asked the Minister of Labour how many industrial training boards have now approved the principle of giving grants for the training of shop stewards and local union representatives; and how many boards are actually giving such grants.

So far seven Industrial Training boards have approved the principle of giving grants for shop steward training, and four have published grant schemes providing for the payment of grant for approved courses.

asked the Minister of Labour how many people have entered retraining courses since 20th July, 1966.

Statistics of people entering training courses under Ministry of Labour schemes are collected quarterly. Between 14th June, 1966, and 13th March, 1967, the latest date for which figures are available, a total of 10,386 people entered courses at Government training centres and courses of training sponsored by the Ministry at other establishments. In addition, a considerable amount of retraining is carried out in industry with the encouragement of industrial training boards.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the latest figure in total numbers and percentages for unemployment in Northern Ireland; and how this compares with the corresponding month in 1962.

The figures were 39,338 and 7·7 per cent. in June 1967 and 34,700 and 7·2 per cent. in June 1962.

asked the Minister of Labour what percentage of those registered as wholly unemployed at the latest convenient date in Great Britain had been unemployed for longer than eight weeks; and what the comparable percentage was a year ago.

At 12th June 1967 and 13th June 1966, the percentages registered for more than eight weeks were 59·7 and 55·2 respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the coal price charged to Scottish industrialists has affected employment in Scotland; and if he will take steps to find other employment for those so displaced.

I am not aware that this has been a major factor affecting employment in Scotland. Our local officers do all they can to help those who become unemployed from whatever cause to find suitable work and offer opportunities for training in suitable cases.

asked the Minister of Labour what has been the average percentage rate of unemployment in Clacton-on-Sea for 1966 and 1967; and what was the highest monthly percentage rate during this period.

The average was 3·9 per cent. The highest rate, 6·6 per cent., was in January 1967.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the latest percentages for unemployment in the South-West development area; in the other development areas together; and in the whole of the country outside the development areas.

At 12th June, 1967, the rates were 3·4, 3·7 and 1·7 respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the threatened unemployment in the Scottish oil and meal factories and in the trawling industry owing to the imposition of 2d. a gallon on ships' bunker fuel and ships' lubricating oils; and what plans he has to provide alternative employment.

I am not aware of any forthcoming redundancies due to this cause.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the men signing on at the Ystalyfera exchange, Swansea Valley, are disabled; what is the number over the age of 55 years; how many are ex-miners; and what plans are there for training the able-bodied for alternative employment and special factories for the disabled.

Of the men registered as unemployed at Ystalyfera Employment Exchange on 12th June, 1967, 108 were registered disabled persons and it is estimated that about the same number were aged 55 or over. 150 were last employed in mining or quarrying. Two Government Training Centres in South Wales provide accelerated vocational training for suitable workers, able-bodied and disabled. A third will open at Port Talbot next year. There are Industrial Rehabilitation Units at Cardiff and Port Talbot.

asked the Minister of Labour what relationship the percentage increase in total registered unemployed in Wales from March, 1966 to March, 1967, in manufacturing industry, bore to the equivalent figure for the distributive trades.

Between 14th March, 1966 and 13th March, 1967, the numbers of persons registered as wholly unemployed who last worked in manufacturing industries and in the distributive trades in Wales increased by 70·5 per cent. and 50·2 per cent., respectively. With the inclusion of those persons who were temporarily stopped the percentages were 58·3 and 50·4, respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to expand the staffs of his Department's employment exchanges in Scotland in order to deal with the rise in unemployment in the winter of 1967 and the spring of 1968 which is indicated by the underlying trend of the latest unemployment figures.

The system of staffing employment exchanges allows for adjustments—upwards or downwards—to deal with changes in the level of unemployment and no special steps are needed in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the total number of vacancies in the engineering and electrical goods trades in April, 1967, and April, 1963.

The numbers of notified vacancies remaining unfilled in Order VI of the Standard Industrial Classification (Engineering and Electrical Goods) were 28,441 in April, 1967 and 14,869 in April, 1963.

asked the Minister of Labour after how many years he estimates that he will be able to judge the full effect of the Selective Employment Tax; and if he will make a statement.

It will be some years before the full effect of the tax can be judged; the Government will meanwhile keep under review any relevant information.

asked the Minister of Labour what percentage of boot and shoe operatives is on short time in Northamptonshire; what is the average time lost per week; what are the factors contributing to this underemployment; and if he will make a statement.

Information on short-time working is collected on a sample basis for Great Britain as a whole and does not provide reliable figures for smaller areas. It is estimated that in May, 1967, about one-eighth of employees in the footwear industry were on short-time: the average time lost was about 6 hours a week. This was mainly due to a falling-off in home demand.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will now make a statement on the introduction of an entry quota for Gibraltarians on similar lines as for Malta.

This matter is still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made in the inquiry into the building industry towards putting an end to the practice of bogus self-employment, particularly among draughtsmen and building workers.

The Phelps Brown Committee is inquiring into labour-only subcontracting in its different forms in the context of the wider labour problems of the construction industry. In view of the complexity of the subject and the need for research, the Committee does not expect to report before 1968.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will hold an inquiry into the employment of casual labour on building sites; and if he will issue a report.

The Phelps Brown Committee, appointed earlier this year by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works and myself, is considering this among other labour problems in the construction industry; the Committee's report will be published in due course.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will indicate the reasons for the delay in publishing the Protective Footwear in Foundries Regulations, in view of the fact that his Department carried out in 1966 a survey into the causes of injuries to workers from molten metal; and if he will state when the draft regulations will be available for implementation, or when a Bill will be introduced to deal with this subject.

The results of the survey to which my hon. Friend refers were conveyed to the employers organisations and trade unions concerned in September last year. Since then my Department has held discussions with these bodies. I am still considering the opposed points of view which were expressed in the course of these discussions. I hope, however, that I shall very shortly be able to let the organisations concerned know my proposals for further action in the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent he estimates the 3 per cent. increase in costs for private motorists and the 4 per cent. increase in costs for bus companies and transport operators, as a result of the 2d. a gallon rise in petrol charges, will increase the cost of living.

It is estimated that the rise of 2d. a gallon in the prices of petrol used by private motorists will raise the retail prices index by rather less than one-tenth of one per cent. How far it may prove necessary for bus companies and transport operators to pass on their increased costs in higher charges would depend partly on the period for which the increase operates and partly on how far the increase can be absorbed by greater efficiency.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the threatened dispute in the motor industry owing to the proposed sudden closure of a factory in North-West London by the Chrysler Corporation; and whether he will enter into discussions with the Corporation to reach an agreement which will prevent industrial unrest.

I understand that following discussions between Rootes Motors Limited, and union representatives, agreement has been reached on matters arising from the decision to close the factory.

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent housing sites are visited by his Department's Factory Inspectorate; and how far there is liaison between his Department and the local authority building inspectors.

As with all construction work the frequency of visits to housing sites by H.M. Factory Inspectors depends on such factors as the size of the site, the hazards involved and the standards of compliance with the Construction Regulations made under the Factories Act, 1961. Contact with local authority building inspectors is made when their specialised advice is required.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps his Department takes to enforce safety regulations on housing sites; and if he will make a statement on the recent results of such enforcement on practices in the building industry.

During the course of their visits to sites H.M. Factory Inspectors give advice and guidance on statutory requirements, but where persuasion fails or there is a flagrant breach of the law legal proceedings are considered. Recent results include improved precautions when work is being carried on near live overhead electric lines or at a height. Nevertheless much remains to be done within the industry if the rising trend of reportable accidents is to be halted.

asked the Minister of Labour what is his estimate of the number of men who are likely to be unemployed in South Ayrshire following the closure of the Knockshinnoch and Killochan collieries.

On present information about 40 men will be made redundant.

asked the Minister of Labour what initiative he has taken or intends to take through his conciliation officers or by proposing legislation to Parliament to prevent disruption of the railway freight services by labour disputes.

Labour relations on the railways are primarily the responsibility of the British Railways Board and the unions concerned. The services of my Department are available where this seems likely to help. We are currently assisting talks between the two sides on questions of railway pay and efficiency, including the industry's procedures for negotiation and consultation. I see no case for legislation specially for the railways; consideration of the case for any more general legislation must await the views of the Royal Commission on Trade Unions and Employer's Associations.

asked the Minister of Labour how many different types of official form were being used in his Department at the latest available date; and if he will give the equivalent numbers for October, 1964.

As at the 30th June, 1967, 1,391 different types of official forms were in use in my Department. It is not possible to give the equivalent numbers for October, 1964 but 1,203 were in use in March, 1964.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will initiate discussions for the establishment of a national minimum wage, in view of the Government's intention to introduce a comprehensive re-scrutiny of the social security system.

I shall be discussing the problems of introducing a national minimum wage in the course of talks I am arranging with the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress on the future of Wages Councils.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the continuing shortage of skilled labour in Wales, as in tool-making, he will take further steps to increase the availability of training facilities, in particular in industry itself.

The increase of training facilities within industry is now largely the responsibility of the industrial training boards, which are urgently developing their work in Wales. The training of adults for skill is however normally carried out by the Government Training Centres. Wales already has two such centres, at Cardiff and Llanelli, and a third is to be built at Port Talbot.

asked the Minister of Labour what has been the change in the numbers employed in Wales in the manufacturing industries and in the service industries between May, 1966, and May, 1967.

Employment estimates for Wales, analysed by industry, are available only for June each year. Supplementary estimates, in total only, are made quarterly. All of these estimates are based on counts of National Insurance chards exchanged and are available approximately seven months after the reference date.Following is the latest available information:

ESTIMATED NUMBERS OF EMPLOYEES IN EMPLOYMENENT IN WALES
	June, 1966	(Thousands) December, 1966
Manufacturing industries (Orders III-XVI of the Standard Industrial Classification)	326	—
Service industries (Orders XIX-XXTV)	458	—
All industries and services (Orders I-XXIV)	986	957

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the total number of registered disabled persons in Wales suitable for light employment who were unemployed in April, 1966 and in April, 1967.

I regret that this information is not readily available.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will institute a study of relative incomes at present obtaining in the countries of the European Economic Community and in the United Kingdom and issue a White Paper.

My Ministry closely studies the earnings information published by the E.E.C. in their Social Statistics series and also by the I.L.O. and other international bodies.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the estimate of the cost to Her Majesty's Government of redundancy payments to those to be made redundant through the recent changes in television licence holders made by the Independent Television Authority.

Nothing. The cost of any redundancy payments which may have to be made will be shared between the employer concerned and the Redundancy Fund, the latter being financed by contributions paid by employers.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men were trained in the industrial centres in Wales during the year ending on the latest date for which the figures are available.

742 men completed courses of training at Government Training Centres in Wales during the year ended 13th March, 1967.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will take legislative action to ensure that trade unions are not in a position to prevent individuals from obtaining employment for which they are properly qualified by excluding them from union membership.

I do not think it would be appropriate to consider this in advance of the Royal Commission's report.

asked the Minister of Labour in what terms he was notified of the proposal of the Labour Party Executive to increase wages and salaries of the Transport House clerical, research and administrative staffs; what is the proposed average percentage increase; if it is consistent with the Government's prices and incomes policy; and how the present salaries and proposed increased compare with those paid to other workers doing similar work in similar organizations.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answers which I gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward M. Taylor) on 3rd July and the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen) on 5th July.—[Vol. 749, c. 168–9; c. 269.]

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works (1) what steps he is taking to prevent a recurrence of food poisoning among guests invited to official receptions given to the Foreign Office at Lancaster House;(2) whether he will make a statement about the incidence of salmonella typhi murium among hon. Members as a result of the official reception he gave at Lancaster House on 28th June.

The incident of suspected food poisoning at Lancaster House is being investigated by the Health Department of the City of Westminster and the other Boroughs concerned.The West End caterer used for the occasion is of high repute and has pro- vided food for official functions over a number of years. The firm is not being used until the investigations are complete.It is evidence of the care taken in the preparation of food for Government entertaining that, from a total of well over 600 functions per annum no previous case of a similar kind has ever been traced.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what plans he has to start cleaning the outside of the Palace of Westminster and in particular the frontage of the Terrace.

None at present. Much of the stonework has been renewed in recent years and areas of old stone have been brushed to remove dirt. After a few more years when new and old stone have weathered sufficiently, my Department will consider whether the overall appearance of the building would justify cleaning being carried out.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to ensure that hospital management committees are representative of the community; and in particular if he will increase the proportion of members appointed on the recommendation of trades councils.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my Answer to the hon. Member for Farnham (Mr. Maurice Macmillan) on 5th June.—[Vol. 747, c. 118.]

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the quantity of imported non-wool fabric bought by hospital boards in each of the three years 1964, 1965 and 1966; and what percentage of the total purchases this represented in each year.

I regret the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health what percentage of qualified doctors in each of his Department's 15 regions, respectively, come from outside the United Kingdom; and how many of the hospitals where doctors constitute a fifth or more of the staff rank as teaching hospitals.

Information by place of birth is available only for intermediate and junior grades of hospital staff, as follows. In no teaching hospital do doctors constitute a fifth or more of the staff.

HOSPITAL MEDICAL STAFF OF THE GRADE OF MEDICAL ASSISTANT AND BELOW AT 30TH SEPTEMBER, 1966
Region		Percentage Born outside the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic
All Regions: Total	…	43·7
Newcastle Region*	…	54·1
Leeds Region*	…	54·7
Sheffield Region*	…	54·8
East Anglian Region*	…	46·4
London Regions†	…	38·4
Oxford Region*	…	38·6
South Western Region*	…	32·9
Welsh Region*	…	49·9
Birmingham Region*	…	48·6
Manchester Region*	…	54·0
Liverpool Region*	…	36·3
Wessex Region	…	35·6

GENERAL NOTE:Staff holding appointments with more than one employing authority are included separately under each authority.NOTES:* Also includes the staff of the Regional Teaching Hospitals.† Includes all staff of the Metropolitan Hospital Boards and of the London Post-Graduate and Undergraduate Teaching Hospitals.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to make married quarters available to junior medical officers in the hospital service.

Hospital authorities are well aware of my concern that more married accommodation should be provided, and I intend to issue fresh guidance to them on the subject in the near future.

asked the Minister of Health how many hospital wards in the United Kingdom are more than 50 years old; and what percentage of all hospital wards they form.

Information in this form is not available, and would be difficult and costly to obtain.

asked the Minister of Health what increase there has been since February, 1966, in the number of staff in sub-normal hospitals who have been seconded for training.

A scheme of secondment for school supervisors was started in September, 1966 and 21 applications have been granted. I regret that information about other staff is not centrally available.

asked the Minister of Health what developments there have been since February, 1966, for improving the educational facilities in sub-normal hospitals especially for children of the higher levels of intelligence.

Local education authorities are responsible for providing educational facilities for children, including those in hospital, whose mental disability does not render them unsuitable for education at school. Hospital authorities are responsible for teaching and training other children in hospital. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science and I are always seeking to improve the facilities available for all these children and their needs are under constant review.

asked the Minister of Health if the consultation and advice given to the patient on a general practitioner's list with regard to the prescription of an oral contraceptive is available as part of the National Health Service; what advice he gives on the level of charge to be made for writing a prescription; and if he will make a statement.

Charges may not be made for family planning consultation and advice given by a doctor to his National Health Service patients but he may charge for the prescribing of oral contraceptives on social as distinct from medical grounds since this is not part of his obligations under the Service. I am unable to recommend the level of such a charge since this is outside the Service, but the British Medical Association have given guidance to the profession on the level which they consider appropriate.

asked the Minister of Health what advice he has given to the major tobacco manufacturers on framing an industrial agreement to limit cigarette advertising and promotional schemes such as gift coupons; and if he will make a statement.

The discussions last year with the tobacco manufacturers ranged over a variety of methods by which cigarette advertising expenditure and gift coupon schemes might be limited. The leaders of the industry are coming to see me very shortly and as I said last week in reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Falmouth and Camborne. I do not think I should comment further until I have seen them.—[Vol. 749, c. 1260.]

asked the Minister of Health what action he has taken to promote reciprocal benefits between the British health service and medical provision in Eire; and if he will make a statement.

It has not been feasible to negotiate reciprocal arrangements for medical treatment because of the differences between our health services and those in the Irish Republic, which are related generally to income limits or insurability under the Republic's Social Welfare Acts.I am informed that nationals of other countries who are permanently or tem- porarily resident in the Irish Republic are entitled to use the health services there on the same terms as nationals of the Republic. But most visitors from the United Kingdom would not qualify for treatment free or at a reduced charge and the health authorities in the Republic cannot be expected to do more for visitors than they do for their own citizens.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement before the summer adjournment upon the findings of the Sainsbury Committee.

I have not yet received the report, so I think it unlikely; though I cannot yet say definitely.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take the necessary steps to compel tobacco companies who spend money on the promotion of smoking to spend an equivalent amount on advertising the evidence of the dangers of smoking.

No.

asked the Minister of Health what plans Salop County Council have submitted to him for the closure of former public assistance institutions in the county and their replacement by modern residential homes; and whether he will make a statement.

My policy is that all such institutions should be replaced and closed as soon as possible, and in any event not later than 1976. The County Council propose to replace and close Morda House, Oswestry, by 1973–74 and the men's block at Audley House, Newport, shortly afterwards. I regret, however, that because of expenditure undertaken to improve Quarry House, Market Drayton and Innage House, Bridgnorth, and proposed for the women's block at Audley House, the Council do not propose closure and replacement of these three premises by 1976. I cannot accept that improvements can make these institutions acceptable by current standards, and I have again asked the Council to reconsider their plans.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent pharmaceutical products adversely classified by the MacGregor Committee contribute to exports.

It is not possible to say, because export statistics are not in a form that can be analysed by reference to this classification.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities have co-opted local medical practitioners on to sub-committees of their health committees instead of on to the main committee.

The available information is incomplete but shows that six local authorities have co-opted general practitioners on to sub-committees instead of the main health committee. I understand that one such co-option was refused by the medical profession locally. In addition five authorities have ad hoc committees, with general practitioner representation, for the purpose of promoting the co-ordination of local authority and general practitioner services.

asked the Minister of Health how many British medical students have sought his permission to undertake pre-registration studies overseas; and what were the comparable figures in the last five years.

My permission is not required as this is a matter for universities and other bodies granting medical qualifications.

asked the Minister of Health how many different types of official form were being used in his Department at the latest available date; and if he will give the equivalent numbers for October, 1964.

658 and 590 respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will initiate an investigation into the conditions of employment of cabin staff on all airlines, and in particular into the hours worked on continuous duty.

I do not intend to conduct a specific investigation into the conditions of employment of airline cabin staff, but in the interests of air safety I am considering suitable means for controlling the duty and rest hours for such crew members.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT tables showing the percentage of the total number of passengers passing through London Heathrow Airport whose journeys started and ended, respectively, in each region of the United Kingdom.

Information in the precise form requested is not readily available. Information on the origin and destination of international passengers passing through Heathrow and Gatwick airports was collected by the Government Social Survey in the summer of 1965. A copy of the report of this survey is already in the library of the House.A survey was made at Heathrow airport on behalf of the British Airports Authority and the Greater London Council during 1966 of the origins of all departing air passengers. The report of the survey is being published today and a copy will be placed in the library of the House.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will name the independent advisers he has appointed to assist in his departmental review of aviation practices.

Sir Frederick Brundrett, K.C.B., K.B.E., D.Sc., M.A., and Captain Frank Taylor, M.V.O., D.F.C., have accepted my invitation to assist in this review and are already taking part.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will refer to the National Board for Prices and Incomes the 300 per cent. increase in the charge for bicycles on the Belfast-Glasgow ferry boats, in the light of the prices and incomes policy.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the progress made by the council under the chairmanship of Sir Ronald German on the practices of estate agents; and what advice he has offered to the committee.

I understand that the ten principal societies representing estate agents, who are setting up the Council, hope that it will begin work in the autumn.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he has taken on the report by the Consumer Council made to him in 1965 on the need for further regulation and control of estate agency.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 27th July 1966 to the hon. Member for Oldbury and Halesowen (Mr. Horner) about the decision of the ten principal societies representing estate agents to set up a Council. —[Vol. 732, c. 295–6.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the White Paper on the Kennedy Round of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade trade negotiations will be published.

The White Paper will be available in the Vote Office at 2.30 p.m. tomorrow, the 11th July and will be on sale to the public from Her Majesty's Stationery Office at the same time.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what level of unemployment after redeployment it is now Her Majesty's Government's policy to treat as unacceptable.

There is no single level of unemployment which the Government would regard as acceptable in all circumstances. It is our aim to keep unemployment as low as possible consistent with regulating the pressure of demand so as to safeguard the balance of payments, and at the same time avoiding the wasteful economic, and harmful social, consequences which may arise.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs why the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation is providing a loan of £15 million, free of interest for two years, to Messrs. English Electric and Elliott Automation, which represents a subsidy of approximately £1,500,000 from public funds to private industry.

The Board of the Corporation decides the terms on which it assists financially with desirable schemes of rationalisation. However, my hon. Friend has failed to consider the full terms on which it is participating in this case. An interest rate of 8 per cent. a year will be charged after the first two years of the loan and the Corporation also has certain conversion rights into Ordinary Shares of English Electric which are intended further to increase its return.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what financial aid has been given to industry by the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation since its formation; for what purposes; and what amounts and which companies and projects have been involved.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 10th May to a similar Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford (Mr. Brian Parkyn).—[Vol. 746, c. 251–2.]

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what action he is taking to see that the members of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service employed by, or until recently employed by the Government of the Eastern Region of Nigeria, receive their salaries at present frozen in Eastern Nigeria by orders of the Federal Government.

The salaries are still being paid in Eastern Nigeria but money cannot be transferred here. We are however continuing our supplementary payments in this country and my right hon. Friend is considering the possibility of other help.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now appoint a high level inquiry to investigate the use of so-called soft drugs in this country, and to consider whether the statutory penalties for its possession and use are the most appropriate that can be found.

I agree that this is a subject on which we need more information. A Sub-Committee of the Advisory Committee on Drug Dependence is currently studying the pharmacological, legal and social aspects of problems associated with "soft" drugs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases decided before June, 1967 have been brought in the last convenient 10 year period alleging the illegal possession of tablets containing amphetamine sulphate and methyl amphetamine hydrochloride; how many convictions have been obtained; and in how many cases sentences of imprisonment have been imposed.

There is no record of proceedings before June, 1967 in respect of a preparation containing these ingredients.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of aliens and Commonwealth immigrants, respectively, in this country in January, 1960, and January, 1965; and what are the estimated respective totals on January, 1970, January, 1975, and January, 1980.

I understand from the Registrar General that at the time of the 1961 census there were 511,000 aliens and 657,000 Commonwealth immigrants in this country, and that he estimates that the corresponding figures for mid-1966 were 650,000 and 1,100,000. Estimates are being made of the figures for the three following five-yearly intervals, and I shall write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of convictions recorded in England and Wales in the first six months of 1964, 1965, 1966 and 1967, respectively, in relation to the following offences, namely, crimes of violence, the use of firearms and illegal possession of firearms, and the possession of dangerous drugs and offences akin thereto, respectively.

The numbers of persons convicted in England and Wales of indictable offences of violence against the person during the first six months of 1964, 1965 and 1966 were 6,477, 7,056 and 7,533 respectively. Figures for the first six months of 1967 are not yet available. I am obtaining as much information as possible about the remaining parts of the Question and shall write to the right hon. and learned Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will institute a study of the relative incomes, conditions of service, pensions and related dependent pensions and orphan allowances of the British and European Economic Community police forces, and issue a White Paper.

I do not think that the proposed study, which would absorb a number of staff for a substantial time and result in a document of great complexity, would serve a sufficiently useful purpose to justify me in authorising it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to help dependants of those killed in assisting the police in the course of their duty.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme provides for the payment of compensation to the dependants of persons who are killed while assisting the police to arrest an offender or prevent an offence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on recent progress in the development of work in prisons.

Progress is being made in improving the organisation of prison industries in England and Wales and applying modern managerial techniques. This is leading to better quality work, improved manufacturing methods, more training and experience for prisoners in up-to-date processes, and better pay based on the higher value of the products. But much remains to be done. The recent sharp rise in the prison population has in particular caused a setback in local prisons which were already overcrowded and short of staff. In these prisons, working hours are still too low, and inadequate workshop space hinders the introduction of better quality and more highly mechanised work; improved recruitment and more efficient deployment of staff are however leading to a gradual increase in working hours, and vigorous efforts are being made to provide more workshop space.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what amount of prison work is of a constructive nature which could provide training for employment after release.

In England and Wales, nearly two-thirds of the prisoners who were available for work were employed last year on manufacturing and farm work and craft training. The remainder were employed on building, maintenance and other domestic work. A small proportion of the manufacturing work and much of the routine domestic work was of poor quality; but the rest of the work provided at least reasonably good training, and some of it was of a high standard.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present average weekly earnings of prisoners.

In England and Wales, 5s. 9d., excluding prisoners employed outside prisons at normal wages.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of prisoners are at present employed for a full day.

During the last week in April, the latest period for which figures are available, 6 per cent. of prisoners in England and Wales were employed for 40 hours or more, 69 per cent. for between 30 and 39 hours, 20 per cent. for between 26 and 29 hours, and 5 per cent. for between 21 and 25 hours.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of the impending change in the school leaving age, what discussions he is having about the utilisation of the final school year for general industrial training in appropriate cases.

Raising the school leaving age will provide an extension of general education rather than vocational training, but various aspects of the question of providing better links between school and work are being considered by the Ministry of Labour, the Schools Council and my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will issue a circular to all local education authorities encouraging the setting up of parent-teacher associations in all schools.

I am arranging for the production of a pamphlet publicising examples of good practices in parent-teacher relationships. This follows a re-

	January of each year
Teachers: Wales	1961	1962	1963	1964	1965	1966
Primary schools
Full-time teachers	10,850	10,666	10,473	10,496	10,595	10,727
Part-time teachers (Full-time equivalent)	36	50	79	103	112	169
Secondary schools
Full-time teachers	8,574	8,799	8,785	8,889	9,049	9,171
Part-time teachers (Full-time equivalent)	140	129	149	173	180	200
Primary and Secondary schools
Full-time teachers	19,424	19,465	19,258	19,385	19,644	19,898
Part-time teachers (Full-time equivalent)	176	179	228	276	292	369

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what administrative arrangements he is making with the Minister of Social Security to look after on humanitarian grounds the hundreds of students from the Eastern Region of Nigeria who are now denied all funds from their home country.

Very few cases of hardship involving students from the Eastern Region of Nigeria have so far been brought to my attention. I shall of course be consulting my colleagues if this problem assumes serious proportions.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the case of Mr. James Milne Gaskell who is imprisoned in St. Kitts.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers were employed in the primary and secondary schools of Wales in each of the five years 1961 to 1966.

The table shows the number of teachers employed in maintained primary and secondary schools in Wales, in January of each year:

Mr. Gaskell was detained on 11th June under emergency regulations. The British Government Representative has seen him on several occasions and found him satisfied with his treatment in prison. The British Government representative has made repeated representations that Mr. Gaskell should be released, or be charged and brought speedily to trial. On 17th June Mr. Gaskell was informed of the grounds on which he was detained. On 7th July further proceedings on the application for a writ of habeas corpus in respect of Mr. Gaskell were adjourned sine die at the request of his counsel.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many different types of official form were being used in his Department at the latest available date; and if he will give the equivalent numbers for October 1964.

11,090 at 30th June, 1967; 900 fewer than in October 1964.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what new arrangement he is proposing for wages and emoluments of men employed in the Royal Naval dockyards and Government industrial service in Portland; and if he will make a statement.

With few exceptions all categories will receive an increase of 5 per cent. in their day pay from 3rd July. The balance of rises which average about 30s. per week will be paid next January.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present strength of the Combined Cadet Force; what is the total amount of money they receive from official sources; and if he will make a statement on their future.

The current strength of the Combined Cadet Force is approximately 49,050. In 1966–67 the total cost of the Combined Cadet Force was £968,000 on the three Service Votes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total strength of units of the Combined Cadet Force and the number of schools that maintain units of the Combined Cadet Force; and what proposals he has for increasing this training in leadership and responsibility.

The current strength of units of the Combined Cadet Force is approximately:

R.N.	…	…	5,340 cadets
Army	…	…	34,590 cadets
R.A.F.	…	…	9,120 cadets

292 schools maintain units of the Combined Cadet Force. I have no proposls at present for increasing this training.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he now expects to agree a supplementary ceiling price for the F111K aircraft.

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Minister of Defence for Equipment on 5th July.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the need to encourage owners of allotments and small gardens to preserve fresh fruit and vegetables and thus reduce imports, if he will seek to abolish the Purchase Tax on small deep-freeze cabinets so as to bring their price within reach of members of lower income groups.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the hospital service is undercapitalised; and if he will consider proposing a specific earmarked tax for the purpose of building hospitals instead of renovating old ones.

I do not think that it would be appropriate to earmark a specific tax for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to see that all the river authorities in Wales furnish figures to show the bank miles in private hands for fishing purposes, the bank miles available via clubs, associations, etc., to the general public, and the names of each of the clubs and associations concerned, indicating the quality of the fishing in each case.

No. I do not think that the practical value of this information is sufficient to justify the great labour and expense which its collection and analysis would entail for River Authorities.