asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will constitute a committee to reconsider the problem of vaccination of all animals likely to contact foot-and-mouth disease.

I shall consider this and other questions when we come to evaluate the lessons to be learnt from this epidemic, but do not think it right to set up a committee for this particular purpose at this time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that adequate precautions are being taken to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease to Dorset on account of the Royal Automobile Club Rally passing through the county.

Yes, I am grateful to the Royal Automobile Club for the co-operation I have received from them in arranging the route of the rally so as to avoid the infected areas.

asked the Attorney-General whether he has had any further discussions on the introduction of computers into Her Majesty's Land Registry to expedite, simplify, and cheapen transactions in the transfer of land.

As my hon. Friend knows, arrangements are already in hand for employing computers in Her Majesty's Land Registry for statistics and the payroll. A detailed study is now in progress with a view to introducing an automatic data processing system into the work of the Land Charges and Agricultural Credits Department. Computer developments are being carefully studied but none have yet occurred which would enable the work of registering title to land to be done more efficiently and economically by that process.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will discuss with the London Boroughs, the Greater London Council and other interested bodies, means of retaining the Clapham Transport Museum on its present site.

My hon. Friend will have seen the proposals in Command Paper 3439 "Railway Policy". These envisage the creation of a single Transport Museum at York to be administered by the Science Museum and to be maintained by the Ministry of Public Building and Works, which would contain selected items from the existing collections. These proposals have the support of the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries, and the Government consider that they have many advantages. In the circumstances I do not think any purpose would be served by a discussion such as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has now been made towards the Open University.

A Planning Committee is now at work under the Chairmanship of Sir Peter Venables. Preparations are going ahead on the basis that the University will be launched by the autumn of 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the amount of grants being made by the State to direct grant grammar schools in England and Wales, the amount of grants per pupil, and comparative figures for pupils in maintained secondary schools.

Exchequer grant to direct grant schools this year will be about £7·8 million or £78 per pupil which will cover about 40 per cent. of the running expenditure of the schools, excluding expenditure on boarding. The balance is largely met by fees, which are paid by local education authorities for about 60 per cent. of the pupils.Direct running costs of maintained secondary schools of all types are estimated at about £380 million or an average of £135 per pupil.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what alterations have been made by his Department in procedures for briefing the Press; and whether he will make a statement.

No alterations have been made in my Department in procedures for briefing the Press.Press conferences are normally on the record. My Department gives such a conference every working day.In addition the Department often gives information to the Press non-attributably. This means that the information is for use but not for attribution to the Department. Such information may be useful to correspondents seeking a full understanding of the subject, but it may be unsuitable for statement on the record if, for example, it includes comment on the attitude of another Government.Very occasionally, discussions are also held on a not for use basis, but only with the agreement of the correspondents concerned.The aim of all these arrangements is to help the Press to understand developments in foreign affairs and to interpret them accurately.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether the Yorkshire and Humberside Economic Planning Council's study of the Colne Valley will be completed before February, 1968.

No. The first phase of the study of the problems of the Pennine towns which covers the Calder Valley will, however, soon be complete and the experience gained should help progress on the Colne Valley study, which forms the second phase.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what action he proposes to take in the light of the Yorkshire and Humberside Planning Council's recommendations on the decline of male employment in South Yorkshire.

The recommendations of the Council will be considered by the Hunt Committee and, pending the report of that Committee, we will continue to watch the economic situation in the area closely.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether before issuing Circular 68/67, Advances by Local Authorities for House Purchase in 1968–69, he considered an alternative basis for the quota as the amount offered in 1966–67 rather than the amount lent; if he is aware that the present bases for the quota unduly restrict London Boroughs which made no offers in 1965–66 and consequently made less actual loans in 1966–67; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this.

Several alternative methods of allocation have been considered, including commitments rather than advances in 1966–67, and authorities were invited to say in reply to Circular 68/67 whether they considered the proposed method unreasonable in their case. Those replies are now being considered and there will be further discussions with the local authority associations.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what information he has about increases in the purchase price of new houses; and what steps he intends to take to control such prices.

The average price of new dwellings mortgaged by private owners in the third quarter of this year increased by 5·3 per cent. on the third quarter of 1966.Statutory control of the price of new houses is not practicable because of the great diversity of types and costs throughout the country and because secondhand houses constitute the greater part of the housing market.An increase in the supply of new houses in the private sector is the best way of keeping down prices and I am glad to say that completions in this sector are very encouraging.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he is taking to prevent the demolition of fit houses on sites for which no planning permission for redevelopment has been agreed.

My right hon. Friend is not as yet persuaded that there is need for any special action in this matter. If my hon. Friend has any specific cases of this kind in mind I should be glad to consider them.

asked the Minister of Labour why, in the light of the fact that the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration has reported that Ministry Leaflet No. P.L.394 is inadequate for its purpose and that in fact it operated to mislead Mr. N. L. Bach of 2 Enkworth Road, Overcombe, Weymouth, he will not make available to Mr. Bach the appropriate earnings related benefit which he claims.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration found that Leaflet P.L.394 did not adequately explain the conditions for receipt of an earnings-related training supplement but he did not describe it as misleading. The Commissioner also took the view that Mr. Bach was not justified in assuming without specific inquiry that his "reckonable earnings" would be calculated other than in the normal way. Consequently I see no reason for making to Mr. Bach a payment to which he is not entitled.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men have been retrained in Wales during the last 12 months; and how many of these were formerly miners.

This information is not available in respect of the whole field of industrial training. 815 men completed courses at Government Training Centres in Wales during the last 12 months. These included seven former miners who had been declared redundant. It is not known how many of the rest were formerly miners.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he is aware, in view of declining employment opportunities in the Welsh mining industry, that the present expansion plans of Government training centres are inadequate; and what new steps are now to be undertaken to develop and expand the training facilities in Wales.

I have been asked to reply. We are considering whether further Government training centres are needed in Wales, but plans already announced should go a long way towards satisfying the need for this type of training. In addition to the two existing centres at Cardiff and Llanelli, it is hoped that the new centre at Port Talbot will open by the end of 1968. Work will also start on a fourth centre at Wrexham in North Wales in the financial year 1968–69. By the spring of 1970 Wales will thus have four centres with an annual output of some 1,800 trained men, almost double the present output.The provision of such Centres is only one part of the Government's plans to expand training facilities in Wales and other Development Areas. The rates of grant payable to firms who move into, or expand in Development Areas, to assist them with training workers for new jobs, have been doubled with effect from 16th October, 1967, and other grants are available through Training Boards to firms which expand their training facilities.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women, respectively, were registered as unemployed in Wolverhampton at the end of October; how many school-leavers had

TOTAL NUMBERS OF MEN, AND WOMEN, REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED, SCHOOL-LEAVERS REGISTERED FOR FIRST EMPLOYMENT AND NOTIFIED VACANCIES REMAINING UNFILLED IN THE AREA COVERED BY THE WOLVERHAMPTON EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE
Registered unemployed
		Wholly	Unemployed	Temporarily	Stopped
		Men	Women	Men	Women	School-leavers	Unfilled Vacancies
October, 1967	…	2,051	739	1,295	490	107	929
October, 1966	…	686	352	333	29	104	1,593
October, 1964	…	499	282	1	—	30	1,527
October, 1962	…	1,482	659	252	5	92	439

asked the Minister of Labour what representations he has received from the National Union of Bank Employees regarding the changes in the working conditions of bank employees in the Greater London Area; and what reply he has sent.

None.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of Thames lightermen unemployed as a result of the London docks dispute; and what is estimated to be the cost to the companies retaining labour.

Partly as a result of the London dock strike, some lighterage employers have not had work for all the men in their employment. The Dock Labour Board has as yet no estimate of the extent of this underemployment.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the numbers of registered unemployed and of vacancies in the gentlemen's hairdressing trade in the Greater London area in September and October, 1967, respectively.

Following is the information relating to Hairdressing and Manicure (Minimum List Heading 889

Following is the information:of the Standard Industrial Classification) which includes both ladies' and gentlemen's hairdressing;

NUMBERS OF MEN AND BOYS WHO LAST WORKED IN HAIRDRESSING AND MANICURE REGISTERED AS WHOLLY UNEMPLOYED IN THE GREATER LONDON AREA AND THE NUMBERS OF NOTIFIED VACANCIES IN THAT INDUSTRY IN THE SAME AREA REMAINING UNFILLED AT SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER, 1967.
	Wholly	Unemployed
	Men	Boys
October, 1967	245	12
September, 1967	283	11

	Unfilled	Vacancies
	Men	Boys
October, 1967	68	165
September, 1967.	66	197

asked the Minister of Labour if he will publish a list of all changes made in the Classification List for Selective Employment Tax since the tax was introduced; and if he will publish future changes of this nature in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

No such changes have been made. I can only change the activities eligible for selective employment premium or refund by making, with the consent of the Treasury, an order under section 9(1) of the Selective Employment Payments Act, 1966. Any such order would come before both Houses of Parliament in draft.

asked the Minister of Labour how many constituents of the hon. Member for St. Helens are registered disabled persons who are signing the register for employment; how many have signed the register for one, two, three, four or more years, respectively; and what steps he is taking to place those who otherwise would have no chance of becoming employed.

On 9th October, 1967, there were 396 registered disabled persons registered as unemployed at the St. Helens Employment Exchange: of these 65 had been unemployed between one and two years, 34 between two and three years, 15 between three and four years and 50 for more than four years. Disabled persons are assisted to find suitable employment through the special employment services which my Ministry provides for the handicapped, and they are further being helped by the recently opened extension to the St. Helens Remploy Factory which is designed to provide employment under sheltered conditions for up to an additional thirty severely disabled persons.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names and posts of duty of the 45 British officers concerned with co-operatives in overseas administration under the Overseas Service Aid Scheme.

Since my Ministry is not the employer of these officers I cannot be sure of the number, but I shall obtain the particulars from overseas Governments and write to my hon. Friend when I have them.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what new offers of aid were made by Her Majesty's Government at the recent meeting of the Aid-India Consortium.

At the meeting of the Aid-India Consortium in Paris earlier this week, Her Majesty's Government completed the British financial aid pledge to India for 1967–68 by offering a general purpose loan of £12 million and a £1 million loan for projects. With the £19 million already provided this year this makes a total of £32 million of new aid for 1967–68. Actual disbursements will be higher because of continuing expenditure from earlier loans and I expect the total spent in 1967–68 will be not less than the £43·2 million disbursed to India in 1966–67.

asked the Minister of Power what is his estimate of the number of jobs which will be available in the coal mining industry in the years 1970, 1975 and 1980, respectively, taking into consideration any changes in the productivity factor which can be reasonably forecast.

About 295,000 men at collieries in 1970 and perhaps around 190,000 in 1975, although it must be emphasised that these are only statistical forecasts. I am quite unable to give a figure for 1980 because the uncertainties that far ahead are too great.

asked the Minister of Power if he will introduce legislation to ensure that objective advice is available to consumers regarding the efficiency of home heating.

There are already a number of organisations which advise consumers about home heating; I do not consider it necessary to introduce legislation.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what studies he has made of the Life Association building in Princes Street, Edinburgh, with a view to finding a use for it by his Department without destroying its facade; and what conclusions he has reached regarding the desirability of ensuring its preservation on grounds of architectural merit.

The developers offered my Department space in a part of a new building or space in an adaptation of the accommodation behind the existing facade. As neither proposition would provide economical accommodation for any Government use, both were declined. Although no offer was made to us to lease the building as it stands, we considered possible Government uses for it but decided that none would be economical. Preservation is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what measures he is taking to make sure that the purchase of office furniture by his Department is directed to Scotland and other development areas; and if he will provide a table of relevant statistics.

Firms in Scotland and other Development Areas are invited to tender for Ministry contracts wherever possible; if they are not successful in obtaining the whole contract they are offered a part of it provided they can meet a specified price and their offer is otherwise satisfactory.Contracts for office furniture to the value of £288,000 have in the last year been given to firms manufacturing in Scotland and to the value of £651,000 to firms operating in other Development Areas, out of total purchases of office furniture of an estimated value of £5 million per annum.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how deep were the test bores on Aldabra, carried out by his Department.

To varying depths, up to 13 feet.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what tests he has conducted on the suitability of material from the East Channel of Aldabra for runway construction.

No tests have been made on material from the East Channel itself, but laboratory examination of samples from test bores at the east end of the Atoll, and available information on the properties of chloroformations, indicate that the material to be excavated from the Channel would be suitable for filling under airfield pavements. Harder material for pavement surfacing would be available on the airfield site.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether he will use his powers to ensure the preservation of the facade of the Life Association building in Princes Street, Edinburgh, by extending to one year the period of time that has been allotted to finding an alternative use for it without destroying its facade;(2) what consultations he has had with the Royal Fine Arts Commission for Scotland and the Historic Buildings Council concerning the desirability of ensuring the preservation of the facade of the Life Association building in Princes Street, Edinburgh; and what was the nature of the advice offered to him by these bodies;(3) what recent assessment he has made of the artistic merits of the Life Association building in Princes Street, Edinburgh; and whether he will make public his conclusions regarding the preservation of the facade in the event of any future redevelopment of the site.

The building is statutorily listed as a building of special architectural or historic interest, and both the Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland and the Historic Buildings Council have expressed the view that the preservation of its facade is desirable.The practicability of this was exhaustively considered with Edinburgh Corporation in 1966 but after taking all aspects into account, including the scheme for the redevelopment of Princes Street recommended by the Corporation's advisory panel, I came to the conclusion that I would not be justified in intervening to overturn the Corporation's decision not to refuse consent to a redevelopment of this site in order to preserve the existing building or its facade. Having decided not to impose a building preservation order, I have no other powers to prevent or delay demolition.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for the construction of special units for patients suffering from spinal injuries; where they will be constructed; and when they will be completed.

The Western and South-Eastern Regional Hospital Boards are each planning the provision of a new specialist paraphlegic unit, at Philipshill Hospital, Glasgow, and the Princess Margaret Rose Hospital, Edinburgh, respectively; but, taking account of other urgent needs, they have not yet been able to fix starting dates for these schemes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many crimes of violence took place in Scotland in the years 1951, 1956, 1961 and 1966, respectively; and what information he has regarding the trend in crimes of violence in 1967 to date.

Crimes of violence made known to the police in Scotland for the years 1951, 1956, 1961 and 1966 totalled 1,068, 884, 1,661 and 2,929, respectively. It would be unwise to forecast the trend in 1967 on the basis of the provisional figures so far available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will convene a conference of Scottish chief constables and other persons responsible for crime prevention and detention, to discuss means of combating the increase in crimes of violence in Scotland.

Chief constables, detective officers and police officers assigned to crime prevention duties throughout Scotland meet frequently and regularly to discuss these and other matters of common interest. I am satisfied that these arrangements for consultation are adequate at the present time.

asked the Minister of Social Security what is the average weekly number of callers at supplementary benefits offices; what is the average time spent by callers; and in how many cases the time spent is an hour or more.

In October, 1967, 184,000. I am sorry that the other information asked for is not available.

asked the Minister of Technology (1) how the terrain avoidance capability of the F111K compares with the terrain following capability of the TSR 2;(2) how the ground level range of the F111K at supersonic speed compares with that of the TSR 2.

It is not normal practice to disclose details of the performance of operational aircraft either specifically or by reference to other aircraft. In any case no meaningful comparison can be made.

asked the Minister of Technology (1) if he will give details of the procurement charge being levied by McDonnell-Douglas on British firms making parts for Phantom aircraft on order for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force;(2) what is the amount of the uplift charge being levied by McDonnell-Douglas on spare parts manufactured in Great Britain for Phantom aircraft on order for the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.

This charge is normal commercial practice and is intended to cover the cost to McDonnell-Douglas of such items as negotiating the sub-contract, administration, testing, and storing the completed equipment. It applies equally to U.S. sub-contractors. For operational convenience the supply of spare parts for Spey/Phantom aircraft during the initial period after delivery is included in the basic aircraft contract on which normal McDonnell-Douglas overhead charges are payable. It is not customary to disclose figures which go towards the make-up of contract prices.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in the first half of 1967 the value of footwear exported to the Common Market countries decreased by 24 per cent. compared with the first half of 1966; and what was the reason for this decrease.

The decrease in exports to the European Economic Community of footwear with leather uppers, slippers, and safety and sports footwear, after allowing for a change in Customs headings, is 21 per cent. I know of no special reason but some fluctuations in exports to particular markets must be expected, especially with a fashion product.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the value of goods for export and import held up because of the London dock strike and the value of goods transferred to other ports; and what is his estimate of the extra cost to importers and exporters of storage and demurrage.

No close estimate of the value of exports held up is available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the Aberdare and Mountain Ash areas have not been included in the list of areas to receive additional measures of assistance.

The list has been confined to those areas which on the evidence available are thought likely to be most seriously affected by colliery closures.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is his policy regarding the future industrial prospects of the Cymom Valley, including the areas of Aberdare and Mountain Ash.

I am anxious to see the introduction of new industry and the expansion of existing industry in this area and we are prepared to encourage this by the use of our powers under the Local Employment Acts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what were the values of coverage and other adjustments in the October export figures;(2) what were the amounts of valuation, coverage and other import adjustments in October.

Monthly information in this detail is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his revised proposals for Stansted airport envisage the realignment of the existing runway.

Under these proposals the existing runway would eventually be replaced by another on a different alignment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has formed of the cost of realigning the runways at Stansted airport.

It is too early to give a precise estimate, but I am advised by the British Airports Authority that the net cost is likely to be between £7 million and £10 million.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has formed of the operational limitations likely to be caused by crosswinds if the runways at Stansted airport are realigned.

Realignment to the extent under consideration is likely to reduce the crosswind usability of the airport very slightly but not below that regarded as acceptable for a major international airport.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what delays to the increased utilisation of Stansted airport are likely to result from the realignment of the runways.

None, as it would be possible to construct two new runways on the alignment under consideration without interrupting the use of the existing runway.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the projections of air traffic growth in the London area which were submitted to the 1965 inquiry on Stansted airport, together with the actual annual increases since registered, and the future growth rates now projected.

The forecasts of air traffic growth in the London area given to the 1965 Public Inquiry on Stansted were those in the published report of the Interdepartmental Committee on the Third London Airport (H.M.S.O. 1964—reference No. CAP 199)—see especially Table 1 and Appendix A. Actual figures of traffic at the London airports for the years 1961–66 and the Government's latest projections of traffic growth up to 1980 have been published in Appendix 1 of the White Paper on the Third London Airport (Cmnd. 3259).

asked the Minister of Transport what is her practice regarding formal and informal consultation of area economic planning councils with regard to proposed railway closures or other matters.

My right hon. Friend's practice regarding consultations with economic planning councils with regard to proposed railway closures is as described by her predecessor in his statement to the House on 31st March, 1965, except that where the proposal relates to lines not included in the published Network for Development the Railways Board do not need to seek her agreement to publication, as was explained in the Foreword to the Map. These consultations are on a formal basis.My right hon. Friend consults the councils formally on other matters whenever it appears their advice would be valuable. She discusses policy matters with council chairmen from time to time, but there is no established practice of informal consultation.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations she has received from the Northern Regional Council of the Labour Party regarding the establishment of a Regional Transport Authority; and what reply she has sent.

We have received a memorandum from the Northern Regional Council of the Labour Party proposing that a Regional Transport Authority should be set up for the North-East. The Government's proposals for setting up Passenger Transport Authorities will be set out in a White Paper on Passenger Transport which is to be published soon. The council has been informed that we expect to arrange for its views to be discussed in the near future.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will make a statement on the reported negotiations for the purchase of the British electric traction bus interests by the Transport Holding Company.

I am aware that discussions are in progress, and that should they reach a satisfactory conclusion it is the intention of the Transport Holding Company to make offers to the outside shareholders in these companies. These negotiations are being undertaken with my authority and approval.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will now state her decision on the line of Princess Parkway, Manchester; and what consideration has been given by her Department to representations made on behalf of residents in Beech Park Avenue, Northenden, for a variation in the proposed line of Princess Parkway to allow more space between the road and properties in Beech Park Avenue.

Objections to the scheme for extending Princess Parkway as a trunk road to form part of the proposed North Cheshire Motorway are still under consideration. A decision will be announced as soon as possible.

TAXES COLLECTED IN SCOTLAND, ENGLAND AND WALES
				Scotland		England and Wales
				Total £m.	Per Capita £	Total £m.	Per Capita £
1966–67
Income Tax*	…	…	…	193·0	37·2	3,002·3	62·4
Profits tax, etc.	…	…	…	3·1	0·6	79·7	1·7
Death Duties	…	…	…	32·7	6·3	268·2	5·6
Stamp duties	…	…	…	4·9	0·9	71·3	1·5
Corporation tax	…	…	…	63·6	12·3	974·7	20·3
Capital gains tax	…	…	…	0·7	0·1	6·7	0·1
				298·0	57·4	4,402·9	91·6
* Excluding Schedule C.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will calculate the yield from Scotland of Surtax and Schedule C Income Tax.

In 1966–67, the yield of Surtax from Scotland is estimated to have been £20 million: that from Schedule C Income Tax cannot be separately estimated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the net taxation receipts in 1966–67 per head of the population of Scotland, and England and Wales, respectively, from vehicle and driving licences.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the net receipts in 1966–67 per head of population in Scotland, and England and Wales, respectively, from those taxes and duties listed in Table 69 of the Digest of Scottish Statistics, October, 1967.

The table below contains the information requested for Scotland and for England and Wales combined. The figures refer to where the taxes were collected and are not, therefore, an accurate measure of where they were borne.

About £3 10s. and £4 14s. respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total net revenue raised in 1966–67 by Income Tax, excluding Schedule C, Profits Tax, &c., Death Duties, Stamp Duties, Corporation Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Selective Employment Tax, Pay As You Earn and vehicle and driving licences; and what proportion this represents of total net revenue.

£5,116 million which represents about 57 per cent. of total net revenue from taxation in Great Britain.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the sums of money which constitute 88·6 per cent., 7·9 per cent., and 3·4 per cent. of Estate duty, motor vehicle duty, Selective Employment Tax and taxes on incomes of individuals raised in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively; and what proportion of total Government income is involved in revenue from these sources.

£3,710 million, £334 million and £143 million respectively. Just under 50 per cent. of receipts from taxation in Great Britain is derived from these taxes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the offset payments actually made by West Germany towards the foreign exchange costs of the British Army of the Rhine in 1965–66 and in 1966–67; how these payments were divided between military and civilian goods; and what were the main categories of civilian goods purchased.

These figures are as follows:—

		£ million
	1965–66	1966–67
Military purchases	24·0	16·5
Civilian purchases	18·4	45·1

In addition, there will be payments amounting to £45 million in respect of the years 1964–65 and 1965–66 for further purchases of civilian goods under the arrangements described in Article 5 of the Protocol of 20th July, 1965 (Cmnd. 2731).The civilian goods cover a very wide range of manufactures, semi-manufactures and raw materials.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer approximately what percentage of total Government expenditure in 1966 was incurred, in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

On England, Wales and Scotland I refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 9th November to the hon. Member for Westmorland (Mr. Jopling).I am not responsible for expenditure by the Government of Northern Ireland.—[Vol. 753, c.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the yield in respect of Selective Employment Tax in the building and civil engineering industries in the first full year since its inception, showing each of these industries separately; and what was the amount of premiums given to each of these industries.

I regret that it is not possible to provide figures of the actual yield from particular industries. These industries are not eligible for premium.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect of the Selective Employment Tax on the North-West; and if he will make a statement.

It is too early to make any considered judgment, since in the short term it is not possible to distinguish the effects of the tax from other factors influencing the employment pattern.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent double-tendering is used to help firms in development areas; and if he will provide a table of relevant statistics.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cardigan (Mr. Elystan Morgan) on 7th November. I regret that no statistics are readily available which show the results of doubletendering.—[Vol. 753, c. 81.]