asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs when he expects the Northern Economic Planning Council to produce a further report of its findings and recommendations.

The Council has stated its intention to publish, from time to time, reports on particular aspects of the Regional Economy.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs when he expects the report of the Hunt Committee to be completed.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave to similar Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Newport (Mr. Roy Hughes) and Bradford, West (Mr. Haseldine) in the House earlier today.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will publish details of the special £24 million mini-work programme authorised for development areas in the last few weeks.

Most of the work is made up of small individual items for which local authorities are responsible and which it would not be practicable to identify separately. The total cost of the programme is now estimated to be about £27 million, made up approximately as follows: £16 million on roads; £4 million on schools, universities, etc.; £3¾ million on hospitals; and the balance on public buildings and works and such miscellaneous items as prisons, industrial estates and the demolition of air raid shelters.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he is satisfied that the phasing of the closure of pits in mining areas and the introduction of new male-employing industry is adequate to ensure no substantial or prolonged increase in unemployment; and if he will make a statement.

The Government believe that the measures adopted for the Development Areas as a whole will not only compensate for the continued rundown of manpower in their older industries, including colliery closures, but will bring over a period of years the average unemployment levels much closer to those of the rest of the country. The problems of areas particularly adversely affected by colliery closures will be dealt with by the arrangements for Special Development Areas announced in my speech in the Debate on the Address on 1st November last and by the President of the Board of Trade's reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Rhondda, East (Mr. G. Elfed Davies) on 14th November.—[Vol. 754, c. 84–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will require the National Board for Prices and Incomes to conduct a detailed study of prices and costs in the motor vehicle industry.

The Government are keeping this matter under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will make a statement on the resignation of Mr. Robert Willis from the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

No. In response to a Written Question from the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen) on 23rd October my right hon. Friend had copies of Mr. Willis's letter of resignation from the Board and of my right hon. Friend's reply placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how many firms of private consultants are employed by the National Board for Prices and Incomes to elicit confidential information from private firms.

Eighteen firms have been employed from time to time to make inquiries some of which have included confidential information.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what arrangements have been made to introduce Government-owned factories to the Blyth constituency, in order to tackle the problem of rising unemployment.

Seven Government-owned advance factories have been approved for the Blyth area and the special measures for areas seriously affected by colliery closures which I announced on 1st November will apply to most of it. These measures include the establishment of a major industrial estate at Cramlington.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs when he expects to publish a revised National Plan for the United Kingdom economy.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to similar Questions by the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) and the hon. Member for Worthing (Mr. Higgins) in the House earlier today.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) what are the principal terms upon which contracts are let for the sale of advertising in classified telephone directories;(2) what were the charges for heavy type entries in classified telephone directories in 1964, 1965, 1966, and 1967.

Advertisements and special entries in classified directories have been handled since 1966 by Thomson Directories Ltd., who secured the contract after competitive tender. The contractor has discretion to determine the charges, and retains an agreed percentage as commission. The rates vary according to the directory and its circulation, and I will send particulars to the hon. Gentleman if he will let me know those in which he is interested.

asked the Postmaster-General why incoming tenants have to pay for new telephones to be installed in their new houses even if they have already paid for new telephones installed in the house they have left.

Because payments in respect of the old house related to the installation there, and do not contribute to the work at the new house.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will give an assurance that there will be no increase in the charges for the telephone extensions which he is encouraging subscribers in the Birmingham area to instal so long as new telephones remain unavailable to those on the waiting list.

The charges for telephone service have been referred to the National Board for Prices and Incomes, and any statement must await their report.Providing a second (extension) instrument within a house which already has a telephone does not cause any further delay to people who are on the waiting list for connection to the exchange.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the supply of electro-magnetic switching apparatus to the Birmingham telephone area is proceeding according to his estimates; and by what date he expects the telephone waiting list in the area to have been eliminated.

Considerable delays are unfortunately still being experienced in the delivery of exchange equipment. Almost all the exchanges in the Birmingham area that are now short of equipment should, however, receive it during 1968 and by the end of that year nearly all the people at present waiting should have been given service.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) what has been the average calling rate per telephone for business and residential subscribers, respectively, for each year since 1961;(2) what has been the average number of local and trunk calls per telephone for business and residential subscribers each year since 1961.

I regret that information is not available in the form requested; the overall calling rates were:—

asked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made in the planning and introduction of a giro system.

The plans for the introduction of the National Giro are going according to schedule. I expect the service to open in the Autumn of 1968 as announced.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will issue a special stamp to commemorate the next Europe Day, which will be 5th May, 1968.

No.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider issuing, in February, 1968, a commemorative stamp as a tribute to the Suffragettes.

I have already announced that I shall issue a stamp in 1968 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of votes for women. I shall be announcing the date of issue very soon.

asked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made in his experiment in relation to low-cost communication for elderly people in Manchester and elsewhere.

The experiment is now being reviewed, and I will write to my hon. Friend when this has been done.

asked the Postmaster-General what are the figures of male and female sorters and delivery workers employed by the Post Office yearly since 1950.

The required figures as at 31st March each year are:

asked the Postmaster-General (1) if he will state the number of boroughs in England and Wales, excluding those in the London postal area, in which mail collected in one borough is postmarked with the name of another borough; (2) if he will state the number of boroughs in Scotland, excluding those in the Glasgow postal area, in which mail collected in one borough is postmarked with the name of another borough.

About twenty in Scotland and about fifty in England and Wales.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the estimated income of the telecommunications services on an annual basis for the period 1968 to 1971 at 1967 prices.

The information for financial years is:

asked the Postmaster-General what plans there are for an alternative British Broadcasting Corporation programme to be transmitted for the area now covered by the Llanyre station, Llandrindod Wells, in view of the protests about reception submitted by local viewers.

This is primarily a matter for the B.B.C. They tell me that the development of the network of ultra high frequency stations to broadcast B.B.C. 2 has not yet reached the stage when they could give high priority to planning a station for Llandrindod Wells.

asked the Postmaster-General what proposals he is considering concerning joint use by the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority of the local transmitter as a joint user so as to allow an alternative programme for television within the area of Llandrindod Wells.

The I.T.A.'s plan to build a station, which will share the site and mast of the existing B.B.C. station at Llandrindod Wells, has already been approved. The Authority expect to open their station towards the end of next year.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will use his powers to arrange that special announcements on radio and television are regularly broadcast to keep farmers informed of the latest situation and of any new areas affected by foot-and-mouth disease.

I recognise the considerations which have led the hon. Member to table his Question; but the programme content of their services is a matter for the broadcasting authorities. However, I understand from them that they are keeping in the closest touch with those engaged in fighting the outbreak, and all developments are being fully and frequently reported.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the difficulty of listeners on Tyneside in obtaining Radio Two reception; and if he will take steps to improve this reception.

The B.B.C. tell me that provided efficient receivers are used, reception of Radio 2 should be satisfactory on Tyneside generally, both on the very high frequency band and on the 1500 metres wavelength. For those who are having difficulty in receiving the service, reception would usually be improved by fitting an outdoor aerial. Listeners requiring advice should contact the Post Office or the B.B.C.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will publish all the reports which he has received of the recent scientific expeditions to the Indian Ocean Atoll of Aldabra.

The participating scientists reported not to my right hon. Friend, but to the Royal Society and the Natural Environment Research Council. Publication of these reports is a matter for the organisations concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations have been made to him by international scientific bodies about the need to conserve the natural habitat at Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Ocean; and what reply he has sent.

No direct representations have been made to my right hon. Friend on this subject by international scientific bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has for making known to the public the reports on scientific policy presented to Parliament; whether he will produce easily read books for schoolchildren of the contributions British science has made in the realms of health, invention, agriculture and the nation's development; and whether he will arrange for ministerial broadcasts on the British Broadcasting Corporation and Independent Television programmes to call attention to scientific achievements, with the object of informing the public, inspiring industry and interesting schoolchildren in making science a career.

Reports on scientific policy which are presented to Parliament are on sale in Government bookshops and are sent to a wide selection of interested organisations. My Department already circulates to schools publications designed to interest young people in science and technology and encourages publicity by radio and television of scientific achievements. Programmes on this subject have shown a welcome increase. It is our intention to develop further efforts of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will reply to the letters dated 20th October, 1966, and 7th March, 1967, from the Hertford and District Teachers' Association setting out their suggestions for the reorganisation of the secondary schools in Hertford and Ware, Hoddesdon and Broxbourne; and what consideration he has given to representations communicated to him following on the recent general meeting of the Association.

My Department acknowledged these letters and assured the Association that their views would be taken into account, as indeed they were, before a decision was made on the local education authority's plan. My Department is writing in reply to the Association's recent representations to explain why I approved the authority's proposals for this area, and I will send the right hon. and learned Gentleman a copy of the letter.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the precise nature of the investigations being made into the suitability as teachers of Mr. Haydon and Mr. Draycon, late of Court Lees Approved School; what facilities these two men have for representation and for appeal; and whether the question of their tenure of appointment in their posts at Court Lees comes within the scope of the investigations.

I am considering the suitability of Mr. Haydon and Mr. Draycon for employment as teachers in the light of the report by Mr. Gibbens, Q.C., on Punishment at Court Lees Approved School. As in all such cases full opportunities are given for written representations and for an interview with our representatives if desired. There is no appeal as such from the Secretary of State's decision, and the question of tenure of appointment of posts at Court Lees does not come within the scope of his consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of students who are currently enrolled for full-time courses at the University of Wales; and how many of these are normally domiciled in Wales.

There are now 11,166 full-time students at the University of Wales (i.e. excluding St. David's College, Lampeter, and the Welsh College of Advanced Technology, Cardiff). The number of these students domiciled in Wales is not known.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total number of full-time registered students in the universities of the United Kingdom at 31st October, 1967, the number of students admitted for the first time in October, 1967, and the corresponding figures for 1966.

The provisional total for Great Britain is 199,372, of whom, I am informed by the University Grants Committee, 57,614 are new entrants to undergraduate and lower level courses. The corresponding figures last year were 184,510 and 54,058 respectively.The target of 197,000 students set by the Robbins Committee for the academic year 1967–68 and accepted by the Government has thus been achieved.In addition in Northern Ireland there are 5,230 students of whom 1,489 are new entrants. The corresponding figures last year were 5,025 and 1,399 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total number of full-time students in the United Kingdom training to be teachers, other than in universities, at 31st October, 1967, the number admitted to teacher-training and other colleges, excluding universities, for the first time in September, 1967, and the corresponding figures for 1966.

96,461 and 41,417 in the autumn of 1966 and, according to estimates 107,000 and 44,000 in 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the Sums provided in 1967–68 by each university in the United Kingdom to offset the increase in fees for overseas students, and the amounts for this purpose allocated from the central fund to each university.

Information is not available on sums provided by universities to remit fees to overseas students. I am asking the British Council to seek the views of the Advisory Board on the request that the amounts of individual allocations to universities from the Overseas Students' Special Fund should be published and I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the number of full-time overseas students registered in the universities of the United Kingdom at 31st October, 1967, the number admitted for the first time in October, 1967, and the corresponding figures for 1966.

The provisional total for Great Britain is 14,099, of whom, I am informed by the University Grants Committee, 2,797 are new entrants to undergraduate and lower level courses, and 4,462 to postgraduate courses. It is not known how many of the latter are entering British universities for the first time. The figures for Northern Ireland are 199, 44 and 19 respectively.The definition of an overseas student for statistical purposes has been altered to conform with the precise classification devised for fee purposes. Directly comparable figures are not therefore available. According to the wider definition previously used the number of full time overseas students in universities in Great Britain last year was 16,915. There were also 202 in Northern Ireland. Figures for new entrants from overseas were not collected last year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the new immigrants admitted in September, 1967, including the 7,123 from India, 2,334 from Jamaica, 1,591 from Malaysia, 1,132 from Nigeria and 4,960 from Pakistan, were permanent settlers; and on what grounds were they admitted.

From the Commonwealth as a whole 6,310 people were admitted for settlement in September. Of these 489 held employment vouchers and 5,355 were admitted as dependants. The figures for the countries referred to in the hon. Member's Question are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the sub-committee of the Advisory Committee on Drug Dependence will publish their report on problems associated with soft drugs.

I understand that the Advisory Committee on Drug Dependence hopes to submit a report on this matter early next year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in his discussions with firework manufacturers in regard to safety precautions.

Representatives of my Department and the British Firework Manufacturers Safety Association meet regularly to discuss safety precautions in the manufacture, sale and use of fireworks. Particular attention is given to the publicity campaign which is mounted during each fireworks season. Other matters recently discussed include packaging, means for improving the ignition of fireworks and modifications of particular types; improvements in all three respects make an important contribution to safety.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many injuries attributable to fireworks were recorded within one week of 5th November in each year from 1963 to 1967, respectively.

This information is not available for 1963 and the returns for 1967 have not yet been received. Totals for England and Wales for the other years, during the period 30th October–6th November, were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking in consultation with the Secretary of State for Education and Science to ensure that no pupil over the age of 15 years in any school is unaware of the dangers of taking and handling drugs.

A sub-Committee of the Advisory Committee on Drug Dependence has been studying health education and publicity and we hope to receive the Committee's report on this important matter early in the new year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the special statistical returns to be collated towards the end of the year on the use of the breathalyser, he will include the reasons under various headings for which drivers were stopped and tested by breathalyser in the first instance.

I will consider this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the results of his consideration of the effect on young children of separation arising from the imprisonment of their mothers.

It is generally accepted that if the relationship between a young child and his mother is a normal one, separation involves a serious risk to the child's development. This is one of the considerations that courts would clearly wish to take into account before deciding on sentence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many mothers of children under five years of age are in prison at the present time.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what age babies born to mothers serving a term of imprisonment are separated from their mothers and what studies are being coordinated about the subsequent effects.

A review of each case is made when a child attains the age of nine months, and a mother is usually allowed to keep her child if she is in an open prison or is due to be released shortly. It is rarely possible for a mother to keep her child in prison beyond the age of eighteen months as adequate arrangements for its care and supervision cannot then be made. As regards the last part of my hon. Friend's Question, I would refer her to my Answer to her earlier Question today.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how prisoners were able to escape from Winson Green Prison on 11th November; and why the escape equipment used by the train robber was still available to them in the builders' yard adjoining the prison;(2) what further measures he will introduce to prevent more escapes from Winson Green Prison; and what assurances for safety he will give to the public.

I have asked the Chief Constable of Birmingham to investigate the escape of three prisoners from Birmingham prison, one of whom has been recaptured. I cannot comment on the circumstances of the escape or say what further security measures may be required until I have his report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many chief constables of counties, county boroughs and boroughs have given notice that they are not prepared to accept reduced terms of employment under the new Act; and whether he will express the figures also in the form of a percentage.

Of the thirty-two amalgamation schemes which I proposed in May, 1966, and subsequently, eighteen have been made and sixteen are in operation. Of the thirty-nine Chief Constables involved in these sixteen schemes who were in post immediately before the amalgamation took effect, eight have been unwilling to accept appointment in a rank below that of chief constable in the combined police force—a percentage of 21. Arrangements have been made for former chief constables who take office in a subordinate capacity to preserve their former rates of pay on a personal basis. Compensation terms exist for those who do not.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain a report from the chief constable as to the action taken to close the Pinxton to Barlborough stretch of the M1 in fog until fog warning lights are installed and in working order.

The chief constable informs me that fog occurred only once before the installation of hazard warning signals began on that stretch of the motorway. He decided not to close it on that occasion because, with fog warning signals on all approach roads and fog warning signs on the motorway to the south, traffic was safer on the motorway than if diverted to roads with two-way traffic.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will send to the Director of Public Prosecutions the papers concerning alleged brutality by the headmaster of Court Lees Approved School.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give an assurance that adequate police and fire services will be available in whatever areas are chosen for the siting of 15,000 houses to take overspill from Birmingham.

I have no reason to think that adequate arrangements will not be made by the appropriate police and fire authorities when it is known where the houses are going to be built.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to complete his study of the views of the Irthlingborough Urban District Council and the county planning authority regarding his proposal to establish a borstal at Irthlingborough.

Within a few weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the result of the inquiries made by the Metropolitan Police into the corruption of young guardsmen by a well-to-do vice ring promoting homosexuality in the Household Cavalry and the Welsh Guards; and what action he now proposes to take.

A report on this matter has been submitted by the Metropolitan Police to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue a direction to all approved schools in the United Kingdom not to use the cane for an experimental period of six months.

My policy is to phase out the use of corporal punishment in approved schools in England and Wales, but I do not think that the abrupt withdrawal of discretion to use it would be appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the additional recruitment of trained probation officers so far this year, net of resignations and retirements; whether he is satisfied with the progress that this represents towards the numbers required for the expanded rôle of the probation officer; and if he will make a statement.

During the first ten months of 1967, 196 trained and 104 untrained officers were appointed to the probation and after-care service in England and Wales, producing net increases of 99 and 61, respectively. The total number of established officers at 31st October was 2,717. A further 360 students are expected to complete training and become available for appointment as probation officers before the end of 1968.The marked improvement in recruitment to training which began in the second half of 1966 is being maintained and has been accompanied by a decline in wastage from the service. While the net increase in strength has fallen short of what was planned in 1965, I believe that the service will be able to meet its various responsibilities. The Advisory Council for Probation and After-Care is continuing to keep a close watch on the staffing needs of the service.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what arrangements he is making in the present financial year in respect of colonial development and welfare assistance to the South Arabian Federal Authorities.

Colonial Development and Welfare grants have been made towards the Federal authorities' recurrent and capital expenditure of a developmental nature.The arrangement under which C.D. and W. funds contribute to recurrent expenditure is the result of past administrative decisions on the division between ordinary and developmental charges, but both are comprised in the Federation's annual budgetary expenditure. In order to simplify accounting procedures in the situation obtaining in South Arabia in recent months, and because of the obvious difficulties which may be foreseen in the way of securing the usual detailed audit clearance for the contributory expenditure (since many of the relevant statements would not be receivable until well after the date of Independence) it has been decided that subject to the approval of Parliament such expenditure should from the 1st April, 1967, be met from the provision for budgetary aid in Class II, 7 Subhead D.9 of the Civil Estimates. Issues of budgetary aid are subject to a simple certificate that the money has been devoted to the purposes for which it was provided.A Supplementary Estimate will be laid before Parliament in due course.Issues from the approved C.D. and W. grants for capital development projects will until Independence be made on the basis of estimates of expenditure currently being incurred. On the attainment of In-dependence previously dependent territories cease to be eligible for assistance under the Colonial Development and Welfare Acts.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how many students from overseas were given additional training by attachment to agricultural co-operative societies through facilities provided by the Agricultural Co-operative Managers' Association; and if he will list their countries of origin.

59 attachments for overseas students in the academic year 1966–67 were arranged at Societies linked to the Agricultural Co-operative Managers' Association. Of these 52 were sponsored by my Ministry.These 52 came from the following countries:

The remaining 7 came from:—

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total number of jobs in each of the regions qualifying for the regional employment premium.

The numbers employed in or from establishments qualifying for regional employment premium are, approximately, ⅔ million in the Scottish development area; ½ million in the Northern development area; ⅓million in the Merseyside development area; 200,000 in the Welsh development area; and 25,000 in the South Western development area.

asked the Minister of Labour what part of the estimate for the cost of the regional employment premiums in each of the regions was accounted for by an increase in the number of jobs.

Broad estimates of increases in the number of jobs are taken into account. But it is not the custom to publish details of the Government's short-term forecasts of numbers in employment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT statistics summarising the movements of retail prices, the earnings of industrial workers, and the profits of public companies since October, 1964, at three-monthly intervals.

Yes. Following are the figures:

asked the Minister of Labour what percentage of the insured population in Mid-Wales is currently employed in manufacturing industry within the area.

At mid-1966, the latest date for which information is available, about 12 per cent. of the estimated numbers of all employees in Mid-Wales were in manufacturing industries (Orders III to XVI of the Standard Industrial Classification).For this purpose Mid-Wales has been regarded as comprising the counties of Cardiganshire, Montgomeryshire, Merionethshire, Brecknockshire and Radnorshire.

asked the Minister of Labour how many employees were in employment in Perth in June in each year since 1957.

Local employment estimates are available in respect of June in each year. The figures for June, 1967, will be available about mid-1968.Throughout the period 1957–66 the numbers of employees in employment in the area covered by the Perth Employment Exchange remained comparatively stable varying between 27,000 and 29,000.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the consequences for the Government's incomes policy of trade union requests now being made to individual municipal bus undertakings to enter into negotiations outside the National Joint Council, with a view to concluding separate agreements.

If as a result of such requests, settlements are reached, they will of course be subject to the Government's incomes policy and should be reported to my Department under the early warning procedure.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will seek to make a financial contribution towards the removal of pit refuse tips on old colliery sites in Derbyshire.

Grant of 50 per cent. is already available to local authorities under Section 9 of the Local Government Act, 1966, towards the cost of treating disused pit heaps.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the total capital investment required to eliminate completely derelict sites in the Northern Region as a whole and in each county in the region.

No reliable estimate can be made without a detailed appraisal of each site and the appropriate scheme of treatment. Information from applications for grant so far approved suggests

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what has been the percentage reduction since 1st July, 1967 in the number of rent officers working outside the Greater London Council area.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, what reduction have been made since 1st July, a cost of £1,100 an acre for acquisition and treatment. On this basis the cost of dealing with the 14,375 acres justifying treatment in the Northern Region would be about £16 million.The breakdown of this acreage for the counties and county boroughs included in the Region is as follows:1967 in the number of rent officers working outside the Greater London Council area.

Three rent officers, two of whom were part-time, have retired since 1st July, 1967. This represents a reduction of just over one per cent. of the number of rent officers working outside London. My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to say what further reduction there will be, as this is still being discussed with the clerks of the authorities concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, owing to the high figure of unemployment and the low figure of vacancies in the Clay Cross area of Derbyshire, he will arrange some incentive to new industry to establish itself in the area.

Special financial inducements are available only in the development areas. Subject to the needs of the development areas, however, I am prepared to consider sympathetically applications for industrial development certificates for projects suited to the needs and resources of North-East Derbyshire.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he proposes to introduce legislation to ensure that all weights and measures are standard and marked accordingly.

Legislation is not needed. My right hon. Friend already has powers under the 1963 Weights and Measures Act to add other commodities to the many classes of goods which the Act requires to be sold only in specified quantities, or to he pre-packed only if the container is marked with a quantity marking.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will include numbers of employees involved in statistics of liquidation of companies.

No. The information could not be obtained without an undue expense of time and effort.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the Report of the Monopolies Commission on the Professions.

It is too early yet to say when the Report will be received.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer to the National Board for Prices and Incomes the recent increase from 4d. to 5d. per copy of the Sheffield evening Newspaper, The Star.

I do not think a reference to the Board is called for.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has reached a decision on the request by the British Overseas Airways Corporation for approval to order more Boeing 747 aircraft: and if he will make a statement.

Yes. Approval has been given for B.O.A.C. to purchase five more Boeing 747 aircraft for delivery during 1972 in addition to the six already on order. These aircraft are needed for B.A.O.C.'s requirements for large sub-sonic aircraft in the early 1970s, and do not affect their requirements for super-sonic aircraft. A decision on the option held by B.O.A.C. for a sixth additional aircraft will be considered in 1968. The dollar expenditure involved is to be financed by B.O.A.C. through overseas borrowings and these borrowings may eventually necessitate an increase in the present statutory limits applicable to B.O.A.C. under Section 16 of the Air Corporations Act, 1967. At the appropriate time the House will be asked to approve the increase.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what negotiations are in progress with the South African Government regarding the supply of arms from the United Kingdom.

None. South African requests for defence equipment are received from time to time. These are considered in the light of our policy set out by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 17th and 25th November, 1964, and are not the subject of negotiation.—[Vol. 702, c. 199; Vol. 702, c. 1281.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many lives have been lost, and what has been the approximate cost involved, in the United Kingdom support for the South Arabian Federation.

Betwen the beginning of the emergency in December, 1963, and the end of August this year when the Federal Government ceased to function, a total of 83 United Kingdom persons (68 Servicemen and 15 civilians) lost their lives in South Arabia, but it would be misleading to say that these lives were lost in support of the South Arabian Federation. From 1959, when the Federation was formed, until the end of August, 1967, a total of £26,896,000 was paid to the Federation in the form of direct budgetary grants and grants to member States. It is not possible to specify a proportion of our military ex-

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give the figures for each month to date for total British and other non-local civilian casualties and for Arab civilian casualties, respectively, since the start of the emergency in Aden and South Arabia.

Casualty figures resulting from terrorist activity for British and non-local civilians and for Arab civilians since the declaration of State of Emergency in December, 1963 are as follows:

• December 1963
• 1 British civilian killed.
• 1 local civilian killed.
• 43 wounded (British and local).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the expiry date of United Kingdom defence treaty commitments in the Persian Gulf.

There is no specific date for the expiry of our treaties and agreements with the Persian Gulf States.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will so draft the legislation that grants under the Industrial Development Act will be set off against, or supplemented by, grants under the Industrial Expansion Bill.

My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, made it clear in the debate on the Gracious Speech that all forms of finance already available to industry will be taken into account in deciding whether further Government assistance is necessary under the new legislation.

asked the Minister of Labour what study has been made of the potential effect of the shipbuilding merger on employment in the industry on the upper reaches of the Clyde.

I have been asked to reply.

asked the Minister of Technology what study he has made of the evidence submitted to him by the hon. Member for South Bedfordshire on the use of Royal Air Force personnel at Maralinga, South Australia, on useless tasks, including the sweeping out of buildings which had been empty for a long time; and if he will make a statement.

I have looked into the evidence submitted by the hon. Member. Every effort is made to employ Royal Air Force personnel at Maralinga base on their main functions, which are the care of stores and the provision of communications, fire and airfield services. However, as part of a caretaker force awaiting a decision on the future of the base they must necessarily keep buildings, equipment and facilities in good condition, including those not in current use.

asked the Minister of Technology, what function the Royal Air Force element is performing at Maralinga, South Australia; and when it is intended to withdraw these servicemen from that area.

A small Royal Air Force element of 15 men is needed at Maralinga base for essential tasks such as the care of stores and communications and airfield duties. I hope that withdrawal of these men will be able to commence shortly once agreement has been reached with the Australian Government about the future of the base.

asked the Minister of Technology what action is being taken by his Department in relation to the profits of certain contracts for the repair of engine spare parts which were disclosed to the Committee of Public Accounts by Bristol Siddeley Engines Limited.