asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what representations he has received from the Lee Conservancy Catchment Board about the likely effects on sewage disposal and water supply of the expansion of Stansted Airport; and what reply he has made.

The Board has asked that no decision on siting the airport at Stansted be taken unless the Ministry were satisfied that water and sewage disposal problems could be solved and asking also that they be consulted. The Board has been told that the Department's Engineering inspectors are satisfied there will be no insuperable problems and that the general consultations which will take place with local authorities and other bodies concerned, will include the board.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now state what guidance he issues to local authorities on the principles and practice of rent rebate schemes.

The Secretary of State for Wales and I issued a joint circular on this subject to local authorities on 29th June. A copy has been sent to the hon. Member and copies were placed in the Vote Office on the day of publication.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that the incorrect advice he has given to local authorities on the administration of the Rating Act, 1966, has caused Bristol Corporation to refuse payment of rebate to Mrs. E. H. K. Taylor, 4 Stapleton Close, Bristol; and if he will amend the advice to enable full rebate to be paid in such cases.

No. While I appreciate my hon. Friend's concern for his constituent I do not think that the Bristol City Council was wrong in its decision or that the general advice given by the Department was misleading.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is his policy on appeals by mobile home site operators against refusals by local planning authorities to grant permanent site licences where all the conditions laid down under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act, 1960, have been observed.

Appeals against refusals of permanent planning permissions are dealt with on planning merits. Permission is given on a long-term or permanent basis unless there is some definite reason against this.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will introduce legislation giving effect to the recommendation of the Maud Committee that the aldermanic system should be abolished.

The Committee's many recommendations must now be considered by the Government and by local authorities and their associations. Some of the proposals require legislation but it is too early to comment on this aspect.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will estimate the amount of land likely to be acquired by the Land Commission during its first 12 months.

The Commission is examining a number of specific proposals for the acquisition of land. An estimate of the kind suggested is not yet possible.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what statutory powers he proposes to seek to increase the penalty for cutting down trees without authority and to ensure that local authorities have power to require replanting where appropriate.

The Civic Amenities Bill, now passing through its last stages in Parliament, provides for both these additional powers. When the Bill becomes law the fine for the unlawful felling of any tree which is protected by a preservation order will be increased fivefold, to £250 The Bill will also empower local authorities to require the replacement of any tree, other than a tree in a woodland, felled in contravention of an order.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what representations he has received about the increasing danger from broken glass attributable to the introduction of non-returnable soft drinks bottle and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 18th July to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Helens (Mr. Spriggs). My right hon. Friend has received no representations about non-returnable bottles. [Vol. 750, c. 206–7.]

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is satisfied that the powers of enforcement of the Litter Act are sufficient to deal with the increasing menace of broken glass: and if he will make a statement.

I am advised that anyone can initiate proceedings under the Litter Act and the penalties appear to be adequate. The difficulty which often arises is that nobody witnesses the offence.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) how many acres of land in England and Wales are classified as derelict through industrialisation;(2) how many acres of land in Northumberland and Durham are classified as derelict through industrialisation; and what amount has been reclaimed in the last three years.

Returns from local authorities show that there were 107,515 acres of derelict land in England and Wales at 31st December, 1965, of which 63,833 acres justified treatment. Included in these figures were 7,419 acres of derelict land in Northumberland and 9,124 acres in Durham, of which 5,084 and 6,171 acres respectively justified treatment. In the two years ended 31st December, 1965, 118 acres were reclaimed in Northumberland and 284 acres in Durham. I will let my hon. Friend have figures which will shortly be available showing the position on dereliction and reclamation at the end of 1966.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what proposals he now has to transfer the commercial and industrial assets of the New Towns Commission to the appropriate local authorities.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now make a further statement on the proposal to transfer new town assets to the local authorities.

The Government have made clear their intention to take powers to wind up the Commission for the New Towns.We shall decide in due course, in consultation with all the interests concerned, on the best way to deal with all the problems involved in the disposal of new town assets.We have already said that the local housing authorities should eventually become responsible for the management of all publicly-owned housing. Industrial and commercial assets raise complex and difficult issues which need careful examination.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the rate of interest on loans made by new town development corporations, in England and Wales, and Scotland, respectively, from 1960–61 to date.

The information requested cannot be tabulated easily.New Town development corporations make loans only on mortgage for housing and industry.Until January, 1966, the rate of interest on housing advances in England, Scotland and Wales was ¼ per cent. above the rate at which the corporations borrowed from the Exchequer; since that date policy has required them to charge a rate which has regard both to the Government credit rate and to the Building Societies' recommended rate. Thus the rate is currently 7⅛ per cent. in line with the Building Society rate, and since 1960–61 has ranged between that rate and 5⅝ per cent.There is no fixed rate of interest which corporations are required to charge on industrial loans. They are expected to obtain the best possible rate in each case, subject only to a minimum related to the Government borrowing rate, and (in the case of New Towns in development areas) to the rate charged to industrialists by the Board of Trade.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government on what date Professor Buchanan's report on the Ashford area reached his Department; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement explaining the reasons for the delay.

The consultant's report was received at the beginning of June and sent to the Stationery Office for printing on 15th June. My right hon. Friend expects to publish it early in October. Three to four months is the normal time for the printing of such a report.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to make a definitive statement regarding the area, population and timetable for the proposed expansion of Ipswich.

My right hon. Friend hopes to publish a draft New Town designation order as soon as some major issues affecting the possible location of the new development have been resolved. His final decision will of course have to await the outcome of a public local inquiry into the draft order.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government on what date the consultant's second report on the expansion of Ipswich is to be published.

A decision on publication of the report is being deferred pending the publication of a draft New Town designation order for Ipswich.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what representations he has made to planning authorities regarding the control and siting of slaughterhouses; and whether he will take steps to ensure the provision of more public slaughterhouses centrally situated and a reduction in the number of private premises especially in villages, in order to maintain standards and to avoid disturbances to residents of smaller communities.

I have no reason to think that planning authorities need general advice on this subject. The second part of the Question raises matters which are for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) what discussions he has held with local authority associations and the Greater London Council on the position of statutory undertakings in regard to planning and compensation; and if he will make a statement;(2) when he expects to introduce legislation governing the position of statutory undertakings in relation to planning and compensation.

With the Parliamentary Secretaries from the Ministries of Transport and Power I met representatives of the local authority associations and the Greater London Council on 11th July. The associations gave their views on the present arrangements affecting statutory undertakers. These are being taken into account in the examination announced in the White Paper on Town and Country Planning.It is too early to say whether legislation will be necessary or when it might be introduced.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what are his administrative arrangements for discharging his responsibility for research into environmental health; and what examination is being made of atmospheric pollution by carbon monoxide as a contributive factor to the incidence of cancer.

My right hon. Friend has no express responsibility for research into environmental health, but the Department keeps in touch with, and sometimes commissions, research by various Government research organisations and by other bodies both in this country and abroad.The Air Pollution Research Unit of the Medical Research Council is currently carrying out research into the toxic effects of air pollution by carbon monoxide; I am informed that no evidence has been found that atmospheric carbon monoxide contributes to the incidence of cancer.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will state the reasons for the delay in announcing his decision regarding the application to extend Runway 15/33 at Southend Municipal Airport, objections to which were heard at a public inquiry held over a year ago; and when he expects that decision will be made.

This is a difficult case which requires extremely careful consideration; but my right hon. Friend hopes to announce his decision soon.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many public inquiries were held into compulsory purchase orders made by local auth- orities in each of the years from 1960 to 1966, inclusive; in how any of these cases in each year the inspector recommended a variation of the order; and in how many eases he did not act in accordance with the inspector's recommendations.

Records are only available of the number of orders dealt with at public local inquiries each year and some of these were joint inquiries at which two or more orders were dealt with. The figures are:—

Year				Orders
1960	…	…	…	956
1961	…	…	…	829
1962	…	…	…	919
1963	…	…	…	925
1964	…	…	…	1,045
1965	…	…	…	1,022
1966	…	…	…	874

Information is not readily available of the number of cases in which the Inspector recommended a variation of the order, nor of the number in which the decision was not in accordance with the Inspector's recommendations. The information could be obtained only at disproportionate expense.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many public inquiries were held into planning proposals made by local authorities in each of the years from 1960 to 1966, inclusive; in how many of these cases each year the inspector recommended variations in the local authority's proposals; and in how many cases in each year he did not act in accordance with the inspector's recommendations.

I regret that information on the lines requested could be obtained only at disproportionate expense.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many public inquiries were held into refusals of planning permission by local authorities in each of the years 1960 to 1966, inclusive; in how many of these cases, in each year, the inspector recommended a variation in the local authority's decisions; and in how many of these cases he did not act in accordance with the inspector's recommendations.

I regret that the information is not available in the form requested, but the following planning appeal figures for England relate to

	1960	1961	1962	1963	1964	1965	1966
Number of appeals allowed	1,144	1,127	1,350	1,326	1,105	844	844
Number of appeals dismissed	3,307	3,810	4,011	3,821	3,933	3,524	3,713
Total of appeals decided	4,451	4,937	5,361	5,147	5,038	4,368	4,557
Number of decided appeals where the decision was contrary to Inspectors' recommendations	—	181	91	87	181	164	97

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will report on the present strength of local authority building inspectors; whether they are now able to cover all building sites adequately; and if he will make a statement.

This is a matter for the local authorities themselves and they are not required to supply my right hon. Friend with details of staffing strength; I would, however, refer my hon. Friend to the report of the Mallaby Committee on the Staffing of Local Government and in particular Appendix C. Tables 1 and 2, which contain figures based on a sample taken in September, 1964.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement on the management study of development control.

My right hon. Friend has just received a report of the Management Study of Development Control which was commissioned jointly by the Department and the local authority associations in January, 1967. It contains interesting and illuminating suggestions about how the system may be improved. My right hon. Friend will in the first instance be discussing these recommendations with the local authority associations whose co-operation he greatly welcomes.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware of the difficulties confronting urban and other local authority councils in removing a councillor

Clause 59 of the Local Government Act, 1933, specifies actions by Members of local authorities which disqualify them. My right hon. Friend would see objection to giving a council or a Minister discretionary power to expel a member.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what further discussions he has had with building societies with a view to reducing interest rates on home mortgages.

I have had no recent discussions with the building societies on this subject and have nothing to add to the answer I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend on 20th June.—[Vol. 748, c. 1404–6.]

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the number of houses in tenders submitted to him by local authorities and approved by him in the first six months of this year; and what are the comparable figures for the first six months of 1964, 1965 and 1966.

The number of dwellings in tenders approved by my right hon. Friend for local authorities, including New Towns, in England in the first six months of this year was 72,276. Comparable figures for the first six months of 1964, 1965 and 1966 are 72,627, 74,969 and 65,565 respectively. The pattern of approvals within calendar years varies and there has been a rise in the total approvals for each calendar year since 1964.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many houses were completed by local authorities in England in the first six months of this year; and what are the comparable figures for the first six months of 1964, 1965 and 1966.

In the first six months of this year 71,412 dwellings were completed for local authorities (including New Towns) in England. The comparable figures for 1964, 1965 and 1966 are 51,992, 57,782 and 61,732 respectively.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will state the number of houses under construction in the Greater London area on 30th June, 1967; and what are the comparable figures for 1964, 1965 and 1966.

Public and private sector dwellings under construction in the Greater London area on 30th June, 1967, numbered 68,006. Precisely comparable figures are not available for previous years because from the beginning of 1967 the Greater London Council changed its method of recording dwellings started. It is estimated that comparable figures at 30th June, 1964, 1965 and 1966 would be 47,000, 54,600 and 55,400 respectively.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what proportion of local authorities make loans available for house purchase; and what proposals he has regarding those authorities which are refusing to exercise the powers available to them to provide a service to people wishing to buy their own homes.

Over 90 per cent. of housing authorities in England and Wales have home loan schemes. The powers are permissive, and the need for local authorities to supplement Building Society and other sources of borrowing varies with local circumstances. The exercise of these powers within the overall limits set by the total sum available nationally, is best left to local decision.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what amount of money he is allocating to those local authorities who, with his approval, have launched schemes for the first time to provide mortgages for house purchase.

No specific allocation has been made for this purpose and such cases are dealt with individually.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) what is the average amount his Department is allocating to borough councils and urban district councils to provide mortgages for house purchase in 1967–68;(2) by what criteria his Department decides on the amount of money that shall be allocated to local councils to provide mortgages for house purchase.

The total amounts allocated for this purpose to county boroughs and non-county boroughs in England and Wales is £39·5 million, and to Urban Districts £22·9 million. The amounts allocated to individual authorities are based, as agreed with the local authority associations, on the average amounts lent by the authority in the three years to 31st March, 1965.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) what is the exact number of houses which will be subject to leasehold enfranchisement in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively, and in total, as a result of the enactment of the Leasehold Reform Bill;(2) if he will tabulate the exact number of houses which will be subject to leasehold enfranchisement in each major city, in each county, and in total in England, as a result of the enactment of the Leasehold Reform Bill.

I cannot give exact figures, or figures relating to every county or major city, but I estimate very roughly that up to one and a quarter million existing houses in England and Wales will come within the scope of the Bill. Of this total, some 250,000 houses are in Wales, and up to 150,000 in Greater London.The Bill does not apply to Scotland.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the exact number of houses which will be subject to leasehold enfranchisement in Sheffield as a result of the enactment of the Leasehold Reform Bill.

I regret that the specific information is not available. The expenditure of public funds to obtain a precise figure would not be justified.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will institute a study of comparative local authority and private housing rents in the United Kingdom with those at present obtaining in the countries of the European Economic Community, and issue a White Paper.

The Economic Commission for Europe have this among possible subjects for future study by the newly formed Housing Sub-Committee of their Housing, Building and Planning Committee.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now state what plans are in progress to publicise the option mortgage scheme.

An explanatory booklet will be the main basis of publicity. I am asking the lending agencies to send a copy to every existing borrower who could conceivably benefit. The first two million copies of the booklet are already on their way to lending agencies. Three million more will be going out during the next two weeks.We are backing this up with an extensive advertising campaign in national daily and Sunday papers stretching from early August to the end of the year. This will remind borrowers when they have to make up their minds.We will supplement this with announcements on television and radio.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what assistance his Department will provide to the Swindon Borough Council to provide more housing suitable for middle and senior executives employed in industry and commerce in the town.

Swindon Borough Council already undertakes some building for sale as part of its town development scheme, but I would expect any demand for the more expensive type of housing to be met primarily by private enterprise. I have written to my hon. Friend explaining the position more fully.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that the London Borough of Newham is having to pay £2,800,000 in annual interest charges on borrowed money, mainly used for re-housing; what action he has taken or intends to take to reduce these rates to a level of 3½ per cent.; and when this will be implemented.

The Housing Subsidies Act, 1967, has the general effect of reducing to 4 per cent. the rate of interest on money borrowed to finance new house building by local authorities. My right hon. Friend has no proposals for reducing the rate to 3½ per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether, after the Gibraltar referendum, he will consider holding a round-table conference to decide the future constitutional relationship between Gibraltar and Great Britain.

If by Round-Table Conference the hon. Member means a conference attended by members of all parties from both Houses of Parliament here, I do not think that such an exceptional arrangement would be suitable or necessary in Ole present circumstances of Gibraltar.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether, in the coming Gibraltar referendum, the reference to democratic institutions means the existing institutions, or whether it is Her Majesty's Government's policy to down grade the local government to a municipality, in accordance with British proposals to Spain during the course of the talks;(2) what is his policy with regard to the maintenance of links with the United Kingdom for those Gibraltarians who wish to maintain them.

In my statement on 14th June I made it clear that, if the majority of the people of Gibraltar vote to retain the link with Britain, Her Majesty's Government will thereafter discuss with representatives of the people of Gibraltar appropriate constitutional changes which may be desired. I cannot anticipate the result of these discussions.—[Vol. 748, c. 565.]

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if Gibraltar opts for the retention of its links with Great Britain in the coming referendum, how Her Majesty's Government intends that the Gibraltar economy should thrive; and what positive steps Her Majesty's Government will take to save it from strangulation by Spain.

The Gibraltar Government plan to strengthen their economy by an expanded development programme up to 1970. As my right hon. Friend the then Colonial Secretary informed the House on the 3rd November, 1966, Her Majesty's Government support the general objectives of this programme and have allocated £600,000 to enable a start to be made on it.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether the reference to Great Britain retaining its responsibilities in Gibraltar contained in alternative B of the referendum, includes the United Kingdom's present commitment to support and sustain the people of Gibraltar economically, apart from responsibility for defence and foreign affairs.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs to what extent it is Her Majesty's Government's policy for Great Britain to be responsible for the political and economic welfare of Gibraltarians as a British community in the event of satisfactory negotiations pursuant to the Castiella proposals.

I cannot anticipate the Referendum to be held in Gibraltar.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the progress of the Big Brother Movement to which his contribution has recently been increased.

The Big Brother Movement is an active efficient organisation, highly regarded in this country and in Australia. This year up to 30th June, 121 youths have emigrated to Australia under the auspices of this Movement and the Headquarters in London have between 200–300 enquiries on their books at the present time. The British Government contribute to the Movement at the rate of £5 per youth emigrating, subject to an annual limit of £2,500. This contribution was last increased in 1965 from £2,000 to its present figure.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to secure the release of Mr. James Milnes-Gaskell imprisoned in Anguilla.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the continued detention of Mr. James Milnes-Gaskell in St. Kitts.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Channon) on 18th July (Vol. 750, c. 213). Since then the British Government Representative has informed me that the tribunal was expected to resume on 19th or 20th July. I was informed on 22nd July that the hearing of Mr. Gaskell's habeas corpus application had concluded, but that the judge had reserved his decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs when he will issue the report of Great Britain's economic mission to Malta; and what action he intends taking on the committee's recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether it has yet been decided to publish the report of the Robens economic mission to Malta.

The Mission is a joint one and its report was addressed to the Government of Malta and the United Kingdom. The report was received on Tuesday, 18th July, and is being studied as a matter of great urgency. I am already in touch with the Malta Government about publication.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his recent discussions with delegates from the Caribbean Commonwealth countries on the implications of British entry into the Common Market.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Renee Short) on 5th July.—[Vol. 749, c. 265–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs how many people emigrated to Australia with the aid of assisted passages in 1966; how many of them have since returned; and how many he estimates will so emigrate in 1967.

69,077 people emigrated from Britain under the Assisted Passage Agreement in 1966. It is not possible to say how many of these people will return in 1967, but the general pattern is that something less than 5 per cent. of Assisted Passage migrants from this country return permanently to the United Kingdom. It is estimated that more than 70,000 persons will emigrate to Australia under the Scheme in 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what is the total number of United Kingdom residents who emigrated to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States of America in 1966; and how many he estimates will emigrate to those countries in 1967.

The figures requested for Australia, Canada and New Zealand are as follows:Total numbers of United Kingdom residents who emigrated during 1966 to:

Australia	…	…	86,039
Canada	…	…	63,808
New Zealand	…	…	15,909

Estimated figures for 1967:

Australia	…	85,000
Canada	…	60,000–65,000
New Zealand	…	16,000

The figures concerning South Africa and the United States of America are not of course a matter for reply by my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs when local elections are to be held in Anguilla and Nevis.

I cannot add anything to my reply on 2nd May, 1967 when in courtesy to those Members who had discussed these matters with me before Statehood was granted I conveyed my understanding that elections would be held later this year.—[Vol. 746, c. 301.]

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government of St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla has adhered to the Constitution granted to the Islands on 27th February since obtaining associated status.

It is not a responsibility of Her Majesty's Government to determine whether or not the Government of St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla have adhered to the Constitution.While this does not fall within the responsibility of Her Majesty's Government my information is that it has.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what further representations he has made to the authorities in Anguilla to secure the release from detention of Mr. G. R. Boon and other British subjects; and if he will make a statement.

The representations which the British Government Representative has made to the Government of St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla about individual cases relate to the detention of British persons who do not belong to St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla. He has been informed that Mr. James Gaskell, about whose case I am answering other Questions today, is the only such person.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will arrange for the exhibits in the British Pavilion at Canada's Expo 67 to be displayed in London in due course.

No. The exhibits were designed as a whole to fit into a pavilion specially built to house them. They could not have the same impact in any other setting. Many of them are on loan and must be returned to their owners at the end of the exhibition. In any case, all the electrical and mechanical equipment was designed for North American electrical circuits and the cost of adapting it for use here, added to the cost of restaging the displays in this country, would be prohibitive.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the acting Indian High Commissioner about the cannabis which was imported into Great Britain by two Indians, both of whom were sentenced to terms of imprisonment at Inner London Sessions in the week beginning 9th July, and which was intended for delivery to the First Secretary of the Indian High Commission in London.

Following a report in the Press, the Commonwealth Office asked for and obtained from the Home Office a copy of a police report dated 5th May stating that two Indian citizens, Mr. Bhasin and Mr. Dayal, had been arrested on charges of smuggling drugs from India into Britain. The report included a statement that Bhasin was found to be in possession of a letter written to Dayal which, among other things, asked him to deliver some mangoes and mango pickle to Mr. Das, First Secretary in the Indian High Commission. The police do not believe that any of the contents of the tins were in fact delivered to Mr. Das.The police decided that on the basis of this letter alone, and having regard to other factors known to them there were no grounds for instituting investigations in relation to Mr. Das. They considered that the reference in the letter to Mr. Das did not justify the inference that he was himself in any way involved. No representations, therefore, have been made to the Acting High Commissioner; nor do I propose to make any. My Office and the police have been in close touch with the Indian High Commission who have throughout given their full co-operation.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he is satisfied that supplies of food and water for Hong Kong are, and will be, adequate; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. There is a satisfactory stock of rice in Hong Kong and the bulk of supplies of this staple food come from sources other than China. Though the majority of supplies of a number of other essential foodstuffs such as pigs, eggs, etc., come from China, local supplies and other overseas sources also contribute to meeting local demand. The temporary stoppage of food supplies from China at the end of June caused some disruption but since then supplies from China have been more or less normal. If further stoppages of supplies occur it will be necessary to turn to other sources. Measures to bring forward alternative supplies are under examination.In regard to water there has still been no reply to the request to the Chinese for additional supplies and, in consequence, the domestic mains supply is restricted to 4 hours every fourth day. It should be possible to maintain this supply through the next dry season and possibly increase it, without recourse to imported water, provided that rainfall during the remainder of this rainy season is not quite exceptionally low. The position is under continuous review.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs how many British civilians are resident in Hong Kong, and how many other civilians holding United Kingdom passports; and how many foreigners reside in the colony.

There are some 31,500 residents originating from Commonwealth countries outside Hong Kong. The numbers from individual countries and of passports issued by each of those countries are not available.About 53 per cent. of the total population of 3·7 million are British nationals by reason of birth in Hong Kong. There are about 15,000 non-Chinese aliens.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what is the cost of the Plover Cove water scheme of Hong Kong; when it is hoped to complete this; and if he will give an assurance that this will end water restrictions in the colony.

The total cost is currently estimated at £35–36 million.Work on the dam will be fully completed by the middle of 1968. It is, however, already holding water on which it may be possible to draw in the next dry season.On completion of the scheme, Hong Kong with normal rainfall would still require water from China to maintain a 24-hour supply throughout the year; but a limited daily supply could be provided without water from China even in periods of prolonged drought. By 1971 it will be necessary to add further storage capacity to maintain this position and to this end feasibility studies will shortly be undertaken.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what has been the result of his representations about the deportation of British farmers from Kenya; what is happening to their property; and if he will make a statement.

As my right hon. Friend informed the House on 10th July, prompt and vigorous representations were made to President Kenyatta and others in his Government about the lack of consideration shown in carrying out the expulsion orders. I greatly hope that there will be no further such expulsions but should the Kenya Government ever feel obliged to make any I trust that as a result of our representations the harsh treatment recently experienced will not be repeated.The properties of those expelled are presently being managed by wives, partners, or managers with the help of friends and neighbours. Our High Commission have kept in constant touch with the wives and families of the expelled farmers to help organise managerial assistance where necessary, and to deal with the problems arising from the departure of the expellees at such short notice.—[Vol. 750, c. 97–101.]

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government will now take to protect the interests of British subjects who are unjustly expelled from independent African States.

Our High Commissioners watch over and, where appropriate, intercede in the interests of United Kingdom nationals in independent Commonwealth countries. They will continue to do so.The protection of the interests of British subjects in foreign countries is a matter for the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will issue a general direction to the gas and electricity services that there should be more co-ordination in the administration of meter reading and pipe and cable laying.

The Weir Committee on co-operation between the electricity and gas industries concluded in 1959 that the balance of advantage appeared to lie in leaving meter reading within the responsibility of each industry, but the scope for further co-operation in this and other fields is kept under review. Developments in data processing are enabling Boards to improve internal integration over the whole field of their activities including meter reading and billing and it is in this direction that the greates promise of improving efficiency lies. The two industries keep in close touch on these matters at local and national levels.I understand that the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Public Building and Works are currently studying the possibilities of improving co-ordination in the laying of pipes and cables.

asked the Minister of Power what information he has on the development in other countries of the process for making from coal the synthetic amino-acid lysine; and what plans he has for development in the United Kingdom.

Lysine is to be produced commercially by Dutch State Mines. It is understood that under present plans the output will be derived not from coal but from other raw materials.United Kingdom demand for lysine can be met by processing fish meal and from other conventional sources. Only if synthetic lysine could compete in price with other sources would there be a demand.

asked the Minister of Power what estimate he has made of the overall figure spent during each of the last three years within the United Kingdom on all forms of fuel used for power and heating, respectively.

Estimated expenditure on all forms of fuel in 1965 was about £3,500 million, including the duties on oil. Purchases by domestic consumers accounted for about one-third of this, expenditure by industry and commerce, etc., for a further third; the remainder was spent on fuels for transport of all forms. No separate estimates are available for power and heating purposes separately.

asked the Minister of Power if he has yet received the findings of the inquiry into the disaster of the oil rig "Sea Gem"; and if he will make a statement.

I hope to receive the report next week.

asked the Minister of Power what has been the annual average figure of capital expenditure in the United Kingdom during the past three years on plant and appliances for heating purposes.

This information is not available.

asked the Minister of Power if he will state his estimate of the number of mineworkers who will be employed in Welsh pits in 1971.

As I told the hon. Member in reply to a similar Question on 21st February, no accurate estimate can be made yet of the numbers likely to be employed beyond 1967.—[Vol. 341, c. 235.]

asked the Minister of Power what is the Government estimate of therms per day of North Sea gas likely to be produced by 1970; and how this compares with the estimate given to him by the Gas Council for the same period.

I estimate that the North Sea is capable of producing 20 million therms a day by 1970 or soon after. The gas industry is working on similar estimates.

asked the Minister of Power what is his estimate of the reduction in the cost of nuclear power based on working for 85 per cent. of the year with amortisation over 30 years.

Between 15 and 20 per cent.

asked the Minister of Technology what estimate he has made of the current total expenditure on research in the design, production and application of computers in Great Britain; and how much of this expenditure is financed by the Government.

Expenditure on Research and Development in the year 1966–67 by the Government, in the field of design, production and application of computers, excluding defence, totalled approximately £4 million. No reliable figures are available for the total of R & D expenditure by non-governmental organisations, but I estimate this to have been of the order of £15 million in the same period.

asked the Minister of Technology when he proposes to terminate the experimental sonic bangs in the neighbourhood of Bristol.

The current series of tests has now ended.

asked the Minister of Technology, whether he has any plans to conduct sonic boom tests during the hours of darkness.

None, at present.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the correct procedure for members of the public who wish to complain of, or report on, sonic booms to his Department.

They should write to the Ministry of Technology, St. Giles High Street, London, W.C.2, and mark the envelope "Sonic Bangs".

asked the Minister of Technology when he intends to instal an adequate number of telephone lines to receive the complaints over sonic booms being sent to his department.

The number of lines available were increased substantially when it became apparent that many people preferred to telephone rather than write, and as a result the delays in getting through were reduced.

asked the Minister of Technology by what means he measures the true volume of public disquiet over sonic boom tests, when telephone lines to his Department are jammed for long periods.

The recent tests did not create booms comparable to those that will be made by supersonic airliners; and a public opinion poll would have proved nothing. Later tests—if they are held—would provide an opportunity for a scientific survey of public reaction. No decision on future tests has yet been made.

asked the Minister of Technology when he expects to give his formal consent to the National Research Development Corporation to authorise Tracked Hovercraft Limited to construct an experimental hovertrain along the Barrier Bank of the River Great Ouse through the Isle of Ely, agreement having now been reached between the company and the river authority; and what will be the cost and the time-scale for the experiment, and the length of the track and method of avoiding interruption to road traffic.

I have nothing to add to my Answer to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. J. H. Osborn) on 11th July.—[Vol. 750, c. 392.]

asked the Minister of Technology what technical and other lessons have been learned in the context of Anglo-French co-operation in aeronautics from the successful performance by French aircraft in the recent war between Israel and Egypt.

None.

asked the Minister of Technology what further action he is proposing to take with regard to the findings of the Second Special Report of the Public Accounts Committee.

The Report is being studied within the Department and will be the subject of a Treasury Minute.

asked the Minister of Technology when he intends to initiate a further inquiry into the profits made by Bristol Siddeley Engines, in view of the recent Second Special Report from the Committee of Public Accounts.

The Wilson Committee is now engaged on an inquiry with wide terms of reference, the report of which is now expected in October. I do not think yet another inquiry is called for at the moment.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will now initiate a complete review of all contracts carried out by Bristol Siddeley Engines on repair of spares for the years 1959–60 to 1963–64, inclusive.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Technology what developments there have been concerning the future of the Dragon experiment.

To avoid its premature shutdown, Her Majesty's Government have now offered to bear most of the cost of the Dragon project for the year 1968. This offer has been made in the hope that the other major contributor, Euratom, will be in a position by mid-1968 to agree to the extension of the project to 31st March, 1970, in which case there would be a retrospective and equitable adjustment of payments.Alternatively, the Dragon as an international project would end in December, 1968 without any terminal liability on Her Majesty's Government.Our offer will shortly be considered at a meeting convened by the European Nuclear Energy Agency, under whose auspices the Dragon project was established.We believe that the continued operation of the Dragon reactor should yield fuel irradiation experience of great value to the European countries participating.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will take the necessary steps to make an increase in the blind person's Income Tax allowance.

This was fully discussed at the Committee stage of the Finance Bill on 15th June last. I am afraid that I cannot make any further statement.—[Vol. 748, c. 795–834.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the effect so far on the United Kingdom balance of payments of the cutting off of oil supplies to the United Kingdom by Middle East countries.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 11th July by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis).—[Vol. 750, c. 48.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates to be the effect on the United Kingdom balance of payments for each month the Suez Canal remains closed.

I would refer the hon. Member to the supplementary replies on 18th July given by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, to the hon. Member for Moray and Nairn (Mr. G. Campbell) and to the right hon. Member for Bexley (Mr. Heath).—[Vol. 750, c. 1712–4.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of the balance of payments surplus which he hopes to achieve by the end of 1968.

I would refer the hon. Member to my speech yesterday.—[Vol. 751, c. 83–93.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) to what extent organisations which on 10th July, 1967 were not registered as charities have received repayment of income tax on their annual subscriptions;(2) if he is aware that tax is recoverable on certain subscriptions, details of which have been sent to him; on what basis the tax is repaid; and if he will make a statement.

A charity is not entitled to repayment of tax on subscriptions as such but may claim repayment, subject to certain conditions, of Income Tax deducted from annual payments made to it under deed of covenant. I cannot say how many unregistered charities receive Income Tax repayment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give in column form the total national and local government expenditure, respectively, for each of the last 10 years.

			Total Government expenditure
			Central government	Local authorities
			£ million
1957	…	…	5,776	1,874
1958	…	…	6,066	1,939
1959	…	…	6,449	2,088
1960	…	…	6,744	2,251
1961	…	…	7,305	2,578
1962	…	…	7,573	2,866
1963	…	…	7,882	3.142
1964	…	…	8,431	3,639
1965	…	…	9,288	4,075
1966	…	…	10,132	4,354

The figures cover total current and capital expenditure, including goods and service, subsidies, grants, loans and debt interest. They exclude, however, central government grants and loans to local authorities and debt interest paid by local authorities to central Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the result of the negotiations to settle the outstanding pay claim of the women cleaner's Civil Service union.

The negotiations are continuing.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a policy statement about the future financing and distribution of Welfare State benefits.

No.

asked the Minister of Power whether he is aware that oil imports from the Middle East during 1966 totally 44,469,000 tons; and, in view of the fact that the cost of transport has risen by £2 per ton due to the Suez war, what action he has taken, or intends to take, to offset the £88,938,000 per annum increased costs to the balance of payments or to prevent this additional drain on the currency reserves.

I have been asked to reply.I accept my hon. Friend's figures for our imports of oil from the Middle East last year. But the pattern of supply at present is different and I have the balance of payments aspect of this situation under close review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent it is now his policy to stop inflation; and at what rate of increase per annum he expects to contain it.

Stability of prices has always been, and will remain, a cardinal objective of the Government's policy. The prospect for prices in the short-term turns to a large extent on the successful implementation of the voluntary prices and incomes policy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much he estimates the £ sterling will depreciate in purchasing power in 1968 as a result of the increased social service payments, and Government expenditure generally, together with the lack of an increase in national productivity.

I would refer the hon. Member to my Written Answer to his Question on 13th June, 1967.—[Vol. 748, c. 48.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the total numbers in the Civil Service in 1900, 1939, 1950 and 1965.

145,000, 387,000, 685,000 and 698,000 respectively, excluding industrial civil servants, but including the Post Office.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the recommendation of the Committee of Public Accounts that the Comptroller and Auditor General should have access to university accounts.

A Treasury minute will be issued in the autumn in reply to all the reports of the Committee of Public Accounts for the 1966–67 Session. The

				Net Income
Earned Income				1963–64 and 1964–65			1965–66			1966–67
£				£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
520	…	…	…	507	19	8	502	17	8	502	11	2
780	…	…	…	751	18	8	746	8	8	745	9	2
1,040	…	…	…	952	6	8	946	12	8	945	6	8
1,300	…	…	…	1,140	8	11	1,131	5	11	1,129	2	7
1,560	…	…	…	1,322	3	5	1,307	19	5	1,305	5	3
2,500	…	…	…	1,978	18	2	1,946	8	8	1,943	14	6
3,000	…	…	…	2,328	3	5	2,285	19	5	2,283	5	3
5,000	…	…	…	3,681	8	8	3,597	10	2	3,594	16	0
10,000	…	…	…	6,144	13	5	5,860	8	8	5,939	11	3
20,000	…	…	…	8,081	17	11	7,124	12	11	7,622	18	9
Notes:—
(1) The figures relate to accruals of tax. Thus the surtax surcharge of 10 per cent. (which appears at the £10,000 and £20,000 levels of earnings) although payable in September, 1967, is shown as relating to 1965–66 income.
(2) It is assumed that the taxpayer was not contracted out of the National Insurance graduated pension scheme.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, at the annual general meeting of the International Monetary Fund in Rio de Janeiro, he will promote a study of the possibility of declaring the German deutschmark a scarce currency under Article 7 of the International Monetary Fund Agreement.

No. Such a course would not be appropriate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the net income, including family allowances, after payment of Income Tax, Surtax and social security contributions payable at the time, of an employed man in each of the last four years, whose gross earned income was at each of the following levels per annum, namely, £520, £780, £1,040, £1,300, £1,560, £2,500, £3,000, £5,000, £10,000 and £20,000, assuming he is married with two children aged 10 and 14 years, has no unearned income, that his wife has no separate income, and that he has no allowance for life insurance.

The information is as follows: