asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will institute arrangements by which suitable, public buildings under his control may be rented for private functions.

Most buildings under my control are required for official purposes, and some cannot be made available for other users for special reasons. However, I am considering whether there are any buildings which might on occasions be made available in the way the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will arrange to post a park constable to control traffic converging in order to leave Richmond Park at the Robin Hood Gate between 4.30 p.m. and dusk during the summer months at weekends.

As an experiment I will arrange for a park-keeper to be posted at the junction immediately inside Robin Hood Gate, to assist with the traffic.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works which Government Departments occupy the extra six million square feet office accommodation since October, 1964; how many people are employed in them: and at what total extra cost.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Gillingham (Mr. Burden) on 6th November, and to the reply about extra staff given to the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow) by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the same date.—[Vol. 753, c. 44; c. 70–1.]

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how much office space has been rented by Govern ment Departments, at a cost of £4 per square foot or more, since October, 1964.

About 9,000 square feet.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works who holds particulars of office space acquired by individual ministries and for Government Departments since October, 1964.

My Ministry, as I am responsible for providing offices for Government Departments.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what steps he is taking to ensure that his Department do not purchase refrigerators from sources overseas against which a prima facie case of dumping, is at present under investigation by Her Majesty's Government.

While investigations are proceeding, my Department will not place any contracts for refrigerators imported into this country from the sources against which allegations of dumping have been made.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he is satisfied that the supply of bricks is adequate to sustain the accelerated housebuilding programme; and if he will make a statement on the overall building materials supply position.

Fletton commons and non Fletton facing bricks are still short but supply and demand are likely to be in balance by the end of the year. There is unlikely to be any general shortage of building materials which will affect current programmes of construction.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what proportion of the resources of the building industry was engaged in new construction overseas in 1966 to the latest convenient date: and what proportion he estimates will be so engaged in the next 12 months.

The value of work done by contractors overseas in the year ending March 1966 was £169 million, and in the year ending March 1967 this was £172 million.In addition, British Consulting Engineers were employed on work overseas valued at £1,416 million on 1st January, 1967 and by the end of this year this figure will be about £1,600 million.I cannot estimate what the figures will be of work done for the next 12 months, but I hope that every effort will be made by British consultants, contractors, and producers of building materials to gain orders abroad.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what is the present full-time membership of the Interdepartmental Component Coordination Group; and how many of those members are in the professional, executive and clerical grades.

There are 17 members, of whom 11 are professional, 3 executive, and 3 clerical. All the posts are full-time. My Ministry supports the Group with office services.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether the Interdepartmental Component Coordination Group is currently studying in depth the whole range of building components with a view to standardisation; whether its work is restricted to a limited range; and what components that range covers.

The Interdepartmental Component Co-ordination Group is not currently studying the whole range of building components, because this complex work must adhere to a systematic programme.The primary responsibility for user requirement studies rests with the development groups in building departments. These requirements are reconciled and coordinated by the Group, who will put them into the form of performance specifications which can be used by component manufacturers. These will form the basis for draft British Standards.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will ensure that as far as possible local contractors are used in any construction work needed, following the takeover by the United States Air Force of the site at Caerwent, Monmouthshire, now used by the Royal Naval Propellant Factory.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Social Security if she will introduce legislation to provide that those who have organised unofficial strikes and disrupted the nation's economy should no longer be entitled to draw social benefits.

Strikers are already disqualified for unemployment benefit during a trade dispute. Supplementary Benefit is restricted to the requirements of their families, except for cases of urgent need.

asked the Minister of Social Security whether she will take steps to amend the regulations relating to the calculation of supplementary pensions so as to disregard the extra pension obtained by those who work beyond the age of 65.

No. To disregard part of the retirement pension would not be consistent with the principle that Supplementary Benefits should be complementary to the National Insurance Scheme.

asked the Minister of Social Security what further action she proposes to take to ease the burden on retirement pensioners who are compelled to buy smokeless fuel because they live in designated smokeless fuel areas.

Where the standard long-term addition for Supplementary pensioners is insufficient for unavoidable extra expenditure on heating, or the pensioner has difficulty when first using smokeless fuel, the Supplementary Benefits Commission will consider making additional payments.

asked the Minister of Social Security whether she will place in the Library a copy of the report of the Supplementary Benefits Commission on the wage stop, which she has now received.

asked the Minister of Social Security if she will consider advertising in the national daily and Sunday Press details of her Department's new publication, Everybody's Guide to Social Security'.

I am considering what circulation should be given to this report.

asked the Minister of Social Security what is the average amount of unemployment and other benefits payable for so long as he is out of work to a married man with three children of school age, a married man with two children of school age, a married man with one child of school age, and to a single man.

I regret that the information is not available in the form required because the average amount payable can vary according to the duration of unemployment and the circumstances of individual families. The information available is as follows:

This has been considered, but I am afraid that the cost would be too great, even for a small advertisement. The Guide has been widely publicised by H.M.S.O. There have also been Press releases, posters and radio announcements.

asked the Minister of Health how many private nursing homes have applied for forms to be registered under the Abortion Act 1967.

I have had 100 applications of which 89 are from private nursing homes.

asked the Minister of Health what results have been received from the main trade associations, public transport authorities, hospital and local authorities and Government Departments arising from his representations on smoking in public places.

My statement was well received, but there is some reluctance to impose further restrictions on smoking which may prove unpopular with the public.

asked the Minister of Health when he expects to receive the report of his Working Party on Intermittent Dialysis.

This Working Party has the continuing function of advising my Department on the appropriate arrangements for treatment by intermittent dialysis. It is not expected to make a formal report.

asked the Minister of Health what is the ratio of patients to general practitioners in 1967.

Final figures are not yet available but the estimated average number of patients on the lists of doctors providing full medical services in England and Wales on 1st October, 1967, was 2,470. The true number of patients per doctor will be slightly smaller since it is not possible to eliminate all duplicate entries from doctors' lists.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he will give an assurance that the fullest possible opportunity will be given for detailed discussions between his Department and representatives both of the medical and allied professions and of the pharmaceutical industry, before any of the recommendations contained in the Sainsbury Report are finally included in the Government's proposed legislation;(2) which of the organisations concerned he has consulted with regard to the inclusion in the Government's proposed legislation of recommendations made in the White Paper, Command Paper No. 3395, and in the Report of the Committee of Inquiry, Command Paper No. 3410: when he asked for their respective comments; and by what date lie indicated their representations should be put forward.

The views of the British Medical Association, the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry and the Proprietary Association of Great Britain were sought on 20th October, the matter was briefly discussed with the Joint Consultants Committee on 24th October and the views of the Royal Colleges of Physicians, Surgeons and Obstetricians and Gynaecologists were sought on 30th October. This consultation was directed to those recommendations in Cmnd. 3410 bearing on the proposals in Cmnd. 3395, which were framed in the light of extensive earlier consultation with these and other bodies. I indicated that my objective was to complete consultation by the end of November, but have told organisations which asked for more time that some degree of latitude can be allowed. There will be opportunity for full examination of all relevant matters before the legislation reaches its final form.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the progress of work now being carried out at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Gateshead, to achieve a 1,000 bedded district general hospital; what is the total cost of the entire project; and when it is expected that the work will be completed.

A new out-patient department and part of a new X-ray department were completed in August. Building of an accident and emergency department and the remainder of the X-ray department is planned to start after 1969–70. Further development is planned but I cannot at present forecast when the entire project, the estimated cost of which is about £8·5 million, will be completed.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the decline in the availability of eye specialist services in the Eccles area; if he is aware of the delays experienced by babies and young children requiring eye specialist treatment; what action his Department will take to rectify this situation; and if he will make a statement.

There has been no decrease in the hospital eye service facilities available at Rope Hospital which serves most patients from the Eccles area. There has, however, been a large and unexpected increase n the number of out-patient referrals there this year which has caused some delays. The reasons for this increase are being investigated by the Regional Hospital Board. During this year the waiting list for squint operations at this hospital has been reduced.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received representation from the Guild of Insurance Officials asking fo recognition as the negotiating body for the staff of the Yorkshire Insurance Company in the current dispute and what action he has taken thereon.

Following representations from the Guild, the Ministry has had separate discussions with representatives of the Guild and the company. The company are not prepared to concede negotiating rights at present.

asked the Minister of Labour what discussions he has had with the building industry regarding safety procedures on building sites: and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is in regular contact with the industry on these matters, principally through the Joint Advisory Committee on Safety and Health in the Construction Industries.

asked the Minister of Labour how many coalmining jobs have been lost in Fife since the end of 1957; how many new jobs, male and female, respectively, have been created; and how many are in prospect.

The number of mineworkers in Fife fell from 24,845 at the end of 1957 to 5,930 at the end of October 1967. This takes account of transfers to new jobs within the coal mining industry. It is estimated that between 1957 and 1966 male employees in employment decreased by 13,103 and females increased by 4,719. There are about 5,600 jobs in prospect (including 3,174 for males) expected to arise in the next four years, in authorised new buildings and in existing buildings taken over by manufacturing firms, according to information provided by the developers.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the estimate of the number of persons who have left service industries in Mid-Wales as a result of the selective employment tax since September 1966; and to which industries they moved.

I regret the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour what percentage of insured workers in Wales were, at the last convenient date, employed in manufacturing and service industries, respectively.

At June 1966 about 33 and 46 per cent. of all employees in employment in Wales were employed in manufacturing industries (Orders III to XVI of the Standard Industrial Classification) and in Service industries (Orders XIX to XXIV), respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour what additional unemployment he calculates will result in the Edinburgh area following the withdrawal of the extra Selective Employment Tax premiums.

I would expect any employment effects to be very small. Against them must be set the benefits which employers in the Edinburgh area will be in a position to gain from the opportunities arising from the recent devaluation.

asked the Minister of Labour how many wage claims have been made since the standstill was imposed on 20th July, 1966; in what industries these were from; how many workers are involved; how many increases have been granted; what rate of increase has been granted; and what is the annual cost.

Ninety-six major claims have been made on behalf of about nine million workers in a wide range of industries and services, the largest numbers being in engineering, construction, distribution, agriculture and coalmining. Thirty-six of these covering rather more than two and a half million workers, have so far resulted in settlements accepted by the Government and the average increase on minimum rates is 5·6 per cent. It is not possible to make an accurate estimate of the annual cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what plans he has for the expansion of the work of the British Council in South-East Asia.

This is being considered in connection with the Overseas Information Estimates, 1968–69.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the visit of the Yugoslav Foreign Minister to this country.

Mr. Nikezić and I had useful and very friendly discussions on a number of major international questions and on bilateral relations between our two countries. I believe the visit made a most valuable contribution to the development of Anglo-Yugoslav relations and to better understanding of each other's policies. I gladly accepted an invitation from Mr. Nikezić to pay a return visit to Yugoslavia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now overcome the legal difficulty which delayed the ratification of the Convention with the Italian Republic providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters.

Since my reply of 12th July to a similar Question from the hon. and noble Member for Hertford (Lord Balniel) the matter has been the subject of further discussion between our two Governments, but, unfortunately. the legal difficulty remains unresolved.—[Vol. 750, c. 109–10.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many former employees of the Federal Government and the Colonial Government in Aden have received notices of dismissal; how long notice of such dismissal has been given; and what terms of compensation have been offered.

Eighty-four pensionable British and other expatriate officers have been required to retire. Notice to officers who had not previously elected to retire was given at the beginning of this month. Compensation and terminal benefits payable will include pay for at least six months leave as well as disturbance grants or additional allowances.Sixty British officers on contract have had their contracts terminated and will receive their terminal benefits under the terms of their contracts.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received a reply to his letter to the Chinese Foreign Minister proposing discussions on matters of common concern.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) why the British Embassy in Israel is not at the capital, Jerusalem;(2) what is the extra cost to Great Britain of maintaining her embassy in Israel outside the capital, which is the site of the major administrative offices;(3) whether he will now move the British embassy in Israel from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem;(4) if he will now accord recognition to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel; and if he will make a statement on the position.

While Her Majesty's Government have, since 1949, recognised the de facto authority of Israel and Jordan in the parts of Jerusalem which they occupied, they, in common with many other Governments, have not recognised de jure Israel or Jordanian sovereignty over any part of the area defined in General Assembly Resolution 303 (iv) of 9th December, 1949, which called for an international status for a designated area of Jerusalem. In the light of this United Nations resolution Her Majesty's Government have held that the status of this area could be determined only in the context of a settlement in the Middle East. It would in present circumstances be inconsistent with this position to take any action, such as the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, or the establishment of Her Majesty's Embassy there, which would imply recognition of Israel's sovereignty in West Jerusalem.Since Her Majesty's Government have never recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the question of any extra cost due to the fact that our Embassy is established in Tel Aviv does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the organisations which receive grants from his Department for other purposes and which are also active in the field of disseminating information about the European Common Market.

Yes: they are Britain in Europe, The College of Europe in Bruges, the European Schools Day, the Committee of Student European Associations, and the European Atlantic Movement for Education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress is being made on research into immunotherapy techniques in the treatment of auto-lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Research on the use of these techniques in the treatment of malignant diseases, including leukaemia, is in progress at the Institute of Cancer Research, in conjunction with the Royal Marsden Hospital. This method of treatment is still in the experimental stage and until it has been fully evaluated it is not possible to say whether it has any advantages over other accepted methods.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what sums have been paid out of public moneys to the Royal Shakespeare Company during each of the past five years, respectively; and to what extent this increasing subsidy for entertainment will be affected by the measures about to be taken by Her Majesty's Government in order to right the economy.

The Arts Council's subsidies to the Company since 1962–63 have been £10,000, £47,000, £88,000, £93,300 and £153,000. The British Council has also paid £34,434 to the company in guarantee against losses incurred in touring abroad.It is for the Arts Council to decide the future level of grant to the Royal Shakespeare Company within the total of their grant-in-aid from the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will set out, in tabular form, for the last date for which figures are available the number of local education authorities which are employing part-time teachers to an extent equivalent, respectively, to 15, ten, five and three per cent. of their total teaching strength, together with comparable figures for the preceding year.

Following is the information for maintained primary and secondary schools:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total size of the part-time teaching force at the last date for which figures are available; and what is his estimate of the extent to which its size would be increased if all local education authorities employed part-time teachers to an extent equivalent, respectively, to 15, ten and five per cent. of their total teaching strength.

On 1st October, 1967, there were in maintained primary and secondary schools 42,429 part-time teachers, whose full-time equivalent was 20,642 or 6·4 per cent. of the total teaching strength. Assuming the same average full-time equivalence and the same number of full-time teachers, 10 per cent. of the total teaching strength would amount to about 70,000 part-timers and 15 per cent. to 110,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of part-time teachers, expressed as a percentage of a local education authorities total teaching strength, he recommends as the maximum attainable that is consistent with the preservation of high teaching standards; and what steps he is taking to revise this figure.

Circular 6/65 asked authorities to adopt 5 per cent. as their minimum aim, and to move on to 10 per cent. and beyond. I cannot generalise about the maximum percentage that is educationally acceptable.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the net increase in the number of part-time teachers in the last year for which figures are available, and how that net figure was composed as between gross recruitment and wastage rates of part-time teachers during that period; and how such wastage rate compares with its equivalent for part-time teachers in preceding years and for full-time teachers in the same year.

The net increase in the number of part-time teachers in maintained primary and secondary schools between 1st October, 1966, and 1st October, 1967, was 4,523. The rest of the information sought is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total, or estimated total, amount of money spent by his Department and local education authorities together in the last year for which figures are available, in advertising for, recruiting, retraining and induction of part-time teachers, and the net increase during the same period in the number of part-time teachers in service.

I am afraid the information sought in the first part of the Question is not available. In the financial year ending 31st March, 1967, £39,855 was spent on behalf of the Department specifically on advertising to attract married women to return to teaching whether full-time or part-time. Between 1st February, 1966, and 1st February, 1967, the number of teachers in part-time service in maintained primary and secondary schools rise by 5,246.

asked the Secretary of State 'or Education and Science what is his present estimate of the number of trained teachers who are not now teaching, but available to be attracted back to teaching and of the percentage of those available who have been attracted back.

Since this depends on the changing circumstances of individuals I am unable to make an estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps by legislation or otherwise, to enable him to intervene, and to stop the Wolverhampton Borough Council from am ending the articles of the Regis Comprehensive School.

Under Section 17(3,b) of the Education Act 1944 the articles of government for a county secondary school cannot be made or amended by a local education authority without my approval. The recent decision of the local education authority for Wolverhampton to enable pupils in the area served by the Regis Comprehensive School to attend selective schools is a separate matter and does not require or depend upon any change in the school's articles of government.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will refer to the Law Commission all regulations made under the National Insurance Acts.

No. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Social Security is already engaged in redrafting and consolidating some of these regulations.

asked the Attorney-General why he has not taken procedings against Radio Caroline for breach of the Marine Broadcasting (Offences) Act.

investigations into the activities of Radio Caroline, with a view to considering whether there should be any prosecution for offences under the Marine etc. Broadcasting (Offences) Act, 1967, are continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations were made to him by the Scottish Economic Planning Council in consultations about the proposal to close the Edinburgh to Corstophine railway line.

Consultation with the Council was on the usual confidential basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of summary convictions and the number of convictions on indictment in Scotland under Section 1 of the Prevention of Crimes Act 1953, in the past three years to the nearest convenient date.

There were 787 summary convictions and 30 convictions on indictment in 1966 under Section 1 of the Prevention of Crimes Act 1953. The corresponding figures for 1965 were 780 and 18 and for 1964 424 and 4.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many vacancies there are for hospital pharmacists in Scotland at the most recent convenient date.

At the beginning of this month there were 34 vacancies for hospital pharmacists in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the shortage of nurses of the mentally ill, he will introduce legislation to permit the admittance of persons who have had at least five years' experience in this field.

No. The arrangements for enrolment of unqualified persons on the basis of experience in mental nursing were a once for all exercise when training for enrolment was being introduced in mental hospitals, and I do not think it would be right to repeat them now.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of doctors providing unrestricted general medical services in each of the past five years; and what was the average number of patients per doctor.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussion he has had with local authorities in Scotland and, in particular, with Edinburgh Corporation, to ensure that the house building programmes in Scotland are not disrupted or diminished by the eight per cent. Bank Rate.

None for none are necessary. The local authorities are well aware that the system of subsidies introduced by the Housing (Financial Provisions &c.) (Scotland) Act 1967 ensures that the effective borrowing rate for local authority housing will remain 4 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for encouraging the expansion of agricultural production in Scotland; and if he will make an early statement so that farmers can plan accordingly for 1968.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire, West (Mr. James Davidson) on 23rd November.—[Vol. 754, c. 423.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hospitals not vested in the Secretary of State, registered nursing homes, or other establishments have applied for approval as places for treatment for the termination of pregnancy under Section 1(2) of the Abortion Act 1967 in each of the counties and cities of Scotland; and if he will list the names of these establishments.

So far applications have been received from five establishments, of which two are in the county of Stirling and one each in Edinburgh, Dundee and the county of Dumfries. These applications have not yet been considered, and I do not think it would be appropriate to list the names.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which local authorities have increased rents since 1st January, 1967, and by what amounts.

Local authorities are not obliged to notify me of rent increases, but I estimate that this year about one quarter of the local authorities in Scotland have increased, or have decided to increase, their rents. I am unable to give details of the amounts of these increases.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he will take to make good the deficiency of police officers in Scotland.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward M. Taylor), on 25th October.—[Vol. 751, c. 1698.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will break down by constabularies the deficiency of 984 of police officers in post in Scotland at 31st October 1967.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the delay in constructing the new bridge at Calder Street, Coatbridge; and if he will give firm dates for the start and completion of this project, the total cost involved, and the amount to be met by way of Government grant.

I understand that there has been some delay, but the main constructional work should start next spring and be completed during 1969.The approved cost of the scheme is almost £64,000 towards which I have offered g rant of £38,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the OFFICIAL REPORT of Thursday's proceedings in the House of Commons is not available in Her Majesty's Stationery Office in Edinburgh until the following Monday; and what steps he proposes to take to improve its availability.

The OFFICIAL REPORT of Thursday's proceedings in the House of Commons is normally avail- able from the Government Bookshop in Edinburgh at 9 a.m. on Saturday. If the hon. Gentleman can give me details of any particular occasion when it was not available until Monday I will look into it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what direction he has given to the banks to accommodate small businesses and shopkeepers in Scotland with short-term credit facilities.

Within the overall ceiling on lending outside the public sector (except for exports and shipbuilding) the banks have been asked to give priority to finance for production and investment necessary to sustain or increase exports, for the promotion of invisible earnings, or, as in the case of agriculture, for securing a saving in imports. The banks have also been asked to continue to have regard to the Government's policies on regional development. The Scottish banks will be discussing with the Bank of England the interpretation of this guidance in relation to Scotland, but the application of the guidance in particular cases will be for the banks themselves to decide.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will list the loan and credit liabilities of the British Government which are affected by devaluation stating in each case, the date of borrowing, the terms of interest and repayment, the amount still to be repaid and the extra cost of such interest and repayment consequent upon devaluation.

The overseas loan and credit liabilities of the British Government are all affected by devaluation: as

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the amounts which have been borrowed from, and the credits arranged with, international banks and foreign countries since October 1964.

Information about Central Bank credit facilities has been published in the Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin. These have just been augmented by new credits in excess of $1·5 billion. It is not the practice to give details of the current use of such facilities. On loans, I would refer the hon. Member to my Answer to the hon. Member for South Angus on 24th November. [Vol. 754, c. 446.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the impact of his recent proposals on the lost of living in Scotland.

None. I estimate that the effect of any proposals will be to raise the retail price index, which relates to the country as a whole, by 2½ to 3 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations he has had with the voluntary welfare organisations in Scotland regarding the impact of his recent measures on the living costs of pensioners and other low income groups.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated current gross national product of Wales.

I regret that no such estimate is available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the increased credit costs to agriculture in Scotland following the increase in Bank Rate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the increased cost in a full year to industry, to agriculture and to fishing in Scotland, of the increase in Bank Rate to 8 per cent.

In so far as these industries borrow from the Scottish banks, the increase in overdraft charges may run at about £200,000 gross a month for manufacturing industry and about £100,000 gross a month for agriculture, forestry and fishing, for so long as Bank Rate stays at 8 per cent. It is not possible to estimate a separate figure for agriculture alone.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to introduce a special Bank Rate for Scotland, in view of Scotland's export record.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the value to agriculture and horticulture of the higher initial allowances.

The saving of tax to agriculture and horticulture from increasing initial allowances from 10 per cent. to 30 per cent. on plant and machinery not qualifying for investment grants is estimated at about £1 million for a full year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what messages have been received from Governments holding sterling balances concerning the recent devaluation of the £ sterling; and what replies he has sent.

I have received messages from several Governments and am replying to them. While these are confidential exchanges. I would say that I have been struck by the sympathetic and helpful tone of these and other statements I have seen by overseas holders of sterling.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to introduce a rebate on fuel used for agriculture and horticulture in Scotland.

Horticultural producers throughout the country already receive repayment of duty on heavy oils used in the heating of horticultural buildings or structures and the heating or sterilisation of the earth or other growing medium used; rebate of duty is also allowed on heavy oils used as fuel in agricultural machines, mowing machines, unlicensed vehicles not used on public roads, and vehicles exempted from licence duty which use public roads for distances not exceeding six miles per week.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the quantities of malt spirit and grain spirit respectively, distilled in Scotland during the year to 30th September, 1967; and what were the quantities of both distilled in the whole of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The quantities of malt spirit and of grain spirit distilled in Scotland and in the United Kingdom as a whole in the year ended 30th September, 1967, were as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate, for the latest financial year for which figures are available, of the total amount collected in taxation in Scotland and of the total of grants, subsidies and other financial assistance received in Scotland from the Exchequer.

Further to my reply to the hon. Member on 9th November, I can now add that total direct and indirect taxation collected in Scotland, so far as it can be separately identified, amounted to about £650 million in 1966–67.—[Vol. 753, c. 169–70.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether export rebate will continue to be paid on exports the contracts for which have been signed prior to 1st April, 1968, and which take many months to manufacture.

Conversations are taking place with representatives of industry on these matters and I hope to give guidance within the next few days.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will take steps to transfer to local authorities those temporary houses belonging to his Department which have been vacated for the purpose of demolition with a view to preventing vandalism and theft.

I doubt whether vandalism and theft would be reduced by a change of ownership; but authorities wishing to buy vacated houses at scrap value less site clearance costs may do so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there will be any alteration in the housing rate subsidy interest rates to local authorities as a result of the new economic measures.

I have been asked to reply.The general effect of the Housing Subsidies Act 1967 is to enable local authorities to provide new housing at a fixed interest rate of 4 per cent. Consequently any increase in borrowing rates will be taken into account in determining future rates of subsidy on new housing.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in view of his failure to announce a decision on the proposal to house 50,000 Birmingham conurbation overspill in the Wellington-Oakengates area, he is satisfied that proper provision has been made to accommodate in the West Midlands the one million population addition to the 1964 figure expected by 1981; and if he will make a statement.

The population increase for the West Midlands region to 1987 is estimated at approximately 900,000, originating mainly within the conurbation. As much of the conurbation overspill as possible should go to the new and expanding towns, and I hope shortly to announce my decision on Wellington/Oakengates.In addition, the Worcester County Council have at my request produced a study of possible sites for 15,000 houses, and the West Midlands Planning Conference has decided on a wider study of development around the conurbation.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the percentage of the total of consumers' expenditure expended on housing in the years 1965 and 1966; what is the anticipated percentage in the year 1967; and what plans he has for increasing it.

Consumers' expenditure on housing accounted for 11 per cent. of total consumers' expenditure at current market prices in 1965 and 11·5 per cent. in 1966 (see tables 27 and 28 of the Blue Book "National Income and Expenditure 1967" (H.M.S.O.)).I regret that a forecast of the corresponding percentage for 1967 is not available. My right hon. Friend has no specific plans for increasing the percentage as such.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what increase in rate subsidy he estimates will arise from any increase in local authority expenditure as a result of the new economic situation.

It is too early to estimate what effect the new economic situation will have on the level of local authority expenditure. There will be undoubtedly some increased costs, but the Government will expect local authorities to exercise the utmost economy.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what changes in military strategy led to the decision not to build a staging post on Aldabra island; and if he will give an assurance that this will not affect this country's ability to carry out its accepted overseas responsibilities and obligations.

No changes in strategy were involved. We will remain capable of meeting our overseas responsibilities and obligations, but will have less flexibility in doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what aircraft, by numbers and type, will not now be required as a result of the decision to cancel or postpone the Aldabra project.

The decision on the Aldabra project will have no effect on aircraft requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are his plans for the future of H.M.S. "Victorious".

H.M.S. "Victorious" will not return to service with the Fleet. She will be made ready for disposal to scrap.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total expenditure in the refitting of H.M.S. "Victorious" during the last five years.

Since 1st April, 1962, the refits, dockings and essential repairs of H.M.S. "Victorious" have cost just under £10 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total operating cost since opening of the Royal Air Force recruitment office in Bedford.

About £30,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of inquiries received by the Royal Air Force recruitment office in Bedford; and the number of these who have actually signed on as recruits.

For service in the ranks of the Royal Air Force, the numbers since the office opened on 14th January, 1966, are:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total amount which his Department has spent in the county of Midlothian in the years 1964, 1965 and to the nearest available date in 1967; and if he will list the firms who got contracts and the amounts involved.

We do not keep such figures according to counties, and to answer the Question would demand more effort than is justified. In any case, we do not as a rule publish the value of contracts we place with individual firms.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the United States Air Force personnel to be employed at Caerwent will live on or outside the site.

Both.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give an assurance that he will inform the House before any decision is taken to use the Royal Naval Propellant Factory site at Caerwent for the storage of nuclear weapons.

Caerwent will not be used for the storage of nuclear weapons.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many United States Air Force personnel he expects to be employed on the site now occupied by the Royal Naval Propellant Factory at Caerwent, Monmouthshire.

Thirty-five; there will also be 69 members of the U.S. Army and 12 civilian employees of the Department of Defense.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what undertakings he has obtained from the United States Air Force as to the extent to which the 150 employees needed by them at Caerwent will be drawn from those currently employed on the site.

Any existing employee who applies will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many people will be made redundant as a result of the decision to grant the use of the Royal Naval Propellant Factory site at Caerwent, Monmouthshire, to the United States Air Force.

None at Caerwent. Over the next two years Caerwent will take the stores now held at the U.S. Army depots at Fauld, Bramshall and Ditton Priors; these depots will then close. The number that will be redundant is not yet known.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give an assurance that all United Kingdom safety regulations will be operative in the transport, handling and storage of weapons by United States forces at Caerwent, Monmouthshire.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence by what date he expects that 800 local civilians will be employed by the United States Air Force at Caerwent, Monmouthshire.

1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many local employees he expects to be employed by the United States Air Force at Caerwent by 1970.

About 600.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the break clauses in the lease to the United States Air Force of the site at Caerwent now used by the Royal Naval Propellant Factory.

The use of the site will be reviewed as circumstances require.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give an assurance that his Department will consult with the Severnside survey to ensure that the use of the site at Caerwent by the United States Air Force does not conflict with the long-term plans for the area.

My right hon. Friend will consider any new development arising from the Severnside Study which is important enough to justify a review.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will consult with the Chepstow Rural District Council about the housing requirements of the United States Servicemen to be stationed at Caerwent, Monmouthshire.

The effect of the requirement will be discussed with the council.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give an assurance that, following the United States Air Force takeover of the site at Caerwent, Monmouthshire, he will be willing to consider, in consultation with the local authorities, any new development, whether arising from the Severn-side study or otherwise, of sufficient importance to justify such a fresh look at the proper use of the site.

Yes.