asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the work which has been financed from the grant of £80,000 for the economic development of Rabi Island; and what technical assistance has been offered.

In August, 1967, a Mission consisting of Professor J. L. Jay, Professor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Sussex and Mr. A. R. G. Prosser, Adviser on Social Development for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Oversea Development visited the Island of Rabi to examine its economic potential and to recommend how best its resources can be developed.The Mission's report is now being printed and arrangements have been made for a copy to be placed in the Library as soon as it is ready.The offer to the Banabans by Her Majesty's Government of a grant of £80,000 (not £800,000) formed part of the arrangements set out in the Agreed Minute which was adopted on 6th May, 1967, between my Department and Banaban representatives. A copy of that Agreed Minute was placed in the Library at the time.—[Vol. 747, c. 230.] When, however, the Banaban representatives returned to Rabi, the Banaban Community decided not to approve the arrangements which were recorded in that Agreed Minute. Accordingly no basis exists at present on which payment of the proposed grant could be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in the period before the school-leaving age is raised, he will bring forward proposals for the adoption of a single leaving date in each year for all secondary pupils.

I refer the right hon. Member to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Test (Mr. R. C. Mitchell) on 7th February. —[Vol. 758, c. 172–3.]

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the wide-spread concern in the Dolgellau-Barmouth-Harlech area about the adequacy of emergency hospital facilities available to them, whether he will initiate discussions with all interested parties to study ways of improving the service.

I recognise that there are problems arising from the geography of this area. The Welsh Hospital Board will shortly be discussing some aspects of these problems with local hospital authorities, and I will write to my hon. Friend giving further details.

asked the Minister of Health (1) if, excluding those in receipt of supplementary benefits, he will give his estimate of the number of people entitled to free dental treatment and spectacles under the National Health Service who do not apply for refunds; and if he will make a statement:(2) what steps he is taking to end the system of refunding charges made for dental treatment and spectacles provided under the National Health Service in favour of one based on exclusions; and if he will make a statement.

Children are exempt from dental and optical charges (except for charges for glasses not in the standard range), and expectant and nursing mothers are exempt from the dental charges. No question of applying for refund therefore arises in these cases. It is not possible to make a reliable estimate of the number of people who are entitled on grounds of low income to a refund of these charges, but do not apply for it. I have no proposals for altering the present system.

asked the Postmaster-General why, in his plan for reorganising the Post Office, he has not treated Wales as one country.

When, in 1939, the United Kingdom was divided into 10 Regions for managerial control of Post Office business, the considerations which determined the regional boundaries were economic, technical and operational. Economic because the political boundary of Wales would not make for such an efficient unit as the boundary chosen; technical because the trunk network had developed across the political boundary on account of geographical features; operational because the best road and rail transport facilities for both plant and mails run across the political boundary. Parts of Cheshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire were therefore added to Wales to make up a more efficient Region, the whole being controlled by the Director of Wales and Border Counties in Cardiff.In splitting this Region into four Telephone Areas, similar considerations led to the creation of one Area across the North, one spanning the middle and two in the South. The choice of Headquarters towns (Cardiff, Swansea, Shrewsbury and Chester) within these Areas had regard to the main centres of telephone business.These arguments have added force today since it would now be even more expensive to ignore the further development of the trunk network and of the mails distribution system which has taken place since 1939. The recent decision to split the Post Office into separate Postal and Telecommunications businesses in no way affects the principles which determine the most efficient territorial boundaries of Post Office Regions.

asked the Postmaster-General by what authority he distributes mail containing political pro- paganda, sent out by the illegal régime in Rhodesia.

Mail from Rhodesia, like that from elsewhere abroad, is dealt with in accordance with the powers accorded to me by the Post Office Act, 1953 and by the regulations made under that Act.Matter of the kind referred to by my hon. Friend would not offend against the regulations. In any case, as there is no censorship of mail in this country, we do not know what the contents of particular packets are.

asked the Postmaster-General what was the value of orders placed in Scotland by his Department in each of the years 1952 to 1967.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my Answer to his Question on 9th February, 1967. Figures for the years prior to 1962 are not available. The figure for 1966–67 is £5·728 million.—[Vol. 740, c. 346.]

asked the Postmaster-General how many telephone applications are still outstanding in the Bournemouth area; and what are the reasons for the long delays in effecting new installations.

Excluding orders being completed, 85 in the hon. Member's constituency. Shortage of lines or exchange equipment has prevented completion of these orders. The average delay is three months.54 of the waiting applicants should be given telephones by June, 1968, 17 in October, 1968 and the remainder by March, 1969.

asked the Postmaster-General how many copies of leaflets PRD PH 1195 and PRD PH 1206, advertising a new telephone directory, have been distributed in the Guildford telephone area; and what is the total cost involved including the cost of delivery.

24,000 and 72,000 respectively. The cost was £3,183, including delivery at postal rates.

asked the Minister of Power what has been the percentage increase in the expected operating cost of Dungeness B Nuclear Power Station since the first estimate was given in July, 1965; whether the station will come into operation on schedule; and whether he will refuse to authorise the building of any more nuclear power stations until the first of the advance gas-cooled reactor stations has operated and the true costs are known.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Blaydon (Mr. Woof) on 6th February.—[Vol. 758, c. 58.]Applications for consent to build new power stations of whatever type are considered on their merits.

asked the Minister of Power what delay he expects in the bringing into operation of the Fawley oil-fired power station; what increases there are likely to be in the estimated capital costs; and what consequential increases there are likely to be on the estimated operating costs of the station.

This is a matter for the C.E.G.B. and I am asking the Chairman to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Power if he will state the numbers and levels of staff in his Department engaged on research in connection with the establishment of the European Technological Community; and if he will detail the nature and scale of such research.

My Department is participating in the interdepartmental preparation and development of the Government's proposals in relation to European technological co-operation. Officials at various levels are concerned but their participation in this work accounts for only a part, which it would not be practicable to quantify, of their Departmental duties.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will make a statement on the increase of £1,050,000 above the original estimate for 1967–68 for electrical, gas and water charges in Government Departments; and if he will give a detailed account of where these increases occurred.

The Supplementary Estimate takes into account increases in tariffs and the need to supply additional premises. The figure of £1,050,000 is made up as follows:

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many members of the Administrative Class of the Civil Service are currently employed in his Department.

69.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will announce the membership and terms reference of the Steering Committee for the Building Research Station, following his statement to the House on 14th June, 1967.

The terms of reference and membership of the Steering Committee to the Building Research Station are as follows:

To advise the Minister of Public Building and Works on the policy and programmes of the Building Research Station and the resources needed to carry them out.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children were receiving only part-time education in Scotland at the most recent date for which figures are available; and what number of this total were in Glasgow schools.

On 2nd February the number of children receiving only part-time education was 5,885 of whom 3,817 were in Glasgow. For over 2,000 of the latter the reason was teachers' absence through illness.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements are being made for the purchase of equipment for new systems of policing.

I informed police authorities in Scotland in September last that I was prepared to authorise additional expenditure in the current financial year on equipment for new systems of policing. Most forces have sufficient local resources available to meet this expenditure but in some cases I have undertaken to reimburse them the cost of this additional equipment against repayment by the police authorities as early as possble in the next financial year. A supplementary estimate for these payments will be presented to Parliament in due course. In the meantime the necessary funds are being advanced from the Civil Contingencies Fund.

asked the Minister of Transport how many members of the Administrative class of the Civil Service are currently employed in her Department.

124 in all grades.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will state the numbers and levels of staff in her Department engaged on research in connection with the establishment of the European Technological Community; and if she will detail the nature and scale of such research.

The Department is participating in the interdepartmental preparation and development of the Government's proposals in relation to European technological co-operation. Officials at various levels are concerned, but their participation in this work amounts to only a part, which it would not be practicable to quantify, of their departmental duties.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in the negotiations between the British Cycle and Motor Cycle Industries Association and her Department to agree on ways of improving the accuracy of estimating the annual mileage of motor cyclists.

While we do not accept the British Cycle and Motor Cycle Industries Association's criticism of our estimates of the annual mileage of motor cyclists, the Department has invited the Association to discuss further the whole question of motor cycle accident statistics. The discussion could include the method of estimating annual mileages.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will make studies to see what advantages and disadvantages have arisen from the European practice of allowing persons aged 15 years to ride mopeds of 50 cubic centimetres and below.

We keep a constant watch on international road accident statistics, including those relating to mopeds. European age limits for riding these machines vary from country to country and if there were evidence that a minimum age lower than our own had cut road casualties we would naturally be prepared to mount a special study on the lines the hon. Member suggests. There are, however, no plans for this at present.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will obtain from the Road Research Laboratory an estimate of the effect on accidents of the recently announced cuts in the road-building programme.

We do not yet know which particular schemes will be affected by the cuts, or how long they will be delayed. But the implications for road safety are very much in mind.

asked the Minister of Transport how many serious accidents involving motor cars have taken place in Constitution Hill each year from 1950 to date.

I regret that figures are only available from 1961 onwards. The annual totals of accidents involving cars which resulted in serious injury are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to the mechanics and timing of the introduction of a negative, or two-way, Income Tax; what is his estimate of the time it would take to effect this change; and if he will make a statement.

Details of this kind would not be worked out until it is clear that a scheme on these lines is practicable. I have nothing further to add to my right hon. Friend's reply of 23rd January to my hon. Friend the Member for Brent-ford and Chiswick (Mr. Barnes).—[Vol. 757, c. 61.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what additional Income Tax would require to be levied upon people in Scotland, at present paying income tax, to raise an additional £66 million.

About 2s. 0d. on the standard rate with proportionate increases in the reduced rates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider seeking to abolish stamp duty on the execution, transfer and cancellation of all mortgages under £5,000.

I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total revenue received in the year 1966–67 from stamp duty on the execution, transfer and cancellation of mortgages under the sum of £5,000.

Roughly £2½ million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the new proposed passenger transport authorities will be subject to tax on any profits they make.

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to relieve constructional engineers from paying Selective Employment Tax especially in those companies whose main work is in the export field, and who may use the United Kingdom as a base for their headquarters.

Under Section 25 of the Finance Act, 1967, and with effect from September, 1967, constructional engineers are entitled to refund of Selective Employment Tax in respect of those of their staff who work overseas.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the numbers and the levels of staff in his Department engaged on research in connection with the establishment of the European Technological Community; and if he will detail the nature and scale of such research.

My Department is participating in the inter-departmental preparation and development of the Government's proposals in relation to European technological co-operation. Officials

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will relax the conditions under which charities can remit funds to Rhodesia; and if he will make a statement.

I have reviewed these rules in the light of developments since they were introduced in January, 1966. In future charitable, religious, medical and educational organisations in this country will be allowed to make current remittances to Rhodesia in quarterly instalments up to the amount of sterling remitted in 1965, instead of 75 per cent. of that amount. Consideration will also be given to applications to make capital remittances to Rhodesia for educational purposes, as well as for medical purposes as hitherto. Specific application must be made to the Bank of England in each case. Remittances authorised will be in sterling to Rhodesian account.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the breakdown by main items of the figures for Other Expenditure shown in the table published in the White Paper on Public Expenditure in 1968–69 and 1968–70, Command Paper No. 3515.

The following is the information:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to introduce legislation required to implement the Government's decision to increase the National Health Service and the National Insurance contribution.

The Bill is being presented today.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about measures to stimulate the economic development of more sparsely inhabited parts of the development areas.

Yes. It has been agreed that the Development Commission shall extend their activities to make loans of up to £25,000 to small hotels, guest houses etc. in rural parts of the Development Areas, excluding the area covered by the Highlands and Islands Development Board, where similar arrangements already exist. The main purpose is to strengthen the economy of these areas by attracting more visitors and so providing more part-time or whole-time employment. Parliamentary approval for the additional expenditure is being sought. It is hoped to have the scheme in operation by 1st March, 1968.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many thefts are known to have taken place at London Airport in each of the last five years; and what measures he will take to improve security.

I understand from the British Airports Authority that the figures are as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the numbers and the levels of staff in his Department engaged on research in connection with the establishment of the European Technological Community; and if he will detail the nature and scale of such research.

The Board of Trade are participating in the inter-Departmental preparation and development of the Govment's proposals in relation to European technological co-operation. Besides technological co-operation in the industries for which it has responsibilities the Board of Trade are concerned with patents and company law which also can facilitate progress in this field. Officials at various levels are concerned, but their participation in this work accounts for only a part, which it would not be practicable to quantify, of their Departmental duties.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action is being taken to seek to avert the closure of the Remington factory in Thornliebank; and if he will make a statement.

While I greatly regret the loss of employment which will result from the closure of this factory, the decision was taken by the company on commercial grounds, and there are no grounds on which I could intervene. Every possible effort will be made to find a new tenant for the factory as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many members of the Administrative class of the Civil Service are currently employed in his Department.

233 members of the administrative class are employed in the Board of Trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now make a statement on the future of H.M.S. "Ark Royal".

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Dame Joan Vickers) on 18th January.—[Vol. 756, c. 665.]

asked the Minister of Labour how many hours were lost in strikes in Great Britain in 1967; and what part of this total represented hours lost by men and women working in Scotland.

Provisional figures for 1967 show that the number of working days lost through stoppages of work due to industrial disputes was 2,764,000 in the United Kingdom and included 388,000 in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the estimated increase in rates and earnings arising from the current pay offer under negotiation at the Pressed Steel Fisher's car body factory at Oxford; and if such an increase is consistent with the Government's incomes policy.

It is not possible to say at this stage whether the proposals, now under negotiation, which are associated with measures to increase productivity, are consistent with incomes policy or to evaluate the percentage effect on rates and earnings. We are keeping the position under review.

asked the Minister of Labour whether in view of the opposition to the Agricultural Training Board by farmers, he will now arrange for a poll to be conducted to ascertain the views of farmers on the continuance of the Board.

No.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give an assurance that no Government employment exchange gives any assistance to any employer who discriminates on the grounds of religion, race or colour.

Discrimination on grounds of religion, race or colour is contrary to the policy of the Ministry. Within this policy employment exchanges have discretion to co-operate with an employer who wishes temporarily to restrict recruitment of coloured workers because he already employs a substantial proportion of them and wishes to maintain a racially integrated labour force. Except in a case of this kind, I am prepared to withhold the Ministry's employment services from any employer who refuses to withdraw discriminatory conditions attached to a notified vacancy.

asked the Minister of Labour what has been the number of vacancies for employment in the area of the London Borough of Havering in July, December and April of each year from 1960 to 1967, respectively.

Following is the information:

asked the Minister of Labour what are the latest unemployment figures for the Northern Region; and if he will make a statement.

At 8th January, 1968 there were in the Northern Region 62,300 persons (51,003 men, 2,146 boys, 7,913 women and 1,238 girls) registered as unemployed of whom 1,231 were temporarily stopped. The rate of unemployment was 4·7 per cent.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the numbers and levels of staff in his Department engaged on research in connection with the establishment of the European Technological Community; and if he will detail the nature and scale of such research.

My Department is participating in the inter-departmental preparation and development of the Government's proposals in relation to European technological co-operation.Officials at various levels are concerned, but their participation in this work accounts for only a part, which it would not be practicable to quantify, of their Departmental duties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are taken to enforce guarantees of maintenance given as a condition of the admittance of immigrants to this country.

I understand that the right hon. Member has Commonwealth immigrants in mind. Where the question of maintenance is relevant it is carefully investigated before it is decided whether to admit the immigrant; but there is no power to make admission conditional on fulfilment of any undertaking.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, when a person is permitted to enter this country as being betrothed to a resident, the initial permission is limited in duration and extended only upon satisfactory evidence that the relevant marriage has been solemnised.

Yes, exceptional circumstances apart.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has given to police authorities in the training of traffic wardens on cases, such as unavoidable waiting in restricted zones of commercial vehicles and milk floats, where discretion is given by the legislation.

None: it is for chief officers of police to give instructions to traffic wardens on how they should discharge their responsibilities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drivers in Northamptonshire during December, 1967, were asked to take the breathalyser tests, how many refused, how many were found positive, and how many were found negative; and how these figures compare with the average for other comparable areas.

Breath tests were required in 31 cases, in 3 of which the test was failed or refused, in 19 considered positive, and in 9 negative. The figures do not differ greatly from those for other comparable police areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now take steps to extend existing legislation governing the sale of inflammable nightwear so as to prohibit the sale of inflammable material in unmade-up form without warning.

The Working Party on Flammable Clothing have for some time been considering various suggestions, including this one, for dealing with the problem of inflammable nightwear material sold by the piece. My right hon. Friend expects to have recommendations very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to arrive at a final decision concerning the detail of a plan for the reorganisation of local government in Wales.

My right hon. Friend hopes to arrive at his decisions in time for this Parliament to pass the necessary legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a White Paper setting out in detail his decisions upon the reorganisation of local government.

The White Paper "Local Government in Wales" (Cmnd. 3340) sets out for public discussion the Government's proposals for reorganisation of local government in Wales. It should not be assumed that the Government's decisions following discussions with the local authorities will be such as to require the publication of a further White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether, in the light of the representations made by the majority of local authorities in Wales in favour on an elected Welsh Council, he will reconsider his proposal in the White Paper on Local Government in Wales to establish a nominated Council; and whether he will make a statement.

Apart from any other consideration, to establish an elected Council would require legislation. The Welsh Economic Council is due to be reconstituted at the end of March, 1968, and my right hon. Friend proposes, without diminishing the importance of its economic rôle, to extend its field of advisory work and to widen its membership. This can be done without prejudice to the further consideration, as promised in the White Paper, of future developments, in which account may be taken of the reports of the Royal Commissions.While this further consideration is being given, much valuable work can be done by bringing together, through membership of the new Welsh Council or its subsidiary groups, persons serving on public bodies which are concerned with Wales as a whole or with a significant part of the Principality, as well as members of local authorities, in particular the planning authorities. In addition my right hon. Friend will appoint members from both sides of industry and individuals whose knowledge and experience would be of value to the Council.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has now received from the United States of America of field experiments to control pigeons by introducing a reproductory inhibitor in the bait; and what conclusions he has reached.

No further information has been received since the hon. Member raised this matter on 27th July i966.—[Vol. 732, c. 288.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the total numbers slaughtered to date, on account of the present outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, of cattle, sheep and pigs, respectively and what is the total amount of compensation paid to farmers to date for animals slaughtered.

Up to midnight 7th February the total number of animals slaughtered was 206,790 cattle, 99,235 sheep, 113,285 pigs and 38 goats. Compensation paid to farmers to date totals £25,647,150. This figure includes a small percentage in respect of carcases and feedingstuffs seized and destroyed because of contamination.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the increased costs which will fall on the British horticulture industry as a result of the Transport Bill.

It is not possible to estimate the increased costs to the horticultural industry arising from proposals in the Transport Bill.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now give an assurance that no further meat from the Argentine will be allowed into this country until he has the result of his Department's investigations into the recent consignment of meat from that country; and when he will make a statement.

I shall be making a statement next week.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will state the numbers and the levels of staff in his Department engaged on research in connection with the establishment of the European Technological Community; and if he will detail the nature and scale of such research.

My Department is participating in the inter-departmental preparation and development of the Government's proposals in relation to European technological co-operation.Officials at various levels are concerned but their participation in this work accounts for only a part, which it would not be practicable to quantify, of their Departmental duties.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how many members of the Administrative class of the Civil Service are currently employed in his Department.

Seventy-nine.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what were the results of his further discussions with the Secretary General of the United Nations concerning the holding of a plebiscite in West Irian

My right hon. Friend has had no discussions on this subject with the Secretary General of the United Nations. In his report for 1966–67, a copy of which is in the Library of the House, the Secretary General has reported that the Indonesian Government has assured him that the act of self-determination will take place in West Irian in 1969 in accordance with the 1962 Agreement between Indonesia and the Netherlands. He has also reported that he will appoint representatives to advise, assist and participate in the arrangements as called for in that agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the number and levels of staff in his Department engaged on research in connection with the establishment of the European Technological Community; and if he will detail the nature and scale of such projects.

The Foreign Office is participating in the inter-departmental preparation and development of the Government's proposals in relation to European technological co-operation.Such co-operation is clearly envisaged in the proposals recently made by the Benelux Governments which Her Majesty's Government have accepted.Officials at various levels are concerned; but their participation in this work accounts for only a part—which it would not be practicable to quantify—of their departmental duties.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many planned approvals of new council houses in England and Wales for 1968–69 will be withdrawn as a result of cuts in public expenditure; and what will be the proportionate number in the Northern Region.

Approvals both in 1968 and in 1969 will be 15,000 below the level originally planned for England and Wales. There will be no withdrawal of approvals already given. It is intended to settle by discussion with the main housebuilding authorities, as part of the normal review of forward programmes, what it would be practicable for them to build over the next two or three years in the light of the priorities to be given to slum clearance, to meeting shortages of rented accommodation, particularly in conurbations, and especially to the priority areas, where there are the highest concentrations of these problems. I am not yet able to give figures for any individual authority or region.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the number and value of rebates granted to Manchester ratepayers under the Rating Act, 1966; how this compares with rate relief granted under the Rating (Interim Relief) Act, 1964; how the number and value of rebates granted to Manchester ratepayers under the Rating Act, 1966, compare with the figures originally estimated by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

In 1966–67, 10,735 rate rebates were granted in Manchester in the first half-year and 10,942 in the second. The total amount of rebate for the year was £187,350, compared with relief under the 1964 Act of £1,061 for the whole of the three years 1964–65 to 1966–67.No estimate can be made by the Department as to the number of householders in Manchester who might be eligible for rebate or of the rebates they might secure, since it is impossible to know all the relevant details of householders' incomes and other circumstances. There seems little doubt that more could claim rebate.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the number and value of rebates granted under the Rating Act, 1966; how this compares with rate relief granted under the Rating (Interim Relief) Act, 1964: how the number and value of rebates granted under the Rating Act. 1966 compare with the figures originally estimated by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

In Great Britain in 1966–67, about 975,000 rate rebates were granted in the first half year and 1,035,000 in the second, to a total value of £14·2 millions. Relief granted under the 1964 Act over the whole 3 year period 1964–67 was about £230,000. I shall be collecting figures for rate rebates in 1967–68 when the year has ended.The original estimate in 1965 was that the number of rebate claimants might be about 2 million; this number included about half a million not then seeking national assistance, who subsequently did claim supplementary benefit. Thus it is possible that up to half a million householders entitled to claim rate rebate did not do so. These estimates are necessarily only approximate and the number of those eligible has fallen as incomes and benefits have risen. That is why the qualifying income limits are to be raised later this year.It remains a matter for concern that a substantial number of householders eligible for rate rebate are still failing to claim it, and I intend to continue my efforts to get the scheme more widely known, especially among tenants paying inclusive rents. I look to the rating authorities to do the same.

asked the Minister of Social Security how many persons admitted to this country conditionally upon a guarantee of maintenance are now in receipt of social security payments.

I understand the right hon. Gentleman has in mind Commonwealth immigrants. As he will see from the reply which he has received today from my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, this situation does not arise.

asked the Minister of Social Security, in the last full financial year in which prescription charges were in force, what proportion of refunds went to persons who were not already in receipt of supplementary benefit.

About 7 per cent. in the calendar year 1964.