asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made in equipping the British Army with the Chieftain tank.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the prospective sales of the Chieftain tank to friendly countries.

Two regiments are already fully equipped with Chieftains and a third will be by March. Performance in service has proved excellent, the accuracy and penetration of its 120 mm. gun being particularly satisfactory. The Chieftain has been demonstrated to our N.A.T.O. allies and other friendly countries and evaluation studies are currently being carried out by several of them. Its predecessor, the Centurion, sold very well abroad and I have every hope of securing substantial overseas orders for the Chieftain.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether United Kingdom North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces in Western Europe will be affected by the announcement of a further defence cut in 1968 of £100 million.

United Kingdom forces in Western Europe will be affected by the cuts to be applied to equipment and stocks. The result will be that the level at which they can meet their commitments will be reduced fractionally during the period in which the cuts will be effective.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the reduction in numbers from 200 to 170 of Phantom aircraft, to be bought from the United States of America, falls on those ordered to meet the needs of the Royal Navy or Royal Air Force.

The reduction in numbers affected both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are proposed regarding the British Army of the Rhine offset costs subsequent to the devaluation of the £ sterling.

Our present agreement with the Federal German Government, covering the financial year 1967–68, is expressed in terms of Deutschmarks and is therefore unaffected. We have already had informal preliminary talks with the Germans about arrangements for 1968–69 and subsequent years and negotiations will begin in good time in the new year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on H.M.S. "Victorious" during the last 10 years.

Since the 1st April 1957 about £15 million has been spent on refits, dockings and essential repairs of H.M.S. "Victorious".

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the cut of £100 million in the defence budget will fall on our overseas military commitments in South-East Asia.

As my right hon. Friend made clear in the Adjournment debate on defence on 27th November, the £100 million cut will have a marginal effect on our capability in all theatres.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what amenities are to be provided for Service men in the Persian Gulf.

In addition to the usual amenities provided for Service men we are arranging for the construction of additional cinemas, swimming pools, a bowling alley and sailing facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what effect the recent economy drive will have on the size and equipment of British forces in the Persian Gulf.

Full weight is given to the need for economy in all decisions affecting the size and equipment of the forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost in 1968 of the British military presence in the Persion Gulf giving separately capital and recurrent costs; and how this compares with the estimated costs in 1967.

I cannot anticipate next year's Defence Estimates.Mr. Lubbock asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future role of British forces in the Persian Gulf.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answers which I gave to the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire, West (Mr. James Davidson) on 8th November.—[Vol. 753, c. 997–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how he proposes to meet the increased costs, through devaluation, of troops stationed abroad without reducing the £100 million defence cut announced recently.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the full statement made by my right hon. Friend in the Adjournment debate on 27th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the withdrawal of the British Army from Libya to be completed.

As a result of discussions between Her Majesty's Government and the Libyan Government all Army units except for the British Military Mission will have been withdrawn from Benghazi by February, 1968. Thereafter the timing of any further withdrawals is a matter for discussion between Her Majesty's Government and the Libyan Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many young men, other than those training for medical or dental commissions, are currently studying at universities under the Royal Air Force University Cadetship Scheme; and at which universities.

116 at 28 universities. I will, with permission, circulate a list in the OFFICIAL REPORT.Following is the list:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what further contracts he expects from the United States Government to offset the cost of the F111 purchase.

We have already received orders worth 178 million dollars and there is no reason to doubt that we shall reach the target of 325 million dollars over the next ten years.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether in view of the reduction in our military capability east of Suez as a result of the additional defence cuts, he will now redefine the role intended for the F111 aircraft.

Without in any way accepting the premise of the question, the main rôle of the F111K is tactical reconnaissance and strike with conventional weapons.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will redefine the purpose of the F111 in the light of the change in our defence arrangements east of Suez.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply already made to the hon. Member for Bournemouth, West (Sir J. Eden) today.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he has made in discussions with the United States Government regarding an increase in the value of orders to offset the higher foreign exchange cost of the F111 order resulting from devaluation.

The foreign exchange cost of the F111 order is not affected by devaluation.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been necessitated to the air-braking system of the F111K aircraft during its production stages.

None to date.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the F111K aircraft will still be capable of a combat range in excess of 1,500 miles, in view of modifications during production;(2) for what distance the F111K aircraft will be capable of maintaining low-level supersonic speeds under combat conditions; and whether it meets the original Royal Air Force specification in this respect;(3) what is the operational ceiling of the F111K aircraft; and whether it meets the original Royal Air Force specification in this respect;(4) if he is satisfied that the F111K aircraft will reach its specification performance in all respects; and if he will make a statement;

It is not the practice to give information on individual performance features, but on present information I am satisfied that the F111K will meet our requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what production problems and defects have been encountered in the FMK programme;(2) if the production of F111K aircraft is up to schedule.

Production of F111K aircraft began in mid-1967. No significant problems have arisen and deliveries are expected to be on schedule.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to take delivery of the first and last of the 50 F111K aircraft ordered from the United States of America.

1969 and 1970 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the total value of deliveries by the United Kingdom to date under the offset agreement in relation to the purchase of F111K aircraft;(2) what is the value of each category of equipment delivered by the United Kingdom to date under the offset agreement in relation to the purchase of F111K aircraft.

Up to the 30th September, 1967, payments for deliveries of equipment to the United States, and progress for work carried out, amounted to $6 million. The main items were:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if the tendency of the F111A aircraft to stall at speeds in excess of mach 2.2 has been overcome.

Yes, on the assumption that the hon. Member is referring to engine stall in the F111A aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what provision is made in the contract for the purchase of 50 F111K aircraft for reduction of the number to be purchased without an increase in the cost per aircraft.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the penalty cost provided for in the agreement with the United States of America of cancelling the F111K aircraft on the basis that it meets the performance guarantees;(2) under what circumstances the contract for the F111K can be rescinded by Her Majesty's Government without penalty.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, under the terms of the contract, the 50 F111K aircraft ordered from the United States of America will have to be accepted by the Royal Air Force if they do not reach specification performance in all respects.

As I told the right hon. Member for Mitcham (Mr. R. Carr) on 16th November, 1966, we could cancel aircraft ordered at any time up to the point of delivery. The financial and other consequences would depend on the circumstances.—[Vol. 736, c. 422–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now publish the terms of the contract for the F111K aircraft.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is now the total estimated cost of the 50 F111K aircraft ordered from the United States of America, inclusive of the cost of aircrew, ground crew, spares and facilities connected with the aircraft spread over 12 years;(2) if there will be any increase in the cost to the Royal Air Force of the 50 F111K aircraft beyond the original estimate; and if he will make a statement.

The total cost of the F111 programme to March 1976, but in- cluding capital repayments and interest thereafter, is now estimated at about £425 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the total dollar cost of the F111K programme, including spare parts and overhaul, over the whole delivery period and operational lifetime of the aircraft, immediately before and after devaluation, respectively; and if he will also estimate the present-day worth of this expenditure, using an 8 per cent. discount rate to bring future spending to the common base date.

To the arbitrary date of March 1976, but including capital repayments and interest thereafter, about £310 million and £360 million respectively. The corresponding present values, using an 8 per cent. discount rate, are £210 million and £245 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied that the F111A and F111K aircraft are still required for the purposes for which they were ordered, and that they will fulfil the specifications necessary for such roles; and if he will make a statement.

I cannot speak for the U.S.A.F. 's F111A. As regards the F111K, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I have given today to similar Questions by the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire, West (Mr. James Davidson).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any further changes are proposed in the Royal Air Force command structure in the United Kingdom.

Yes. Following the merger of R.A.F. Bomber and Fighter Commands into the new Strike Command in April, 1968, Signals Command will be replaced by a functionally independent group—to be called No. 90 (Signals) Group—within Strike Command on 1st January, 1969.Subsequently, the two existing Coastal Command groups will be disbanded and Coastal Command will become a group —to be known as No. 18 (Maritime) Group —within Strike Command. The Maritime Group Commander will be known as Commander, Maritime Air Forces. and will be nominated for the N.A.T.O. posts of Commander Allied Maritime Air Force Channel and Commander Maritime Air Eastern Atlantic Area. His Headquarters will be at Northwood so that the present close association with the Commander-in-Chief Western Fleet will continue.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are being taken by the Army to meet the catering needs of the large numbers of forces returning to the United Kingdom.

Units returning have their own organisation and establishment for catering. Those returning to the Aldershot area will however get the benefits of a new group catering service providing a food factory from which prepared foods ready for cooking, confectionery, and cooked pressed meats will be available to units. This system which is run by the Army Catering Corps gives a better service at lower administrative cost. We hope to extend this imaginative concept of Service catering.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence in how many countries overseas Army units or sub-units from the United Kingdom have carried out training during the past 12 months.

Twenty-one.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the savings of £30 million on the Defence Research and Development Programme forecast in the July White Paper have been achieved.

Yes, these cuts in the planned programme will be achieved.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the work done in defence research and development establishments has useful civil applications.

This year's Defence White Paper listed a number of civil applications of Defence Research and Development and I have recently given further examples in a reply to the hon. Member for Bedford (Mr. Parkyn) on 21st November. Though it is difficult to quantify these benefits they are substantial and I am keen to promote civil spin-off from the Defence budget wherever possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what part was played by the Royal Navy in covering the withdrawal of British forces from Aden.

A powerful Task Force of Royal Navy ships and Royal Fleet Auxiliaries was assembled off Aden from mid-October to provide protection, including naval air power, for the later stages of the withdrawal and to assist, if required, in the transport of British personnel. The force also provided various kinds of logistic support for the land forces. The Naval Task Force performed its role with the efficiency and despatch which is traditional in the Royal Navy.The Royal Marines from the Task Force covered the final withdrawal on land and were the last of the British forces to leave Aden.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the equipment and buildings left behind by the Services in Southern Arabia and Aden; and if he will state their value.

No. The work involved in preparing a detailed composite list would be out of all proportion to its usefulness.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why £10 million worth of stores are being abandoned in the military quarters in Aden.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Windsor (Sir C. MottRadclyffe) and the hon. and learned Member for Antrim, South (Sir Knox Cunningham) on 6th December which indicated that very few stores will prove to have been abandoned.—[Vol. 755, c. 315–17.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what equipment was handed over to the army of the Republic of South Yemen on the evacuation of Aden.

Certain items of equipment were included with installations handed over as "going concerns" as reported in Cmnd. 3442. These were handed over without charge. In addition other items were handed over on repayment to the Southern Yemen authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the capital cost of the military capital assets which have been handed over by Her Majesty's Government to the People's Republic of South Yemen.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 6th December, to the hon. Member for Windsor (Sir C. Mott-Radclyffe); the only valuation available is the depreciated value.—[Vol. 755, c.315.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence in what form and to what account payment was made for moveable equipment and stores sold by Her Majesty's Government during the preceding 12 months before evacuation of the area now named the People's Republic of South Yemen; and what was the amount of such sales and of the sales of ammunition to the South Yemen authorities, respectively.

This information is not at present available.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the military withdrawal from Aden.

The withdrawal of our forces from Aden was completed on the 29th November. The plan for withdrawal involved some 25,000 men and families of the armed forces, together with their stores and equipment, over a period of seven months. The last stages were covered by a naval task force, and the final withdrawal from a contracted perimeter was of men of 42 Commando, Royal Marines. The whole operation was conducted with the greatest skill and efficiency by the three Services and we express our unstinted admiration of them and of their Commander-in-Chief.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why separate primary schools are provided for the children of British Army officers and other ranks in the German Federal Republic.

They are not.All educational facilities provided for the children of Service personnel are available to them irrespective of their fathers' rank. In overseas stations, however, schools are provided in proximity to living areas and in a few places these areas are populated predominantly by either officers or other ranks. This means that the pupils in schools in such areas are mainly the children of either officers or soldiers. But there are only six out of some 70 primary schools in Germany in this category.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the present level of employment in the Royal Dockyards and main naval bases is to be fully maintained.

It is impossible to give specific assurances covering any major establishment for an indefinite period of time. So far as we can foresee at present, however, there is unlikely to be any significant change in the level of employment in the Home Dockyards in the next few years, but a comprehensive review of base facilities is being carried out as foreshadowed in the Supplementary Statement on Defence Policy of July 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what financial cuts are to be imposed on the Royal Dockyards; and whether this will affect the permitted sums which can be spent on overtime payments.

The financial allocation for H.M. Dockyards for the next financial year has not yet been decided. But it may be that the recent defence cuts will have some small effect on overtime.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the further development of strategic and tactical nuclear weapons will be affected by the recently announced cuts in the military research and development budget.

As my right hon. Friend announced last month the cut in the F. and D programme for 1968–69 includes a cut of about £2 million on the development of nuclear weapons. This will be achieved by cutting out work of lesser priority without affecting essential development.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why records of inquiries into accidental deaths in the Army are no longer kept after a period of six years has elapsed.

The records of the proceedings of inquiries into individual deaths are kept for at least 70 years as part of soldiers' personal documents.The information which my hon. Friend asked for on 8th November was dispersed among many sets of records and was not readily available. I am writing to him to let him know what information has been collected.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future of the British element of the Commonwealth Brigade in Malaysia; and whether he will consult with Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand in order to form a Commonwealth defence structure in South-East Asia pending the formation of a viable defence organisation in the area.

We shall in due course be withdrawing the British elements from the Commonwealth Brigade. Consultations are in progress with Australia and New Zealand as to how the effects of this withdrawal on their forces in the Brigade might be mitigated.

asked the Secretary of of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Minister of State's visit in September. 1967 to Woomera in Australia.

I visited Australia in September this year at the suggestion of the Australian Defence and Supply Department. I visited a number of establishments and factories, and spent a day on the ranges at Woomera, seeing the facilities and work in progress on several projects.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by the Royal Armaments Research and Development Establishment on the plasma arc cutting process; and what steps are being taken by the Establishment to patent any devices which it has developed.

The principles of plasma arc techniques have been known throughout the world for many years and work on industrial applications was well advanced in the United States before the Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment started their own programme. The basic patents for these processes were taken out in 1955 by the Union Carbide Corporation in America, and, although R.A.R.D.E. have taken out four secondary patents between 1958 and 1960 for various improvements, these have so far led to no widespread industrial applications because of the basic patents held by the American firm. However, the Patents Directorate of the Ministry of Technology are exploring means of making the small portable equipment, developed and recently exhibited by R.A.R.D.E., available to industry. Including overheads, about £75,000 has been spent on plasma arc development by the Establishment.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what he now estimates the total cost will be of the planned purchases of American Phantom and F111 aircraft.

About £1,180 million, including spares and running costs over a 10-year period.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what increase in the dollar cost of the military aircraft and missiles he is buying from the United States of America will occur as the result of devaluation.

Over a ten year period, the increase in the costs of the aircraft and their missile fit will average about £10 million a year including interest charges.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the latest estimate, at the new rate of exchange, of the cost in dollars of United States Phantom, Hercules and F111 military aircraft, spares and test equipment to be purchased during the financial years 1967 to 1971, inclusive.

£414 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will abolish the regulation that married Servicemen below the age of 21 years are not entitled to married quarters.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in his current review of the position of boy entrants to the Services, he will arrange for service prior to 18 years to count towards the three years' period after which he can purchase his release.

My hon. Friend the Minister of Defence for Administration will consider the hon. Member's suggestion during his study of boys' conditions of service.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether Senior Aircraftwoman Wilkinson M. R2842036 has yet been permitted to commence training as a nurse; and in view of the shortage of nurses in Her Majesty's Services and in the Health Service, why she has been prevented from commencing a nurse's training for over two years.

S.A.C.W. Wilkinson still does not meet the educational standard for entry to S.R.N. training in the Royal Air Force. Because of under-manning, the trade of Nursing Attendant, for which she was recruited and in which she is employed, is not open to discharge by purchase, except on extreme compassionate grounds. She will be discharged in August, 1968, when her four-year engagement ends and has, I understand, applied for a course beginning at Bradford Hospital in September, 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what were the foreign exchange costs of overseas forces in manpower, officers and other ranks in pay and all additional costs since 16th October, 1964; and what was the percentage compared with other costs.

Figures are not readily available except for 1966/67 and the current financial year. The figures for foreign exchange costs of U.K. personnel overseas, covering conversions of pay and allowances are estimated as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for Defence which ports and airfields in Africa are now freely available to Her Majesty's ships and aircraft in peace and war; and under what treaties or other agreements.

Various conditions attach to the use of ports and airfields in Africa by Her Majesty's ships and aircraft. The Treaty of Friendship and Alliance with Libya (1953) and the Exchange of Letters on Defence Matters with South Africa (1955) are two relevant agreements.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what sums are being paid by the United States Navy to Great Britain for the use of the Royal Navy Physiological Laboratory at Alverstoke; and if he will make a statement.

I assume the hon. Member refers to the Royal Navy Deep Trials Unit at Alverstoke. No specific sum can be named but the United States Government has agreed to defray any additional expenditure at the Deep Trials Unit resulting from a Royal Navy/United States Navy joint trial.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the use of hydrofoil craft by the Israeli Navy and of the projected purchases by the Pakistan of Russian hydrofoils, he will now consider the use of hydrofoils for Middle Eastern defence purposes.

We are in close touch with the development of hydrofoil techniques but we have no plans to deploy these craft in the Middle East.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what number of houses and flats will ultimately be provided for Service families stationed at Bahrain; what other buildings for their use such as churches, shops, clubs and recreational facilities, and schools, have been or will be constructed; and what will have been the total cost of all these items, respectively, when the building programme has been completed.

Accommodation is being provided for 650 families of servicemen arid of civilians employed by the Ministries of Defence and Public Building and Works. A few of these families will be allocated married quarters but the majority will use accommodation leased from local landlords.The building programme includes a N.A.A.F,I. families shop and a school on which just over £20,000 has been spent to date. The families may also use many of the facilities mentioned in the reply I save today to a Question from the hon. Member for Bristol, North-West (Mr. John Ellis), which are provided for the use of the Service men.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the manpower of British forces at Bahrain and Sharjah on the latest convenient date in 1966; and what will be the ultimate strength of forces there when the planned build-up is complete.

The manpower strengths of British Forces at Bahrain and Sharjah in 1966 were just under 3,000 and 400 respectively. Next year they are expected to be about 3,500 and 2,500, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what changes in the offset agreement with the United States of America he will attempt to negotiate, so as to counter the effects of devaluation.

As I told the House on 27th November, 1967 the F111 offset arrangement is not affected by devaluation since the targets for direct sales to the United States and for co-operative sales to third countries are expressed in dollars. I am discussing other aspects of the arrangement with the United States Defense Secretary.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what were the employment figures for Portsmouth Dockyard at the beginning of October, 1964, at the beginning of March, 1966 and at the beginning of December, 1967.

Figures are only available for the following dates:—

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is now his policy for the disposal of land at Stokes Bay; and what approaches he has received for the exploitation of gravel deposits there.

No applications have been received by my Department to work gravel deposits at Stokes Bay. Discussions with the Gosport Corporation on the disposal of land there have been suspended pending a review of Service requirements. I will write to the hon. Member when I know the outcome of this review.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost in Scotland of War Office advertising for army recruitment.

£41,000 this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what new plans he has to increase recruiting into the regular armed forces.

We are constantly reviewing our methods of recruiting in order to improve their impact and make the most of the funds and resources available to us.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the addresses of the various United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation military establishments in Scotland; and how many foreign civilian and military personnel are serving at each.

For the last eighteen years the defence of this island has rested on an integrated N.A.T.O. basis. Under this arrangement there are twelve Royal Navy and Royal Air Force establishments in Scotland manned by British personnel which provide N.A.T.O. facilities. These are located as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement about the new warhead system in which each warhead carries several small H-bombs devised for use with the Polaris submarines;(2) what is the approximate cost of the new warheads for the Polaris submarines; and if this has been included in the estimated total cost of the submarines stated so far;(3) if the new H-bomb warheads for the Polaris submarines have been test fired and where and when they were tested.

It would not be in the public interest for me to confirm or deny the assumptions on which these Questions are based.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the approximate cost of buying from the United States of America the 64 missiles for the four Polaris submarines.

This information is classified.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what expression of appreciation has been sent to the British forces recently deployed in South Arabia.

I have quoted the message that I sent in the Defence Debate on 27th November. In addition, the Chief of the Defence Staff on behalf of the Chiefs of Staff Committee in a message published throughout all three Services sent congratulations on the qualities of courage, endurance, tenacity and calmness shown by our forces in the face of hardship, provocation and danger.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have been held with local authority representatives from the Faversham constituency, in particular from Sheerness Urban District Council, about the wreck of the s.s. ' Richard Montgomery ', off Sheerness, since 24th November 1965; and if he will give details of the additional safety measures taken.

A full discussion was held with the Sheerness Urban District Council on 22nd April, 1966. Since then, the following additional safety measures have been taken. The Kent Constabulary is ready to remove, by force if necessary, anyone trespassing on the wreck; warning notice boards have been erected on the wreck itself and on the surrounding wreck buoys; a Notice to Mariners warning seamen of the danger has been issued and a light has been fitted to the second wreck buoy, the other already being lit. In addition the Medway Conservancy Board keep a constant radar watch on the wreck and conduct daily river patrols in the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he is making in Scotland to provide accommodation for Her Majesty's forces returning from overseas.

Camps have been or are being reactivated for army personnel at Fort George, Inverness, and at Kirknewton, Edinburgh.Returning Naval or Air Force personnel who may be posted to Scotland will he joining existing establishments or stations, and no special arrangements are needed o provide single accommodation.To supplement the married accommodation which exists, houses for Service families are being bought on the open market at Edinburgh, Fort George, Leuchars, Buchan and Kinloss. In addition, some caravans have been bought in Inverness for use for a short period until purchased houses are ready for occupation.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the total increase in cost of British arms purchases from the United States of America, as a result of the devaluation of the £ sterling, in the current financial year and in 1968–69, respectively.

I have nothing to add to the answer my right hon. Friend the Sec- retary of State gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Sir T. Beamish) on 29th November. [Vol. 755, c.114–115.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the overall availability of married quarters, including hirings, for officers and men of all three services in the United Kingdom on 5th April 1968; and what will be the total number of service families requiring these quarters.

There will be approximately 123,400 officers and men of all three Services eligible to occupy married accommodation in the United Kingdom on 5th April 1968. Not all of those who are eligible choose to take up their entitlement.The number of married quarters including hirings then will be approximately 95,800.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are his plans for the future of the Royal Naval Staff College.

No change has been made in the plan to move the Royal Naval Staff College to Minley Manor in 1970–71, announced in the 1966 White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) in view of the recent Shackleton ar crashes, what was the mark of each of the three aircraft;(2) at what stage after take-off the three recent Shackleton air crashes took place;(3) what factors were common to each of the three recent Shackleton air crashes.

I would refer the hon. Member to my Answer to his other Question on this subject today.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are his plans for the future of the Royal Air Force Staff College at Andover.

In accordance with the decision announced on 8th July, 1965, all staff college training in the Royal Air Force is to be concentrated at Bracknell and the Staff College at Andover is to be closed. The closure will now take effect at the end of 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the cost of the purchase of the AS.12 missile system.

No. But I can say that one of the reasons for choosing the AS.12 was its low cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the effect of the devaluation of sterling on the defence forces.

I have nothing to add to the very full information which my right hon. Friend gave the House in the Adjournment debate on 27th November.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the total annual sum receivable from rental charges for the use of service premises by units of the Sea Cadets.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what further representations have been made to him concerning charges imposed on Sea Cadet units for accommodation; and what reply he has sent.

An assessment of rental charges has now been made for the use of Service premises by twenty-eight units of the Sea Cadet Corps, and the total yearly sum payable will be about £1,260. Apart from the question put by the hon. Member for North Fylde (Mr. Clegg) on 20th November, no further representations have been made to me about these rental charges.—[Vol. 754, c. 244.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he intends to discontinue the Beira patrol.

I have nothing to add to the reply my right hon. Friend, the Sec- retary of State for Defence gave to the hon. Member for St. Albans (Mr. Goodhew) on 8th November.—[Vol. 753. c. 1019–20.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to revise his policy about the sale of arms to South Africa.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply made today to the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what military applications have emerged from his Department's hovercraft trials.

The Navy already have a hovercraft in operation in the Falkland Islands. The Army will be taking delivery very shortly of four hovercraft for use by a logistic squadron which has recently been formed and will move to the Far East next year. Prototypes of a further logistic hovercraft and a fast patrol craft are under development.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what new appreciation he has recently made of the strategic value of the Cape route and of the Simonstown Agreement.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what strategic role is being performed by British forces in the Far East.

They are available to meet this country's defence responsibilities and obligations in the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether adequate naval work is immediately available to replace the work on H.M.S. "Victorious", which he has decided to scrap; and what effect this will have on the planned programme of work.

Yes. Any further work on H.M.S. "Victorious" would have been at the expense of other tasks in the planned programme.

asked the Minister of Transport when she proposes to review the effect of the breathalyser test and report on her findings to the House.

The October accident figures will be published very soon, but it would be wrong to attempt to review the effect of the new legislation until it has been in force for a longer period.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will list all the places with a population of 5,000 or more in the area to be served by the heavy goods vehicle testing station which she proposes to site at Perth.

It is expected that goods vehicle operators in the following places, shown in the 1966 Annual Estimates of the Population of Scotland and published by the Registrar General, Scotland, as having populations of 5,000 or more, will normally have their vehicles inspected at the testing station to be built at Perth.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps she will take, by legislation or otherwise, to make it obligatory for motorists to use dipped headlights in fog, mist, or when visibility is poor; and what arrangements she has made to remind motorists to use dipped headlights when adverse visibility is forecast in road and weather reports on radio and television.

For the present we intend to continue to rely on the Highway Code's advice, which is supplemented by similar advice put out under arrangements we have with the B.B.C. when poor visibility is forecast or reported. The advice is that headlights should be used in daytime mist or fog.

asked the Minister of Transport how many pleasure cruising craft now operate on the proposed cruising waterways; what is the yearly revenue from such sources; and what is the annual costing, including overheads, for this form of usage.

About 6,000 powered pleasure craft were licensed to use the British Waterways Board's system in 1966. These produced revenue for the Board of some £96,000. The Board's licence permits pleasure craft to use both the "cruising" and the "commercial" waterways. In their report "The Facts about the Waterways", the Waterways Board estimate that the additional cost of providing for powered pleasure craft on the cruising waterways, after taking revenue into account, is of the order of £340,000 a year, including overheads.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will state for the latest available period the revenue derived on cruising waterways in respect of angling and canoeing; and how many users were involved.

In 1966 revenue to the Waterways Board from anglers fishing waters within the Board's cruising licence totalled just under £21,000. It is not possible to say how many anglers use the nationalised waterways as the Board does not own the fishing rights over all of its system, and those it does own are usually leased to clubs, societies and federations rather than to individuals.The Board's pleasure craft licence categories do not differentiate between canoes and other unpowered craft, but it is estimated that, in 1966, about 2,000 canoes were licensed. The revenue to the Board from these amounted to some £4,500. No figures are available to show how many individuals used the licensed craft, which are often owned by schools, youth clubs and other similar organisations.

asked the Minister of Transport how many additional cruising pleasure craft, canoe users and anglers are anticipated on the proposed cruising waterways during the first three years after her proposals take effect.

The steady growth in leisure activities on the nationalised waterways in recent years should at least continue as a result of the increased interest in these activities which has followed the publication of the Government's new policy for the waterways. But present information does not allow any reliable forecasts to be made at this stage.

asked the Minister of Transport in what year she expects the Hull-Liverpool motorway to be completed; and whether she estimates that the proposed Humber Bridge will be completed in the same year.

A motorway route between Liverpool and the Al will be completed by the early 1970's, but no date can yet be given for the section from the Al to Gilberdyke, west of Hull, which is in the preparation pool. Further improvements between Gilberdyke and Hull and a decision on the building of a Humber Bridge are dependent on the outcome of current planning studies on the possible development of Humberside.

asked the Minister of Transport how many snow ploughs have been bought by her Department during the past three years; and whether any of these are of foreign manufacture.

During the three years ending on 30th November, 1967, we bought 122 5½ ton and 19 11½ ton vehicles equipped with blade snow ploughs and 13 rotary snow ploughs. The rotary snow ploughs are of foreign manufacture.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans she has to ensure proper road communications from the M6 motorway to the port of Liverpool by the time the new dock at Seaforth is ready.

Road schemes estimated to cost some £35 million which will improve access from the M6 motorway to the port of Liverpool have already been included in the trunk and principal road announcements. Two of these schemes relate specifically to access to the Seaforth Dock.During the first year or two of operation of the Seaforth Dock it is expected that rail access together with the existing road system will provide adequate communications. But all of the road schemes in these announcements will be considered for inclusion in future extensions of the road programme.

asked the Minister of Transport in what respects she has modified her policy on the awarding of contracts for main road and motorway construction, in the light of the consequences of devaluation, notably in raising the cost to this country of asphalt by 16·7 per cent.

None; contracts will continue to be awarded by competitive tender and on a fixed price basis when the estimated contract period is not more than two years.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents occurred on the roads in England and Wales during the period 6th November to 4th December 1967; and how many of these occurred in the periods between 7 a.m. and 9.30 a.m., 5.30 p.m. and 7 p.m., and 10.30 p.m. and midnight, respectively.

Information for this period is not yet available. Figures for the month of November will be available in January. They will include a breakdown by time of day although not in precisely the form requested by the hon. Member. To extract figures in that precise form would be disproportionately costly. I am arranging for the hon. Member to be sent copies of the figures.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if she will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the capital expenditure incurred in each of the past three years on re-equipping and expanding British Railways workshops; and if she will tabulate the capital expenditure budgeted for each of the next three years, or such period as firm budgets have been established;(2) if she will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the capital expenditure spent in each railway workshop in each of the past three years, and the budgeted expenditure for each workshop for the next two years.

Capital expenditure on British Railways workshops is set out below:

asked the Minister of Transport how many people are now employed in British Railways workshops; how many were employed at the same time last year and the year before; and how many it is expected to employ next year and the year after.

41,112 on 2nd November, 1967, the latest date for which information is readily available. The corresponding figure for 1966 was 42,309 and for 1965, 45,540. The estimate for 1968 is 41,000. The forecast for 1969 has not yet been prepared.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the value of work, and the, percentage of the total turnover carried out by British Railways workshops, for outside customers in the last financial year; and how much of this was for direct export.

I am informed by the British Railways Board that the value of the work was approximately £300,000—this represents less than 0·5 per cent. of total work done. None of the work was for direct export.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the capital employed. the turnover, the profit and return on capital for British Railways workshops in the last financial year.

The net book value of the assets employed in British Railways workshops at 31st December, 1966, and the total value of work done during that year were £77·7 million and £69·3 million respectively. Since this work is almost entirely for the Board itself, figures of profit and return on capital would be misleading.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the value of the turnover for each product manufactured, or each type of service or repair undertaken in British Railways workshops in the last financial year.

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 266 of the British Railways Board Annual Report and Accounts for 1966.

asked the Minister of Transport how long it will be before the temporary weight restriction on the Flookburgh Railway Bridge No. 69, class II road B5277, can be lifted; and whether she will take steps to secure the early resumption of safe use of the bridge by single deck buses, in view of the unsuitability for public service vehicles of the alternative route, and the inconvenience now being experienced by residents in the villages of Flookburgh, Cark and Ravenstown.

The bridge is owned by the British Railways Board. I understand that the temporary weight restriction will be removed in seven weeks time. Normal bus services will then be resumed. The Board has already been asked to give priority to the strengthening work.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking regarding the provision of land for factory building in Sunderland with regard to the sites at Pennywell and Silksworth.

The Board of Trade are now considering the acquisition of land at Pennywell. We have no plans to buy land at Silksworth.