asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will now give assistance to charitable organisations in sending nurses to Vietnam.

The Government are in close touch with the Disasters Emergency Committee, who know that we are ready to help them in any desirable and practical way.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what progress has been made with the negotiations with Singapore and Malaysia for compensatory aid to those countries as a result of the defence cuts.

A party of officials led by Sir Alan Dudley are at present in Singapore discussing these matters with the Singapore Government and are to visit Malaysia next week. I should prefer not to give further details at the present stage.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what talks have taken place in order to examine the possibility of siting factories in South-East Northumberland for the purpose of manufacturing goods and equipment needed to aid and assist the underdeveloped countries.

None. There is no category of goods financed by aid funds in which the demand is large enough, over a sufficiently long period, to make it practicable to set up factories for its production.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he intends to take to relieve the pressure on the telephone service in Bedfordshire and to expedite delivery and installation of additional exchange equipment and junction plant.

Orders have been placed for additional equipment at 18 exchanges during 1968–69 and 16 exchanges during 1969–70 at a total cost of £1,812,000. Priority is being given to equipment to relieve congestion on trunk and local calls. Adequate junction plant will be available by the end of this calendar year.

asked the Postmaster-General how long ago the submarine cable between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight sustained damage, and through what agency; what proportion of its capacity is still fully serviceable; how fast it is deteriorating; what degree of urgency is being given to fully restoring this defective service; when this is expected to be completed; and if he is aware of the commercial losses being sustained in consequence of this continuing defect.

One of the eight cables was damaged on 25th August, 1967 by a salvage vessel. More than 88 per cent. of the circuits in the cables have been fully serviceable since September when the first repairs were made. Final repairs commenced on 12th February and should be completed this week.

asked the Postmaster-General what instructions are given to Post Office staff regarding the disclosure of information concerning individual subscribers.

Every Post Office servant is bound by the Official Secrets Act not to disclose without prior permission any information which he obtains as a result of his employment. This requirement applies even after he has left Post Office service.

asked the Postmaster-General what plans he has for featuring the national life and history of Wales on stamps in the future.

I have already announced that I shall issue a special postage stamp to commemorate the investiture of the Prince of Wales in 1969. A Welsh bridge will appear in the forthcoming series on British bridges.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will introduce graduated insurance cover for registered letters on a scale comparable to the cover rate, offered by private companies, of 6d. for £12 10s. for recorded delivery mail.

No.

asked the Postmaster-General what response and representations he has received to the new postal address coding in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Head Postmaster's District; if he will give an approximate percentage of items coming to hand for delivery correctly coded; and if he will make a statement.

The reception given by the public of Newcastle-upon-Tyne to the introduction of postcoding has been very good and we have had little adverse comment.The proportion of coded mail has risen to over 20 per cent. and we expect it will continue to rise.

asked the Postmaster-General if, in view of the showing on television of hanging scenes such as that in the film "The Unforgiven" on Independent Television on Sunday, 4th February, he will now direct the Independent Television Authority and the British Broadcasting Corporation to refrain from broadcasting such programmes.

No. I understand the hon. Gentleman's concern. However, as I explained in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Ladywood (Mr. Victor Yates) on 5th February, the content of their programmes is the responsibility of the broadcasting authorities, and their rules deal particularly with the presentation of violence.I have, however, drawn the attention of the two Chairmen to my own concern and that of a number of hon. Members at the showing of programmes of this kind.—[Vol. 758, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether, in view of the increased payments made to the Industrial Development Association by its constituent authorities, and, in view of this Association's success in attracting industry to Mid-Wales, he will make a further grant available to the Association to extend its promotion work in the Midlands.

I should very much like to see this successful work extended, and I understand that the Association's application for an increased grant from the Development Fund for that purpose is being sympathetically considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales, what is the Government's policy for the future constitutional development of Wales.

My right hon. Friend has nothing to add at present to the proposals set out in the White Paper on Local Government in Wales (Cmnd. 3340).

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total number of civil servants now employed by the Welsh Office; and what were the numbers engaged in February, 1965, February, 1966 and February, 1967, respectively.

There were 524 in post on 1st February, 1968. Figures for 1st February, 1965, are not available since functions and staff had not been transferred to the Secretary of State for Wales at that date. The figures for 1st February, 1966, and 1st February, 1967. were 429 and 462 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the civil servants employed by the Welsh Office are engaged on work connected with housing, local government and trunk roads in Wales.

38, 46 and 101 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many persons in Rhondda have benefited by the rate rebate scheme since its inception to the latest available date; and what is the average amount of rebate.

Rate rebates were introduced in April, 1966; 2,482 ratepayers in the borough of Rhondda received rebates in the first half of 1966–67 and 2,716 in the second half-year ending in March, 1967, which is the latest available date for which figures are available. The average amount of rebate for the year as a whole was £7 15s. 6d.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total expenditure, including both central Exchequer and local authority expenditure, on roads in Wales in 1965 and 1966, and the total mileage involved.

This information is given in Tables 104 and 105 on page 86 of the "Digest of Welsh Statistics, 1966", published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of overseas students remained in Great Britain to the most convenient date after successfully completing their training, and how this compares with the previous three years.

Statistics are not available for students in further education establishments. Figures for university students are available for the years 1964–65 and 1965–66. They indicate that of all overseas students who obtained first or higher degrees in these two years, 56 per cent. and 60 per cent. respectively returned to their own countries, and an estimated 6 to 9 per cent. went to other countries overseas. The remainder are assumed to have stayed in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will instruct the Medical Research Council not to use the terms and conditions of employment of members of their staff as a means of preventing such persons carrying out functions which are otherwise lawful.

My right hon. Friend is not empowered to give instructions of this kind to the Medical Research Council; it is a matter for their discretion.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is aware of the growing public concern about the increase in hooliganism in football generally; what study he has made of the representations made by the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, West; what proposals he intends to make to deal with the problem; and if he will make a statement.

I share the public concern about hooliganism at football matches. The subject on which my hon. Friend wrote to me is a matter in which responsibility lies with the football authorities and clubs concerned. I shall, however, bear his suggestions in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the percentage of immigrant schoolchildren in Huddersfield in primary schools, secondary modern schools, and secondary grammar schools, respectively; and what is the estimated intake of immigrant children into Huddersfield schools in the next three years.

8·5, 8·5 and 0·13 per cent. respectively. It is not possible to estimate what the intake of immigrant children into Huddersfield schools will be in the next three years.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, (1) what specific financial assistance has been given to the Huddersfield local authority to help with the problem of immigrant schoolchildren;(2) if he is aware that the Huddersfield County Borough has the highest percentage of immigrant schoolchildren compared with other county boroughs in the West Riding of Yorkshire and that this problem is increasing; and if he will therefore make available a special grant to assist the local authority to deal with this problem, or alternatively visit the area to study the position at first hand.

Yes. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State has already visited Huddersfield and discussed the problems with officials. Under arrangements made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Home Affairs, financial assistance may be paid to local authorities in respect of the salaries of additional staff appoin

TABLE
HUDDERSFIELD LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY
EDUCATIONAL BUILDING PROGRAMME ALLOCATIONS
	1961–62	1962–63	1963–64	1964–65	1965–66	1966–67	1967–68	1968–69
	£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
Major Projects
Primary and Secondary Schools	450,353	49,524	—	—	376,611	195,747	169,776	*
Special Schools	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	50,000
Further Education	115,315	139,393	386,899	—	—	166,392	588,000	—
Colleges of Education	—	184,571	23,173	4,250		—	50,000	—
Minor Works	20,000	19,000	15,000	15,000	51,000	50,000	65,000	55,000
Youth Service†	952	25,275	57,210	31,895	18,600	6,406	357	—
*Amounts for 1968–69 have not been determined and no realistic estimate is yet possible.
† Includes projects provided by voluntary bodies.
—Denotes no allocation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, if he will enter into consultations with the various interested bodies, with a view to setting up a body to advise him on the training and supply of teachers to take the place of the National Advisory Council on the training and supply of teachers.

I have received advice from the bodies most concerned and am still considering the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will show in table form the total sum granted, and/or approved, for educational and social projects, by the Government to the Huddersfield local authority for the years 1965–66, 1966–67, 1967–68 and the estimated amount for 1968–69, and how this compares with the years 1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64, and 1964–65.

The figures for projects which are the responsibility of my Department are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement about the report of the inquiry into the flow of candidates in science and technology into higher education.

The report, which is being published today, confirms that there has been a swing away from science in schools in England and Wales and suggests ways of remedying a potentially dangerous situation. The report deserves wide publicity and discussion. The main conclusion which concerns my Department relates to the provision of further statistics. This I am looking into and hope to arrange. The other recommendations are directed to local education authorities, the Schools Council, the universities and the teachers. I invite them to consider the report carefully and to let me have their views on its recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that on several occasions during the past year people who have lost jewellery and other valuable personal possessions have called in the police to investigate; and whether he will seek to introduce a charge for these services.

The police investigate only when they think that a criminal offence may have been committed, so it would not be appropriate to make a charge.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why, on Thursday 22nd February at about 10.20 a.m., a police car containing several officers called at a house in Great Cambridge Road, Edmonton; how many officers were involved; whether they received a reply; what were the estimated costs of the manpower involved and of using the car; why this operation was not undertaken by the policeman on the beat; and whether, in view of the shortage, he will seek to conserve manpower in such cases.

Despite a considerable expenditure of police time in making inquiries, it has not been possible to identify this incident.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now publish the Report of the Graham-Hall Committee on the limits of maintenance awarded by magistrates' courts in matrimonial and affiliation proceedings.

I understand that the Committee hopes to be able to submit its Report next month. My right hon. Friend is arranging for it to be published as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, why was there no communication from the police to the British Broadcasting Corporation after 8.30 a.m. on Monday 26th February, warning motorists approaching London from the west that congestion was arising on the western approaches, by reason of a burst water main on the Cromwell Road extension, A4.

There were several such communications. Although it is not my responsibility, I understand that there were several broadcasts from the B.B.C.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the disposal of the mobilisation packs of radiac instruments hitherto held available for the Civil Defence Corps.

Most of the radiac equipment will be withdrawn to Home Office depôts for storage, but these matters are still being discussed with the local authority associations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will instruct the Metropolitan Police, that before applying for a search warrant on the basis of receipt of anonymous telephone calls making charges and allegations against householders, they should investigate the character and police records, if any, of the registered occupiers of such premises;(2) at what time the police received an anonymous call making false charges against Lady Diana Cooper on Monday, 19th February; what action they took to ascertain the names and characters of the registered occupants of the premises before applying for a search warrant to search Lady Cooper's flat; and at what time the search took place.

The Commissioner of Police informs me that the call was received shortly before 11 p.m. and acted upon by midnight. The normal procedure is for inquiries to be made and perhaps observation kept in order to try to assess the reliability of information of this character.I regret that this procedure was not carried out and the Commissioner has written to Lady Diana Cooper expressing his regrets.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Deputy Commissioner of Police called on Lady Diana Cooper to apologise for a police raid at her private home; and why, in a similar case in Forest Gate, E.7, details of which have been supplied to him, the Deputy Commissioner did not take, and has not to date taken, such action.

It is for the Commissioner of Police to consider what arrangements best suit the particular circumstances. I am informed that in the Forest Gate case the officer in charge of the search apologised to the owner before leaving the house and again when the owner visited the local police station later on the same day.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drivers in Bristol were asked to take the breathalyser tests during December, 1967 and January, 1968; how many were found positive; and how many were negative.

The figures for December are 31, 16 and 12 respectively. In three cases the person failed to provide a specimen of breath.The provisional figures for January are 25, 10 and 13. In two cases the person failed to provide a specimen of breath.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is Her Majesty's Government's policy with regard to the recent spate of take-overs and amalgamations; and whether he will in struct the Monopolies Commission to investigate recent developments and make a speedy report as to how far they result in price fixing and discourage competition.

It is no part of the Government's policy to hold back mergers except in those relatively few cases where they appear to raise questions of public interest which require examination by the Monopolies Commission. The Commission can be expected to report on any material issue arising in those recently proposed mergers which have been referred to them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what evidence is in his possession that exports to Argentina have declined in 1968; and if he will make a statement.

Exports to Argentina in January, 1968, totalled £2·3 million compared with £2·9 million in 1967 and £1·8 million in January, 1966.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has formed of the number of people living abroad who at present hold British passports, other than those who were born, or whose parents or grandparents were born, in the United Kingdom.

I have been asked to reply.I regret that it is not possible to form such an estimate. To examine this question would entail a disproportionate amount of time and money, and the accuracy of the figures could not be guaranteed.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs, what are the numbers of holders of British passports resident in Kenya, Tanganyika and Uganda, respectively.

I presume that my hon. Friend is referring to holders of United Kingdom passports. No precise figures are available but the estimated numbers of holders of United Kingdom passports resident in the three territories are 98,000, 20–25,000 and 45,000, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will give an assurance that all persons in Rhodesia who carry out executions under the purported authority of the illegal régime will be charged with murder.

There are proceedings at present before the courts which affect the legality of carrying out an execution in present circumstances and it would not be proper at this stage for me to comment on this issue.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now make a formal offer of medical aid to North Vietnam, equal in value and volume to that given recently by Her Majesty's Government to South Vietnam.

The sum of £250,000 now being applied to the relief of civilian suffering in Vietnam was made available in response to an appeal from the Government of the Republic of Vietnam. There has been no similar request from Hanoi; but if there were we would not rule out the principle of providing humanitarian aid on a similar basis to North Vietnam.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on Anglo-Argentinian relations.

Britain and Argentina have had a long and friendly association in many fields. Our relations are cordial and Her Majesty's Government are anxious that they should remain so. I very much hope that a satisfactory solution will soon be found to the problems which the recent epidemic of foot and mouth disease in the United Kingdom has caused for both our countries. In accordance with Resolution 2065 (XX) of the General Assembly of the United Nations, we are also holding a series of talks with representatives of the Argen tine Government with the purpose of finding a solution to the question of the Falkland Islands.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total tonnage of beef and of mutton that has been landed in the United Kingdom from South American countries since November, 1967; how much is now in cold store; and how much has already been released for sale.

Arrivals from South America recorded since November total 4,628 tons of carcase meat, of which 3,967 tons was beef and 661 tons was mutton and lamb. The beef included 1,150 tons in chilled form which was released in December for immediate consumption in the London area. The remainder, which includes frozen beef, mutton and lamb has since 4th December been subject to the undertaking by the trade, and since 26th January to the Order, not to release frozen meat from store except under licence.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the fact that there is no practicable way of determining with certainty whether the foot-and-mouth virus is present in consignments of meat from South America, what he proposes to do with the frozen meat now in cold store from South America.

I am considering this question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations have been made to him to lift the voluntary ban on the importation of meat from South America; and what replies he has sent.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (Mr. Stodart).—[Vol. 759, c. 1391–2.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has yet received direct evidence, scientifically obtained, that the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease was in any way linked with the importation of meat from South America.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday to the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen) and others.—[Vol. 759, c. 1379–81.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the sharp rise in the price of meat, particularly beef, since 4th December 1967; and to what extent this increase is attributable to the ban on the importation of meat from South America.

A number of factors have been responsible for the rise in meat prices which has, in fact, taken place over the last four months, and, as my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary said to my hon. Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Gardner) and the hon. Member for Sudbury and Woodbridge (Mr. Stair ton) on 24th January, I cannot isolate the effect of any single factor. Import restrictions applied from 4th December, but the greatest part of the rise in wholesale beef prices took place during November, when the volume of imports was down because of earlier low prices, and when the transport and marketing of our own fatstock became more difficult.—[Vol. 757, c. 389–390.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what patent licences are in existence in relation to the compound CS, ortho chloro benzyl malono nitrile.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what non-exclusive rights in respect of CS, ortho chloro benzyl malono nitrile, are vested in Her Majesty's Government.

CS itself is not patented anywhere in the world. Her Majesty's Government's rights are identical with those of any other country.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what licences of know-how are in existence in relation to the compound CS, ortho chloro benzyl malono nitrile.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions he has given to the Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton, in relation to the licensing of CS, ortho chloro benzyl malono nitrite.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now make an approximate estimate of the cancellation of payments in respect of the abandonment of the F111 bomber programme in 1968–69 and 1969–70.

At this stage I cannot add anything to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cardigan (Mr. Elystan Morgan) on 18th January.—[Vol. 756, c. 666.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the proposed new radar installation at Orfordness will be manned by British or American personnel.

The new radio research station will be manned by both British and American personnel.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the dates on which tenders were invited for the construction of the new radar installation at Orfordness and the date on which it is planned that the installation should become operational.

Tenders for the constructional work were invited on 19th January, 1968. The station should be ready for practical research within two or three years.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to ensure that British manufacturers have the opportunity to tender for electronic equipment for the new radar installation to be constructed at Orfordness.

Although British firms have been invited to tender for construction work, the radio equipment for this research station is being provided and paid for by the United States Government, who have, I understand, placed a contract with American industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the estimated total cost of the new radar station which it is proposed to build at Orfordness on the Suffolk coast, showing the proportions of cost which will be paid for by Great Britain and the United States of America, respectively.

I am unable at present to give an estimate of the total cost of the radio research station. The greater part of the cost will be for radio equipment, which is to be provided and paid for by the United States Government. The United Kingdom will contribute a proportion of the cost of the construction work; this will be less than a quarter, but the exact proportion cannot be determined at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what were the numbers of cadets entering Sandhurst in January, 1965, September, 1965, January, 1966, September, 1966, January, 1967, September, 1967, and January, 1968.

The numbers are as follows:

Intake		United Kingdom Cadets	Overseas Cadets	Total
January, 1965	…	218	32	250
September, 1965	…	236	23	259
January, 1966	…	197	31	228
September, 1966	…	241	33	274
January 1967	…	165	36	201
September. 1967	…	201	25	226
January. 1968	…	149	27	176

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the additional cost of maintaining in this country the 12,000 Service personnel returned from the Far East, the 18,000 returned from South Arabia and elsewhere, and the further 5,000 returning from Germany by 31st March, 1968, as listed in Command Paper No. 3540.

The only significant additional cost of these redeployments has been that associated with the emergency housing programme. Since the moves were planned in conjunction with a reduction in the total size of the forces, this additional cost will be far exceeded by the savings to be achieved overseas.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the numbers of officers who have retired voluntarily from the Royal Navy, the Army, and the Royal Air Force in 1965, 1966, and 1967, respectively.

Following is the information:

		MEN
		1965	1966	1967
Royal Navy	…	179	218	296
Army	…	428	478	560
Royal Air Force	…	299	243	294

		WOMEN
		1965	1966	1967
Royal Navy	…	9	13	14
Army	…	27	27	40
Royal Air Force	…	19	15	15

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the hardships which the 50 per cent. cut in grants will inflict on Scottish university students, he will relieve them by conducting a review in these spheres for the next two years of the triennium and institute a means test to protect students from the lower income groups and also exempt from the 50 per cent. cut mature, elderly and married students.

The reduction referred to in the Question is in the amount of an expected increase in grants and does not apply to the existing level.I see no need for a separate review of maintenance grants for Scottish students. A comprehensive review has just been completed on a Great Britain basis. I am ready to consider any proposals for adjustments in the grant structure within the overall financial limit laid down by the Government.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will list the schemes she has approved in the extension of the principal roads programmes for the conurbations of Greater London, Tyneside and West Midlands, together with the estimated cost of each scheme.

TYNESIDE CONURBATION: EXTENSION OF PRINCIPAL ROADS PROGRAMME FOR 1970 ONWARDS, ANNOUNCED 23RD AUGUST, 1967
Highway Authority	Scheme	Estimated Cost
		£000
Newcastle upon Tyne County Borough Council	Central Motorway East	10,160
	Jesmond Road/Stephenson Road (Stage H)	1,000
Durham County Council	A695 Scotswood Bridge to Blaydon—Extension to Main Scheme	500
	A694 Rowlands Gill to Dipwood Village	275
Gateshead County Borough Council	Al Low Fell By-pass	1,100
South Shields County Borough Council	A1055 Western Approach—Extension of dualling to Jarrow Road	275
Northumberland County Council	A191 Station Road to Holystone	275

WEST MIDLANDS CONURBATION: EXTENSION OF PRINCIPAL ROADS PROGRAMME FOR 1969–70 ANNOUNCED 7TH JUNE, 1967
Highway Authority	Scheme	Estimated Cost
		£000
Aldridge/Brownhills Urban District Council	A461 Walsall to Lichfield Road Sections II and IV	460
Staffordshire County Council	A461 Aldridge/Brownhills U.D. Boundary to Muckley Corner	265
Walsall County Borough Council	Hatherton Primary Distributor Road	3,250
Wolverhampton County Borough Council	A449 Stafford Road-Church Road to Bushbury Lane	292
	A449 Penn Road, improvement from Ring Road to Oaklands Road	385
	Ring Road, Part V—A4150 Stafford Street to Broad Street	900
Birmingham County Borough Council	A456 Hagley Road West, from Lordswood Road to Wolverhampton Road	500
	A47/A45 Nechells Parkway Junction	750
	A34 Walsall Road from Aldridge Road to Queslett Road	1,100
	Middle Ring Road from Wheeleys Road to Bristol Street	900
Sutton Coldfield Borough Council	A38 Sutton Coldfield By-pass from Maney Hill Road to Royal Hotel	350

asked the Minister of Transport if she will now make a statement on the London "D" Ring Road proposals, with particular regard to effects in Northolt, Middlesex.

My right hon. Friend will have no further statement to make on the "D" Ring Road in North-West London until she has received and con

Schemes in these conurbations were included in the list of programmed schemes given in the report "Roads in England" for the year ended 31st March, 1967. My right hon. Friend has approved the extensions of the list for Tyneside and West Midlands as shown attached.We hope to announce fairly shortly an extension of the list for Greater London.The following is the information:sidered the views of the five local authorities on the alignment suggested by the Greater London Council.

asked the Minister of Transport what were the road accident and death figures for the Christmas period 1967 compared with previous years, allowing for changes in the volume of traffic.

The final casualty figures over the five day Christmas period were as follows:

		Per cent. change in 1967 compared with
		1967	1966	1965	1966	1965
Fatal	…	123	192	132	-36	-7
Serious	…	1,262	1,584	1,799	-20	-30
Slight	…	3,610	5,246	4,247	-31	-15
Total	…	4,995	7,022	6,178	-29	-19

Traffic at Christmas 1967 was 1 per cent, higher than in 1966, and 7 per cent. higher than in 1965.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) in each of the last 10 years how many accidents have occurred at automatic half barrier level crossings involving injury or death; and what the figures were for each of these years;(2) how many automatic level crossings with half barriers have been operational in Great Britain on a convenient date in each of the last 10 years.

Following is the information:

Year		Number of Automatic Half Barrier Level Crossings operating on 31st December	Number of Road/Rail Accidents involving injury or death	Number of persons killed	Number of persons injured
1958	…	—	—	—	—
1959	…	—	—	—	—
1960	…	—	—	—	—
1961	…	2	—	—	—
1962	…	4	—	—	—
1963	…	4	—	—	—
1964	…	16	—	—	—
1965	…	50	1	—	2
1966	…	125	—	—	—
1967	…	207†	1	1	—
1968*	…	209†	3	13‡	52‡
* Up to 31st January, 1968 only.
† Includes 2 crossings on which lines have since been closed.
‡ Includes 11 passengers and railway staff killed and 51 injured in accident at Hixon.

asked the Minister of Transport how much of the loss of £9,500 per route mile incurred by the railways of Great Britain as a whole is attributable to interest.

About £4,400. But under the provision of the Transport Bill, now before Parliament, the British Railways Board will be relieved of a substantial part of this interest liability.

asked the Prime Minister, whether he will make a statement on the latest situation in Rhodesia.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answers I gave to Questions on Tuesday last.—[Vol. 759, c. 1229.]

asked the Prime Minister, if, as a result of his recent visits to Moscow and Washington, it is his policy to take any fresh initiatives to achieve a military détente in Europe.

We are actively studying with our allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation the possibilities for disarmament and practical arms control measures in Europe. This study has been intensified since the adoption by N.A.T.O. Ministers last December of the Report on the Future Tasks of the Alliance. I see no need for any new initiative at present.

asked the Prime Minister, whether he will designate a Minister as Minister for Tourism.

Her Majesty's Government, of course, recognise the importance of the tourist industry. But, as my right hon. Friend will know, responsibility for tourism already rests with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, assisted by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, and I doubt whether any new arrangement would serve the cause of tourism better. However, if my right hon. Friend has any specific proposals to make, I would be happy to consider them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total value of contracts by Government purchasing agencies placed with industrialists in Wales in 1967; and what are the corresponding figures for 1966 and 1965.

In the financial years 1965–66 and 1966–67, the value of contracts placed by the largest purchasing Departments for work to be carried out in Wales by industrialists was as follows:

			£
1965–66	…	…	15·6 million
1966–67	…	…	16·1 million

The above figures include the value of contracts for certain building and civil engineering work, some of which may have been let to firms not domiciled in Wales. Figures for calendar years cannot be provided without disproportionate expense.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchquer what plans his Department have for increasing the volume of purchases by Government purchasing agencies in the development areas.

I have nothing to add to the replies given on 7th and 14th November last by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary.—[Vol. 753, c.81,Vol. 754, c.66.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to establish post-costing and equality of information in Government contracts.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made on Monday, 26th February.—[Vol. 759, c.947.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will propose the setting up of a Select Committee to consider the prevention of tax-evasion and the simplification of the tax laws.

I am not persuaded that this would be the best way of dealing with these matters.

asked the Minister of Health what are his proposals for exempting patients from prescription charges.

The proposals I have put to representatives of family doctors and of pharmacists envisage both long-term and interim arrangements. Under the long-term scheme, which could not be introduced for some months, all patients in the categories which the Government propose should be exempted from paying the charges would be provided with a card which they would produce when they went for their medicine and no charge would then be payable. The chronic sick will be described by a simple definition which will probably embrace those who are housebound because of continuing physical disability or who suffer from one of a short list of conditions requiring permanent medication Special arrangements are in mind for other patients who are likely to require exceptionally frequent prescriptions.Under the interim arrangements, which would not become operative until I was satisfied that the proposed long-term scheme could be put into effect, but which I would expect to operate simultaneously with re-introduction of prescription charges, it is intended that patients entitled to exemption on age grounds would make an age declaration, the doctor indicating on the prescription form that no charge should be levied. Procedure for the chronic sick and expectant and nursing mothers would be similar, but in their case they would declare possession of a temporary slip with which they would be provided.Arrangements for charge to be refunded where appropriate, would continue, throughout.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many design contracts approved by him were placed by local authorities in the development areas in the last year for which information is available; and how many of these were placed with design consultants in the development areas.

I regret that the information is not available since my right hon. Friend does not approve design contracts placed by local authorities.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what reply he has sent to the letter dated 20th February, 1968, from the Urban District Council of Wellingborough requesting loan sanction for the building of an indoor swimming bath; and if he will make a statement.

In view of the urgent need and the advanced stage of preparation of the scheme the council have been informed that loan sanction will be issued shortly.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government on what date he expects to reach a decision on the inspector's report on the local inquiry into the proposed new shopping facilities in Old Hatfield.

The decision was issued yesterday and a copy was sent to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour, what action his Department are taking to promote a settlement of the dispute between the management and members of the Draughtsmen's and Allied Technicans' Association at Messrs. Garrards, Limited, Swindon; and if he will make a statement.

Officers of my Department have had separate discussions with the Draughtsmen's and Allied Technicians' Association and the Engineering Employers' West of England Association. Both sides take the view that conciliation by the Ministry would not be helpful in the present situation. If there should be any change in the position, I would, of course, be ready to consider whether the Ministry could help in any way.

asked the Minister of Labour what has been the rise in the cost of living and in incomes, respectively. between October, 1964 and the nearest convenient date.

Between October, 1964 and December, 1967. the latest date for which all the required information is available, the Retail Prices Index rose by 12·3 per cent., and the Monthly Index of Average Earnings by 19·4 per cent. on a seasonally-adjusted basis.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of persons in Rhondda accepted for and awaiting training in Government training centres; and how many have been waiting for periods of three months, six months, nine months and 12 months or more, respectively.

On 26th February, 43 accepted applicants from Rhondda were awaiting training in Government Training Centres. Their waiting periods had been:

Under 3 months	…	…	10
3–6 months	…	…	10
6–9 months	…	…	6
9–12 months	…	…	6
Over 12 months	…	…	11

Of the 23 who had been waiting over six months, 19 were in employment at the time of acceptance for training. In Wales long waiting periods are mainly confined to two of the 22 trades available.

asked the Minister of Power, how many people are employed in administration in each of the nationalised industries for which he is responsible.

It is difficult to define "administration" and relate it to staff numbers.

asked the Minister of Power, when he expects to lay before the House his scheme to pay benefits to redundant miners over the age of 55 under Section 3 of the Coal Industry Act, 1967.

Within the next few weeks.

asked the Minister of Power, what expenditure has so far been incurred under Section 5 of the Coal Industry Act, 1967 as a result of deferred colliery closures; and what is the estimated expenditure during the current year.

No payments have yet been made. The full amount of the losses incurred will not be ascertained until the collieries are closed and the accounts are made up.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many independent design consultants his Department has used in the last year for which information is available; and how many of these have addresses in development areas.

The number of independent design consultants employed by my Ministry in the last year was 315 of which 34 had addresses in development areas.

asked the Minister of Social Security, which industries' workers received more in unemployment benefit than the value of their contributions in each of the last three years, and which industries' workers received less; and if he will state industries' total benefits as a proportion of their total contributions.

I regret that the information requested is not available.

asked the Minister of Social Security why no explanatory note has been provided with the Family Allowances and National Insurance Act, 1967 (Commencement) Order, 1968.

It has not hitherto been the practice of my Department to provide explanatory notes for Commencement Orders containing transitory provisions, as the provisions have been considered to be self-explanatory. On reflection, however, it appears to me that the transitory provisions in this particular Order are less easily understood than the earlier provisions, and I shall arrange for explanatory notes to be provided for any similar provisions in future Orders.

asked the Minister of Social Security when the report of the National Insurance Advisory Committee on the question of unemployment benefit and contribution credits for occupational pensioners is to be published.

The report is being published today as a Command Paper (Cmnd. 3545) and copies are now available in the Vote Office. I would like to express my thanks to the Committee for their very helpful report on this complex subject.I am in broad agreement with the Committee's recommendations and am preparing the necessary amending Regulations.

asked the Minister of Technology how long he estimates it will be before the nuclear reactor at Chapelcross Power Station, shut down since an accident in May, 1967, is in operation again; and what has been the cost of the breakdown in loss of sales.

Remedial work is making good progress but at this stage the Atomic Energy Authority is unable to forecast how long it will take. It is likely to be some months.The loss of sales up to the end of February, 1968 will be about £0·8 million.

asked the Minister of Technology what is his Department's estimate of the supply and price prospects of natural uranium, in view of the incipient world shortage; and what effect this is expected to have on cost estimates for nuclear stations in this country.

The growing volume of current exploration work in various parts of the world should result in sufficient uranium being forthcoming at reasonable prices for the U.K. and other nuclear power programmes. The effect of a rise in price of uranium on nuclear power costs is comparatively small; for example, a price variation of 10 per cent. would mean a change of about 1¼ per cent. in generating costs for a typical advanced gas-cooled reactor station.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement about the progress at Dounreay of the work on the fast breeder reactor; how many shutdowns there have been; what are the reasons for them; and in what year he expects this type of reactor to be in commercial production.

A small experimental fast breeder reactor has been in operation at Dounreay since 1959. This reactor has been used since 1963 as a test bed for advanced fuels and materials. There have been frequent scheduled shutdowns because of the experimental nature of the programme.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a statement on the proposed closure of the Associated Electrical Industries-General Electric Company laboratory at Rugby, arising from the merger approved by Her Majesty's Government.

I understand that central research for the General Electric Company and Associated Electrical Industries is to be concentrated at the General Electric Company research centre at Wembley, and that a number of research staff are to be transferred there from Rugby. Some product research will be maintained at Rugby and staff not retained there or transferred to Wembley are likely to be absorbed by other laboratories in the G.E.C./A.E.I. Group.