asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many education authorities now include the Margaret Morris Method of Modern Movement in their list of evening classes.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in the light of the need to reduce public expenditure, what reductions are to be made in the school-building programme; and how these will affect, in the years ahead, both the availability of places and the improvement of facilities at schools in Bourne-mouth.

I have withdrawn the special allocations for 1968–69 and 1969–70 for raising the school-leaving age, but I am increasing the basic building programme for England and Wales by £7 million in each of those two years. I am also asking authorities for revised proposals for starting projects in 1968–69. If work on the new Avonbourne School

Major Building	Educational Priority Areas	Reorganisation (on postponement of R.S.L.A.)* and Educational Priority Areas	Special Schools	Minor Works	Total
£million	£million	£million	£million	£million	£million
81·5	8·0	7·0	5·0	27·5	129·0
*The sum of £ 8 million announced for this purpose is divided into about £ 7 million for England and Wales and £ 1 million for Scotland.

The withdrawal of allocations for raising the school-leaving age for the years 1968–69 and 1969–70, and the addition of £7 million to the programme for England and Wales for each of those years, have made it necessary for me to ask local education authorities to review their proposals for starts in those years. Until I have received their replies and considered them it is not possible to say how the allocations will be divided starts by 31st March, it will not be affected by this review.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why Circular 6/68 does not indicate how much of the £8 million increase in the basic school-building programmes for both 1968–69 and 1969–70 will be allocated to local education authorities in England and Wales.

At the time when the Circular was issued the size of Scotland's share of the £8 million had not been determined. It has now been decided that about £7 million should be allocated to England and Wales. References to £ 89· 5 million in paragraphs 5 and 6 of the Circular should therefore be read as £88· 5 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set out in tabular form the revised school-building programmes for 1968–69 and 1969–70, divided into basic needs, replacements and improvements, allocations for special schools, additions for educational priority areas and secondary reorganisation, and minor works.

The authorised level of starts, which is the same for each of the years, is as follows:between basic needs, and replacements or improvements.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will undertake discussions with those local education authorities which have obtained his approval for schemes of secondary reorganisation, with a view to securing the postponement for two years of those schemes in the design of which the raising of the school-leaving age in 1971 had been of crucial importance.

No. My aim is to help local education authorities so far as possible to avoid postponement of reorganisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the reorganisation of secondary education in the Okehampton area of Devon.

The Devon Local Education Authority's proposal to establish an all-through comprehensive school for this area was approved by my right hon. Friend's predecessor last July under Section 13 of the Education Act, 1944.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the reorganisation of secondary education in the Bideford area of North Devon.

The Devon Local Education Authority is anxious to make progress in this area but has not yet been able to submit proposals to us.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities have informed him of plans for secondary school reorganisation involving the transfer of children from a lower to an upper school at the age of 14 years.

I have approved such arrangements in the areas of 21 local education authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy regarding the siting of a new 300 GeV accelerator for C.E.R.N. at Mundford; and what are the factors which have led to this policy decision.

The Government's policy has always been to present the Mundford site in the best possible light, in competition with other sites offered to C.E.R.N. and every effort has been made to ensure that information has been made available to C.E.R.N. on all relevant matters. The factors which the Government have had in mind are set out in the report on the proposed 300 GeV accelerator, Cmnd. 3503.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in view of the need to persuade more graduates to train as teachers, he will amend the present grant regulations so that graduate teachers in training are not regarded as being financially dependent on their parents.

No. While I agree that it is desirable to encourage graduates to undertake professional training before teaching, the conditions governing their awards cannot be determined in isolation from that of other students.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will give an assurance that the Government's cuts in public expenditure will not further delay or defer the rebuilding of Chigwell County Primary School and of St. John's Church of England Primary School, Buckhurst Hill; and the building of the new infants schools at Blackmore and Doddinghurst.

My right hon. Friend has not yet had the Essex Authority's proposals for starting major projects in 1968–69, so I cannot say what the decision will be on the ones named by the hon. Member. In any case, the Buckhurst Hill School, unlike the others, has never been included in an approved programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has now received the report, compiled under the chairmanship of Professor Dainton of Nottingham University, on the flow of candidates in Science and Technology to Higher Education; and when he will publish it.

Yes. I expect the Report to be published at the end of this month.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the estimated number of coloured immigrant children in school; and in what areas they are mostly being educated.

In January, 1967 there were about 144,000 immigrant pupils from the West Indies, Africa, India and Pakistan in schools with ten or more immigrant pupils on roll. About 60 per cent. of the total number of immigrant pupils were in the Greater London area and the South-East, about 17 per cent. in the West Midlands and about 6 per cent. in each of the East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humberside and the North-West regions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of the fact that in the month of December, 1967, under Part I of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1,242 children from India, 573 from Jamaica and 1,742 from Pakistan were admitted to the United Kingdom with inadequate knowledge of the English language, what new steps is he taking to ensure that British children's education is not affected by the need to provide for these additional children.

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State recently visited many of the areas with immigrant children and discussed with the local education authorities how more help might be given to teachers and schools with immigrant pupils. These questions have been further considered at a series of regional conferences between central and local government officials and Her Majesty's Inspectors of schools. The aim of the discussions is to ensure that no children, whether immigrants or not, are, held back by inadequate provision in the schools to meet their individual needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to initiate studies into the use of university buildings; and if he will undertake to make public the results of any such studies.

The Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals set up a sub-committee on the use of university capacity in June, 1966. One of the studies they are undertaking is supported by a research grant from my Department. My Department is also supporting studies in the design of new university buildings. It is for the Committee and the university authorities to decide how best to make known their findings.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is satisfied that there will be jobs available for all those science graduates coming out of universities during 1968.

Yes. Science and technology graduates find employment more readily than graduates in other fields.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why, under his regulations, students in colleges of education receive lower maintenance grants than those in universities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will revoke the regulations under which students in colleges of education receive lower grants than university students.

Grants to nonresident students in colleges of education and universities are determined on the same basis, but the actual amount paid to a non-resident student in a college of education is in fact higher than that to a university student because the College of Education Year is longer. The grant to a resident student at a college of education is lower because he is provided with free board and lodging by the college, whereas the university student is not. I see no need to amend the relevant Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress he has made in establishing a National Film School.

In the discussions that have followed publication of the Lloyd Report a number of helpful proposals have been brought to my notice by Lord Lloyd, members of his Committee and others, which indicate that it may be possible to establish a Film School of the kind envisaged in the Report for considerably less than the capital sum originally estimated.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how the prospects for comprehensive education at Bangor will be affected by cuts in the school building programme.

As my hon. Friend knows, my right hon. Friend's predecessor was not able last year to approve the Caernarvonshire Authority's short-term proposals for secondary reorganisation in Bangor. Draft Notices for a revised scheme have recently been submitted to my Department. But I understand these have not yet been published, and until this has been done and the statutory period for objections has elapsed, it would be premature for me to say what prospect there is of an early start being authorised for the proposed new school at Bangor, or of its being affected by the review of school building starts asked for in Circular 6/68.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what comparisons his Department has made of the percentage of children consuming milk, under the school milk scheme, in maintanied secondary schools in educational priority areas and other areas; if he will list the schools involved in these comparisons; and if he will make a statement;(2) what comparisons his Department has made of the proportion of children staying on at secondary schools beyond the age of 15 years in educational priority areas and other areas; if he will list the schools on which these comparisons were based; and if he will make a statement.

Circular 11/67 set out some of the criteria which I would regard as relevant in considering proposals from local education authorities for school building in districts suffering from the social and physical deficiencies which the Plowden Council had in mind when making their proposals about educational priority areas, but there has been no central designation of such areas. The collection of statistics, and the making of comparisons, on the lines suggested do not, therefore, arise at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science to what extent he is following the finding of the Economic Development Committee report on the Banwell Report that his Department and the University Grants Committee should be given greater freedom to approve the appointment of contractors by unorthodox methods.

The University Grants Committee and my Department are considering how present procedures might be modified to allow greater freedom for universities to adopt unorthodox methods of tendering where it is clear that there would be a substantial advantage in doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he is taking to ensure that training in the several disciplines of the building industry takes place within the same establishment, and where possible with common syllabuses or parts of syllabuses.

Considerable progress has been made on these lines. Both the Ordinary and Higher National Certificates in Building have been revised in recent years with the needs of the various relevant disciplines in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many research contracts related to defence are let by his Department to universities by way of the research councils.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total amount of money spent by local authorities and the Central Government on sport, giving the figures for each of the last five years.

Comprehensive statistics of actual public expenditure on capital and current account on sport in Great Britain are not available. The best estimates available relate to capital investment on sport and physical recreation and are as follows:

				£million
1962–63	…	…	…	23·4
1963–64	…	…	…	29·5
1964–65	…	…	…	33·1
1965–66	…	…	…	34·1
1966–67	…	…	…	23·3

NOTE.—The figures cover capital expenditure on facilities exclusively for sport, on facilities for general physical recreation and on facilities used partly for sport. The figures have been assembled on an annual basis from a number of sources on the basis of forecasts of expenditure for the year concerned. In some categories the figures are based on estimated apportionments of a total forecast expenditure. It is not practicable for example to assess precisely the capital element in educational building devoted exclusively to sport. The figures provide a broad guide to the level of expenditure based on the best sources available at the time they were compiled.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made with the institution of a national scale of payment of part-time teachers in maintained schools.

From 1st May, 1968 teachers in regular part-time service in maintained schools in England and Wales will be paid in proportion to the appropriate full-time annual salary, under arrangements recently agreed by the Burnham Primary and Secondary Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to make a statement on the out come of his study into the potential use of surplus military equipment in school classes taking technical subjects.

Within a couple of months.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the recently announced economy measures will mean the deferment of the building of a new school at Newsome in Huddersfield.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the secondary school project for the Newsome area. This has not yet been included in any approved programme. Owing to the withdrawal of the capital allocations for Raising the School Leaving Age for 1968–69 and 1969–70 and the addition of £7 million to each of those programmes, it is necessary to review the proposals for starts in those years. Later years will also be affected. Until authorities' revised proposals have been received and considered I cannot comment on the effect on individual projects.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give his estimate of the amount saved annually in Wales by ceasing to provide free milk for school pupils.

The estimated saving in Wales in a full year of the proposed withdrawal from next September of free milk for pupils in maintained secondary schools is £255,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by how much local authorities' expenditure is likely to increase in 1968–69 as a result of the recent increase in further education teachers' salaries.

By about £8 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science to what extent the limitation on local authorities' expenditure in 1969–70 to a 3 per cent. increase in real terms will result in a redistribution of educational expenditure from the Exchequer to the rates.

The Government's expectation is that local authorities as a whole will restrain the level of their expenditure in such a way that there will be no re-distribution as between the Exchequer and the rates. Educational expenditure is one component of the total expenditure by local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the basis of his estimate that the changes in the school-building programmes will result in a reduction of public expenditure by £30 million in 1968–69.

This estimate, which also covers Scotland, takes into account the saving in 1968–69 resulting from the withdrawal of the special building allocations for raising the school-leaving age offset by expenditure resulting from the £8 million of starts authorised to assist authorities in carrying out their plans for secondary reorganisation. It also takes account of the estimated net saving in expenditure during the year on professional fees, land acquisition and purchase of furniture and equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science to what extent the rise in costs affecting students between 1962 and 1965 was offset by the increase in the rates of grants made in 1965.

Generally speaking, students living at home or in lodgings were rather better off in real terms after the 1965 grants settlement than after that of 1962, while those living in halls of residence were slightly less well off.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of the original allocation of £36 million for 1968–69 for raising the school-leaving age he estimated would have actually been spent by local education authorities in that year.

75 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what cuts will require to he made in Welsh education as a part of the recently announced economy measures.

The measures announced will involve the withdrawal of authorisations for capital expenditure for school building required for raising the school-leaving age, which in Wales amounted to £2–94 million for each of the financial years 1968–69 and 1969–70. There may be some compensating allocations for individual authorities which encounter special difficulties as a result of withdrawal of these authorisations. There may also be some reduction in further education and youth service building starts, but until I have further information from authorities I am not able to say by how much. The extent to which current spending by Welsh Local Education Authorities on Education will be affected by reduction in rate support grant is also not yet known, since this depends on individual authorities decisions on priorities. So far as universities are concerned the quinquennial settlement of recurrent grant is unaffected. A small reduction in capital expenditure by universities in the next two years will be made. It is for the University Grants Committee to decide how best to secure this in consultation with all universities in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what provision is being made in current financial allocations for the British Film Institute; and how this compares with previous allocations.

The grant to the British Film Institute in 1968–69 will be £410,000, which represents an increase of £51,000 or 14·2 per cent. over this year's grant of £359,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his estimate of the present student/ teacher ratio in British universities; and what is the estimated projection for five, 10 and 20 years ahead.

The present student/staff ratio is 7·8:1. No significant change is expected during the 5-year period ending 1971–72. It is not practicable to forecast the position 10 and 20 years ahead: this will depend on future decisions about university development.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make changes in the immigration regulations for passengers arriving by sea, so that they are not in a worse position than those arriving by air, in order not to discourage travel by sea.

Every effort is made, in operating our immigration control, to avoid delay to passengers whether they arrive by sea or air. If the hon. Member has a particular point in mind, or a suggestion to make, I shall be glad to examine it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what study he has made of the cost and advantages of a deep shelter policy for civil defence, and its possible co-ordination with plans for underground car parks; and if he will make a statement.

The provision of deep shelter on a nationwide scale would place an unacceptable burden on our resources.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will obtain reports from chief constables as to their instructions regarding the provision by the police of confidential information concerning individuals to private agencies;(2) what instructions he has given the commissioner of police for the Metropolitan area regarding the provision of confidential information concerning individuals to private agencies.

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, and other chief officers of police, are not prepared to give confidential information about individuals to private agencies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason Mr. Vishnu Ramsarran was deported on 27th December, 1967; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ramsarran was recommended for deportation by the Bedford Borough Magistrates, under Section 7 of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1962, after pleading guilty to a charge of failing to comply with his condition of admission. After carefully considering all the relevant circumstances, including representations made by Mr. Ramsarran and on his behalf, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary decided to give effect to the recommendation of the court.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that Brother Cassian, the headmaster of St. Swithin's School at Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, has not been dismissed but is taking accumulated leave, if he will give an undertaking that Brother Cassian, because of what has happened at St. Swithin's, will not be excluded from consideration for approval in the future as headmaster of an approved school.

In considering the agreed findings by a joint committee of the managers of St. Swithin's and Home Office inspectors, I Look into account the fact that Brother Cassian's appointment as headmaster was due to end in June next, when he will be moved to another post; and further that there was no evidence of a consistently punitive attitude. It therefore seemed sufficient to propose to the managers that Brother Cassian should be sent on accumulated leave up to June next. This is leave which he is entitled to but has not taken over a period of some years. This course was agreed to by the managers. I also indicated to them that I would not automatically refuse to approve Brother Cassian for further appointment as headmaster should the question arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent the qualities of wives are considered before men are recruited or promoted in the Metropolitan Police.

The family background of all applicants for the Metropolitan Police is considered before they are accepted as recruits, for example to find out whether a close relative has any business which is incompatible with police service under the Police Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the Report of the Advisory Committee on Drug Dependence.

About the middle of this year—on the assumption that my hon. and learned Friend is referring to the Report about cannabis and lysergic acid diethylamide.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the decision to disband the Civil Defence Corps and Auxiliary Fire Service has caused widespread concern amongst serving members who in many cases are prepared to continue without bounty, travelling allowance or subsistence; and whether he will refrain from issuing the statutory order until he has made further inquiries amongst senior wardens and others.

I am aware of the views that have been expressed on these matters. The Government are deeply appreciative of the spirit in which offers of unpaid service have been made. But I must point out that bounty and other payments amount to only a small fraction of the Home Defence expenditure which the Government have thought it necessary to curtail.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give details of the guidance he has given to police authorities on the procedure to be followed where finger-printing or photography is thought to be necessary by the police in respect of convicted juvenile offenders.

My right hon. Friend is considering with chief officers of police whether there is scope for further guidance on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the large increase of Pakistanis in Bradford, many unable to speak English, he will take steps to relieve the social pressures on that city.

Section 11 of the Local Government Act, 1966, authorised the payment of grant towards the cost of staff employed by local authorities who have to provide special services for immigrants with different languages and customs. The Bradford authority is already receiving grant aid under this provision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his assumptions on the increase in the Commonwealth immigrant population, both new arrivals and births, in this country between now and A.D. 2000; and what size he forecasts it will grow to by that year.

There is no realistic basis for making assumptions or forecasts so far ahead.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many coloured immigrants have settled in Wales; and if he will take steps to encourage such immigrants to move to Wales from the congested areas in England.

The latest estimate is that about 10,000 people resident in Wales were born in new Commonwealth countries.Immigrants, like other residents in this country, are free to live and work where they choose.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what is now his policy regarding new wages legislation; and if he will make a statement.

The next stage of productivity, prices and incomes policy is being considered by the Government. It will be the subject of further consultations with the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress. A statement about future policy will be made in due course.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state why the village of Littlethorpe, with a population of 400, does not have a village post office; and whether he will reconsider his decision.

Littlethorpe is served by a post office in a neighbouring area and I should not be justified in providing one in the village itself.

asked the Postmaster-General what representations he has received concerning the campaign to persuade people to stamp greetings cards with 4d.; and what reply he has sent.

A number of people have written to criticise or ask about this campaign. The reason for it is that many people post 3d. greetings cards too late for them to arrive in time for the birthday or other occasion. This is because 3d. items are liable to be deferred in favour of letters and cards with 4d. stamps, which are given a better and more regular service in return for the extra charge

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to prevent the use by radio pirates of Post Office equipment in Ulster; and if he will make a statement.

I assume that the hon. and learned Gentleman has in mind that someone recently set up a tape recorder and a home-made radio transmitter in a telephone kiosk in Belfast. The apparatus was traced and removed by Post Office engineers. I do not propose to take any special precautions against a repetition.

asked the Postmaster-General what was the annual minor engineering wages bill for 1965–66 and 1966–67; and what is the estimated annual figure for the period 1967–68 to 1970–71.

			£million
1965–66	…	…	102·1
1966–67	…	…	107·5
1967–68	…	…	115·3 (estimated)

A review of the programme for the period to 1970–71 is at present in progress.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he takes to keep himself informed about increases in the total staff employed by local authorities in England and Wales.

Details of the numbers employed by local authorities are collected in respect of June each year and published in the Ministry of Labour Gazette. The latest figures are in the October, 1967 issue.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will take steps to inspect launderettes, both automatic and non-automatic, to ensure that the advice set out in the pamphlet recently distributed by his Department is being followed.

Launderettes within scope of the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963 are already subject to periodic inspection by the appropriate enforcing authority and, where necessary, advice on the installation and maintenance of water heating equipment is given on the lines indicated in the pamphlet. I have no power to require the inspection of other launderettes.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the total number of males and females, respectively, in full-time insured employment in Wales at the end of 1967; and what was the corresponding figure for December, 1957.

The estimated numbers of employees in employment in Wales at March, 1967, the latest date for which information is available, were 945,000 (634,000 males and 311,000 females). The only estimates available for 1957 relate to June when the corresponding figures were 937,000 (673,000 males and 264,000 females). The employment estimates are based on counts of National Insurance cards which do not distinguish between full-time and part-time workers. Estimates for June, 1967 will be available later this month.

asked the Minister of Health by what authority his Department takes action with regard to enforcement of adequately hygienic conditions in food shops and the kitchens of hotels and restaurants; what steps have been taken during the past 12 months to enforce adequate hygienic conditions in such places; and whether he will make a statement about recent progress and future action in this field.

Food shops, hotels and restaurants are subject to the requirements of the Food Hygiene (General) Regulations, 1960 and 1962, which are enforced by the local authorities through their public health departments. This is a continuing task with which my right hon. Friend's officers keep in touch. A great deal has been achieved since the regula- tions were first made in 1955 and progress continues. The public can help by using only places where the standards of hygiene are good.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the effect of the cancellation of the order for the F111A on the British nuclear deterrent capacity.

Although it would have been capable of carrying nuclear weapons, the F111K was being purchased as a replacement for the Canberra in the conventional strike/reconnaissance rôle.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he gave to the particular need for long range strike and reconnaissance aircraft to support the Northern Army Group of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation before deciding to cancel the F111.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to my speech on 25th January.—[Vol. 757, c. 628–9.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what application was made to him by Sir John Hackett before writing a letter toThe Times, published on Tuesday, 6th February; and whether Army group commanders are subject to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation or Queen's Regulations.

The Answer to the first part of the Question is None. Whilst serving British officers remain subject to the provisions of Queen's Regulations so far as matters of discipline are concerned, those who hold appointments within the integrated military structure of N.A.T.O. are at the same time responsible to their immediate N.A.T.O. superior officer, and ultimately to the North Atlantic Council, for the discharge of their responsibilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will define the circumstances in which serving officers.

So far as concerns serving officers holding national appointments, the circumstances are defined in the appropriate Queen's Regulations for each Service, supplemented by appropriate instructions from time to time.The policy governing the issue of public statements by officers serving in Allied Commands under N.A.T.O. is a matter for that organisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost to the Exchequer in the last financial year of the university air squadrons, including cost of aircraft, maintenance, premises, personnel and bounties paid to students.

£1,635,000, of which £552,000 represents depreciation of aircraft and equipment and the amortised cost of the training of the regular Royal Air Force personnel involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many university air squadrons there are; and what percentage of former University Air Squadron members have entered the armed forces during the last five years.

There are 18 Squadrons, covering 32 universities and university colleges. During the five years 1963–67. 232 former members joined the Armed Forces, representing between 11 and 12 per cent. of members leaving the Squadrons in those years

asked the Attorney-General if he will institute proceedings against the owners of the British ship "Clan McIlwraith" which recently loaded Rhodesian asbestos at Beira consigned to Valencia and after the intervention of the British Consul was offloaded at Durban.

This matter is being investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now accept and put into effect the recommendations in the report of the Working Party on the future recruitment and training of technical teachers in Scotland, presented in 1966, in view of the need for more technical teachers.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bothwell (Mr. James Hamilton) on 29th November, 1967.—[Vol. 755, c. 112–13.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the report and recommendation submitted to him by the county councils of Bute and Argyll for a high-level road bridge across the Kyles of Bute; whether he has reached a conclusion; and whether he will now arrange the meeting with his department as requested by the two authorities in question.

I have noted the recommendation made in the Technical Panel's report to both county councils in favour of a high-level bridge at Colintraive. Before a meeting is arranged with the councils I need further information, which I have asked them to provide.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of his Department's office records and files date back over three years, five years and seven years.

Of the total holding of files in the Scottish Office it is estimated that those started in the last three years account for 12½ per cent., those started between three to five years ago for 8 per cent. and those started between five to seven years for 7½ per cent.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) when the swing bridge over the Ouse on the A.259 at Newhaven first became subject to an eight-ton limit; why the restriction has not been enforced in the past; how long it is to continue; and if she will give urgent instructions to strengthen the bridge until the Newhaven relief road and new river crossing are completed;(2) what new safety factors are involved in the sudden enforcing of the eight-ton limit on the swing bridge over the Ouse on the A.259 at Newhaven; and whether, in view of the delay caused to commercial vehicles and the increased traffic congestion in Lewes due to their being diverted, she will take steps to remedy the situation.

The restriction was imposed on 27th January by an order made by the East Sussex County Council following an assessment of the carrying capacity of the bridge by the Railways Board which was agreed by the Department. The assessment was carried out as part of the nation-wide programme announced last year for determining the adequacy of old bridge structures for present day traffic.The Board have carried out temporary strengthening to secure the 8-ton limit, with a special dispensation for buses, and are now considering whether any further strengthening is feasible short of major reconstruction.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the numerous near misses at the level crossing at Leominster, if she will now have installed in the roadway rubber pads or electronic eyes which will flash an early warning to oncoming trains that a vehicle is on the crossing.

We do not propose to make fundamental changes in the operation or equipment of automatic half-barrier crossings in advance of the formal investigation.

asked the Minister of Transport what methods the Road Research Laboratory uses to estimate the annual mileage covered by different vehicle classes as published in Road Accidents, 1966.

The methods are described at length in Chapter 2 of "Research on Road Traffic ", a copy of which is available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent the British Advisory Police Mission in Saigon co-operated with the South Vietnam police authorities in the recent fighting in Saigon.

Not at all.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government accept the findings of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration that there was maladministration in the handling by the Foreign Office of the case relating to inmates of Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp.

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and the Leader of the House said in the debate on 5th February.—[Vol. 758, c. 107–17; 162–70.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will seek to convene an international conference to extend the convention on Safety of Life at Sea to cover fishing vessels and to bring it up to date.

We are of course always in close touch with the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation and the Government will pursue with that Organisation the question whether present international studies on fishing vessels are sufficiently far advanced to justify a conference to extend the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea to cover fishing vessels.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied with the administration of the Merchant Shipping (Safety of Life at Sea) Act, 1964 so far as it covers fishing vessels; and whether he will make a statement.

The Merchant Shipping Act, 1964 gives effect to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1960, which does not provide for regulation of the safe construction of fishing vessels. I am, however, generally satisfied with the administration of the Act in so far as it covers safety equipment for fishing vessels, for which Rules were made in 1965. The question whether further powers are required is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the percentage of all British exports and imports, respectively, carried by sea.

88 per cent. of exports and 90 per cent. of imports, by value.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the percentage, when the Suez Canal is in normal use, of all British exports and imports, respectively, passing through the Canal.

About 18 per cent. of exports and about 15 per cent. of imports, by value.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer the proposed merger of Thorn Electrical Industries Limited and Radio Rentals to the Monopolies Commission.

As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Coatbridge and Airdrie (Mr. Dempsey) on 2nd February, we are now considering this matter.—[Vol. 757. c. 417.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade what recent increases there have been in the prices charged for newspapers; what were the percentage increases over the prices previously charged; what evidence was put before him in justification for the timing of these increases and what reply he sent; and if he will make a statement.

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to national newspapers. TheDaily Mirror'sprice was increased from 4d. to 5d. on 31st January, 1968, andThe Guardian'sfrom 5d. to 6d. on 24th January, 1968. As regards theDaily Mirror,I would refer to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 7th February.The Guardiannotified me under the "early warning" arrangement of their proposed increase and, after considering their case, I informed them I would not wish to raise objection. The information submitted in support of the case is confidential.—[Vol. 758, c. 134.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he has had consultations with the Association of International Accountants, following his undertaking given in the Standing Committee on the Companies Bill last Session.

The Board of Trade invited the Association to apply for recognition under Section 161(1,a) of the Companies Act, 1948. The application was rejected. I received a deputation from the Association on 6th February and undertook to consider some further representations from it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, arising out of the General Electric Company and Associated Electrical Industries merger, what transfers of industry or industrial reorganisation are involved; what proposals were submitted to him at the time the merger was under discussion; what were agreed and what were rejected; and if he will take steps to ensure that no additional transfers of industries included in the merger will take place without his agreement.

As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Woolwich, East (Mr. Mayhew) in answer to his Question of 5th February, no indication could be given at the time this merger was considered about the eventual reorganisation of the factories concerned. The firm have now announced that they intend to close two factories at Woolwich and Sydenham and laboratories at Blackheath and Harlow. The work from the laboratories will be transferred to existing laboratories at Wembley and Coventry. Almost all the work from the two factories will be moved to Hartlepools, West Chirton, Aycliffe, Middlesbrough, Glenrothes, Kirkcaldy and Treforest with a small part only to Wellingborough and Coventry. Decisions on the utilisation of capacity are commercial ones for the firm to take, but they have given assurances that such decisions will as far as possible be in line with the Government's regional policies. —[Vol. 758, c. 35–9.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from the European Free Trade Association countries about the future of the aluminium smelter industry, and whether he has given, or will give, an undertaking that there will be no discrimination against imports from European Free Trade Association countries.

When they met on 24th January, the Norwegian Minister of Commerce and Shipping told my right hon. Friend that he regarded the development of British aluminium smelters in Britain as contrary to the E.F.T.A. Convention in view of the Government aid involved. My right hon. Friend explained why Her Majesty's Government took the contrary view. No representations have been made by other E.F.T.A. countries. The E.F.T.A. Convention precludes discrimination against imports of industrial products from other member States; no undertaking is therefore necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the report of the Monopolies Commission on the supply of flat glass.

The Report was published this morning. The Commission concluded that although monopoly conditions prevail in this industry by virtue of the monopoly position of the Pilkington Group, neither the conditions, nor anything done by the Pilkington Group as a result of or for the purpose of preserving those conditions, operate against the public interest. This conclusion applies also to the merger under Pilkington control of the two main safety glass suppliers, Triplex and British Indestructo Glass.I accept the Commission's conclusions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the taxation upon commercial vehicles in 1967 under the separate headings of licences, fuel duty and Purchase Tax.

The estimated revenue for 1967–68 from licences for goods vehicles is £78·5 million. Separate estimates of the revenue from hydrocarbon oil duty from goods vehicles are not made, but on the basis of estimates of end use of petrol and diesel road fuel made by the oil industry, the revenue from road fuel used by goods vehicles will be approximately £280 million in 1967–68. Goods vehicles are not normally chargeable with Purchase Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons are employed in central Government offices in Cardiff, excluding the Post Office.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him to a similar Question on 29th January, 1968. —[Vol. 757, c. 245]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the practice of the Inland Revenue in applying Section 77 of the Finance Act, 1965, to close companies owned by persons not resident in the United Kingdom.

Where, in the present balance of payments situation, a close company, 90 per cent. or more of the ordinary share capital of which is beneficially owned by non-residents, wishes to retain its surplus funds in this country, the Inland Revenue will consider favourably a request that shortfall assessments should not be made.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the total loan sanction granted to local authorities for facilities used exclusively for sport as defined in the 1966 report of the Sports Council for each of the last five years.

Loan sanctions issued for England were:

				£ million
1962–63	…	…	…	5·4
1963–64	…	…	…	8·0
1964–65	…	…	…	11·4
1965–66	…	…	…	12·0
1966–67	…	…	…	3·4

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government it he will issue a circular to all local authorities drawing their attention to the slow rate of progress in the implementation of the Civic Amenities Act, 1967, regarding the disposal of abandoned motor cars and recommending special measures for expediting this work.

The power in the Act to dispose of abandoned motor cars became available to local authorities only on 27th January, 1968. I have no reason to believe that local authorities are delaying the implementation of these provisions.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will give particulars of the economic aid at present being afforded, both in money and in material, by the United Kingdom to the Republic of Southern Yemen, formerly Aden.

I have been asked to reply.As regards aid given in money, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the Answer my right hon. Friend gave on 25th January to a Question by the hon. Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison). No economic aid is provided in the form of material.—[Vol.

asked the Minister of Power what percentage of his Department's office records and files date back over three years, five years and seven years.

I regret that this information could only be made available at a disproportionate expenditure of time and money.

asked the Minister of Power what effect he estimates the restrictions on capital investment by the gas industry will have on the forecasts of gas consumption made in the fuel policy White Paper; and what the likely effect will be on coal consumption in 1975.

It is not expected that either will be affected.

asked the Minister of Power what price increases have been implemented or applied for by the electricity, gas, coal and oil industries, apart from seasonal changes, during the last year; and what the average increase has been on domestic users' fuel bills.

Electricity prices in England and Wales were raised by an average of 10½per cent., generally from 1st October, 1967.Gas prices and Gas Boards' coke prices are at present the subject of a reference to the N.B.P.I.Apart from the summer discount, the N.C.B.'s wholesale prices for coal have not changed. There have been some increases in retail prices.Petrol prices were reduced in March, 1967. A surcharge of 2d. a gallon was applied to all petroleum product prices from 1st July, 1967 because of higher costs due to the Middle East war. From 1st January, 1968 the surcharge was reduced, but an increase of equal amount was made to cover higher costs arising from devaluation.The fuel and light section of the index of retail prices rose by 6 per cent. from December, 1966 to December, 1967.

asked the Minister of Power how many members of the senior branch of the Civil Service currently employed by his Department hold first-class university honours degrees and no honours degrees of any kind, respectively.

26 and 19 respectively excluding scientists, economists and statisticians.

asked the Minister of Social Security what arrangements exist for informing 18-year-old students in full-time education of their obligations under the Social Security Acts; whether she is satisfied that these arrangements are adequate in conveying this information to such students in secondary schools; and if she will make a statement.

Schools, colleges and other establishments providing full-time education to students over age 18 are asked to display a poster which sets out briefly the position of students in National Insurance, and refers to leaflet N.I. 30 which gives more detailed information. This leaflet is distributed with the display poster and further copies are available from local offices of my Department or of the Ministry of Labour. An abbreviated version is issued by local authorities with the grant literature sent to students.My Department has also assisted the National Union of Students in the preparation of a booklet entitled "Social Security for Students".I believe that these arrangements are satisfactory, and I have no further statement to make; but if my hon. Friend can suggest any further action which might be taken, I will gladly consider it.

asked the Minister of Social Security how many members of the senior branch of the Civil Service currently employed in her Department hold first-class university honours degrees and no honours degree of any kind respectively.

Of 85 members of the Administrative Class currently employed in my Department, 22 have first-class honours degrees and 26 have no degree of any kind.

asked the Minister of Social Security whether she will now state the amount of money from public funds which is being paid in unemployment benefit to people who choose to retire on pension from posts before they reach the age at which they qualify for retirement pensions from the State; and if she will make a statement.

It is estimated, on the basis of a special inquiry carried out in July, 1966 among a sample of men between 60 and 65 who were registered for employment, that the present cost of paying unemployment benefit to occupational pensioners in that age group is of the order of £7 million a year.On the second part of the Question I have nothing to add to my reply of 7th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, North-West (Sir B. Janner). [Vol.

asked the Minister of Technology what are the current estimates for the cancellation charges on the United State Chinook helicopters and any British equipment required for them.

I am not yet able to give a figure as negotiations are still proceeding with the U.S. Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will ask the Welsh Economic Council to undertake a study of the future of the slate quarrying industry in North Wales to advise upon methods of developing the industry.

I hope shortly to be meeting representatives of the industry and I shall hear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will initiate discussions with the Blaenau Ffestiniog Urban District Council and the Merioneth County Council, with a view to initiating a plan to demolish old industrial premises, to produce adequate amenities in keeping with a town of Blaenau Ffestiniog's size and to ensure the reutilising of the town's economy.

Such discussions can be held with the Welsh Office at any time the local authorities wish. The Derelict Land Unit have already had discussions with the Blaenau Ffestiniog Urban District Council, and as a result one derelict land scheme has been carried out and another is proposed in the near future. The first was the treatment of some 10 acres of slate waste land and the second will be the clearance, mainly for use as an industrial site, of about four acres of land comprising an old railway station and goods yard.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what advisory services are available through the Welsh Office to assist local authorities to undertake a development plan.

The administrative and professional services of the Welsh Office are readily available to local planning authorities who require assistance in the preparation of their development plans.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will ask the committee advising him on the implementation of the Welsh Language Act to initiate a study of the most widely used Government forms in Wales and the feasibility of issuing bilingual forms.

No. It is the Welsh Office which advises other Government Departments on the implementation of the Welsh Language Act, 1967, including the use of Welsh on forms and it is the appropriate Minister who decides, in the light of the advice available to him, which forms shall be translated into Welsh. The responsibility of the Translation Panel is to advise on translation matters and to approve the Welsh versions of forms submitted to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales in what year he will make financial provision for converting the A48 and A40 East and West of Carmarthen into a dual carriageway.

The broad programme for the future described in paragraph 53 of "Wales: The Way Ahead" provides for the dualling of the A48 to Carmarthen and of the A40 between Carmarthen and St. Clears as well as for the provision of substantial lengths of dual carriageway on the A40 between Brecon and Carmarthen.Work on the Morriston By-Pass (A48) and on Section "C" of the Carmarthen Diversion (A40) is expected to start in about two years. The Pyle By-Pass (A48) is in the trunk road preparation pool and the construction of this road and the improvement of other lengths of the A40 and A48 will be undertaken as soon as resources permit.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales it he will now state the extent of the cuts in the housing programme he proposes for Wales and the estimated consequent annual saving.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cardigan (Mr. Elystan Morgan) on 1st February.—[Vol. 757, c. 410.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he proposes to take to publish statistics concerning the Welsh economy similar to the Social Accounts of the Welsh Economy for which Professor Edward Nevin and his colleagues in the Univer- sity of Wales have been responsible, a copy of which has been sent to him.

An extended range of statistics has been given in the last annual Digest of Welsh Statistics and other recent Government publications and I am anxious to increase the supply of reliable statistical information on the Welsh economy.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give an estimate of the increase in the number of persons employed at Cardiff in the administrative, executive, professional and linked classes of the Civil Service resulting from the transfer to Wales of those branches of the 20 departments of state which deal with Welsh affairs.

Information on the total number of civil servants employed in Wales can be obtained from Table 42 of the Digest of Welsh statistics. Information on the numbers and classes of civil servants in particular localities could only be made available with a disproportionate expenditure of resources.