asked the Minister of Transport what has been the number of road accidents involving death per thousand of vehicles registered in the years 1920, 1930, 1940, 1950, and 1960; and what she expects the figure to be in 1967.

The number of road deaths per thousand vehicles licensed is not available for 1920. For the other years the rates were 3·2, 3·8, 1·2 and 0·8, respectively.The estimate for 1967 is 0·5.

asked the Minister of Transport what were the numbers of circulars sent out to local authorities from her Department in 1964 and 1967, respectively.

172 in 1964, and 265 in 1967.

asked the Minister of Transport what estimate she has made of the extra freight costs to Northern Ireland arising from the licensing provisions and increased charges brought about by the Transport Bill.

Lorries registered in Great Britain carrying goods to and from Northern Ireland will be liable to the wear and tear charge but we propose exempting them from the abnormal loads charge. The wear and tear charge will add about 2½–3½ per cent. to the operating costs of the lorries concerned. The new carriers licensing system for Great Britain will not add to transport costs.

asked the Minister of Transport when the regulation requiring the fitting of windscreen washers will be made.

Regulations are now being printed and will be laid before the House as soon as they are available.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, under her proposals for quantity licensing, the licensing authority when considering a contested quantity licence for a vehicle engaged in the distribution of fish will be able to take into account the railways previous refusal to provide an adequate breadth of service and the amount of capital investment in refrigerated transport in which road haulage firms have been involved as a consequence.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress she is making with the investigation of methods to control noise from motor vehicles.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will make regulations to control vehicle noise.

I have agreed regulations on this subject which are now being printed. I shall lay them before the House as soon as they are available.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will consider amending the regulations governing road traffic, in order to ensure a closer control of noise made by motor horns.

We do not think this would be justified.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress she has made in her plans to introduce new regulations for controlling exhaust fumes from motor vehicles.

We have no such plans. It is already unlawful for a vehicle to discharge excessive smoke or vapour and medical research has not so far shown a need to control these emissions more closely.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the factors preventing the introduction of regulations at an early date to control motor exhaust fumes.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Hertfordshire, South-West (Mr. Longden) today.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will ensure that the headquarters of the National Freight Corporation will be erected in a development area; and whether she will ask the Northern Economic Planning Council to make proposals for locations in the Northern Region.

As part of its regional policy the Government encourages the nationalised industries to disperse staff away from congested areas as far as practicable. The headquarters of a number of the companies the National Freight Corporation will take over are already away from the South-East, including some in development areas, where many of the district offices will also be located. But the commercial judgment of the Corporation must carry great weight in the decision on where its own headquarters should be sited.

asked the Minister of Transport what lessons she has drawn for other parts of the country from the Leicester and Cheltenham experiments in disc parking.

With the full co-operation of the Borough the disc parking scheme at Cheltenham was surveyed in 1965. A summary of results and conclusions was included in the report on Roads in England for 1965–66 at paragraph 5.18, and in Roads Circular 36/67. Leicester has not operated disc parking.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will take steps to recommend to local authorities the adoption of the parking disc system.

Local authorities have been kept informed about the parking disc system, and the Department recently circulated the results of a survey of the scheme in Cheltenham.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the revenue received from vehicle-testing stations is sufficient to pay for their costs; and if she will make a statement.

The costs to the Ministry of administering the vehicle testing scheme for private cars and light vans are not at present being met by revenue. This point will be taken account of in our current consultations with representatives of the motor garage trade on the extent to which revision of the fee is justified.As regards the scheme for plating and testing of goods vehicles under the Road Safety Act, 1967, the fees we intend to charge will cover both the capital and operating costs.

asked the Minister of Transport what experiments she has conducted to find if the bullhorn is a two-tone horn; and what were the results.

None. This would be a matter for the courts to decide.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations she has received from the Dundee Chamber of Commerce about the siting of the heavy goods vehicle-testing station at Perth; and what reply she has sent.

The Dundee Chamber of Commerce wrote to me asking for an auxiliary goods vehicle testing station to be sited in Dundee and enclosing letters from goods vehicles owners in the Dundee area. The majority of these said that they would prefer a testing station in Dundee.I have replied to the effect that the number of vehicles represented by these owners were fewer than those which we took into account in considering the location of a testing station to cover this area and that we saw no reason to amend the decision referred to in the answer given on 20th December, 1967.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals she has for introducing legislation to limit the hours of overtime worked by municipal bus drivers; and whether she will inform the National Board for Prices and Incomes of her proposals.

My proposals for revising the law relating to the legal limits on the working hours of bus drivers are in Part VII of the Transport Bill. The National Board for Prices and Incomes are aware of them.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now, under Section 57 of the Harbours Act 1964, make grants available for lighterage companies.

Port modernisation grants are available to lighterage companies in respect of qualifying expenditure. This includes expenditure on specialised equipment used to handle cargo to and from sea-going vessels but not that on lighters used to transport cargo.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will give details of non-classified research work being done for her Department by the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough.

In collaboration with British and French Railways aerodynamic problems of the Channel Tunnel are being investigated; and proposals are under discussion for assisting in a study of transport systems involving the use of fully-automatic tracked cabs. The R.A.E. have also made available three scientists, with supporting facilities, to the central staff of the Transport Research Assessment Group.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of recent accidents, she will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to ensure that public service vehicle drivers are subject to medical checks at regular intervals during their working life.

The Traffic Commissioners, who license public service vehicle drivers under the Road Traffic Act, 1960, have power to require them to furnish medical certificates. Certificates are required on first application, and drivers applying to renew their licences, which last for three years, must declare any change in their physical condition. The Commissioners call for further medical certificates at age 60 and on each renewal thereafter, and at any other time if they have reason to doubt whether a driver is fit.

asked the Minister of Transport what action she is taking outside the Greater London area to prevent parking outside schools.

The Traffic Signs Regulations prescribe an advisory road marking to indicate to drivers the part of the carriageway outside schools which should be kept clear of stationary vehicles. Because it has been found that drivers are not observing this marking, an improved form is to be tried out at a number of sites both inside and outside London. If successful, it will be prescribed in Regulations.In the meantime there is nothing to prevent local authorities from imposing waiting restrictions at any site where there are special difficulties.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations she has received regarding the proposed establishment of a National Freight Authority; and what replies she has sent.

I have received a number of representations, mainly in the course of consultation with interested organisations. In reply I have explained the Government's purpose in setting up the National Freight Corporation, which is to provide a more efficient service and to eliminate wasteful competition in the public sector, and I have answered various questions on particular aspects of my proposals.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals she has for the future of the London Transport country bus and coaches service.

I can as yet add nothing to the Answer given to my hon. Friend on 31st January.—[Vol. 757, c. 334.]

asked the Minister of Transport what estimate she has made of the increase in transport costs which will take place as a result of the measures contained in the Transport Bill.

The only additions to transport costs that will result from provisions in the Transport Bill are the road haulage and abnormal loads charges, which will add about£33 million overall. The Government will shortly be discussing with both sides of the road transport industry productivity measures designed to absorb any consequential increases in cost resulting from the proposed reduction in drivers' hours, so this measure should not add substantially to user costs. There will be a reduction in the number of goods vehicles subject to licensing and there should be no addition to the cost of administering the licensing system. The effect of quantity licensing should, because of the criteria on which it will be based, lead to a reduction rather than an increase in user costs. Except, therefore, in the case of some abnormal loads, the total effect on the cost and even more on the delivery price of any individual consignment will be minimal.

asked the Minister of Transport why she decided to exclude the Stranraer-Larne ferry from the financial control of the proposed Scottish Transport Group.

Because of the functional relationship between this service and other cross-channel services to Ireland. As the hon. Member now knows, however, the Government proposes to amend the Transport Bill so as to provide appropriate flexibility in this matter.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps she is taking to reduce the deficit of British Railways.

The Board are intensifying their efforts to reduce the deficit within the terms of reference given them under the Transport Act, 1962. I am however not seeking to renew my powers under this Act to pay deficit grants. Instead the Transport Bill will reorganise the finances of the Railways Board, on the lines recommended in the Joint Steering Group which was chaired by my hon. Friend the Member for Aberavon (Mr. John Morris). The Board will in future have a realistic opportunity to break even with the help of my proposed grants for socially necessary services.

asked the Minister of Transport in view of the lack of accuracy in the past in forecasting the railway deficit, what special precautions she is taking in her proposals to write off part of the capital of British Railways.

My proposals are founded on an intensive study of railway finances by the Joint Steering Group whose report I presented to Parliament last year in Cmnd. paper 3439.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the rate of return on capital employed of British Railways catering and British transport hotels during the most recent annual period for which figures are available.

The Railways Board inform me that the figure for hotels was about 6·8 per cent. in 1966. An equivalent rate for catering cannot be given but a net working surplus of£132,000 was made in that year on refreshment rooms and cars.

asked the Minister of Transport how many men were employed on track maintenance by British Railways at the most recent date for which figures are available; and what was the comparable figure on the same date in 1962.

The Railways Board tell me that 16,800 men were employed on track maintenance at 31st December, 1967, and that on the same date in 1962 the figure was 28,400.

asked the Minister of Transport what were the figures of the operating costs of the Alton-Winchester railway for the last five years upon which she based her approval of the proposal to close the line.

The proposal to withdraw rail passenger services from this line was published on 8th December, 1967, and the Transport Users' Consultative Committee's public hearing will not take place until 18th April. My right hon. Friend has yet to receive all the financial and other information on which to base her decision.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in the interests of public safety, she will give a general direction for an inquiry to be held into the numbers of derailments on British Railways, which have increased in each of the past five years despite the reductions in track mileage.

No. The safety of operation of the railways is the statutory responsibility of the Railways Board. In any case my right hon. Friend does not think that a general inquiry into the causes of derailments would be justified even if she had the power to order one.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the series of accidents which have taken place in recent months on the Southern Region of British Railways, and the frequent danger and hardship to which the travelling public has been exposed, she will instruct her inspecting officer of accidents to hold a full public inquiry into the safety of the operations of this region.

I would refer the right hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Worthing (Mr. Higgins) on 20th December and 17th January.—[Vol. 756, c. 413–4; Vol. 756, c. 1773–4.]

asked the Minister of Transport what further progress has been made in agreeing the direction of the Fleet Line eastward from Fenchurch Street.

I understand from London Transport that studies are pro-ceeding but no conclusion has been reached yet.

asked the Minister of Transport when she expects the report of the inquiry into the rail crash at Hixon.

The inquiry my right hon. Friend has asked Mr. E. Brian Gibbens, Q.C., to hold covers not only the Hixon accident but also the general safety of automatic half-barrier protection at level crossings. A preliminary hearing was held at Stafford on 29th January, and the public sittings will be resumed in London on 26th February. They are expected to continue well into March. I cannot say at this stage when Mr. Gibbens will be in a position to present his report.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of public concern about Leominster and other automatic half-barrier crossings, if she will hasten the report of the inquiry into the Hixon accident; and when that report is now expected.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Gardner) today.

asked the Minister of Transport how many freight containers have been purchased by the Railways Board from British and foreign suppliers, respectively, since such containers have been bought on any substantial scale by the Board; and if she will issue a general direction, in the public interest, to the Board to give preference towards British manufacturers in that connection.

In the last three years the Railways Board acquired 5,132 containers for the freight liner system—all British made. The Board appreciate the need to save foreign exchange and a general direction on this point is neither necessary nor desirable.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will give an undertaking not to approve further railway closure proposals until her new policy for social grants comes into operation.

I am of course considering all closure proposals with the new policy in mind. But where it is clear from the full examination under the existing procedure, including reports from the T.U.C.C. and the Economic Planning Council, that the retention of the services in question is not justified, it would not be right to prolong uncertainty by suspending action entirely.Where, however, there appears to be a case on social or economic grounds for a grant under the terms of Clause 36 of the Transport Bill, I propose to defer my decision on the closure until I have full details of what a grant would cost. This will enable me to determine whether the continuation of the service, either in its existing or in some modified form, would represent value for money.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the abnormal loads levy will apply to loads which British Railways have no facilities or capacity to transport.

Yes. Where abnormal loads must continue to move by road, the levy will provide some compensation for the social costs of the road congestion and delays which they cause.

asked the Minister of Transport what recommendation she has received from the Transport Users' Consultative Committee relating to the proposed withdrawal of passenger services on the Great Central railway line between Nottingham and Rugby; and what action she proposes to take.

My right hon. Friend has received a comprehensive report from the Transport Users' Consultative Committee. She is now studying this and will also be consulting other colleagues concerned before reaching her decision.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will appoint a committee to investigate the whole question of rail safety.

No. As I explained to the hon. Member in my letter of the 26th January, the responsibility for the safety of operation of the railways rests with the Railways Board. We are, however, satisfied that the Board are fully alive to their responsibilities and that a wide-ranging inquiry of the kind suggested would not be justified even if my right hon. Friend had the power to order one.

asked the Minister of Transport what length of motorway is now under construction; and what was the length of motorway under construction 12 months ago.

97 miles at present and 129 miles at 31st March, 1967.

asked the Minister of Transport what length of new motorways was completed in 1967; and what length she now estimates will be completed in 1968.

77 miles and 32 miles respectively.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the estimated expenditure on the road programme for the years 1968–69 and 1969–70 before the announcement of the cuts; and what is the present estimate.

For planning purposes public expenditure on the English road programme for the years 1968–69 and 1969–70 had been estimated as in the region of£280 million and£300 million respectively before the announcement of the cuts. Estimated expenditure is now expected to be about£14 million and£24 million lower.

asked the Minisister of Transport if she will make a further statement about central safety fences which she proposes to install on those motorways where traffic volume is expected to become very high.

I have nothing to add to my Department's observations on the Twelfth Report from the Estimates Committee.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the minimum requirements for pedestrian and vehicular traffic for the establishment of zebra crossings.

Our present policy is to agree to crossings only where there is both a sufficient volume of traffic, at least during peak hours, to cause real difficulty for pedestrians, and enough pedestrians to keep the crossing in regular use during the heavily trafficked periods. But we are now reviewing the criteria for pedestrian crossings of different kinds, as a whole, so that we can give local authorities the fullest possible guidance when we delegate to them responsibility for siting pedestrian crossings on their own roads.We hope to give this responsibility to local authorities within the next month or so.

asked the Minister of Transport how many miles of the M4 motorway have been both planned and constructed since October, 1964.

78 miles and 51½ miles, respectively. The latter figure includes 19 miles in Monmouthshire, the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

asked the Minister of Transport how many miles of the M5 motorway south of Bristol have been both planned and constructed since October, 1964.

23 miles have been planned but none constructed.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she has yet decided what improvements to make in the Slough by-pass section of the M4 motorway.

We are at present considering what schemes should be included in the second instalment of the trunk road preparation pool, and my right hon. Friend hopes to make an announcement shortly. Proposals for improving the Slough by-pass section of the M4 are among the schemes which we have under consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport when she expects to publish the results of studies now in progress on trans-Pennine routes from Yorkshire and Humberside to the Mersey ports.

Decisions on future strategy and priorities for the improvement of trans-Pennine communications, including routes from Yorkshire and Humberside to the Mersey ports, must await consideration of the traffic movement study being carried out under the agency of West Riding County Council. I am informed by the Agent authority that they expect to report by the end of the month.

asked the Minister of transport if she will reconsider her decision to make permanent the X-way pedestrian crossings, introduced as an experiment last year; and if she will retain the green, amber and red lights which are more comprehensible.

The results of the X-way pedestrian crossing experiment are now being considered and we hope to make an announcement shortly about the future of this type of crossing.

asked the Minister of Transport on what date she anticipates that construction of the section of the M4 Motorway through Berkshire will be completed.

I have nothing to add to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Southgate (Mr. Berry) on 17th January.—[Vol. 756, c. 1755.]

asked the Minister of Transport what representations she has received, and from whom, for the installation of a pedestrian crossing and other safety devices on Morecambe Road, Lancaster; and what reply she has sent.

In 1966, the Lancaster Ratepayers Association and a local resident asked for pedestrian crossings here. They were advised that this was a matter in the first instance for the Lancaster City Council.That Council submitted an application for a pedestrian crossing at Morecambe Road near Carlisle Railway Bridge in October last. This will be further considered by the Divisional Road Engineer when the Council has completed a vehicle and pedestrian count.

asked the Minister of Transport to what extent the delay in building the temporary flyover at Hogarth Roundabout on the A4 promised last April is due to the competition held on flyover design; whether she was satisfied that the winning design could not be manufactured in Great Britain; and if she will make a statement.

The scheme has not been delayed by the flyover competition.There is no impediment to the manufacture in Great Britain of any of the prize-winning designs.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has now been made in overcoming the difficulties over the section of the M4 motorway between Winnersh and Holyport; whether the public inquiry has yet been completed and if she will make a statement.

Arrangements are being made for a public inquiry to be held into the objections on this section at the end of April and an announcement will be made shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the existing marketing of fish; and whether he will set up an inquiry into the system.

Our Department is assisting the White Fish Authority in an expanding programme of research into the economics of fish marketing and I do not think a separate inquiry would be useful at this stage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what effect he estimates devaluation measures have had upon the import of fish into Great Britain.

It is still too early to attempt a worthwhile assessment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the number of bulls used to run out with herds in England and Wales, respectively.

It would be difficult to estimate; but the running of bulls with the herd is an essential feature of all single suckler herds.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement upon the results achieved by the voyage of the Hull fishing trawler "Kirk Ella", sponsored by the White Fish Authority to the coast of South-West Africa.

I understand that the voyage achieved its primary aim of obtaining data needed to assist our industry in deciding whether to exploit the South-West African fishery. Methods of handling and processing fish caught in the area, notably hake, were tested under the direction of scientists from the Torry Research Station and the results are now being evaluated by the White Fish Authority in conjunction with the industry and trade. In addition, an extensive echo survey was carried out by M.A.F.F. scientists, who also collected other information about the size and distribution of fish resources. It is too early to say whether the area is likely to be commercially attractive to our industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) to what extent the general level of food prices in Wales compares with that in England;(2) if he will cause a survey to be made of those areas in the United Kingdom where, on a prima facie examination, food prices appear to be substantially higher than the United Kingdom average.

The Cost of Living Advisory Committee is currently examining whether more information on relative prices in different areas of the United Kingdom should be collected and published.At present information on relative food price levels in different areas is confined to that published in the Annual Reports of the National Food Survey Committee. These indicate that in recent years the cost in Wales of the average diet for Great Britain has been some 2 to 4 per cent. higher than the general average.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what substances, additives, hormones and antibiotics are currently in use in feeding and fattening stock for human consumption.

A number of simple minerals are added to feedingstuffs to provide a balanced diet for farm stock or to correct deficiencies.Synthetic hormones, mostly hexoestrol, are used as growth promoters almost invariably as implants.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the value of the total livestock exports from Wales and England, respectively, in 1966–67; and if he will give a break-down of the details for the breeds exported.

I regret that this information is not available from the official statistics of livestock exports, which are compiled on a United Kingdom basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the acreage of land held by private builders for which there are no definite building proposals.

I have no means of making such an estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps to authorise rabbit clearance societies to assume responsibilities for brucellosis eradication among cattle.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the latest Scottish figures showing the changes in the number of fatal accidents and serious injuries consequent on the introduction of breathalyser tests.

Fatal and serious casualties in Scotland during the last three months of 1967 were, respectively, about 13 per cent. and 1·5 per cent. less than in the last three months of 1966. The figures for the hours of darkness show reductions of 11 per cent. and 15 per cent. respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied that the interests of the children now being taught at the Moray House Demonstration School will be adequately safeguarded in the event of the present proposals to disband them being put into effect; and if he will make a statement.

Before deciding to close the school at the end of the present session, the Governing Body of the College of Education ascertained that the children could readily be admitted to the schools of their home areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the amount of capital required for investment in the fixed equipment of farms in Scotland over the next 10 years so as to bring it up to the standard necessary to ensure maximum economic production.

I have not made any such estimate. Various capital grants are available under Government schemes, and it is up to farmers to decide for themselves the scale of investment to be undertaken having regard to the available assistance and to other relevant factors.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to be able to indicate whether the Government will authorise the construction of a toll bridge at Ballachulish as proposed by the Scottish Council for Development and Industry.

I hope to have received and considered by the end of this year a re- port by consulting engineers on the construction and use of a bridge at Ballachulish.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number of sections or branches of the Civil Defence Corps and Auxiliary Fire Service, the members of which have offered to continue their service on a voluntary basis.

Members of the Civil Defence Corps and the Auxiliary Fire Service have always served on a voluntary basis. I have received no approach from a Scottish division of the Corps suggesting continued service without payment of bounty or expenses. One group of Auxiliary Fire Service volunteers has offered to continue to serve on this basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussion he has had with local authorities in Scotland about lessening the burden of rates on shops and small businesses; and if he will make a statement.

None. I am at present considering representations made to me on this subject by commercial interests.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many bankruptcies occurred in shops and small businesses in Scotland which had to close last year.

In 1967 there were nineteen sequestration awards in Scotland under the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act, 1913 where trustees were appointed and where shops and small businesses were concerned. I have no information about cases which do not proceed to court.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what revenue he received in each of the last four years from prescription charges.

The revenue received from prescription charges in the financial years 1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64 and 1964–65, representing, broadly, prescriptions dispensed in the years ending 31st January, amounted to£2.·07 million,£2·17 million,£2·28 million and£2·30 million, respectively; charges were abolished on 1st February, 1965.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the proportion of the community he estimates will be exempted from prescription charges; and what proportion of the total number of prescription items he expects will be issued to this section of the community this year.

Exemption of the categories referred to in the statement by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 16th January would affect more than 40 per cent. of the population. I should expect about half of all prescriptions to be issued to patients in these categories.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the value of educational building completed in Scotland in the fourth quarter of 1967.

:£3·7 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the amount of capital that will be denied to tenanted farms for investment in the fixed equipment over the next 10 years in Scotland as a consequence of the impending changes in the law relating to security of tenure.

I do not think that the effect, if any, will be measurable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress is being made with plans for the provision of a second runway at Turnhouse Airport.

A survey completed by the Ministry of Public Building and Works last year confirmed the feasibility of a new runway on a site which is being safeguarded to the west of the present airport. Further progress is dependent on decisions now pending on the composition of the B.E.A. fleet.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has made to the Federal German Government against the proposed increased rate of duty on all canned meats imported from non-European Economic Community countries; whether he is aware that the high rate of tariff imposed will prohibit the sale of all canned meats from Great Britain immediately; and if he will make a statement.

None. In accordance with the Community's common agricultural policy, the Six propose to adopt a common external tariff of 26 per cent. on imports of canned beef and veal. This will involve a slight increase in the German and Italian tariffs and reductions in the others. I do not think these changes will have the effect which the hon. Lady fears.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking with Norway under the European Free Trade Association Convention to protest against the prohibition by Norway of the entry of canned meats from Great Britain.

There is no ground for protesting against the Norwegian action under the E.F.T.A. Convention, the relevant provisions of which apply only to trade in industrial goods. Canned meat is classified under the Convention as agricultural produce.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further steps, in addition to the measures already announced, are being taken to improve the system of intercommunication between fishing vessels, protection vessels and the shore and the safety inspection of all trawlers.

All aspects of safety of deep-sea trawlers will be examined by the independent Committee of Inquiry, including communications and safety inspection. In the meantime I am considering whether further safety measures can be implemented straight away, and I have already sent some suggestions to the trawler industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the effect which devaluation has had to the latest convenient date on British exports and imports giving the figures for Scotland, England and Wales, respectively.

It is too early for devaluation to have had significant effects on the volume of imports and exports, but there has been some increase in the price of our imports. Separate figures for Scotland, England and Wales are not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that toothbrush manufacturers are still allowed to enforce retail resale price maintenance; and if he will take steps to stop this practice.

This is a matter for the Restrictive Practices Court when it examines the suppliers' case for exemption from the provisions of the Resale Prices Act, 1964.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will examine the widespread sales promotion method of toothbrush manufacturers to induce retailers to stock their goods; if he will introduce legislation to end these methods which add to the cost to the manufacturer and the price to the public; and if he will make a statement.

No. I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by such examination or by legislation on this particular subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many applications for industrial development certificates have been made for the North Warwickshire areas of Nuneaton, Bedworth and Atherstone for each of the years from 1955 to 1967; how many have been granted in full; and how many have been granted in part;(2) how many applications for industrial development certificates in the North Warwickshire areas of Nuneaton, Bedworth and Atherstone in each of the years from 1955 to 1967 were from firms already established in these areas who wished to expand; how many of these were granted; how many were from firms outside these areas; and how many of these were granted.

It is not the practice of the Board of Trade to publish statistics of the number of applications which have been received for industrial development certificates. I regret that the other information is not available in exactly the form asked for but the following table sets out the number of industrial development certificate applications approved in the Nuneaton, Bedworth and Atherstone areas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will issue an invitation to the Society of Motor Manufacturers to meet representatives of his own Department to ensure that any rationalisation of the car component industry is not carried out to the detriment of the development areas and the intermediate areas.

We attach the greatest importance to industry discussing its rationalisation plans with the Government at the earliest opportunity. Rationalisation schemes are, however, best discussed with the individual firms concerned, and the Board of Trade is in contact with many firms in the car component industry. In planning rationalisation we would expect firms to pay due regard to the Government's regional policies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce into the various investment and other grants made by his department an element of selectivity, in order to discriminate against the import of foreign machine tools; and whether he will make a statement.

No, as I explained to my hon. Friend in reply to his Question on 31st January, this would be contrary to our international obligations.—[Vol. 757, c. 316.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement about the future use of the Burndept factory in South Shields under its new ownership; and, in particular, whether he proposes to maintain the present employment in research and development work and export business.

I understand that in the time so far available it has not been possible for the new ownership to reach firm conclusions about the future level of employment and production in this factory. The company's statement on 13th February, however, did indicate that they intended to develop and extend Vidor-Burndept's interests as manufacturers of dry batteries and battery making equipment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will complete his current review of the need for continuing to grant accounting exceptions to banks and discount houses.

The study of the full accounts of the banks and discount houses over a period will take a considerable time and I cannot say when the review is likely to be completed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what examination his Department has made of information available to him from international sources about accounting exemptions enjoyed by publicly quoted banking and discount houses in the United States of America, Canada, Australia and South Africa, in order to assess the extent to which the withdrawal of accounting exemptions at present enjoyed by British banks and discount houses would weaken their competitive position internationally.

Her Majesty's Government had regard to the disclosure required of banking and discount companies in the United States of America and other overseas countries in deciding whether such companies in Great Britain should continue to be exempted from some of the accounting provisions of the Companies Acts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any applications for licences to export tear gas or gas masks to South Africa have been received since October, 1964; whether any such licences have been refused; and what is his Department's policy towards such applications.

Since October, 1964 no requests have been made for licences for the export to South Africa of tear gas. With regard to gas masks, one request for a licence has been received and this was approved.Requests for export licences for these items are examined on the merits of each individual application.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will exercise his powers to hold up mergers currently pending between publicity quoted clearing banks until such time as he has completed his review of the accounting exemptions enjoyed by them.

No. The review of the accounting exemptions enjoyed by the clearing banks will not have been completed when I consider the Report by the Monopolies Commission on the Barclays/Lloyds merger in about six months time. Since I have decided not to refer to the Commission the mergers between the Westminster Bank and the National Provincial Bank and the Royal Bank of Scotland and the National Commercial Bank of Scotland, I have no power to hold them up.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the prices charged to United Kingdom textile manufacturers for United Kingdom-made nylon filament, in relation to lower prices for the same United Kingdom nylon available to Portuguese textile factories; and whether he will refer these prices to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

Following recent increases in the price of nylon yarn exported to E.F.T.A. and the Irish Republic there should be little difference between the United Kingdom and Portuguese prices for nylon filament. United Kingdom producers are not, of course, the major suppliers to Portugal and their prices in that market must therefore reflect the prices charged by other suppliers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will itemise the aid given to the Scottish Development Area in each year between 1964–65 and 1967–68, inclusive, giving an estimate of the figures for 1968–69.

Assistance offered in the Scottish Development Area under the Local Employment Acts was£15·2 million in 1964–65,£15·6 million in 1965–66 and£19·5 million in 1966–67. In the period April-December, 1967 it amounted to£15·5 million. In addition investment grants totalling£28·5 million were paid to firms in the Scottish Development Area in the period April-December, 1967. Separate estimates are not available for 1968–69.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many industrial development certificates were granted for factories in the West Midlands in 1967; and for what total floor space.

During 1967, 463 industrial development certificates for over 5,000 sq. ft. were issued in the West Midlands for a total floor area of 7·1 million sq. ft.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the identity of the multi-engined jet aircraft that took off low over central London, passing over Westminster at 22.55 hours on Friday night, 16th February; what was its maximum altitude over London, S.W.1; and at what proportion of full power it was operating over central London.

A BAC 1–11 made an emergency landing at Heathrow at 23.01 hours with one engine out. It would have been over Westminster at about 22.55 at 3,000 feet. The power setting was above normal because of the emergency.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the test of the Polaris missile off Cape Kennedy will take place; what is his estimate of the expenditure likely to be incurred during the test firing of a Polaris missile from H.M.S. "Resolution" off Cape Kennedy; how many ships are to accompany the submarine; and what is the cost of the publicity arrangements.

A successful test firing of a Polaris missile was made by the port crew of H.M.S. "Resolution" on 15th February and another will shortly be carried out by the starboard crew. The total estimated cost of the demonstration and shakedown operation is£1·5 million. H.M.S. "Aisne" and U.S.S. "Fred T. Berry" are accompanying H.M.S. "Resolution" and the estimated cost of the publicity arrangements is£2,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the missile fired from the Polaris submarine H.M.S. "Resolution" off Florida on 16th February.

This information is classified.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what steps he is taking to involve universities in the work of the Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment at Portland;(2) if he will make a statement on his discussions with university authorities, Admiralty Underwater Establishment, Portland, and other Government and industrial laboratories, with a view to setting up a department and professorial chair of Ocean Science at Admiralty Underwater Establishment, Portland.

Close liaison is maintained and research contracts are placed with those universities possessing departments with the necessary expertise. Discussions about the possibility of setting up a department and professorial chair of Ocean Science at a University are proceeding with interested authorities, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement. Although the Department of Education and Science are aware of the desire on the part of the Ministry of Defence to see the chair established they have not so far been informed of the present round of discussions. This will be done at the appropriate stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what initiatives he is taking to encourage the sponsorship of postgraduate students in defence research establishments.

Research Fellowships are offered at all Ministry of Defence Research and Development Establishments. These are awarded to outstand- ing individuals for periods ranging from two to five years. Fellows are allowed to work on subjects of their own choice though these must naturally bear some relation to the work of the Establishment.For post-graduates on the staff of Establishments there are opportunities for further external study.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the British contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Underwater Research Establishment at La Spezia.

The United Kingdom contributes to the cost of running the Centre through N.A.T.O. common funding arrangements. It also lends suitably qualified personnel to work at the Centre, and provides representation on the Committees associated with it. There is in addition a constant flow of information to and from the Centre through the United Kingdom National Liaison Officer.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the annual cost in 1965, 1966 and 1967 of Admiralty Research Laboratory, Teddington.(2) what was the cost of the Admiralty Materials Laboratory in 1965, 1966 and 1967.

Research and development costs are not disclosed in detail.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the working party considering the rationalisation of certain defence research establishments under Mr. Lythall to report.

Some informal work has already been done on this subject, but a full study will form part of the review needed to achieve the objectives outlined on 16th January by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what he has done to encourage the training of junior technician staff in defence research establishments.

Both the Navy and Army Departments operate apprenticeship schemes at their Establishments and there is scope, as appropriate, for both further education and external training, the latter including assistance with external courses in approved subjects leading to recognised educational or professional qualifications. For outstanding Assistant Experimental Officers, Scientific Assistants and Draughtsmen there are opportunities for full-time study at a university up to the standard of Honours degree or diploma in Technology or, where appropriate, for post-graduate work.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will state the reasons for the differences in the rules governing the commutation of Service pensions as between officers and other ranks; and if, in the changed conditions of the present day, he will take steps to make the same facilities available for both officers and other ranks.

The reasons are mainly historical. The present rules are under review, but I am unable to say at present when this review will be complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the value of naval contracts placed in Northern Ireland by his Department during each of the past 10 years; and what percentage this represented of the total value of naval contracts placed in the United Kingdom as a whole during those years; and what are the respective estimates for 1968.

The total value of naval contracts placed in Northern Ireland in the ten years, 1957–58 to 1966–67, was£36 million; on average this represented 3 per cent. of the total value of naval contracts placed. It is not yet possible to estimate the proportion of naval contracts placed in the region in the year 1967–68.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects to announce his intentions about 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 Secretary of State for Defence, in view of the fact that officers serving with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation are subject to the authority of their superior commanders, to what extent they are exempt from Queen's Regulations.

British officers who are serving with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation are subject to the provisions of Queen's Regulations. At the same time, in the exercise of their responsibilities to that organisation, they are subject to established N.A.T.O. practice and procedures.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he will announce a decision on whether non-craft chargemen in Her Majesty's dockyards should be upgraded to non-industrial status in Technical Grade III.