Friend is quite right, but I do not think that it is fair for him to say that we are not facing up to our responsibilities. There are others who should do that as well.

Is it not true that although the Sudan has broken off diplomatic relations with us the Ambassador and all his staff are still there, and the Embassy is still operating perfectly normally?

indicated assent.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what facilities are available to experts contracted to give technical assistance in the fields of agriculture, banking, insurance, consumers stores and rural development to have short courses on the history, law and principles and practice of co-operative societies.

If the tasks for which such experts were recruited required knowledge of these matters which the expert did not already have, the Ministry would be prepared to consider arranging suitable instruction at a competent institution such as the Co-operative College or Plunkett Foundation.

While I thank my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him to expedite the matter further, especially with a view to giving the necessary publicity to the fact that this kind of facility will be available from his Ministry?

I think that my hon. Friend knows that the Advisory Committee on Co-operatives is at present considering various initiatives, and we are in close touch with the Principal of the Co-operative College, but I would prefer to say no more. I cannot anticipate what the discussions will lead to.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what help he has given to India in the formation and organisation of their five-year economic plan.

None, Sir. My hon. Friend will appreciate that the preparation of India's five-year plans is entirely the responsibility of the Indian Government.

But is my right hon. Friend aware that if Britain enters the Common Market that will affect India's five-year plan to the extent of 40 per cent. of its overseas trade? Will he therefore now seek immediate negotiations to make sure that there will be no detriment to India?

The Commonwealth countries concerned are aware of the negotiations with the Common Market and are kept informed.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the current value of United Kingdom aid and development programmes in Malta, Gibraltar and India per capita of their respective populations.

The figures are approximately: Malta, £18 4s. Od.; Gibraltar, £21 11 s. Od.; and India, 2s.

Does my hon. Friend agree, in relation to his Answer to Question No. 23, that this is again an example of political distortion of genuine overseas aid and development priorities, and that the Government should finance political needs and pressures in other ways?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that the population of India is so vast that, in total, the aid we give is very high. But I agree that we should try to do more.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what request he has received from Fiji for the support of its tourist industry; and if he will make a statement.

None, Sir. I would be willing to consider a request if it were made.

In view of the great experience of the Minister's Department in these matters, is it not time for him to have a look at the Report on the travel and tourist industry in Fiji, published as long ago as September 1965?

We have seen that Report, and I repeat that if we got a request we should consider the proposition.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what action has been taken by him to help with the provision of a new hospital, with a ward for mental patients, in Tonga.

Within the last few days a grant of £195,200 has been approved towards the cost of construction of the new Vaiola hospital in Tonga.

There is in the plans of the Tonga Government for this hospital no special provision for mental patients.

While I thank the Minister for that reply, may I remind him that the mental patients are now going to the prison? Does not he think that it is essential if a new hospital is being constructed that there should be a special ward for these people?

I know of the hon. Lady's great interest in these matters, and I share her sympathy, but it is a matter for the Tonga Government.

Would the Minister suggest to the Government of Tonga that one way of helping their citizens would be to bring their law up to date?

I am sure that note will be taken of that.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what action he has taken in regard to the teacher training college, including the provision of a printing press, in Tonga.

If the Government of Tonga decides to ask for our help in acquiring a printing press for the college I should be pleased to consider it.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for sending a special representative to Tonga. I am sure that he knows that Tonga has been requesting a printing press for some considerable time. I have made certain suggestions to him. Will he reconsider them?

I certainly will consider the suggestions made by the hon. Lady.

Might I associate myself with the request? It is very desirable that someone with some authority should go to Tonga to try to help it get over some of the very considerable problems which it has at the moment and which it will have difficulty in solving without some sensible advice.

I take note of what has been said.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what support he has given to the recommendations of the Tripartite Economic Survey of the Eastern Caribbean of April, 1966; and what further steps he is proposing to take.

We generally support the the recommendations of the Tripartite Survey and hope, with the co-operation of the islands and in consultation with the United States and Canada, to apply our development aid in accordance with them.

We support the proposal that the islands should set up a Regional Development Agency and have offered 500,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars towards the cost of its activities. With the support of Britain, the United States and Canada, all Commonwealth Caribbean countries have requested the United Nations Development Programme to study the possibility of establishing a Caribbean Development Bank.

As it is now 10 months since the hon. Gentleman said that he would try to follow the recommendations of the Report, and in view of the importance of the Report to the area, may I ask him to give continued attention to these recommendations?

Yes, Sir; we are certainly giving attention to the Report. We are awaiting the Report about the Caribbean Development Bank.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what study he is making of the potential benefit of the British marine science programme to food problems in developing countries.

The Oceanography and Fisheries Committee of the Natural Environment Research Council has already considered the question of assistance to fisheries research and development in developing countries and the matter is to be considered again at its next meeting. Our Fisheries Adviser sits as an assessor on that Committee and the Ministry is therefore well placed to study the potential benefit of any British marine science programme to food production in developing countries.

Am I right in thinking that that was an extremely helpful Answer and that the Government are taking the matter seriously?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what are his proposals for an international marine science programme, with a view to promoting projects of desalination of sea-water and the increased production of fish protein concentrate in developing countries.

None, Sir, but I shall be interested in any proposals that my hon. Friend may put forward.

Although I understand that basically the Ministry of Technology is responsible here, is my hon. Friend aware that the progress with desalination techniques over the last two years has made possible from an economic point of view things which were not possible even two years ago, and will he look into the work that the Ministry of Technology and the Atomic Energy Authority are doing?

We are in touch with the Ministry of Technology. In so far as the fortunes of developing countries are concerned, I recognise that progress is being made in this matter.

Would the hon. Gentleman look at the very interesting article in The Times today on desalination, with particular reference to helping Israel and the Arab countries in this way?

I have not seen the article, but I shall certainly take the hint.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the contribution of his Department to the budget of the Tropical Products Research Institute during the current financial year; and what plans he has to increase this contribution next year.

The Department's expenditure on the Tropical Products Institute in this financial year is £444,000. We intend to increase this expenditure next year.

Will my hon. Friend accept that we very greatly welcome his Answer and agree that the Institute does extremely valuable work for developing countries?

Indeed, it is an admirable institute. That is why we look forward to the expansion of its work.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will initiate a separate inquiry into the effect which Great Britain's entry into the Common Market would have in less properous parts of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, particularly the effects of the increased food prices anticipated by Her Majesty's Government where this represents the main element in the cost of living for families and others on small fixed incomes.

No, Sir. A separate inquiry, directed particularly at the effects of increased food prices on these areas would not be fruitful since it would not be possible to disentangle the effects from the overall consequences of Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community In any case, the economic circumstances of the development areas should improve substantially during the next few years as a result of the Government's measures and particularly the regional employment premium announced by my right hon. Friend on 5th June.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are many people on small fixed incomes, including pensioners, who will not be affected by the regional employment premium, except perhaps adversely, in those areas, and that an increase in the price of food of 12 per cent. will represent a very much higher increase in the cost of living for these people than the 1–2 per cent. forecast for the rest of the population?

As the hon. Gentleman will recall, my right hon. Friend addressed himself to this problem during the recent debate on our application for entry to the European Economic Community, and said then that, should there be a disproportionate burden falling on sections of the community, there would have to be community action in this country to assist them.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will take steps to ensure that the British Government will be free, should Great Britain join the Common Market, to continue present steps or to adopt additional measures, as necessary, to protect existing, and to create new employment and otherwise economically to assist development areas in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

My right hon. Friend is confident that membership of the European Economic Community will not pre- vent the Government from pursuing policies which will be fully adequate to deal with present regional problems and any which are likely to arise in the future.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that the investment allowances, the special factory programme and particularly the regional employment premium will be allowed under the Treaty of Rome?

Our studies of the Rome Treaty certainly do not suggest that there is anything there that precludes measures which are specifically designed to help regions with special problems. Our studies of the actual practices of the Six since the formation of the Common Market also suggest that there has been a fairly liberal interpretation of what is permissible under the general heading of regional policy.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs on what research his recommendations for the regional employment premium were based.

The analytical background to the regional employment premium proposal was given in the Green Paper and some major points were expanded in the White Paper, Cmnd. 3310.

Is it not a fact that there is no evidence in the Green Paper or the White Paper that any basic research was done to ascertain the practical reasons that make businessmen move into particular areas?

I think that my hon. Friend has in mind a much more far-reaching inquiry into the location of industry generally. While I would certainly agree that it is desirable that we should know a good deal more about this, he would be wrong to assume that we have not some knowledge of the matter and that studies are not proceeding.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to inform the public of his proposal to impose higher postal charges in 1968 on envelopes which do not conform to a specified shape.

A publicity campaign to inform our customers will be launched within the next two or three months.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of ignorance about the new surcharge that is coming and that it will affect the private sector much more than business people, especially old people who are using old-fashioned stationery?

I agree. So far our efforts have been directed to informing the trade. Clearly had we had a general publicity campaign before supplies were available, the retail trade would have suffered. This problem is now being overcome, and we shall direct our publicity to the public in general.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House the exact date or give some guidance about when these changes may take place?

There is no change in the date. It is as it was announced previously.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the Members' telephone exchange in the House of Commons is overworked and understaffed; that eight men are away from duty, that understaffing has existed for over a year; that operatives refuse to move from normal night-shift duty elsewhere because this involves a reduction of 12s. a week in wages; and what action he will take to remedy the situation.

The telephone service is a matter for the Authorities of the House to whom the Post Office lends staff. There have been deficiencies in the Members' telephone service because of insufficient response to invitations to do these jobs. I intend to review the present arrangements and advise the House Authorities on how they can best be improved.

I am sorry if hon. Members have been put to any inconvenience.

Is not the Postmaster-General aware that the servants of the House are frustrated and angry and that their anger is caused by the stupidity of the morning sittings and the absurdity of keeping the House sitting through the whole night as well? Will he do something for these very good servants of the House, many of whom are ready to chuck their hand in?

The main point of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is not a matter for me, but I agree that he has a point. There is one specific grievance, I agree, that telephonists here have. Under an arbitration award of 1962, telephonists outside get 12s. for night work. Telephonists in this House do not get it.[HoN. MEMBERS: "Why?"] The conditions are different. There is less weekend work here, and rarely do we go through the night. But I agree that the hon. Gentleman has a point there.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to prevent funds from inside the United Kingdom being used to finance pirate radio in broadcasting programmes aiding and abetting the policies of the rebellious régime in Rhodesia; and if he will make a statement.

The way to stop objectionable broadcasting of this kind is to silence the pirate broadcasting stations. The Bill for this purpose will, I hope, complete its passage through Parliament tomorrow.

As this programme was giving active encouragement to the Smith régime in Southern Rhodesia, is there no way in which my right hon. Friend can prosecute those who either supplied the funds or participated in the programmes?

I have no idea whether funds have been made available to York University Conservative Club, which, I understand, supported these programmes. As far as the broadcasts are concerned, I think that it is a matter for the good sense of hon. Members. However, I hope that the whole thing will end very shortly.

Is not the best way to kill the pirates to substitute a robust form of local broadcasting, which we do not look like getting under this Government? Will the right hon. Gentleman give some attention to this?

We are starting Radio 247 on 30th September. It will be a robust music service.[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Perhaps hon. Members would wait until they hear it before they pass judgment. We are also starting local broadcasting stations in nine towns and cities throughout the country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable concerning circumstances surrounding the death of a child at Bristol on Saturday, 17th June, in a fairground accident.

I understand that the adjourned inquest will take place on 14th July and until then I can make no comment on the accident itself. But I should like to express my deep sympathy with the parents.

When calling for a report from the chief constable, will my right hon. Friend stress what aspect there might be with regard to local byelaws which may be operative in this case?

Yes, Sir. Local byelaws are in operation in Bristol requiring certain safety standards. But the enforcement is the responsibility of the local authority. The Showmen's Guild of Great Britain also operates a voluntary scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he takes to ensure the safety of public citizens in respect of fairground equipment.

Apart from any provisions in local Acts, local authorities have power under Section 75 of the Public Health Act, 1961, to make bye-laws for securing the safety of the public at fairgrounds. Model byelaws compiled by the Home Office are available for use by local authorities. From his experience as confirming authority my right hon. Friend has no reason to suppose that the powers, or the enforcement arrangements made by local authorities, are inadequate.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that there is a gap in legislation regarding the adequate inspection of fairground equipment? Is there not need for further legislation on this matter? Might this not be made the responsibility of the Ministry of Labour, since it has an inspectorate already at hand which could do the job?

As I explained in my Answer to Question No. 48, enforcement is the responsibility of the local authorities. I gather my hon. Friend is now asking that it should be the responsibility of a Government Department. That is a new idea. Up to now the enforcement by local authorities has worked quite well.

Since some of the equipment is peripatetic, is there not a case for standardisation throughout the country?

As I have explained, we have model byelaws for the use of local authorities and the Showmen's Guild has itself since 1966 issued certificates to various equipment in fairgrounds. But if there is any gap, I am ready to consider it. This was a very sad accident but I am pleased that there are so few such accidents.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Select Committee on Stage Censorship.

My right hon. Friend is considering this valuable Report, but he is not yet in a position to announce the Government's intentions.

Without asking my right hon. Friend to commit herself in advance on the merits, may I ask whether she does not agree that the present system serves merely to protect institutions, some of which do not require it while others do not deserve it?

There are various points of view about this and I ask my hon. Friend to wait until my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has studied the whole matter and, if possible, has come forward with recommendations.

Will my right hon. Friend ask the Home Secretary to bear in mind that this was a unanimous report from a Committee representing people of all parties in both Houses?

Yes, Sir. I will certainly draw my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary's attention to that but, as my right hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall (Mr. Strauss) knows, our right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has a particular interest in this matter, so I am sure that he will have noted this aspect already.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet decided to extend the responsibility of the Paymaster-General for answering Questions in the House.

No such decision is at present contemplated, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is a very surprising Answer? Is he further aware that the Paymaster-General is now playing no part in the Parliamentary life of this House?[Interruption.]

Order. I want to hear the rest of the supplementary question.

Without jogging backwards, can the Prime Minister say what on earth the Paymaster-General is doing which could not be done by a party official?

It is perhaps fortunate for the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) that my right hon. Friend the Paymaster-General does not deal with his Questions. I sometimes wish that I could hand them over to him. It is the traditional practice that the duties assigned to non-Departmental Ministers are not normally announced. Unlike certain non-Departmental Ministers up to October, 1964, my right hon. Friend is not engaged in party duties, as the hon. Gentleman seems to suggest.

Since the exploration of the mud on the ocean floor was looking for a responsible Minister last week, does not the Prime Minister think that the Paymaster-General might take it on?

The question of seabed technology, on which we had an interesting exchange last week, is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology, as I made plain.

Has my right hon. Friend the Paymaster-General any specific duties involving security matters?

I have pointed out that it is not customary to indicate the duties assigned to non-Departmental Ministers. The responsibility for security, apart from my own overriding responsibility and the specialised responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, is, in each Department, for the Departmental Minister concerned.

asked the Prime Minister what consultations he has had with the Prime Ministers of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation countries over the rôle to be played in future by Greece in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

None, Sir.

Since N.A.T.O. was intended apparently for democratic countries, is there to be any change over the membership of Greece? Following yesterday's meeting of the National Executive of the Labour Party, will my right hon. Friend consider raising his voice loudly and clearly about the conditions of political detainees in Greece, many of whom are being served brutally by the riff-raff who rule Greece at the moment?

As far as the Alliance is concerned, I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence said about the widespread concern throughout the Alliance at recent events in Greece. The position of Her Majesty's Government in pressing for a return to democratic methods in accordance with the Greek Government's promise is already well known. My right hon. Friend has already taken action about British detainees, as my hon. Friend knows.

Has the Prime Minister noticed the advice given yesterday that moral judgments on foreign Governments are a luxury that this country cannot afford? Will he pass that advice on to some of his hon. Friends?

I do not think that it is customary in this House to discuss statements made by Royal personages.

asked the Prime Minister whether the public speech by the Chancellor of the Exchequer at Leicester on economic prospects on Saturday, 3rd June, represents Government policy.

Yes, Sir.

Is the Prime Minister aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that, during the next 12 months, there will be a gentle but progressive improvement in the standard of living of every family? Can the Prime Minister tell us how this is to occur in the case of old-age non-pensioners who are not in receipt of the National Insurance pension and are excluded from having the Social Security supplementary benefits?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer was referring to the impact on all families of the growth rate he was discussing in his speech. There will be opportunity to debate the position of all old people, whether covered by pension or not, on the new Bill to increase the pensions, which represents the second major increase in pensions under this Government.

Is the Prime Minister aware that the Chancellor's speech, which was buoyant and optimistic and was loudly heralded at the time as a "Sunny Jim" performance only two weeks ago, is in complete contrast with Treasury forecasts today in Economic ", which is heralded by The Times as the Treasury's grim view of the economic situation? Is not this conflict in public between Treasury Ministers and Treasury officials just one more example of the conflict which has led to so many economic crises during this Government's life?

No, Sir. I do not think that either my right hon. Friend or I are responsible for the newspaper treatment of the speech or of the Treasury publication "Economic Trends". My right hon. Friend's speech, if it was buoyant—and I have read it as carefully as the right hon. Gentleman—was buoyant about the fact that the nation is at last paying its way. I would have thought that the right hon. Gentleman on one occasion might be big enough to acknowledge this. The rest of the buoyancy referred to in these Press reports related to what he said about the growth rate and further action to be taken if there was any slippage in the growth rate.

Am I to take it that the Prime Minister is repudiating the article in this document with its introduction prepared by Her Majesty's Treasury, a document which says that exports are stationary and imports are rising and the trend of unemployment is steadily upwards?

I am not repudiating it in the slightest. Since the question related to my right hon. Friend's speech, what he said was that if our policies are under-shooting the growth rate we shall adjust them so that they will produce a 3 per cent. rate of growth. He went on to say,

"What I emphasise again is that it is consistent for us to have a growth rate of 3 per cent., and a balance of payments surplus."

The right hon. Gentleman, who left us with a £800 million deficit, ought to be the first, not the last, to acknowledge what it meant—how tough the measures had to be to put it right and our success in doing it, and he has not done so.