asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the number of mature students in training as teachers in the last year for which figures are available; what proportion of the total number of students that figure represents; and how the wastage rate of mature students in training compares with that for other students.

Amongst students in colleges of education, art training centres and university departments of education in October, 1966, there were 13,927 mature students, defined as students who were aged 25 or over on the 31st December following entry to training. They comprised 5,273 men and 8,654 women and represented 16 per cent. of the total number of teachers in training. Estimates of in-course wastage rates have been made by expressing the number of successful exits in 1965–66 as a percentage of the number of entrants to various courses in the appropriate years previously, and are given in the following table. Some students will pass their examinations at a later stage.

ESTIMATED WASTAGE RATES OF STUDENTS ON COURSES OF INITIAL TRAINING
Percentage
	Men	Women
Mature students	11	14
Other students	11	12

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now withdraw Administrative Memorandum No. 9/67 dated 3rd April on Licences for Radio and Television Broadcast Receiving Sets in Schools and other Educational Institutions in view of his recent decision on this matter.

I intend to issue as soon as possible an Addendum to this Administrative Memorandum which will amend the relevant paragraph. The text is at present being discussed with the Post Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (1) whether the Eastern Regional Planning Council will classify the Yarmouth-Lowestoft area as a sub-region and develop it as such;(2) whether the East Anglian Planning Council will treat Great Yarmouth in planning as a growth point.

The East Anglia Economic Planning Council is at present considering the medium and long-term strategy for the Region. What they will say in their Study, which they intend to publish next year, is a matter for them, and it would not be appropriate for me to anticipate their views, but I would expect that the future of Great Yarmouth in the regional context will be one of the many questions that the Council will take into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what criteria he intends to use for defining grey areas like Norfolk, when they are considered by the Hunt Committee; and if he will include below average incomes as one of them.

It is for the Hunt Committee to advise on the criteria to be used in the definition of grey areas and this is one of the matters on which they have invited evidence.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will make arrangements for the Hunt Committee to visit the Yarmouth area, in view of the low average incomes prevailing there.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given on 16th November to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for King's Lynn (Mr. Derek Page). [Vol. 754 c. 609–610.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what effect devaluation has had upon the capital sum or interest payable by Great Britain on previous international borrowings.

It is not the practice to publish details of current transactions between central banks. My right hon. Friend gave details of the loan and credit liabilities of the British Government affected by devaluation in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Norfolk, South (Mr. J. E. B. Hill) on 27th November.—[Vol. 75, c. 22–24.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give a directive to local inspectors of taxes to allow them to grant tax relief for expenditure incurred in complying with new fire regulations, which constitute no improvement, addition or extension to property but whose sole purpose is to permit the continued occupation of the premises.

No. Expenditure on repairs to existing fire-fighting apppliances would be allowable as a deduction in computing profits for tax purposes, but expenditure which resulted in a permanent raising of the standard of safety would normally be capital expenditure and would therefore not be so allowable, whether or not it was incurred compulsorily.

asked the Minister of Labour how many new jobs would be required for male and female workers in the Bentley area to cope with the closure of the pit, and how many of these jobs are likely to be available on 1st April.

Although the Bentley colliery is likely to close in April, 1968, the matter is subject to review and no final decision has yet been taken. It is not yet known how many of the present labour force of 1,700 will have to seek work outside the coal-mining industry if the colliery does close.Approved new projects and expansions of existing enterprises should provide additional jobs for 180 males over the next few years according to information provided by the developers. It is not possible to say how many of these will materialise by 1st April.

asked the Minister of Labour what retraining facilities will be available to personnel displaced by the closure of Bentley Colliery; at what centres places will be open to applicants from this area; and in what occupations they can be trained.

I am informed that no final decision has yet been taken to close the Bentley Colliery. If it does close next spring redundant miners who want and are suitable for the accelerated training given at Government Training Centres will be able to receive it either at the Sheffield Centre which is within daily travelling distance, or at one of the other 37 Centres in Great Britain if they are prepared to live in lodgings during the course. The Centre at Sheffield has classes in bricklaying, carpentry, contractors' plant maintenance, heating and ventilating fitting, general fitting, capstan setting/operating, milling setting/operating, motor repairing, and electrical welding. Those not suitable for training for a skill might be helped by the Industrial Rehabilitation Unit at Sheffield, which could assess the type of alternative employment for which they are best suited.

asked the Minister of Labour how many outstanding claims and settlements, respectively, have been notified to his Department during the period of extreme moderation arising out of claims by the Draughtsmen's and Allied Technicians' Association; how many of these claims had previously been confirmed by the Trades Union Congress vetting committee; what is the estimated annual percentage rise in earnings arising from known outstanding claims and settlements; and what approximate estimate he has made of outstanding claims and settlements not formally notified to his department.

Since July, 1967 notification has been received of 110 claims and 120 settlements involving the Draughtsmen's and Allied Technicians' Association. Of the claims 67 have not yet been settled. It is not possible to estimate the effect of the claims and settlements on earnings or of claims and settlements which have not been notified. I have nothing further to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 26th October, 1967.—[Vol. 751, c. 548.]

asked the Minister of Labour how many coalmining jobs have been lost in Midlothian since 1959, stating the number each year; how many new male jobs have been created; and how many he estimates there will be in the future.

The following table, based on information supplied by the National Coal Board, shows the changes in the number of mineworkers in Midlothian mice 1959:

December, 1959	11,683
December, 1960	11,069
December, 1961	11,191
December, 1962	10,542
December, 1963	9,788
March, 1964	9,899
March, 1965	9,942
March, 1966	9,119
November, 1967	7,902

It is not possible to give a figure for new jobs created, but it is estimated that between 1959 and 1966 male employees in employment increased by about 5,000. About 1,200 jobs for males are 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 how many unemployed coal-miners are registering in employment exchanges in the county of Midlothian as a consequence of redundancy; and what are their respective ages.

On 11th September, 1967, there were 32 ex-miners, all aged 50 or over, registered as unemployed at employment exchanges in the county of Midlothian as a result of colliery closures.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement on his policy regarding the choice of fuels in local authority housing schemes.

The choice of fuels is a matter for each authority to be decided in the light of all the relevant considerations, including cost and convenience. In the case of dwellings for old or handicapped people, this Department has advised against individual solid fuel appliances because of the labour and difficulty which stoking and cleaning may cause to the tenants.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether the Government still intends to loan £9 million for the third stage of the telecommunications project in Nigeria.

In 1964 Her Majesty's Government offered to lend up to £15 million to Nigeria to cover the off-shore costs of contracts awarded to British firms for this project. So far £4·3 million has been committed and a balance of up to £10·7 million remains available for the third and later phases of the project. I cannot, at present, say when we shall be able to release any more of this money but the matter is being actively studied.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce new legislation to impose stiffer penalties upon hooligans who cause damage when travelling as passengers on trains or other forms of public transport.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and I think that the penalties already available are adequate. The problem is to catch the offenders. We understand that the British Railways Board are seeking to improve their enforcement arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give an undertaking that there will be no cuts in the fire protection services, as a result of the devaluation of the £ sterling.

The Estimates for 1968–69 are now being prepared and all relevant factors will be taken into account.

Region				Expenditure	Response	Recruits	Cost per Recruit
				£			£
London	…	…	…	86,766	13,678	906	95·7
South Eastern	…	…	…	4,159	629	65	63·9
Eastern	…	…	…	3,619	362	77	47·0
Midland	…	…	…	4,851	1,187	166	29·2
North Western	…	…	…	1,967	2,520	139	14·1
North Eastern	…	…	…	1,379	910	96	14·3
Total all Regions	…	…	…	102,741	19,286	1,449	70·9
Advertising in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Border Counties and the South Western Region is negligible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing for each region the expenditure in advertising for postmen during the period 1st

Region				Expenditure	Response	Recruits	Cost per Recruit
				£			£
London	…	…	…	144,210	23,366	5,531	26·0
South Eastern	…	…	…	7,825	650	151	51·8
Eastern	…	…	…	7,079	801	199	35·5
Midland	…	…	…	4,503	1,695	304	14·8
North Western	…	…	…	2,249	4,018	578	3·8
North Eastern	…	…	…	382	1,164	181	2·1
Total all Regions	…	…	…	166,248	31,694	6,944	23·9
Advertising in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Border Counties and the South Western Region is negligible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will review his policy of advertising for postmen and postal and telegraph officers to obtain a higher level of recruitment for the same or less expenditure.

The policy of advertising for postmen and postal and telegraph officers is constantly under review.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing for each region the expenditure in advertising for postmen during the period 1st October, 1966 to 30th September, 1967, and the result in terms of recruitment.

The information is as follows:October, 1966, to 30th September, 1967, and the result in terms of recruitment.

The information is as follows:

asked the Minister of Technology what estimate he has made of the advantages in ship-building costs which accrue to a shipyard inside a development district drawing both regional employment premium and Selective Employment Tax premium as compared with a shipyard outside a development area.

Probably about 2 per cent. on average of the total cost of a ship.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimate of night movements at Gatwick next summer compared with Heathrow; and how they compare with the movements at both airports in the summer of 1967.

The number of movements at Gatwick at night (1130–0600 local time) between 1st April and 31st October. 1967, was 7,066 (including 3,633 by jet aircraft), compared with 11,592 at Heathrow (including 3,845 by jet aircraft). No precise forecast can be given of the number of night movements at Gatwick next summer. It is likely that the number by jet aircraft will exceed the Heathrow limit but that the overall total will be less than at Heathrow.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what requirements he expects for civil airline pilots for the British Overseas Airways Corporation and British European Airways during the next five years.

Forward estimates, particularly for such a long period, are not reliable. I am informed, however, that the numbers of pilots whom B.O.A.C. and B.E.A. estimate they will need to recruit are as follows:

	1968	1969	1970	1971	1972
B.O.A.C.	191	204	230	144	116
B.E.A.	108	96	69	118	100
Totals	299	300	299	262	216

asked the President of the Board of Trade what daily discussions take place between the British Overseas Airways Corporation and members of the British Airline Pilots Association to ensure passenger safety in respect of scheduling and other matters; whether he is still satisfied about such safety in the light of cancellation and rescheduling of flight and if he will make a statement.

I am informed by B.O.A.C. that all B.O.A.C. services continue to be planned in accordance with the rules contained in a scheduling agreement made in 1966 between B.O.A.C. and the British Air Line Pilots Association. Minor modifications to schedules have recently been introduced at B.A.L.P.A.'s request.These rules are designed to take into account the effects of cancellations and rescheduling in so far as safety may be involved, and I understand that all necessary discussions with flying staff on safety matters continue in the normal way.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what percentage of total industrial production in Wales is for export;(2) what percentage of Great Britain's total exports is produced by firms and factories in Wales.

I regret that this information is not available. Contributions to the value of individual products exported may be made by industry in more than one part of the United Kingdom, and goods are not necessarily shipped abroad from the part of the country in which the final stage of their manufacture takes place. It would not be practicable to attempt to obtain figures relating to the separate contribution of Wales (as of Scotland, Northern Ireland and any region of England) to exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will list the firms in Wales which export a significant percentage of their production.

I regret that this information is not available since what data we have related to companies of groups of companies, and many of those which operate in Wales also have establishments in England.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the interests of diminishing air noise and in order that the travelling public may if they so wish discriminate in favour of the aircraft that are quietest, he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table of the relative noise levels of current types of passenger aircraft when in flight and landing.

As regards present day jet aircraft of a given size, there is little to choose between particular aircraft types in terms of average noisiness as heard on the ground, but smaller jet aircraft are somewhat quieter than larger ones. For a given journey, the types of aircraft used would normally be of similar size; I therefore doubt whether the discrimination by passengers which my hon. Friend has in mind is practicable. Propeller aircraft are quieter than jets, but the latter have compensating advantages to the passenger in terms of speed and comfort.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated average weekly earnings of foreign currency by British European Airways and the British Overseas Airways Corporation, respectively, during the first quarter of this year.

The average weekly receipts were about £600,000 and £1·5 million, respectively.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will publish the criteria used by her Department in assessing the need for pedestrian crossings.

As announced on 10th January this year, the criteria for determining the need for a "zebra" crossing at a particular site have been relaxed to take account of the average traffic and pedestrian flows during the peak hours, instead of during the whole day. Other factors such as road width, visibility, presence of central islands and nearby traffic signals and the natural concentration of pedestrians at particular points on the road are also taken into account as hitherto.The plans now being prepared to give local authorities greater discretion in the siting of pedestrian crossings on their own roads include giving them more detailed guidance as to the appropriate criteria for pedestrian crossings. It is hoped to put these plans into effect in the next month or so.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will set out in the OFFICIAL REPORT the cost to British Rail in each of the last 10 years of the damage done by hooligans travelling as passengers on trains; and if she will indicate where possible the proportion of this cost caused on football specials and other trains on which numbers of football supporters are known to be travelling.

I understand from the Railways Board that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport when the White Paper on Passenger Transport will be published.

The White Paper on Passenger Transport and Traffic will be published on Tuesday, 5th December, and copies will be available in the Vote Office at 2 p.m.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales who are the present advisers to the Arts Council Committee in Wales on drama; since when they have been in such positions; and when they were first appointed.

The Welsh Arts Council has no one who is particularly nominated as an adviser on drama.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made at contemporary prices, of the country's total defence expenditure last year, this year and next year, respectively.

The estimate of next year's defence expenditure is being calculated at contemporary prices and will be published in the 1968 Statement on the Defence Estimates. The figures of expenditure for the current year and for last year have not been revalued to bring them into line with this price base. Figures on a constant price basis (1964) are, however, available for 1966–67 and 1967–68 in the 1967 Statement on the Defence Estimates and for 1968–69 in the OFFICIAL REPORT of my speech during the debate on the Adjournment, 27th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the net difference, at current prices, to defence expenditure of devaluation and the new cuts, respectively.

I would refer the hon. Member to my full statement during the debate on the Adjournment on 27th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the approximate total annual cost to Great Britain of the present defence obligations to Malaysia and Singapore.

Our forces in the Far East theatre are there for a number of purposes. It would be meaningless to apportion the costs incurred in the theatre between them.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will state the number of former Far East prisoners of war now living.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what firms in the county of Midlothian receive defence contracts.

Records are not maintained by counties and the informtion could be extracted only with unjustifiable effort.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the items, and their individual costs, which comprise the saving of £8 million on the defence research and development programme for next year, being part of the £100 million defence cuts associated with the devaluation of the £ sterling.

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend told the House in the recent debate.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the aircraft carrier H.M.S. "Centaur" was finally paid off; and whether it is intended to keep her in reserve or to scrap her.

H.M.S. "Centaur" completed her last commission as an aircraft carrier in August, 1965. She is in use as an accommodation ship and there are no plans at present for scrapping her.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will state his estimate of redundancies of Royal Air Force pilots during the next five years.

I have nothing to add to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Garston (Mr. Fortes-cue) on 29th November.—[Vol. 755, c. 115–16.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are being made to find alternative employment in the United Kingdom for Royal Air Force pilots who become redundant during the next five years.

All Royal Air Force personnel who become redundant receive comprehensive advice and assistance to help them find civilian employment which will make the fullest use of their skills and experience. Pilots who wish to continue flying are given opportunities to study for the civil licence written examination and to spend 28 days at a civil flying school.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will now begin the necessary consultations to take steps to remove any distinction between officers and other ranks in their eligibility for decorations and honours.

I am considering the representation my hon. Friend put to me in his letter of 11th November, and shall write to him.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will set up a national fund to aid and victims of the recent floods in Portugal.

Her Majesty's Ambassador at Lisbon has made clear our readiness to contribute to the relief operations if help is needed. Meanwhile the British Red Cross Society has sent a gift of 1,000 blankets to the Portuguese Red Cross for distribution to the flood victims. Private persons who wish to send donations can do so through the British Red Cross or other voluntary societies here.In these circumstances the setting up of a national fund does not appear to be required.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will propose in the Security Council of the United Nations a revision of the terms of reference of the United Nations emergency force in Cyprus, in order to enable that force to take more positive action in emergency.

The present terms of reference of the United Nations Force in Cyprus relate to the prevention of intercommunal fighting, the maintenance of law and order and the restoration of normal conditions in Cyprus. While discussions between the interested Governments are continuing, it would be premature for steps to be taken to revise these terms of reference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what consultation there has recently been between the signatories of the Treaty of Guarantee resulting from the London and Zurich agreements on Cyprus, which is still regarded as valid by Her Majesty's Government; and, in particular, what consultation there has been between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Turkey on the question of the presence and strength of Turkish forces in Cyprus.

There has been no formal consultation between the Guarantor Governments, but Her Majesty's Government have of course been in close consultation with both the Greek and Turkish Governments on all aspects of the present crisis, including the presence of Turkish and Greek forces in Cyprus.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what estimate is made each year of the number of students matriculating from teacher training colleges who could successfully pursue a Bachelor of Education or a Master of Arts degree course over two or three summer sessions; and what was the most recent estimate;(2) whether an estimate is made each year of students matriculating from teacher training colleges who could successfully pursue a Bachelor of Education or Master of Arts degree course.

No such estimate is made. The college diploma is itself the appropriate qualification for the school needs it is designed to serve, but extensive opportunities exist for certificated teachers to add to their qualifications through full-time or part-time courses of study.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the charges for car parking imposed by the corporation of Glasgow have been increased by amounts between 33 and 100 per cent.; and if he will take steps to investigate the reasons for the increase and whether they conform with the prices and incomes policy.

These are increases in off-street parking charges, which do not need my approval. I have ascertained the reasons for them and I am satisfied that this is not a case in which the Government would wish to intervene.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which universities in Scotland are empty and idle during the summer months; and whether he will discuss with them a four-term year to make greater economic use of buildings, equipment and teachers.

The possible introduction of a four-term year is a matter for the university authorities themselves. On the general question of the use of university facilities during vacations I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedfordshire. South (Mr. Gwilym Roberts) on 19th January.—[Vol. 739 cols. 622–3]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consult the university authorities and teachers' organisations with a view to introducing in Scotland, during a new summer term, planned courses for teachers desiring to take higher degrees.

Certificated teachers already have an extensive range of opportunities to add to their qualifications, but I shall bring my hon. Friend's suggestion to the attention of the recently appointed National Committee for the In-Service Training of Teachers, on which education authorities as well as the universities and the teachers' associations are represented.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent his Department consults the Scottish Economic Planning Council regarding future envisaged pit closures; how many meetings have been held on the subject; and if he will make a statement.

The Scottish Economic Planning Council has considered the general implications of the rundown in coal-mining employment in Scotland on a number of occasions. It has not, until recently, been concerned with individual pit closures, but I have now invited the vice-chairman and two members of the Council to hold discussions on my behalf with the National Coal Board about future closures.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a table showing the number of licensed clubs in Scotland and Glasgow, respectively, for the years 1950, 1955, and each of the years 1960 to 1965.

The number of certificates of registration, including renewals, granted to clubs in Scotland and Glasgow, respectively, in these years is as follows:

Year	Scotland	Glasgow
1950	917	74
1955	1,056	78
1960	1,289	84
1961	1,326	85
1962	1,379	91
1963	1,421	94
1964	1,497	100
1965	1,554	108

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the growth in the number of licensed clubs, he will introduce new or amending legislation to give the police the same powers of supervision over them as they have over public houses and hotels.

The principle of a police right of entry into clubs registered in Scotland for the supply of liquor was considered and rejected by Parliament in 1962. I do not think that there has been any such change in circumstances as to justify a fresh consideration of the question at this time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much of the foot-and-mouth vaccine from Pirbright has been retained for possible use at home; and how much has been exported in the last two months.

Production of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine at Pirbright in the past two months has been mainly of vaccine from types of virus exotic to Europe. The only vaccine exported has been of the Middle East A type and this was limited to 50,000 doses. Production of vaccine suitable for use against the current 0.1 strain has been commenced and 200,000 doses are available. This will shortly be increased as production gets under way when about 200,000 doses will be produced each week.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that his powers to close public footpaths and rights of way across farms in prohibited areas or where there has been an actual outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease are adequate; and if he will make a statement.

The power to close footpaths and rights of way across any field or farm premises in a foot-and-mouth disease infected area is given by Article 11 of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Infected Areas Restrictions) Order of 1938. Inspectors of the Ministry or of the local authority invoke this power whenever the need arises.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cause of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease near Stratford-upon-Avon during the summer.

One can never determine with certainty the origin of any outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Investigations have shown that on circumstantial evidence the most probable cause of the outbreak in Warwickshire during the summer was unboiled swill.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of imported meat has come from South America in the last three years; and what proportion from countries where foot-and-mouth diseas is not endemic.

The information in respect of carcase meat and offal is as follows:

Percentage of total imports from:	1964	1965	1966
Countries without, or with long history of freedom from, disease	67·6	75·1	71·9
Other countries	32·4	24·9	28·1
(South American figure in brackets)	(26·4)	(18·6)	(22·9)

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the present foot-and-mouth epidemic, in order to protect animals in Great Britain, he will now take steps to ban all hunting, coursing and beagling.

I understand that hunting has ceased throughout the country. Hunting (which would, I am advised, include beagling) together with racing or coursing or training for racing or coursing of hounds or dogs is prohibited in an infected area by Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Infected Areas Restrictions) Order, 1938.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider moving the Annual Price Review forward to December or January so as to give farmers an indication of Government policy in time for their plans for production in 1968; or, if this is impossible, if he will give clear indications of the Government's intentions by making a statement.

I cannot bring forward the 1968 Annual Review. I said in answer on 29th November to Questions by the hon. Members for Torrington (Mr. Peter Mills), Dumfries (Mr. Monro) and the right hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton) that I do not consider that a special review would be justified in present circumstances and that the Government are considering the implications for agriculture of the new situation, and I cannot add to this now.—[Vol. 755, c. 410–3.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether in view of the Government's policy of requiring agriculture to play a special rôle in replacing imports, the limitations placed under the standard quantity system upon the quantity of agricultural output qualifying for subsidy will be removed; what it is estimated the cost of such a change of policy would be in the forthcoming year; and what effect such a change would have on output.

The Government's consideration of the implications for agriculture of the new situation of course includes an examination of standard quantity and equivalent arrangements. It is not practicable to estimate the effect on output and cost to the Exchequer in the financial year 1968–69 of abolishing such arrangements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the latest statistics of the loss of manpower in agriculture; whether this is above or below the rate of loss forecast in the National Plan; and what plans he has to retain sufficient manpower to permit an expansion of agricultural output.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 29th November to the hon. Member for Clitheroe (Sir Frank Pearson). Latest statistics show that there has been a decline in the rate of outflow of regular workers in the past year. Manpower is one of the many factors affecting the expansion of agricultural output which is taken into account at each Annual Review.—[Vol. 755, c. 426.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on the continuing damage to trees by grey squirrels; whether he will extend from Scotland to England and Wales the permitted use of Warfarin to deal with this pest; and what consideration he has given to charging rabbit clearance societies with the additional work of controlling grey squirrels.

Representations have recently been made by a rabbit clearance society and the National Trust. Before I could consider extending the use of warfarin against grey squirrels it would be necessary to conduct field experiments in England and Wales. Rabbit clearance societies may control grey squirrels on contract provided that this does not interfere with their primary task of dealing with rabbits.