asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much foreign exchange he estimates will be saved in 1968 by a switch from imported to home-produced food.

So many variable factors influence the supplies and prices of food that a meaningful estimate cannot be provided.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take steps to limit the number of livestock kept under intensive methods by any one person.

No. I can see no justification on economic or welfare grounds for limitation of this kind.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the result of his discussions with the Association of River Authorities and representative fishing bodies on the use by authorities of their existing powers to acquire and manage fisheries in order to make fishing more widely available.

In the light of the discussions, which confirmed that river authorities are willing to make greater use of their powers to acquire fisheries, my Department has explored the possibility of facilitating such purchases. Further talks are to be held with the associations concerned and it is hoped to make a statement in due course.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, why, since the easing of foot-and-mouth disease restrictions north of the Skipton-Otley-Goole line, the Wharfedale Farmers' Auction Mart at Otley has had increased restrictions imposed; and why this market which has been open throughout the epidemic for the sale of animals going to slaughter will now have to close.

Controlled Area restrictions were lifted from part of the West Riding on 13th February. The Wharfedale Farmers' Auction Mart at Otley was left in the controlled area to provide facilities for the marketing of fatstock from farms within that area. It should be possible to remove the remaining restrictions on this market in the very near future.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in how many European Economic Community countries foot-and-mouth disease is endemic; and what amounts of meat they export to the United Kingdom.

The disease is endemic in Italy. It has been common in Western Germany in recent years but only one case has been reported since last December.No imports of meat are taken from Italy or Western Germany, except for cooked meat.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will conduct a survey into the question of food prices in certain peripheral areas of the United Kingdom where they are above the general average.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend on 21st February.—[Vol. 759, c. 129.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he is satisfied that there is no radioactivity in fish caught by British trawlers in seas west of Greenland arising from the four hydrogen bombs which crashed with the United States B52 bomber south of Thule; and if he will make a statement.

At this season of the year British trawlers are not fishing in these grounds, which are far south of the scene of the accident.Investigations carried out on the spot, by Danish and American scientists show that no hazard to people or biological species is foreseen.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what total weight of salmon was taken in each of the last five years by inshore nets on the Greenland coast, and by drift nets operated in international waters off the Greenland coast, respectively;(2) how many of the salmon caught on the Greenland coast, and in international waters off the Greenland coast in each of the last five years had been previously tagged.

As the reply contains a number of figures, I am circulating it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.The figures are as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what instructions he has given to the Forestry Commission regarding the increase in charges on caravan sites under the control of the Commission; and whether he will refer these increases to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

There has been no increase in charges since the Board was set up on caravan sites under the control of the Commission.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the number of gallons of milk that will not be bought from milk producers in England and Wales as a result of the proposed cut in the supply of milk for pupils in secondary schools.

None. The Milk Marketing Board undertake to accept all milk of marketable quality offered to them by registered producers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the total net farm income for 1966 and 1967, related to a constant money value.

At constant 1965–66 prices aggregate farming net income, as estimated for the 1967 Annual Review, was £468½ million in 1965–66 and £457½ million in 1966–67. Revised estimates at current prices for these years and a forecast for 1967–68 will be published in the 1968 Annual Review White Paper.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest estimate of the average increase in imported food prices resulting from devaluation.

I have nothing to add to the reply which was given to the hon. Member for Harborough (Mr. Farr) on 24th January.—[Vol. 757, c. 405.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many producers and retailers of milk sell untreated milk.

It is estimated that at December, 1967 about 8,650 milk producers in England and Wales were selling untreated milk for liquid consumption. The number of milk distributors selling untreated milk is not known.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in each of the last five years what percentage and what amount of milk sold to the consumer was untreated in any way.

From data provided by the Milk Marketing Board the following estimates of sales in England and Wales have been made:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, having regard to representations made to him by the National Farmers' Union, the British Veterinary Association and other trade and professional bodies to continue the ban on meat imports from countries which have foot-and-mouth disease, whether he will now make a further statement on prolongation of the existing ban and associated matters.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now extend the ban on the import of meat from countries with endemic foot-and-mouth disease until after he has considered the report of the inquiry into the recent outbreak.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now make a statement upon the initial causes of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease last autumn.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will continue the ban on the import of meat from countries where foot-and-mouth disease is endemic; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has received from his veterinary advisers as to the origin of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak; whether in the light of the most recent evidence he is satisfied that the outbreak did not originate from Argentinian meat; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given today to the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen) and others.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what further consultations he has now completed on his proposals for setting up a committee of inquiry at the highest level to investigate every aspect of the foot-and-mouth epidemic which has continued since last October; and whether Members of Parliament will be permitted within the terms of reference to give evidence before the committee.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I have given today to the hon. Member for Nantwich (Mr. Grant-Ferris) and others.The Committee of Inquiry will, of course, be free to take evidence from anyone.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what study he has made of the control of imports of agricultural produce that could be grown in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

We already have arrangements, designed to promote greater market stability, which regulate imports of some of the more important commodities produced in this country. I never exclude the possibility of other measures affecting imports, if such measures seem appropriate, bearing in mind our international obligations and general commercial policy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will take steps to encourage the use of lime on agricultural land.

Farmers are encouraged to maintain the lime status of their land by the lime subsidy, which on average meets nearly half the costs of liming. A farmer can get advice on his liming programme from the advisory services on request.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what is the estimated saving of deficiency payments on meat, as a result of the ban on imports of meat from countries where foot-and-mouth disease is endemic.

The recent high average market prices, particularly on cattle, are due to a variety of factors. I cannot isolate the effects of the suspension of imports alone on supplies and prices, nor on the consequential saving on fatstock guarantee payments during this period.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what he estimates to be the required size of the United Kingdom pig breeding herd to produce 51 per cent. of the home demand for bacon; and how this compares with the present size of the herd;(2) what estimate he has made of the capacity of the pig industry to fulfil in 1968 the United Kingdom's quota of the Bacon Sharing Agreement.

The minimum allocation to the United Kingdom industry for the period of 12 months beginning in April, 1968 is some 30,000 tons higher than the forecast output up to March, 1968. However, I am sure that the curing industry will make every effort to meet its 1968–69 allocation from the greater number of pigs that should progressively become available to all users. The size of the breeding herd if curers were filling 51 per cent. of the demand for bacon could be estimated only by making such arbitrary assumptions about how this position was reached that any figure would be misleading.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to encourage farmers to establish brucella-free herds in the areas affected by the present foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.

There is no reservoir of registered brucella-free cattle available for re-stocking. However, all farmers concerned have received a note a general advice on re-stocking and we have asked them to get in touch with our Veterinary Service for individual advice about entry into the Brucellosis (Accredited Herds) Scheme. The main recommendation is to buy animals which have passed at least one blood test. If this is done it may be possible in some cases to reduce the number of qualifying tests.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations have been made to his Department on the Alcan aluminium project at Invergordon; and what reply has been sent.

I have received many representations supporting in general terms the establishment of an aluminium smelter at Invergordon. I have also received a copy of the resolution supporting the Alcan proposal based on a coal-fired power station which the Scottish Area of the National Union of Mineworkers have sent to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. The N.U.M. has been informed that this and the other proposals for smelters are being carefully considered, but that no decision has yet been reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what savings will be made in the county of Midlothian as a result of the postponing of the school leaving age.

A revised school building programme recently prepared by the education authority is being discussed with my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what estimate he has made of the revenue which would have accrued in the last convenient twelve-month period from a prescription charge of 2s. 6d., assuming that refunds were made to those patients who obtained refunds when charges were last in force;

On the assumption that the actual number of prescriptions would have been the same if a charge had been in force, I estimate that the gross revenue during the financial year ending 31st March, 1967, would have been about £3½ million, and the net revenue after refunds a little over £3 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has received from the Scottish Economic Planning Council on the level of unemployment in Scotland.

The Council regularly considers levels of employment and unemployment, together with other indices of economic activity. Its advice on these matters is, however, confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now announce the numbers of murders which took place in Scotland in 1967; and if he will give the comparable figures for each of the last five years.

It is provisionally estimated that there were 41 cases of murder made known to the police in 1967. The figures for 1962 to 1966 are 27, 16, 27, 32 and 30.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements he has made with the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, with a view to promoting research on the problem of easing the load on hip-joints of human beings suffering from arthritis.

I am keeping in touch with the work described by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health in answer to a similar Question on 26th February.—[Vol. 759, c. 252.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what appointments and dismissals of officials of local authorities require his consent or approval; how many such appointments have been made in each of the past five years and in how many he has withheld such consent or approval.

The following appointments and dismissals of local authority officials in Scotland require the Secretary of State's consent:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what comparisons have been made by his Department between the cost of road construction in Scotland using tarmacadam and reinforced concrete.

Because good roadstone for road construction using bitumen or tar-macadam is available throughout Scotland very few reinforced concrete roads have been built, but a recent experiment in concrete construction is now being evaluated.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the sources, by quantity and place of origin, of all tar and aggregate used in the construction and repair of all public roads in Scotland since 1964.

This information is not available in detail. Suitable aggregates are obtained from sources throughout Scotland. Tar is obtained from the Scottish Tar Distillers, Falkirk, but imported bitumen is also widely used.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what comparisons have been made by his Department between the cost of maintenance of roads in Scotland of tarmacadam and reinforced concrete construction.

As almost all Scottish roads are constructed of readily available road-stone, with tar or bitumen, and very few of concrete, no valid comparisons can yet be made of maintenance costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the meeting in London between the Scottish Union of Students and officials of his Department on or about 2nd February, 1968, indicating the subjects discussed and the conclusions reached.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science met representatives of the National Union of Students and the Scottish Union of Students on 2nd February to discuss matters arising from the Government's decision that the increase in students' grants, following the current review, will cover only half the rise in the cost of living since the last review. An official of my Department was present. The discussion was exploratory only.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many motor accidents in Scotland the evidence depending on breathalyser tests has been used; where they occurred; by whom the tests were applied; and with what results.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what investigation was carried out prior to setting up of the present working party by the Scottish Office three months ago to investigate the causes of Scottish emigration.

There is no such working party. The task of the recently established Working Group on Population is to assemble and analyse the information about population growth and population movement which has already been built up over the years by various Government Departments, and to relate it to the fresh information now becoming available from the 1966 Census. It is not undertaking entirely new research.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what persons comprise the working party inquiring into the causes of Scottish emigration set up by his Department three months ago.

There is no such working party. If the hon. Lady means the Working Group on Population whose remit I outlined in the House on 31st January last, it consists of officials of the Government Departments principally concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the cost to Scottish local education authorities of educating and training those persons who had to take teaching posts in 1967 outside Scotland.

Scottish trained teachers who in 1967 took teaching posts outside Scotland did so of their own volition, not because of shortage of posts in Scotland.Teachers who have completed their training started their education at least 15 years ago, and precise estimates of costs are not available over the whole period.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when each of the sections of the Crossgates-Perth motorway will be completed; and what is the present slate of progress.

The 7½ mile bypass of Cowdenbeath is being constructed and will be open to traffic in 1970. I expect to let a contract next year for the Kinross and Milnathort section, for completion in 1971 or early in 1972. I cannot yet forecast when the section between Milnathort and the proposed Perth bypass will be completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many less gallons of milk will be bought from milk producers in Scotland as a result of the proposed cuts in expenditure on milk for secondary school pupils.

Sales of milk by producers will not be reduced since the milk marketing boards take all marketable milk offered to them by producers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that civil defence training officers who, for administrative reasons are paid through the ambulance service, are classified as health service employees and are not therefore entitled to redundancy payments; and what steps he will take to alleviate the hardship of those training officers who will lose their employment.

The officers concerned are employed by the St. Andrew's Scottish Ambulance Service, who are not National Health Service employers for the pur- poses of the Redundancy Payments Act: accordingly their employees are not excluded from redundancy payments under that Act. It is my intention that any of these training officers who loses his employment, or otherwise suffers loss or diminution of emoluments, should receive compensation in line with the regulations for which provision is made in the Public Expenditure and Receipts Bill now before Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many doctors who left Scotland to work in the United States of America returned in 1967 as the result of his Department's efforts.

The interview board which visited North America last year was supplied with details of certain Scottish vacancies. Some doctors interviewed expressed an interest in them, but none of them has taken any of these posts so far.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the proportion, in both weight and number, of pre-packed confectionery which is sold in packages of less than 3 ounces; and if he will make a statement.

The Board of Trade have not made any estimate of the proportion of pre-packed confectionery which is sold in packages of less than 3 ounces in weight.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will describe the machinery for checking weight reduction in pre-packed confectionery of less than 3 ounces; if he is satisfied with the accuracy of statistics he has gathered; and if he will make a statement.

The Board of Trade do not check weight reductions in items which are not required to be marked under the Weights and Measures Act, 1963, and do not collect statistics of such changes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the large number of cases of significant reductions in the weight of confectionery of less than 3 ounces, he will seek to reduce the 3-ounce limit for unmarked packages; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend on 22nd November, 1967.—[Vol. 754, c. 340.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the extensive advertising campaign of confectionery manufacturers, he will seek to take powers to enable him to compel them to advertise to the public any reduction in pre-packed confectionery of less than 3 ounces; and if he will make a statement.

No. I am not convinced that it is either desirable or practicable to compel manufacturers to advertise in the way suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the categories of articles which may not be exported to Rhodesia under his regulations.

The Export of Goods (Control) Order, 1967 provides that no goods may be exported to Southern Rhodesia without a licence granted by the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what is the total amount of moneys in various investment grants made by his Department to the North Warwickshire Employment Exchange areas of Nuneaton and Bedworth, for the years 1957 to 1967.

Payment of investment grants did not start till 1st April, 1967. Records of payments are not kept in the geographical detail necessary to provide the information required.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what changes since the recent refusal of his Department to grant an industrial development certificate to Clarkson's (Engineering) Limited of Nuneaton have been made in the criteria for permitting such grants to North Warwickshire; and whether he will make a statement;(2) whether he will now give the reasons for his Department's recent refusal to grant an industrial development certificate to Clarkson's (Engineering) Limited of Nuneaton; and if he will make a statement.

The firm has not been refused an industrial development certificate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he will consider taking steps to extend the recent strengthening of the provisions of the Local Employment Act to areas outside development areas which are affected by colliery closures, like North Warwickshire.

Financial assistance under the Local Employment Acts, 1960 to 1966 can be made available only in designated development areas. The further measures of assistance which my right hon. Friend announced on 14th November are designed to assist those areas inside the development areas most likely to be severely affected by colliery closures. As I informed my hon. Friend on 15th February, in considering applications for industrial development certificates in North Warwickshire we shall take full account of unemployment in the area and of the need for new employment for men made redundant by colliery closures.—[Vol. 754, c. 84–6; Vol. 758, c. 424.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if he is aware that the Industrial Life and General Insurance Company Limited has provided additional assets for the Board of Trade's approval, in excess of the amount required, and that delay in settling this matter is prejudicing the company's trading; what are the reasons for the delay; and if he will now take steps to reach an early decision on this matter.

It would not be proper for me to comment on the affairs of the company but the Board of Trade are writing to it today.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, who has been appointed chairman of the new Committee on Invisible Earnings.

Mr. Cyril Kleinwort has agreed to be Chairman of the new Invisible Exports Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state his plans for providing more advance factories for the increasing trade of Aberdeen.

One Board of Trade advance factory is now available at Aberdeen and a second will soon be ready. I would prefer to wait until tenants have been found for these before deciding to build further advance factories in Aberdeen.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are his present plans for stopping or diminishing the drift south from Aberdeen of skilled and other workers.

We are continuing to make full use of all the powers available to encourage industrial development suited to the needs of Aberdeen and thus provide additional employment opportunities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the names of the members of the committee he has appointed for the independent inquiry to examine urgently all aspects of safety of deep sea trawling; and what are their terms of reference.

I am glad to be able to announce that Admiral Sir Deric Holland-Martin, G.C.B., D.S.O., D.S.C. and Bar, has agreed to act as Chairman of this Committee whose terms of reference will be to examine the major factors affecting the safety of deep-sea trawlers and their crews and to make recommendations. The Members of the Committee will include Mr. D. Basnett, Mr. N. I. Bond-Williams, Mr. J. A. H. Paffett and Professor R. S. F. Schilling. I hope to be able to announce the name of the remaining Member shortly.Arrangements have been made for the Chief Inspectors of the Fishery Departments and the Chief Marine Surveyors of the Board of Trade to be available to assist the Committee.In preparation for the Committee's work, I have also been considering, in consultation with the Minister of Technology, what research work on the safety of fishing vessels should be undertaken in addition to the work already in hand, both at the National Physical Laboratory, and internationally through the International Maritime Consultative Organisation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he has yet received from the Industrial Research Council their report on the problem of survival at sea, including protective clothing, following the investigations in Iceland of their scientists into the survival of only one seaman, Harry Eddom, from the three trawlers which were lost in Arctic seas recently; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he is yet in a position to make a statement on the committee he appointed to inquire into the recent wrecks of three trawlers in northern seas with the loss of all their crews except one man and into the relevant mission to Iceland of a member of the staff of the Medical Research Council to collect scientific data as to means of saving life at sea.

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to my right hon. Friend's reply today to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston-upon-Hull, West (Mr. James Johnson) about the composition and terms of reference of the Committee of Inquiry into trawler safety.As regards the mission to Iceland, I assume my hon. and learned Friend is referring to the visit of Dr. Pugh of the Medical Research Council. Dr. Pugh has now returned and has prepared a report. I understand that his findings will be made available to my right hon. Friend and to the Committee of Inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why the East Suffolk County Council, as the planning authority, were not given the normal notice of the Department's proposal to build a radio research station at Orfordness.

I regret that owing to a misunderstanding the East Suffolk County Council were given short notice of this development; but a meeting is taking place with them today to consider points that they have raised.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what mine-laying capability is retained by the Royal Air Force; which types of aircraft possess such a capability; and if it will continue after 1970.

It is not the practice to give detailed operational information of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in future contracts given by his Department, he will include provision for an early warning of any redundancy in the firm concerned.

No. It would not be appropriate to include such a provision in contracts placed by my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution has been made to British Railways to cover costs of Service personnel travelling on the Darlington-Richmond line for the years 1964, 1965, 1966 and 1967.

The fares of Service pensonnel travelling at public expense on the Darlington-Richmond line are re- imbursed to British Railways under the normal arrangements for travel of Service personnel. No contribution is made in addition to this. I regret that it is not practicable to identify that part of the payment to British Railways in respect of travel over the particular stretch of line, since the warrants exchanged at Richmond and Catterick Bridge stations are normally to further destinations than Darlington, and personnel arriving at these stations may have travelled from all parts of the United Kingdom. The number of tickets issued at Richmond and Catterick Bridge stations is about 25,000 a year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current annual cost of the Defence Operational Analysis Establishment at West Byfleet.

About £620,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the number of university graduates employed at the Defence Operational Establishment at West Byfleet, showing an analysis of the subjects in which they graduated.

Following is the information:

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals have been discussed with the appropriate authorities for the introduction of an integrated transport system for South-East Northumberland; and what part the railways will play in the plans to be introduced from the discussions.

Following discussion with the local authorities my right hon. Friend intends, when the Transport Bill becomes law, to establish a Passenger Transport Area on Tyneside to develop an integrated passenger transport system which will cover South-East Northumberland. It will be for the Authority, when it is established, to decide on the part to be played by railway services. Further detailed consultation will shortly begin with the local authorities and others concerned.

asked the Minister of Transport if she has now received the Report from the Working Party on Street Lighting; and if she will make a statement.

I understand that my hon. Friend has in mind the question of street name plates. My right hon. Friend hopes to consider proposals on them shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in deciding upon the future allocation of roadworks grants to Bedworth Urban District Council, she will take account of that local authority's lack of additional grants for winter roadworks in 1967 to 1968.

No. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works explained in his Answer on 26th February, these additional works were related to the level of unemployment in the construction industry.—[Vol. 759, c. 235.]

asked the Minister of Transport what means of protection against the effects of flooding or dense smoke her Department proposes to save travellers in a Channel Tunnel; and what is her estimate of the cost of Mr. Jervis's proposals for cost saving including the 13 trains and six modified platforms needed to carry total present traffic, with three platforms 1,000 feet long in each country.

We expect the preparation of final specifications for the Tunnel to be the task of the joint Anglo-French operating body, when it is set up. The specification would, however, be subject to the approval of the two governments, notably in respect of safety measures. No estimate has been made by the Department of the cost of Mr. Jervis's proposals; we do not consider that the expense of a detailed study of them would be justified.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the need for economy in public expenditure, she will delay work on the Channel Tunnel until the economic situation is satisfactory.

No. Planning for the tunnel is proceeding on the assumption that the bulk of the finance would be raised in the private sector. Major expenditure is not expected to be incurred before 1970–71.

asked the Minister of Transport how many people are employed in administration in each of the nationalised industries for which she is responsible.

I regret that the information is not readily available in precisely the form requested, but the following information from the Boards shows the position at the end of 1967:

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the correspondence with the Humber Conservancy Board subsequent to 13th February, 1968, relating to the Humber Harbour Reorganisation Scheme.

There has been no correspondence with the Humber Conservancy Board on this subject since 13th February.

asked the Minister of Transport what plan she has for improvement to the A30 between Exeter and Penzance.

We intend, as funds allow, to undertake comprehensive improvements to raise the standard of this road both east and west of Bodmin. This will involve by-passes of all the larger towns through which it passes.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she is now in a position to make a statement on the Humber Bridge project.

No; the results of planning studies on the possible development of Humberside are not yet available for consideration by the Government.

asked the Minister of Transport what trunk road schemes and joint classified road schemes for Hampshire have been completed since the beginning of 1967; and what schemes are under construction, in the preparation pool, and not in the preparation pool, respectively.

The list of trunk and principal road schemes costing over £100,000 each is as follows:

asked the Minister of Transport what is the reason for the delay in building the temporary flyover at the Hogarth Roundabout on the A4, as promised last April; and if she will make a statement.

The principal causes of delay were objections made to the draft Order under Section 9 of the Highways Act, 1959 and later to the Compulsory Purchase Order. These have now been resolved; the land required for the scheme has been acquired and buildings on it demolished. Orders have been issued for the carrying out of works by the statutory undertakers and tenders to fabricate and erect the flyover will be invited shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will name those schemes wholly within an authority's area estimated to cost £500,000 and over listed in Appendix E of the Highway Plan 1962 of the South East Lancashire and North East Cheshire Area Highway Engineering Committee which have been completed, are under construction, in the preparation pool and not in the preparation pool, respectively, also, in respect of the remaining schemes, the total cost of those which have been completed, are under construction, in the preparation pool and not in the preparation pool, respectively.

Information is not readily available in the form requested. I am writing to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Transport what moneys for road-building schemes have been allocated by her Department to the Nuneaton Borough Council, the Coventry Borough Council and the Bedworth Urban District Council in each of the years 1957 to 1967.

Grant issues authorised to the local authorities named during the period of the Question are as detailed below:

asked the Minister of Transport if she will now announce her decision whether or not to approve the closure of the Hurst Green-Tunbridge Wells-Lewes railway line; and what has been the cause of the delay.

I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that there will be no unnecessary delay. But this is a difficult and complicated proposal and it is essential to examine every aspect of it in great detail to ensure that the decision finally taken is the right one.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the fact that the recent bank amalgamations will increase the efficiency of banking in Scotland, he will introduce legislation for nationalising the banks operating in Scotland.

No.

asked the Postmaster-General what percentage of letters posted in Liverpool and registered can be expected to be delivered in London the following day.

Registered letters posted in Liverpool for London should be delivered the next weekday. This standard of service is almost always being given.

asked the Postmaster-General how many people are employed in administration in the Post Office.

The staff employed in administration (being those in the Central and Regional Headquarters) number 10,240, or 2·5 per cent. of the total staff of the Post Office.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what contribution in agricultural commodities is being made to the World Food Programme.

In the period of the current pledge covering the calendar years 1966 to 1968 we expect to supply dried egg, dried skim milk and possibly canned fish to a total value of some £1·3 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will set up an inquiry into methods of improving the amenities of the North-West of England, with a view to attracting industry and foreign visitors.

The North West Economic Planning Council has been considering the whole question of arts facilities in the region; I understand that it is about to publish a second major strategy document for the economic and physical development of the North-West and, no doubt, this will stress the importance of cultural and other amenities in attracting industry and developing tourism. I do not think a special inquiry is needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the details of the rate of spending for new off-line digital computer hardware for universities and research councils for the five years 1968–72 in the light of the Flowers Committee recommendations for a five-year rolling programme.

Estimated expenditure in 1968–69 on university computers purchased on the advice of the Computer Board is £3·86 million. Most of this sum will be spent on new digital hardware. The Board keeps the developing needs of the universities under review.Expenditure on off-line computers in 1968–69 by the Research Councils is expected to be about £1·3 million.Expenditure figures for later years cannot yet be given.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice, in the light of the Banwell Report, he is giving to the College of Building Technology regarding a syllabus which will reflect the merging of the various disciplines arising from building technology, architecture, surveying and so forth.

This is a matter for the academic staff, but I am sure that in preparing syllabuses they will take all the relevant disciplines into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the College of Building Technology in Marylebone Road will be opened.

This project is due to be completed in January, 1970, according to the terms of the three-year building contract on which work started in February, 1967. If satisfactory progress is maintained, parts of the building may be occupied before the completion of the whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, whether he has given guidance to local authorities in respect of cuts in expenditure on local library services.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government has asked all local authorities to exercise restraint in their current expenditure on all services in the next two years. I propose to issue shortly a circular on capital expenditure by library authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, what was the value of educational building work completed in England and Wales in each of the first three quarters of 1967.

£35·8 million, £35·3 million and £42·2 million respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, what is the total number of maintained primary and junior schools in Wales; how many of the schools are equipped with television sets; how many are equipped with film projectors; and how many are equipped with tape recorders.

There are 507 infants primary schools or departments, 430 junior primary schools or departments and 1,101 junior with infants primary schools or departments in Wales. Complete information on how many of these have television sets, film projectors and tape recorders, is not at present available in the Department.A "Resources for Learning" Panel of H.M. Inspectors of schools has recently been formed in Wales and the provision for educational technology will be one of their first concerns. They intend to make a survey of the provision in Wales, but the result is not expected to be available until about the end of the present school year.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, how many local education authorities in Wales allow their teaching staff to go on short-and long-term courses during term-time: and how many such authorities provide full expenses to teachers who go on such courses.

The practice adopted by Welsh local education authorities in allowing their teaching staff to attend courses during term-time varies. A number of authorities allow their teachers to go on such courses on their own initiative, but some authorities will permit it only where the authority has nominated the teacher or teachers for the particular course. The subject matter of the course may also be a governing factor. The payment of expenses is at the discretion of the individual authority.I understand that the Welsh Joint Education Committee recently issued general guidance to local education authorities on these matters, on the assumption that there will be a rapid expansion of in-service training courses and that authorities would wish to encourage teachers to attend such courses.