asked the Minister of Overseas Development what increases in development aid are planned for Zambia in 1968.

It is not yet known what will be our total aid to Zambia in 1968–69, but no new development aid is planned at the moment.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what technical and educational measures are envisaged in the way of practical assistance to The Gambia.

As my right hon. Friend's predecessor informed my hon. Friend the Member for Hornchurch (Mr. Alan Lee Williams) on the 13th April, we have agreed to provide a loan of £3·2 million to The Gambia for development projects over the next four years.In addition we expect to provide various forms of technical assistance to the value of about £¼ million a year.Since the details are lengthy I will, with permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.The following is the information:

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what progress has been made with the proposals for Commonwealth co-operation in market development and export promotion, which were studied at the meeting of senior officials of Commonwealth countries at Nairobi in May, 1967.

The Report of the Nairobi Conference recommended an expert study of the proposals for a Commonwealth initiative in trade promotion, and studies as to how this recommendation can be implemented are now in hand between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Governments concerned.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what action he intends to take as a result of the report produced on planning by the Commonwealth Secretariat as a result of the discussions held by senior officials of Commonwealth countries in Nairobi.

An analytical report on planning techniques and problems of plan implementation, which is to incorporate the points made in the discussions on planning at the Nairobi Conference, is in course of preparation by the Commonwealth Secretariat.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development (1) what amount is allocated under bilateral aid for compensation to overseas officers who continue to serve in the appointments which they held when the countries concerned became independent; and what is the total number of individuals involved;(2) what amount allocated under bilateral aid to Commonwealth countries for compensation and pensions of overseas officers is for payments being made to British and foreign nationals; and what is the number of individuals concerned;(3) what is the total commitment towards meeting the share of the cost of compensation and of commutation of pensions for overseas officers borne by Governments of Commonwealth countries; and how much of this sum is being provided in the form of loans.

Schemes of compensation for loss of career for the members of H.M. Overseas Civil Service are normally introduced when a country attains self-government. The compensation is paid by instalments over a number of years to all entitled officers whether or not they retire immediately from their posts. Entitlement to compensation is linked to the right and expectation of immediate retirement and those entitled officers who continue to serve for a period do so only because their services are required and requested by the independent Commonwealth Governments concerned.Under the Overseas Service Aid Scheme the British Government provide half the cost of compensation and that part of each officer's pension attributable to the part of his salary provided under the Scheme. Dependent on their economic circumstances, overseas Governments can seek loan assistance from the British Government towards their half share of compensation and their share of that part of the officer's pension which he is entitled to commute.Some 10,280 officers have become entitled to compensation since the Overseas Service Aid Scheme was introduced and loans committed to overseas Governments towards their share of these costs have amounted to £24,523,000 towards compensation and £9,848,000 towards the commutation of pensions. During the current financial year the cost to the British Government under the Overseas Service Aid Scheme is estimated at 0,780,000 for compensation and £507,000 for the commutation of pensions.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what proportion of aid given to African Commonwealth countries in respect of compensation and pensions commutation for overseas officers is for payments to Rhodesians.

An unknown but perhaps not inconsiderable number of officers born in Rhodesia were appointed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies on a pensionable basis to the Colonial Service and served in many parts of the world. Others retired to Rhodesia and may have acquired local citizenship. Neither of these factors was relevant or recorded in relation to the award of pension or compensation in individual cases. I regret that the information requested is not available.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what will be the policy of his Department as regards supervising the spending of British aid in the Republic of South Yemen.

In accordance with normal practice Her Majesty's Ambassador in Aden will, when appointed, act as the local representative of my Ministry in civil aid matters and will exercise such supervision as may be required.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will make a statement on the new export campaign, designed to make available to underdeveloped countries cheap and unsophisticated equipment and tools.

I think that my hon. Friend is referring to "Tools for Progress", published as a guide to equipment and materials for small scale development. This was produced by a private organisation called the Intermediate Technology Development Group as one of their activities for the promotion of low-cost technology. It seems to me to be a most useful piece of work and I hope that it will have a wide circulation in the developing countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs to what extent devaluation has led him to change his estimate of the scope for a prices and incomes policy in the Government's economic strategy.

An effective policy for productivity, prices and incomes has a vital contribution to make if the nation is to use fully the opportunities for increasing exports and we believe that there will be the necessary wide support for the policy to be applied effectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs when he expects the Report of the East Anglian Regional Research Economic Planning Council to be published.

It is not possible to give a precise date for publication, but it is expected to be in the late summer of 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what further cuts in public expenditure to release resources for export markets he undertook would be made when he met the leaders of the Confederation of British Industry on Friday, 1st December; and why the particulars were given to private citizens before being reported to Parliament.

My right hon. Friend gave the Confederation of British Industry no undertaking of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will remove from office the Chairman of the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what plans he has to amend the operation and the practice of the National Board for Prices and Incomes in the light of recent experience of its working.

None. The Prices and Incomes Act 1966 leaves the Board with proper flexibility in determining its working practices.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what is the expected increase in the numbers of full- and part-time employees of the National Board for Prices and Incomes, as a result of its greater responsibilities for prices and incomes policy in the period of extreme moderation following devaluation.

As explained in reply to another of the hon. Member's Questions today, it is not possible to say at this stage if any extra staff will be required.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what has been the total expenditure by the National Board for Prices and Incomes during the most conveniently available 12 months' period; and what percentage of this amount is accounted for by payments to consultants.

Expenditure by the National Board for Prices and Incomes in 1966–67 was £382,638, of which 26·6 per cent. represented payments to consultants.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what proposals he has to scrutinise price increases.

The Government are reviewing the arrangements for notification and examination of price increases and there will be discussions with industry about this.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will ask the National Board for Prices and Incomes to carry out an investigation into the increases in expenses allowances, free pensions, cars, houses, and other perquisites received by company chairmen whose salaries exceed £15,000 per annum.

No. Payments and benefits of this kind are already scrutinised by the Inland Revenue.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will publish the report of the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation on the future of the telecommunications industry.

No. It was stated when the inquiry was initiated that it would be confidential and that its results would not be published.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will list the goods and services, respectively, where a statutory early warning of price changes is required under orders made under the Prices and Incomes Act 1967, and those where voluntary arrangements have been concluded with trade associations such as the Con federation of British Industry.

No goods or services arc the subject of orders made under Section 7(1) of the Prices and Incomes Act, 1966 requiring advance notification of proposed increases in price. On the second part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 27th July this year to the hon. Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Molloy). —[Vol. 751, c.219–21.]

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what plans have been made for encouraging an increase in the manufacture of import substitutes.

In order to reduce imports we have to improve the overall competitiveness of British industry and this is the chief aim of all our industrial policies.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how many Parliamentary Questions he answered orally during Session 1966–67 relating to his responsibilities for the regional economic planning councils.

29.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, what levels and statistics of employment and industry are used by him to classify an area as a grey area for development purposes; and to what extent the North Warwickshire area meets these requirements.

There is no such classification in use at present, but the appropriate criteria for determining such areas is one of the questions which the Committee under Sir Joseph Hunt is at present considering.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the amount of the Government's contribution for each of the last three years, respectively, to the Council for Education in World Citizenship, the International Bureau of Education, and the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges.

Exchequer grants in each of the three years 1964–67 were £1,080 to the Council for Education in World Citizenship and 10,000 Swiss francs to the International Bureau of Education, while grants to the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges were respectively £26,520, £33,277 and £41,407.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will take steps to provide assistance to the British teams competing in the Olympic Games, in view of the necessity for such teams to have adequate pre-Olympic team training.

In preparation for the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico and on the recommendation of the Sports Council, the Government are assisting in the establishment of special pre-Olympic training for squads of competitors of international standard from whom the actual British representatives will be chosen. Government assistance will be made in cases of need towards the administrative costs of such special training and towards the travel and maintenance costs of the competitors. These arrangements have been notified to the governing bodies of all the sports concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the results of the study by the medical research team financed by his Department into the altitude problem for the Mexican Olympic Games; and what further action he proposes to take to enable British sportsmen to obtain adequate acclimatization to those special conditions between now and the holding of the Games.

There have been three research projects in altitude acclimatisation grant aided by the Government. Two have taken place in Mexico City and the third at Font Romeu in the Pyrenees. Reports have been issued and as these findings have become available they have been used in acclimatisation training schemes for the Olympics, held at Font Romeu during 1967. The Government have offered grant assistance towards the cost of these schemes and governing bodies of sport have been informed that similar assistance will be available for further acclimatisation training at Font Romeu during 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if it is his policy that, after the raising of the school-leaving age in 1970, a 16 year old pupil in England or Wales who is married will be kept compulsorily at school until the first statutory leaving dates after the sixteenth birthday.

The law governing school attendance in England and Wales make no provision for exemption on grounds of marriage. There are no proposals to change this when the school leaving age is raised.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of children in England and Wales, respectively, of nursery school age, that is to say above two and under five years of age, receive nursery school education.

In January, 1967 (counting each part-time attender as half a pupil) the proportion of children aged over two and under five attending maintained nursery schools was 0·9 per cent. in England and 1·4 per cent. in Wales. A further 7·6 per cent. of this age group in England and 17·4 per cent. in Wales were attending maintained primary schools; of these children, over 25 per cent. in England and over 40 per cent. in Wales were in nursery classes. In addition, 1·0 per cent. of the age group in England and Wales together were attending direct grant nursery schools or independent schools; separate figures for the two countries are not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of new school building in 1965–66 and 1966–67 was by industrialised methods; and what are the equivalent figures for new further education building.

In England and Wales, 33 per cent. and 40 per cent. for new schools; 9 per cent. and 4 per cent. for further education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of new school building in Great Britain in 1965–66 and 1966–67 which was carried out by industrialised methods was sponsored by local authorities acting in consortia: and whether he will list the consortia concerned.

In England and Wales, 25 per cent. and 30 per cent. The following are the consortia concerned.Consortium of Local Authorities Special Programme (C.L.A.S.P.).Consortium for Method Building (C.M.B.).Organisation of North Western Authorities for Rationalised Design (O.N.W.A.R.D.).Second Consortium of Local Authorities (S.C.O.L.A.).South Eastern Architects' Collaboration (S.E.A.C.).I cannot answer for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice he is tendering to local authorities regarding guarantees required for school buildings and further education buildings from private industrialised builders; and if he will make a statement.

None. But the advice given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government in Circular 79/67—paragraph 22—applies to all local authority building, including school and further education building.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of total medical research expenditure is incurred in Scotland; and by how much this has increased in absolute terms and as a percentage.

Total Government expenditure on medical research and the proportion thereof incurred in Scotland in recent years have been approximately as follows:—

	(1) Total expenditure	(2) Expenditure in Scotland	(3) Col. (2) as a percentage of col. (1)
	£million	£ million
1963–64	18·5	2·8	15
1964–65	23	3·3	14
1965–66	27	3·8	14
1966–67	31	4·3	14

It is not possible to give a reliable estimate of expenditure by other bodies including the pharmaceutical industry and voluntary bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in view of the breakdown in recent years of the barriers between amateur and professional players in such sports as cricket and lawn tennis, he will now refuse further grants to Rugby Union football clubs until they end discrimination against the Rugby League.

The rules of participation in a sport are entirely a matter for the governing body concerned. I do not consider that it would be proper to use the powers to make local capital grants to individual clubs as a means of influencing a governing body in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will indicate the names of the organisations, societies and local authorities which have submitted objections to the proposed closure of the Merthyr Cynog and Upper Chapel primary schools by the Breconshire Education Authority, and the number of petitions from local government electors and whether, in view of this, he will set up a local public inquiry to examine the matter.

Notices under Section 13 of the Education Act, 1944 for the closure of the Merthyr Cynog and Upper Chapel Primary Schools were published by the Breconshire Education Authority on 7th September, 1967. Since then objections have been received from the following local bodies and organisations:

• Merthyr Cynog Parish Council;
• Rural District Council of Brccknock;
• Bethania Independent Chapel;
• Upper Chapel Eisteddfod Committee;
• Upper Chapel Sewing Class;
• Merthyr Cynog and District Women's Institute;
• Upper Chapel Choral Class;
• Merthyr Cynog Branch of the Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs;
• Siloah Presbyterian Chapel, Merthyr Cynog;
• Merthyr Cynog Parish Church Parochial Church Council;
• Merthyr Cynog and Upper Chapel Mothers' Union Branch;
• Merthyr Cynog Extra-mural Geography Class;
• Duffryn Honddu (Upper Chapel) Parochial Church Council;
• Ebenezer Independent Chapel (signed by 74 electors);
• Petition signed by 36 electors of the Parish Council of Merthyr Cynog.

It is not the practice of my Department to hold local inquiries in connection with proposals for the discontinuance of County or voluntary schools. The statutory procedure under Section 13 of the Education Act 1944 provides ample opportunity for interested parties to submit objections, and these are fully considered before a decision is made under the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why he refused approval for expenditure on flood lighting all-weather pitches on the Castle Vale playing field site, which had as object the dual use of these pitches including their use after school hours throughout the year by young adults, who have no alternative facilities in this area.

The proposal as submitted to me was primarily for school purposes and the cost considerably exceeded the amount available from the school building programme. I informed the Local Education Authority of this in July.As I am anxious to encourage the dual use of facilities I will consider any proposal the Authority wish to make to me that are designed to achieve this end.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what incentives he proposes to give for extra pay or National Insurance credits, to any prisoners who undertake successfully a required type of industrial training while in prison.

Prisoners' pay is already related to the skill they develop as a result of industrial training. It is my right hon. Friend's policy to ensure that more prisoners are offered incentives to earn higher pay through increased productivity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children of immigrants under 16 years of age have been admitted in the last 12 months; and what check is made to certify they are genuine immigrant dependants and not children of people still overseas.

In the 12 months up to 31st October, 34,446 children under 16 were admitted, most of them coming with parents or to join parents already here. In every case the immigration officer will have satisfied himself that the child was entitled to be admitted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the shortage of places in remand homes for girls in the North-West of England; and what action he proposes to take.

The provision of remand homes is the responsibility of county and county borough councils. Those in the North-West are meeting shortly to discuss whether there is a need for more places in the area and if so how it should be met, and my right hon. Friend will be glad to consider any proposals they put to him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average amount of maintenance awarded by magistrates' courts on each affiliation order during each of the years 1965, 1966, and 1967 to date.

I regret that this information is not available. I understand that research by Bedford College in the University of London, based on a sample of all orders made has shown that the average amount of orders made in England and Wales in 1966 was 33s. a week.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many warrants were issued by magistrates' courts for arrears of payment of maintenance under affiliation orders; and how many defaulting fathers were imprisoned for such arrears.

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. In 1966, 462 men were received into prisons in England and Wales for non-payment of arrears of maintenance under affiliation orders.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many affiliation orders were made by magistrates' courts during each of the years 1965, 1966, and 1967 to date.

6,951. 7,458 and, in the first half of 1967, 3,888, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Parliamentary Questions he answered orally during Session 1966–67 excluding those relating to immigration, naturalisation, legislation on racial discrimination, and vivisection.

253 such Questions were answered by Home Office Ministers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the net increase, less wastage, in the probation service during 1965, 1966 and 1967, respectively, in England and Wales.

152, 238 and 165 (to 30th November) respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of probation officers in England and Wales at present; what is the increase planned for 1968; and what was the total entry into the service in 1965, 1966 and 1967, respectively.

The total number of established probation officers at 30th November, 1967, was 2,722. About 360 students are expected to complete training and become available for appointment as probation officers between now and the end of 1968. The total entry of established officers into the probation and aftercare service in each of the years 1965, 1966 and 1967 (to 30th November) was 328, 398 and 328, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present establishment, the total number employed, and the net increase anticipated in 1968 of probation officers serving in each probation department in England and Wales.

The figures asked for are not all available, and I shall write to the hon. Member about this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportions of the total wastage in the probation service during 1966 and 1967, respectively, were due to retirement, resignation and death.

Of the total wastage of 160 established officers in 1966, 14 per cent. was due to retirements, 5 per cent. to deaths, and 81 per cent. to resignations (10 per cent. of which were resignations to take up work related to probation). The corresponding proportions of the wastage of 140 officers during the first ten months of 1967 (the latest date for which information is readily available) were, respectively, 17 per cent., 4·4 per cent., and 78·6 per cent. (of which 15 per cent. were resignations to take up work related to probation).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce emergency legislation to extend the shooting season beyond the end of January, 1968, because of the foot-and-mouth epidemic, in view of the fact that only six weeks remains of the season and the decision cannot wait until the House resumes.

I will consider the matter, but I can hold out no hope of immediate amending legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many citizens of Eire, who were convicted in 1965 and 1966 of offences in Great Britain resulting in their deportation, are known subsequently to have returned to this country; and what proceedings, and with what results, were taken in respect of these persons.

I regret that this information could be obtained only by a disproportionate expenditure of time and effort.

Cooke asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (1) if he will give the number of drivers who have been required to submit to a breath test under the Road Safety Act, 1967, the numbers required to go to a police station for a blood or urine test, and the numbers of such cases in which it has subsequently been discovered that the blood alcohol level was not in excess of the prescribed limit;(2) how many drivers have been required to submit to a breath test under the Road Safety Act, 1967; how many of such drivers had been involved in an accident; how many were alleged to have committed traffic offences; and how many were suspected of having alcohol in the body.

From 9th to 31st October inclusive, 1,119 people in England and Wales (including 54 arrested under Section 6 of the Road Traffic Act. 1960) were required to go to a police station for a blood or urine test. For the other figures I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on 14th December to Questions by the hon. Member for Chippenham (Mr. Awdry).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to introduce an experimental scheme of police officers wearing a legible name badge instead of a number on their uniform.

I will consider my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement about the discussions which the Government has had with representatives from the conference of developing countries held in Algeria in preparation for the next meeting of the United Nations Commission for Trade and Development.

The Government were glad to welcome a Goodwill Mission of representatives from developing countries, led by Mr. Jayarwardene, Minister of State, Ceylon, to this country from 14th to 20th November. The purpose of the Mission was to present and explain the "Charter of Algiers", which sets out the views of the developing countries on the issues to be discussed next year at the Second United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much new factory space has been provided in Scotland and in Fife, respectively, in each of the last four years; how many male jobs are expected to result; and how many have accrued to date.

Information about the area of industrial building completed in Scotland and Fife between 1963 and 1966 together with the estimated additional male employment is given in the table below. It is not possible to say how many of these jobs have been provided to date.

INDUSTRIAL BUILDING COMPLETED (1)FOR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
	Area Thousand sq. ft.	Estimated additional employment (2) Males
Scotland
1963	3,880	7,020
1964	3,946	5,650
1965	4,326	8,300
1966	6,460	10,090
Of which:—
Fife
1963	91	90
1964	392	560
1965	418	960
1966	708	1,570

Notes:(1) Schemes mainly over 5,000 sq. ft. for which industrial development certificates were issued (new buildings and extensions to existing premises).(2) Employment expected to arise when projects are fully manned, as estimated by the applicants for the certificates.(3) Employment Exchange Areas of Anstruther, Cowdenbeath, Burntisland, Cupar, Dunfermline, Glenrothes, Kirkcaldy, Inverkeithing, Leven and Tayport. Industrial Development Certificates (North Warwickshire)

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will modify his Department's practice in the issue of industrial development certificates to permit industry to come to areas of above average unemployment, such as North Warwickshire.

The current and expected local employment position is always taken fully into account in considering applications for industrial development certificates. Applications for development in areas of above average unemployment in North Warwickshire are considered more sympathetically than those for development in the highly congested areas of the West Midlands.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to attract new industry to areas such as North Warwickshire, which have been traditionally dependent on mining and other industries.

The development areas, parts of which are likely to be seriously affected by colliery closures, must continue to have priority. Subject to this the needs of places outside the development areas, including North Warwickshire where employment may be affected by colliery closures, will be taken into account in considering applications for industrial development certificates.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what additional dollar cost is now arising from the purchase by Great Britain of American tobacco in the place of Rhodesian.

Since the substantial Rhodesian tobacco crop is no longer freely available in world commerce, tobacco prices are likely to be higher than they would otherwise have been and increased imports will have been made from other sources. There is no valid way of assessing the extent of any increase or its effect on the cost of tobacco imported from any particular source.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has formed of the total extra costs to all British airline operators of increased insurance premiums resulting from the application of the Carriage by Air Acts Order, 1967.

None. The premium is a confidential matter between the airline and its insurer, and may vary greatly from one airline to another.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now reached a decision on the minimum prices of those charter inclusive tour holidays by air which are governed by Provision I of British Operators' Service licences.

After consultation with air operators and representatives of the travel trade, I have decided that the minimum prices of charter inclusive tour holidays by air, which are governed by Provision I in the relevant air service licences, should be allowed to remain at their pre-devaluation levels so far as destinations in Europe, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia are concerned, during the coming summer season from 1st April to 31st October, 1968. The Board of Trade have accordingly approved an alternative tariff, under the terms of Provision I, having this effect. This does not, however, affect the charges for inclusive tours on scheduled services operated by the airlines which are members of the International Air Transport Association, and which are bound by the relevant I.A.T.A. resolutions.I propose for the future to make a thorough review of the basis on which the prices of charter inclusive tours are determined.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent operations at Shoeburyness Range affect civil flying in the London Airport control area.

There is a designated civil aviation Danger Area associated with the Shoeburyness Range which places some restriction on aircraft using Southend Airport. The airways serving the main London terminal area however pass conveniently to the north and south of the Danger Area and traffic using them is not affected.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the manning scales for United Kingdom fishing vessels of over 140 feet and the comparative manning scales, so far as they are available to him from international organisations, for similar vessels of the Federal Republic of Germany, Poland, Norway, Japan, the Netherlands and France.

There is no statutory manning scale for United Kingdom fishing vessels nor is there any comprehensive information immediately available about manning scales in other countries. However, fishing vessels of 25 tons and over must carry a skipper and second hand certificated by the Board of Trade and any vessel may be detained if it is considered unsafe to proceed to sea by reason of undermanning.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement regarding the findings of the court of inquiry into the loss of the all-freeze steam trawler "St. Finbarr".

All the recommendations are receiving careful consideration but this will necessarily take time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to issue instructions to all officers of Inland Revenue that compensation paid to farmers for slaughtered beasts under foot-and-mouth regulations will be free of Corporation Tax, Capital Gains Duty, Income Tax and Surtax.

As regards cases in which Section 23, Finance Act, 1953, is applicable, I would refer to my Answers to the hon. Member for Banff (Mr. Baker) on 21st November and the hon. Member for Honiton (Mr. Emery) on 30th November. As regards cases outside the scope of that Section my officials are in urgent consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Farmers' Union.—[Vol. 754, c. 289; Vol. 755, c. 181.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to make further progress towards the achievement of a balance of payments surplus, he will introduce amending legislation to require local authorities to pay current market rates for money borrowed to finance their housing programmes.

For money borrowed in the market local authorities pay market rates of interest. "Quota" loans by the Public Works Loan Board are made available at Government borrowing rates with a small addition to cover costs. I see no reason to alter these arrangements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give details of the cuts in the investment programmes of the nationalised industries which were announced on 20th November.

Reductions in the planned programmes of the nationalised industries for 1968–69 have been made as follows:

	1968–69
	£ million
Electricity Council and Boards(England and Wales)
Mainly deferment of 1 power station start in 1968	17
Gas Council and Boards
Miscellaneous Reductions	10
N.C.B.
Collieries	4·0
B.R.B.
Weaver Junction-Glasgow Electrification	5
Transport Holding Company
Ships	1·5
Road Haulage Vehicles	0·5
British Transport Docks Board	3·0
London Transport Board
Deferment of new tube lines	0·5
Garage improvements deferred	1
Post Office
Deferment of stores purchases	3
Slower replacement of vehicles	1
Postponement of telecommunications buildings	1
Phasing back of telecommunications programme	4
Postal buildings	2
B.B.C. and I.T.A.	2
B.E.A.
Deferment of central London helicopter service and heliport	2
B.A.A.
Deferment of works at Heathrow and Gatwick	1
A. E. A .
R. & D	3
British Steel Corporation* Deferment of projects	10

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether payments made to the mother of an illegitimate child under an affiliation order or an affiliation agreement are treated as unearned income for Income Tax purposes.

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Inland Revenue have ruled that a discharged Service man's pension is only exempt from Income Tax liability if he is discharged medically unfit by reason of a disability attributable to his service and is not allowed the exemption unless so discharged. even if he has been awarded a percentage disability pension; and if he will amend this rule to apply to disability pensions of any percentage attributable to service.

A Forces disability pension is exempt from tax, but this exemption does not apply to a Service pension received together with a disability pension. It is the general rule that service pensions are taxable, and I see no reason to exempt Forces service pensions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what part of the cost of producing Command Paper No. 9051 is known; and if he will publish details.

No detailed figures of the cost of producing Cmd. 9051 in 1954 are now available. The cost of preparing and printing was at one stage estimated to be about £900, but I regret that it is no longer possible to verify this estimate or to calculate the staff costs involved in preliminary work.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what representations he has received as a result of his decision to allocate 50 acres of land at the Street, Ash, Surrey, for residential purposes; and why he has refused to meet a deputation from the local authorities concerned.

Representations were received from Surrey County Council who were supported by Guildford Rural District Council and Ash Parish Council. Two appeals have been made against refusal of planning permission to develop this land, and my right hon. Friend has not yet made any decision upon them. It would be inappropriate to meet any of the parties before these appeals have been resolved.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what studies he has commissioned into the cost savings to be achieved in local authority industrialised housing contracts if the contractors were given maximum capacity operation over a minimum period of five years; who is carrying out those studies; when the report is expected; and whether it will be published.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) what studies he has commissioned into the use of plastic components and fixtures in renovating houses in twilight areas which are seriously lacking in standard services and amenities, but which are otherwise structurally sound; who is carrying out those studies; when the report is expected: and whether it will be published:(2) what studies have been carried out by the National Building Agency into the number of viable housing systems on the basis of a production of 100,000 public sector houses produced by system methods in 1970; and what have been the findings of those studies.

My right hon. Friend has not commissioned such studies. Owing to the multiplicity of factors involved, they could be expected to be expensive in scarce skills without leading to general conclusions on which positive action could be based.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) what advice the National Building Agency gives to firms wishing to invest in equipment and plant for industrialised building concerning the period over which their capital expenditure should be fully amortised;

Studies carried out by the Agency for individual firms show that the number of dwellings required to be built in order to break even may range from a few hundred to several thousands per year over a number of years according to the techniques and materials used. Decisions about the rate of amortisation of capital are a matter for the firms concerned in the light of the Agency's advice about the likely break-even point.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether it is the practice for the National Building Agency to recommend prospective building owners a limited choice of systems selected from those sponsors with production capacity currently available; whether that is the only criterion employed in making such a choice; and whether he will make a statement.

The firms recommended are selected for their suitability for the project. Production capacity is one of the many criteria taken into account.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what proportion of public sector houses in Great Britain built by industrialized

PROPORTIONS OF ALL INDUSTRIALLY BUILT DWELLINGS APPROVED FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND NEW TOWNS IN ENGLAND AND WALES ACCORDING TO TYPES OF SYSTEM USED
				Flats 2–4 storeys		Flats 5 storeys and over
		Houses
Type of System		1966	1.1.67 to30.9.67	1966	1.1.67 to30.9.67	1966	1.1.67 to30.9.67
Heavy and dry (i.e., large panel)	…	18·1	20·9	50·1	41·7	78·9	74·2
Prefabricated box unit	…	·8	·8	—	—	·9	—
Rationalised traditional in situconcrete	…	33·8	30·1	28·5	35·8	16·4	20·5
Lightweight concrete	…	2·5	·3	·7	—	—	—

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what studies he has commissioned into the scope for industrialised housing in the third generation of new towns; who is carrying out those studies; when

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what proportion of public sector houses in Great Britain, built by industrialised methods in 1966, was the box units system of total prefabrication in a factory for low and medium rise housing; and what were the equivalent figures at the latest convenient date.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) what proportion of public sector houses in Great Britain built by industrialised methods in 1966 was of the rationalised traditional in situ concrete type for medium and high rise dwellings; and what were the equivalent figures at the latest convenient date;(2) what proportion of public sector houses in Great Britain built by industrialised methods in 1966 was lightweight concrete systems for low and medium rise dwellings; and what were the equivalent figures at the latest convenient date.

This information is not available for dwellings completed. For dwellings approved for local authorities and New Towns in England and Wales the proportions, which are subject to certain difficulties of classification, are set out in the table below. I regret that for Scotland separate figures are not available for low, medium and high rise dwellings.the report is expected; and whether it will be published.

My right hon. Friend has not commissioned any special study but he has stressed to all New Town Development Corporations the importance of using industrialised building methods.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what discussions he has had with the Development Corporation of the proposed Milton Keynes New Town about the setting up of factories there for the production of industrialised systems and components; what estimate he has made of the likely initial capital investment required for such factories; and whether he will make a statement.

No such discussions have been held. The establishment of factories for making industrialised building systems is a matter for the sponsors of the systems, and their cost would depend very much on the nature of the particular product.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of savings in construction time, expressed as man hours per unit, between public sector houses built by industrialised and by traditional methods, giving figures for houses, low, medium and high rise flats, respectively.

No meaningful detailed estimate is possible because for the same type of dwelling man hours vary widely with such factors as the method of construction, the complexity of the design, the size of the contract, the nature of the site and the efficiency of the contractor.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many approvals for forward orders of public sector housing in 1965 and 1966 were for precast rather than in situ systems; and what was the equivalent figure at the latest convenient date.

Below are numbers of dwellings in tenders approved for public authorities in Great Britain.

			1st January to 30th September,
	1965	1966	1967
Precast concrete	18,767	35,089	22,752
In situ concrete	24,932	23,219	17,753

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what proportion of public sector houses in Great Britain built by industrialised methods in 1966 was of the structural frame systems of precast reinforced or pre-stressed concrete, steel or timber; and what were the equivalent figures at the latest convenient date.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what proportion of public sector houses in Great Britain built by industrialised methods in 1966 was of the low bearing panel type system; and what were the equivalent figures at the latest convenient date.

The proportions for England and Wales were as shown below. I regret that details of dwellings completed in Scotland are not available.

Type of System	Proportion completed in 1966	Proportion completed in nine months ended 30th September, 1967
	Per cent.	Per cent.
Structural frame	7·4	9·2
Loadbcaring panel	36·3	35·0

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of financial savings per square foot of system built methods in public sector houses compared with traditional construction, giving figures for houses, low rise, medium and high rise flats, respectively.

The latest available figures of average cost per square foot of industrialised and traditional building for houses and for flats of different heights are given in Table 20 of "Housing Statistics, Great Britain, No. 7", which was published in October, 1967.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many houses were completed in Great Britain in the private sector in 1966 by industrialised building methods within the meaning of paragraph 3 of Circular 76/65; and what were the equivalent figures at the latest convenient date.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the effects on the precast concrete system built public housing programme in Great Britain in 1968, in view of the proposed abolition of the selective employment premium; and whether he will make a statement.

As there are so many factors affecting the price and competitive position of precast concrete systems, the abolititon of premiums is unlikely to affect more than marginally the number of dwellings built by public authorities in such systems.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) when the National Building Agency expects to issue an appraisal certificate for a high rise industrialised system in England and Wales;(2) how many industrialised systems are currently registered with the National Building Agency; how many were initially registered when the Agency first accepted registration; how many appraisal certificates have been granted; and how many of these are for low rise systems.

Although particulars of over 200 systems have been filed with the Agency, there is no formal process of registration. In England and Wales, for low-rise systems, 76 appraisal certificates have been issued, of which 51 are still valid. There is no present intention to issue appraisal certificates for high-rise systems. In Scotland, 25 appraisal certificates have been issued, of which 8 were for high-rise systems. With the exception of 2 certificates for low-rise systems, all are still valid.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what advice he is tendering to local authorities in regard to guarantees required for private industrialised builders engaged in local housing contracts; and if he will make a statement.

Circular 79/67 advises local authorities that, where a contractor is doing design work and the R.I.B.A. standard form of contract does not fully cover the circumstances, a separate warranty or indemnity, may be required from him, for example for any loss arising from failure to design the building in accordance with the relevant structural codes of practice.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will publish the information available to him and the representations he has received relating to the preservation of the Old House, Shenfield Road, Brentwood, details of which have been sent to him.

The Old House is a listed building of special architectural interest. Representations have been received from the Brentwood Urban District Council, the Ancient Monuments Society and the Georgian Group that it should be preserved.The building is Crown property and there is no intention to demolish it or make any alteration which would seriously affect its character. If this were ever proposed, there would be full consultations with the Department and the local authorities before a decision was reached.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the average size of a local authority housing contract in 1966. expressed in terms of dwellings.

I would refer the hon. Member to Table 23 in "Housing Statistics" No. 7 (H.M.S.O.).

Anderson asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now list the regional housing co-ordinators whom he has appointed; and whether he will make a statement on their activities.

In each region the Department's regional office settles housing programmes, approves schemes for the purpose of loan sanction and subsidy and keeps progress under review.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many local authorities had their draft housing programmes reduced by him in 1966 on application for loan sanction, solely on the grounds that they were not a priority area; and whether he will list the local authorities concerned.

The programmes approved for non-priority areas are generally settled following consultation with the local authorities concerned well in advance of applications for loan sanction, and reductions in programmes do not normally occur at that stage.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why he has issued a direction to increase the interest rates on the mortgage of houses being sold by the New Towns Commission from 7⅛ per cent. to 7⅝ per cent., in view of the fact that this conflicts with the general Government policy of keeping prices stable.

The rate of interest on Exchequer advances to the Commission has been increased to 7⅜ per cent. The new interest rate of 7⅝ per cent. on Commission mortgages is necessary to cover the cost of servicing the Commission's borrowing and of administering the mortgage.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what representations he has received concerning contract number 192 for an extension of the water supply from Kilkhampton to Stibb and Poughill; and if he will now approve the expenditure of £25,400 on this scheme.

I have received a copy of a letter addressed to the North Devon Water Board in November by two residents of Stibb, and on 13th December the hon. Member wrote to me enclosing a petition signed by fourteen others. I am awaiting information from the Board about the urgency of the need for the scheme before deciding whether it can properly be carried out at the present time.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he proposes to take to ensure that local planning authorities are informed of suitable methods of securing public participation in the formulation of development plans in their areas and of giving publicity to proposals to be included in those plans.

In conjunction with my right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales, I propose to set up a committee under the Chairmanship of the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to my Department (Mr. Skeffington), with the following terms of reference:

" To consider, and to report to the Minister of Housing and Local Government, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales, on the best methods, including publicity, of securing the participation of the public at the formative stage in the making of development plans for their area."

asked the Minister of Health if, in order to maintain progress towards achievement of a balance of payments surplus, he will introduce legislation to reimpose prescription charges forthwith.

Legislation would not be required for this purpose, and I have nothing to add to the Statement made on 18th December by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister about possible measures towards the objective indicated by the hon. Member.—[Vol. 756, c. 921–341

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of the hospital building programme was carried out by industrialised building methods in 1965–66 and 1966–67.

All building in the hospital programme today uses these methods to varying degrees. It is estimated that about 11 per cent. of expenditure on hospital projects in 1965–66 and 16 per cent. in 1966–67 related to fully industrialised buildings built and fitted out with prefabricated components according to an assembly system, or to industrialised components in other buildings. The proportion continues to increase.

asked the Minister of Health what advice he has given to regional hospital boards regarding guarantees required from private industrialised builders engaged in building contracts for the boards; and if he will make a statement.

Hospital building contracts are normally carried out under the Royal Institute of British Architects Form of Contract, which contains standard safeguards on such matters as completion, workmanship, and adequacy of materials. All design is done or supervised by professional designers independent of the contractor, and no special guarantees are therefore required as regards design.

asked the Minister of Health what is the average cost for a patient per day at a mental hospital outside London, a geriatric hospital outside London, and a general hospital outside London, respectively.

The information is not readily available in the form requested, but in 1966–67 the average daily costs per in-patient in non-teaching hospitals in England and Wales outside the Regions of the four Metropolitan Hospital Boards were as follows:

Psychiatric (Mental Illness) Hospitals—£1 18s. 6d. a day.

Geriatric Hospitals—£2 14s. 1d. a day.

Acute Hospitals—£6 1s. 2d. a day.

asked the Minister of Health (1) what are the numbers of patients on the waiting list of Moseley Hall Hospital for ear, nose or throat operations; and what additional accommodation has already been provided to reduce the excessive waiting time upon the closing of Moseley Hall Hospital;(2) what provision he has made for the treatment of urgent ear, nose and throat patients upon the closing of Moseley Hall Hospital.

Two hundred and fifty-six, who have been transferred to Selly Oak Hospital waiting list; none. Patients who require urgent treatment will receive it at other Birmingham hospitals, where there is sufficient accommodation for ear, nose and throat patients though shortage of theatre and other staff has prevented it from being used to full capacity.Moseley Hall Hospital is not closing but being developed as a geriatric hospital.

asked the Minister of Health what were the number of National Health Service beds for chronically sick persons for 1965, 1966 at the latest available date, the respective figures for private institutions and the number of persons known to be awaiting beds for the same years.

On 31st December, 1965 and 1966 respectively there were 58,469 and 59,186 National Health Service beds allocated for chronic sick (including geriatric) patients; 9,206 and 8,424 persons respectively were on waiting lists for these beds. Information relating to private institutions is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now received the report on nurses' pay from the National Board for Prices and Incomes; and if he will make a statement.

Not yet. The period of the reference has been extended until 29th March but I understand that the Board expect to make a report well before that date.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent meat imported from abroad became unfit for human consumption during the recent dock strike in all ports excepting London; and where and how it was disposed of.

I understand that no meat directly imported at Manchester, Liverpool or Hull, the other ports affected by the strike, became unfit because of it. Since my reply to the noble Lord on 18th December I have learned that certain cargoes were diverted from affected ports: I am making further enquiries about these and will write to the noble Lord.—[Vol. 756, c.287.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now announce the amount of the United Kingdom contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for the agency's next financial year.

In 1968 Her Majesty's Government will as usual make a substantial contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. However, the announcement of a precise figure for the coming year has had to be delayed while all aspects of our overseas aid expenditure are reviewed in the light of devaluation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now announce the amount of the United Kingdom contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for the agency's current financial year.

Her Majesty's Government's contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for the current year was announced at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency Pledging Conference held in New York on the 2nd of December of last year at the level of $4·5 million. In addition to this ordinary contribution, Her Majesty's Government decided, in the aftermath of the June war this year, to make a supple. mentary contribution of $500,000 in view of the greatly increased burden placed upon the United Nations Relief and Works Agency by the displacement of some 350,000 "new" refugees in the Middle East. Both these amounts have already been fully made over to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many resolutions, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations since 15th October, 1964, have not been accepted by Her Majesty's Government.

I regret that this information is not readily available and the cost of obtaining it would not be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will not implement and obey any resolution of the United Nations which causes privation and unemployment to the British people.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in reply to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury (Sir J. Langford-Holt) on 20th July, we accept our obligations under Article 25 of the United Nations Charter to carry out decisions of the Security Council. We also give great weight to recommendations of the Security Council or of the General Assembly, but our action is determined by the merits of each case.—[Vol. 750, c. 2474–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to the most recent resolution passed at the United Nations on the subject of Gibraltar.

I have nothing to add to the Answer which I gave on 19th December to the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall).—[Vol. 756, c. 378.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the increase in the number of those seeking to emigrate from Scotland to the United States of America, he will provide facilities in Scotland for the United States Government to enable it to assist those needing to obtain United States immigration visas.

It is for the Government of the United States to consider what arrangements are required for this purpose. There is already a Consul-General of the United States in Edinburgh and I have received no approach from the United States authorities for the establishment of further consular post in Scotland.