asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many full-time qualified teachers were in service on 1st February, 1968.

The figures are expected to become available towards the end of March.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the percentage increase in salaries now proposed for teachers in schools in educational priority areas; and how such increases are to be related to productivity.

The salary addition is to be at a flat rate of£75 per annum for qualified teachers at all salary levels and the schools have not yet been designated. It is not therefore possible to give a percentage increase. The addition is not related to the productivity of the teachers, which cannot in any case be precisely measured.

asked the Minister of Power why he refused to defer the closure of Brandon Pit House Colliery in Durham, in view of the heavy redundancy which will result from the closure.

The Government decided not to intervene because the circumstances of the case did not on balance justify deferment under the 1967 Coal Act.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will move to set up a select committee composed of Members from Scottish constituencies to inquire into the administration of the Scottish Office.

I have nothing to add to the remarks I made on this subject during the debate on the Motion to set up the Select Committee on Education and Science on Thursday, 22nd February.—[Vol. 759, c. 789–94.]

asked the Minister of Technology what cancellation charges have been paid for the ten cancelled Buccaneers.

As discussions with the two principal contractors are still at an early stage, no cancellation payments have yet been made.

asked the Minister of Social Security (1) what is the total value of the supplementary pensions paid in a full year to those of the 150,000 people who are too old to claim a National Insurance pension and are eligible for a supplementary pension;(2) if she will estimate the value in a full year of the supplementary pensions which are not now claimed by the 150,000 people who are too old to claim a National Insurance pension and who are eligible for supplementary pensions;(3) how many of the 150,000 people who are too old to claim a National Insurance pension now claim a supplementary pension;(4) if she will estimate how many of the 150,000 people who are too old to claim a National Insurance pension are eligible for supplementary pensions.

It is estimated that about 70,000 people who were too old to become insured in 1948 are receiving supplementary pensions at an estimated cost of about£18 million a year. It is not known how many of the remaining 80,000 might be eligible.

asked the Minister of Social Security whas was the amount of social security benefits paid in cash and kind to those earning under £250 per annum, between £250-£500 per annum, £500-£750 per annum, £750-£1,200 per annum, £1,200-£2,000 per annum, £2,000-£5,000 per annum, and over £5,000 per annum, respectively, in the last financial year for which figures are available.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Social Security what was the total amount paid out in social security benefits in the London Borough of Lewisham for the last financial year for which figures are available and the percentage of that total allocated to widow's pensions, retirement pensions, unemployment benefit, sickness benefit and supplementary benefits, respectively.

I regret that information about the total amount paid out in social security benefits for any particular area is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish a year-by-year analysis of the figures shown in Command Paper No. 3540 of the 135 British servicemen killed and 900 wounded in Aden.

As the complete figures are not immediately available I will write to the hon. Member. A breakdown covering the greater part of the period was given by my right hon. Friend on 15th November in reply to the hon. Member for Swindon (Mr. Francis Noel-Baker).—[Vol. 754, c. 134–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the purpose and cost of building a satellite communications terminal in the amphibious aircraft ship "Intrepid".

The purpose of the terminal in "Intrepid" is to give to this Command ship reliable and secure communication facilities, including speech, within the area of satellite coverage of the Skynet system. It is not the practice to disclose contract prices: these are confidential between the Ministry of Defence and the contractor.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence for what purpose the naval radio station on Mauritius has been re-equipped with a new computerised signals system; and at what cost.

The naval radio station at Mauritius has not been re-equipped with a new computerised signals system. The present signals system has been in operation there since 1962.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to extend an airfield in the British Solomon Islands; and for what purpose.

None. The airfield at Honiara on Guadalcanal Island is being improved by the local Public Works Department in order to develop local and regional air services. The work is being financed by the Commonwealth Office out of Colonial Development and Welfare funds. One officer and two non commissioned officers of the Royal Engineers are helping with the construction.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the total expenditure on microcircuits by his Department during the first nine months of the year ending 31st March, 1968, showing the value of the orders which went to British manufacturers.

I cannot provide this information as microcircuits are component parts of particular electronic equipments and are not normally purchased separately by my Department. It would require considerable time and effort to identify the equipments concerned and to assess the overall value of the microcircuitry incorporated in them.However, information immediately available indicates that the bulk of microcircuits incorporated in defence equipment are of British manufacture.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will specify the studies being carried out by universities and other outside academic institutions referred to in chapter III paragraph seven of the Statement on the Defence Estimates.

Of the five additional lecturers appointed by universities to specialise in the defence aspects of their disciplines, four have already taken up their posts. Edinburgh have appointed a reader in the Department of Politics and plan to offer a third-year undergraduate course and a post-graduate course in comparative military systems analysis. At Southampton the post is also in the Department of Politics. It is proposed to offer a special subject in strategic studies for third-year undergraduate students and research will be undertaken on continental and naval strategies, the meaning and formulation of national interest and the impact of technology upon the strategic thinking and organisation of the Services. At Aberdeen the lecturer is appointed to the Department of Political Economy and will direct his research to two main themes, the impact of defence on the economy and the application of economic analysis to military resource allocation problems.King's College, London have made an appointment in the Faculty of Laws. Studies will be conducted on defence aspects of U.K. constitutional law, central government organisation, Service organisation and jurisdiction and on international law relating to peace-keeping, self-defence, neutrality and the regulation of armed conflicts.Details of the studies currently being followed by defence Fellows are as follows. The results of these studies will in due course be available to the Ministry of Defence.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what part of the cost of the radar warning station to be built at Orfordness is included in the Defence Estimates for 1968–69.

The net provision in Defence Estimates for 1968–69 for the radio research station, after taking account of the United States contribution, is£185,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many British warships called at Simonstown in 1967.

Thirty-four.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the additional cost to his Department, in the year up to June 1968, of sending freight for destinations East of Suez, either via the Cape or by air.

£184,000 for sea freight. I regret that the figure is not available for air freight of stores which would have normally been sent by sea.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost, including transport and pay, of the infantry company stationed in Francistown, Botswana, up to 31st August, 1967, to guard the British Broadcasting Corporation relay station.

About£467,000, including£254,000 for air movement and additional personnel costs for which Defence Votes have been reimbursed by the appropriate Political Vote.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel on loan or secondment from universities or industry, respectively, are working at the Defence Operational Analysis Establishment at West Byfleet.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel are employed at the Defence Operational Analysis Establishment at West Byfleet, showing the number of senior officers in each of the three services and the number of permanent civil servants.

The overall strength at West Byfleet is 243. This figure includes 1 Captain, Royal Navy, 1 Brigadier, 1 Colonel and 1 Group Captain. There are 204 civilians of whom 71 are permanent.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost and purpose of modifying satellite radio communication terminals in Cyprus and Singapore.

These are part of the programme announced in Command 3203, Chapter VI, paragraphs 36 to 38. It is not the practice to disclose contract prices.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will estimate the number of persons, excluding manual workers, employed at the last convenient date by local authorities in Great Britain.

I have been asked to reply. At June, 1967 the total number employed by local authorities and in police forces in Great Britain was 2,216,815 but the statistics do not distinguish manual and non-manual employees separately.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will introduce legislation to extend the Parliamentary Commissioner's functions to cover local government.

I believe that more experience is needed of the Commissioner's rôle in relation to central government before it can be judged whether such an extension of his functions would be appropriate.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the percentage increase in rates and earnings implied by the pay claim of tug men currently in dispute on Merseyside; if such a claim is consistent with the Government's prices and incomes policy; and if he will make a statement.

I am awaiting further information from the employers about these negotiations.

asked the Minister of Labour what plans he has to reduce and standardise the amount of documentation connected with industrial accident prevention.

This is one of the questions that are being considered in connection with the preparatory work now being carried out on a comprehensive revision of the Factories Act, 1961 and the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963.

asked the Minister of Labour when he will introduce legislation to simplify the existing statutes dealing with industrial safety.

Work is proceeding on a comprehensive revision of the existing statutes but I am not in a position to say when legislation will be introduced.

asked the Postmaster-General how soon after the completion of the extension to the trunk exchange at Haslemere is it estimated that the work at Fernhurst exchange will be completed; and how soon after that it is expected that potential subscribers now waiting for telephones will be connected to these exchanges.

The work at Fernhurst will be completed at the same time as that at Haslemere. Waiting applicants should be given service within a month thereafter.

asked the Postmaster-General how many people, either without a telephone or with a shared line, are now waiting for individual lines connected to the Haslemere and Fernhurst exchanges, respectively.

Haslemere 17, Fernhurst 2.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will reconsider the rule that no compensation is payable for the loss of mail, except mail sent registered or by recorded delivery, even when the loss is proved to have been caused by negligence and disregard of regulations by Post Office staff.

I have reconsidered it, but I cannot agree to alter it.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will introduce legislation to enable him to regulate the terms of agreements between sporting organisations and the television authorities for the broadcasting of international sporting events, including the arrangements for any advertising relating thereto.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will direct the National Board for Prices and Incomes to examine the reasons why the Daily Mirror increased the price of their newspaper by 25 per cent. from 31st January, 1968, to compensate for the rise in the price of newsprint, which becomes operative in March, 1968, whilst most other daily newspapers are not increasing the price of their papers until March, 1968.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave my hon. Friend on 7th February.—[Vol. 758, c. 134.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the light of the communication on the matter sent by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, to the Minister of State under date of 24th February, he will make further investigations into the extra charge for the Daily Mirror; and if he will make a statement.

No. This matter has been fully investigated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will estimate what savings have been achieved by the substitution of the investment grants scheme for the investment allowances scheme.

No. The substitution was not intended to effect savings, but to concentrate Government assistance on those sectors of industry and those areas where the need to increase investment is greatest.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will detail those with whom he is having prior consultations before announcing an independent British inquiry into the Munich air crash of 1958; and when he expects these consultations to be completed.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 26th February.—[Vol. 759, c. 247.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the United Kingdom will support the official proposal put forward by the Scandinavian countries to amend the international convention on pollution of the sea by banning oil discharging, and to establish an international tribunal to consider claims for damages resulting from violations.

So far we have not received any official communication from the Nordic Council but we shall of course be glad to consider the proposals as soon as details are available. Meanwhile both the question of strengthening the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil and the question of liability for damages are being discussed by the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation. Her Majesty's Government is taking an active part in these discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many young men between 17 and 21 years of age are serving sentences in the young offenders' institutions at Edinburgh and Dumfries; and how these figures compare with those for March, 1967, and March, 1966.

The information is set out in the table below:

	Number of inmates serving sentences on
	26.2.68	1.3.67	1.3.66
Edinburgh Young Offenders Institution	123	97	119
Dumfries Young Offenders Institution	88	88	83

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has approved the second phase of the infilling of the Monk-land Canal at Coatbridge; and what is the estimated cost, the amount of Government grant and the proposed date for starting the project.

I have given approval in principle. The latest estimate of cost is about£300,000, and grant will be at the rate of 90 per cent. of the approved cost. A starting date has not yet been fixed.

asked the Minister of Health how many trained economists and statisticians he has in his Department; how many of these are employed part-time or full-time on studying alternative methods of financing the National Health Service through additions, or extensions, of the existing system of charging; and to what extent his contingency planning on charges takes account of the social and economic consequences.

Nine, none of whom is employed on studies of the kind my hon. Friend mentions. In considering the part to be played by charges their social and economic consequences are taken fully into account.

asked the Minister of Health what diseases are associated with the drinking of raw milk in this country at present; and what is their incidence.

The principal diseases associated with untreated milk during the past few years are brucellosis and salmonella infections, including paratyphoid fever.For the incidence of brucellosis I refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 23rd January, 1968, to my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Haseldine). Separate statistics are not available about the number of salmonella infections which are due to the consumption of untreated milk, but apart from a single outbreak of known milk-borne

paratyphoid fever in 1965 which accounted for 642 cases, it is in general thought to be very small.—[Vol. 757, c.

asked the Minister of Health how many design contracts for hospital and other Health Service buildings in development areas were placed in the last year for which the information is available; and how many of these were placed with design consultants in the development areas.

I regret that the information requested is not available.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give an undertaking that any increase in nurses' salaries which is recommended by the National Board for Prices and Incomes should be back-dated to 29th June, 1967, the date of the references to the Board.

It is open to the Board to make recommendations about the operative date of salary increases.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the fact that the average time taken for the National Board for Prices and Incomes to consider wages and salaries references has been three months and in the case of nurses' pay at least eight months will have been taken before the report is issued, he will take steps to expedite consideration of this matter.

It has necessarily taken the Board some time to conduct a thorough survey of nurses' pay. I am sure they will complete the reference and report as soon as they can.

asked the Minister of Health which county boroughs in East Sussex have day nurseries; and whether they are staffed by voluntary or paid workers.

I am informed that Brighton and Eastbourne each run one day nursery, staffed by their own employees.

asked the Minister of Health what is now the average waiting time for access to hospital beds for different categories of patients in the area of the London Borough of Havering.

Urgent cases are admitted without delay. Waiting times for admission of other patients vary so much according to circumstances that average figures would have little meaning.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the total expenditure, including both central Exchequer and local authority expenditure, on roads in England in 1965 and 1966, and the total mileage involved.

The total expenditure was: 1965–66£303·3 million; 1966–67£330·9 million. The total mileage at 1st April, 1966 was 147,853.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she is aware that on 25th February two more pedestrians were killed in an accident on the A38 at Cambridge, at the spot where proposals for a footbridge have recently been refused by her Department; and whether she will now reconsider her decision.

We were deeply sorry to learn of this tragic accident. As soon as we have a full report of the circumstances of the accident, and the results of the further pedestrian and vehicle counts, I will write to the hon. Member regarding the justification for a footbridge.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will give her estimate of the return on capital she expects to be made by the Victoria line now being built at a cost of£84 million.

The return, taking into account social benefit, is expected to be in the region of 10 per cent. Revenue from fares should pay the operating costs of the line and make a small contribution to interest on capital.

asked the Minister of Transport whether work has been turned away at any other liner train terminal through the inability of the Glasgow terminal to handle it.

The Railways Board tell me that the rapid growth of freightliner traffic, 238 per cent between February, 1967 and February, 1968, has caused them to restrict containers for Glasgow. My right hon. Friend is urgently considering proposals recently put to her by the Board for investment which will relieve this congestion.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the total revenue which accrued in 1965 and 1966 in Wales and England respectively, from vehicle and driving licences.

Receipts from vehicle excise duties and driving licences fees, net of refunds, were as follows:

				1965–66£ million	1966–67£ million
Wales	…	…	…	12·0	12·5
England	…	…	…	219·4	229·3

asked the Minister of Transport when she will consult with interested organisations on her future policy for speed limits; and what form these consultations will take.

Within the next two months I hope to publish, as a basis for discussion and consultation, a memorandum setting out the lines of a possible future policy for speed limits. When I have received the comments of interested organisations on this, I will arrange a series of discussions of any outstanding points of difference. I hope to reach final decisions during the Summer.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will seek to amend the law to deal, in particular, with the excessive emission of exhaust fumes from the sides of vehicles, particularly from diesel vehicles.

It is already unlawful for a vehicle to discharge excessive smoke or vapour. In 1965 and 1966 there were respectively 2,800 and 2,140 prosecutions by the police and about 13,000 and 7,000 prohibitions of use issued by Ministry of Transport Vehicle Examiners.

asked the Minister of Transport how many people are employed by her Department at Parliament Square House and what are their functions.

50, comprising members of the Ministry's Sea Transport Division and ancillary staff.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in his consideration of a fixed date for Easter.

I understand that further consultations are being undertaken by a study group of the World Council of Churches, and. I am at present awaiting that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will seek to amend the law, with a view to ensuring that a by-election shall be held on a date at a fixed period from a seat becoming vacant.

Mr. Speaker's Conference on Electoral Law considered this, but did not recommend any change in the law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Roy Neal of Forest Gate, who was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for alleged robbery has, on appeal, and retrial, been found not guilty; and what compensation he proposes to pay to this man.

The law makes no provision for the payment of compensation in cases of this kind. Nor is it customary to make ex gratia payments from public funds unless there has been negligence or misconduct by the police or other public officials. On the information before men I regret that there are no grounds for an exceptional payment in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will place in the Library of the House, or make available to Members, the list of those individual persons to whom immigration officials are instructed to refuse entry to Great Britain, together with the reasons therefor; and whether he will define in detail the requirements of public interest which determine refusal of admission.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No".As regards the second part, it would not be practicable to define within the compass of this answer all the requirements of public interest which may determine the refusal of admission. Some presumptive grounds of refusal, however, are indicated in Article 4 of the Aliens Order, 1953 and Section 2(4) of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act. 1962 and others include the existence of a deportation order against the person seeking admission or, in the case of certain foreign nationals, the lack of a visa or the absence of return facilities to any other country in the event of admission here.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what assistance, other than financial, his Department gives to Britain in Europe Limited.

The Foreign Office co-operate where appropriate with Britain in Europe Limited, as they do with a number of other voluntary organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will place in the Library copies of the reports he has received from Britain in Europe Limited about the way they spent money he allocated to them in 1967.

I am hoping to arrange for this information to be made available as soon as possible after the end of the present financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is his estimate of the amount his Department will spend on leasing accommodation in Brussels during 1968.

For official hirings: £75,165 including rent from 1st April for the flat for which the Foreign Office has assumed responsibility from the Ministry of Public Building and Works. For rent allowances: £40,201.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what accommodation leased by his Department in Brussels was vacant on 2nd February last.

Two of the 70 properties were vacant on 2nd February. 213 Avenue Louise was reoccupied on 3rd February. 11 Rue Charles VI was vacated on 31st January and was reoccupied on 6th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the number of staff employed in the British Embassy in Brussels; and by how many the number rose in 1967.

Including the resident Defence Attaché establishment, there are 38 home-based staff and 50 locally-engaged staff. There was an increase during 1967 of four, who were provided to enable the Administration Section of the Embassy to administer the United Kingdom Delegation to the North Atlantic Council after its arrival in Brussels from Paris.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further representation he has made to the Greek Government about the expulsion of Mr. Leslie Finer; what reply he has received; and what further action he will now take.

The position remains as I described it to my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) and my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Ipswich (Sir Dingle Foot) on 26th February.—[Vol. 759, c. 233–4.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the present members of the Consultative Committee of the British Egg Marketing Board have trade interests; and whether he will take steps for the appointment of more members representing consumers and the public.

The constitution of the Consultative Committee of the British Egg Marketing Board is laid down in the British Egg Marketing Scheme, 1956, which provides that there shall be up to 15 members appointed by the Board as representing trade interests together with up to five members of the Board itself. Specific provision for consumer representation would require an amendment of the Scheme and this would need to be promoted by the Board itself.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take steps to require that either eggs or their boxes should be stamped with the date when the eggs were laid.

No. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that for eggs as for other perishable foods the balance of advantage is against compulsory date stamping.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from West Indian rum producers with regard to the effect of a British entry into the European Economic Community and the consequent ending of Commonwealth pre- ference; and what action he will take to safeguard their interests.

My officials have discussed with West Indian rum interests the effects on the industry of British entry into the European Economic Community. These would depend mainly on the nature of association or other arrangements between the enlarged Community and the Caribbean countries and territories concerned. The Government had declared its intention, in negotiations for entry, of asking the members of the E.E.C. to confirm that association under Part IV of the Treaty of Rome would be appropriate for dependent territories in the West Indies, and that association and the alternatives previously offered by the Community would be open to independent Caribbean Commonwealth countries.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will slightly amend the boundary of the foot-and-mouth control area within Merioneth to enable markets to be held at Dolgellau.

All controlled area restrictions will be removed from midnight on Monday, 4th March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will extend the Personal Export Scheme so as to enable tourists to buy goods tax free over the counter for immediate delivery.

This question is again under consideration, in consultation with the principal trade organisations concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state his reasons for maintaining Bank Rate at eight per cent.

The 8 per cent. Bank Rate is one of a number of measures designed to make a success of devaluation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations he is having about the possibility of introducing a unified coding system, involving one deduction only from employees' earnings, covering national insurance contributions, graduated pensions scheme contributions, and pay-as-you-earn tax payments.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why pensions payable to residents overseas, were paid at the devalued rate of the £ sterling after 18th November, 1967, in view of the fact that the payment related to a period before devaluation.

Sterling pensions are payable in sterling. If the pensioner is living abroad, they must necessarily he converted into local currency at the rate of exchange operating when the draft is present for payment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what saving in staff numbers has been achieved by the Inland Revenue as a result of the withdrawal of investment allowances.

It is impossible to quantify savings on this account. Any easement to the staff of the Inland Revenue through the withdrawal of investment allowances has been taken up by their increased duties on Corporation Tax and Capital Gains Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many digital computers are now used by his Department to produce statistical information for Her Majesty's Government; what new categories of information the use of computers has made possible; and what plans he has for such information, other than that of a confidential nature applying to individuals or individual organisations, to be made available on demand within the Palace of Westminster to Members of Parliament.

asked the Minister of Power how many digital computers are now used by his Department to produce statistical information for Her Majesty's Government; what new categories of information the use of computers has made possible; and what plans he has for such information, other than that of a confidential nature, applying to individuals or individual organisations, to be made available on demand within the Palace of Westminster to Members of Parliament.

asked the Minister of Health how many digital computers are now used by his Department to produce statistical information for Her Majesty's Government; what new categories of information the use of computers has made possible; and what plans he has for such information, other than that of a confidential nature, applying to individuals or individual organisations, to be made available on demand within the Palace of Westminster to Members of Parliament.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many digital computers are now used by his Department to produce statistical information for Her Majesty's Government; what new categories of information the use of computers has made possible; and what plans he has for such information, other than that of a confidential nature applying to individuals or individual organisations, to be made available on demand within the Place of Westminster to Members of Parliament.

asked the Minister of Transport how many digital computers are now used by her Department to produce statistical information for Her Majesty's Government; what new categories of information the use of computers has made possible; and what plans she has for such information, other than that of a confidential nature applying to individuals or individual organisations, to be made available on demand within the Palace of Westminster to Members of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many digital computers are now used by his Department to produce statistical information for Her Majesty's Government; what new categories of information the use of computers has made possible; and what plans he has for such information, other than that of a confidential nature applying to individual or individual organisations, to be made available on demand within the Palace of Westminster to Members of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many digital computers are now used by his Department to produce statistical information for Her Majesty's Government; what new categories of information the use of computers has made possible; and what plans he has for such information, other than that of a confidential nature applying to individuals or individual organisations or restricted for security reasons, to be made available on demand within the Palace of Westminster to Members of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many digital computers are now used by his Department to produce statistical information for Her Majesty's Government; what new categories of information the use of computers has made possible; and what plans he has for such information, other than that of a confidential nature, applying to individuals or individual organisations, to be made available on demand within the Palace of Westminster to Members of Parliament.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many digital computers are now used by his Department to produce stastical information for Her Majesty's Government; what new categories of information the use of computers has made possible; and what plans he has for such information, other than that of a confidential nature, applying to individuals or individual organisations, to be made available on demand within the Palace of Westminster to Members of Parliament.

asked the Minister of Technology how many digital computers are now used by his Department to produce statistical information for Her Majesty's Government; what new categories of information the use of com- puters has made possible; and what plans he has for such information, other than that of a confidential nature, applying to individuals or individual organisations, to be made available on demand within the Palace of Westminster to Members of Parliament.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many digital computers are now used by his Department to produce statistical information for Her Majesty's Government; what new categories of information the use of computers has made possible; and what plans he has for such information, other than that of a confidential nature, applying to individuals or individual organisations, to be made available on demand within the Palace of Westminster to Members of Parliament.

asked the Minister of Social Security how many digital computers are now used by her Department to produce statistical information for Her Majesty's Government; what new categories of information the use of computers has made possible; and what plans she has for such information, other than that of a confidential nature, applying to individuals or individual organisations, to be made available on demand within the Palace of Westminster to Members of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how many digital computers are now used by his Department to produce statistical information for Her Majesty's Government; what new categories of information the use of computers has made possible; and what plans he has for such information, other than that of a confidential nature, applying to individuals or individual organisations, to be made available on demand within the Palace of Westminster to Members of Parliament.

As the Treasury has central responsibility for the development of the use of computers in Government Departments and the use of computer bureaux, I have been asked to reply.The number of digital computers now used wholly or in part in producing statistical information for the Departments concerned is 28 within the central government service and 24 elsewhere, e.g. at commercial bureaux. The introduction of computers has made it possible to carry out more rapid processing of individual statistical returns and much more detailed analysis and cross-analysis. It has also opened the way to the extensive use of more advanced techniques, e.g. regression analysis and model building. Further developments in the use of computers for statistical purposes are planned. The amount of statistical information regularly published by the Government and made available on special request has steadily increased, and will continue to grow. Articles describing the, results of new analytical work are frequently published in Economic Trends and other official publications.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of the average value of welfare benefits receivable by a married man with three secondary school children, earning£10,000 a year, in respect of State education, family allowances, food subsidies, National Health Service, school meals, and State pension provision; and how much extra he estimates such a man pays in income tax in respect of the value of these benefits.

The average value of the welfare benefits received in 1966 (the latest year for which information is available) by a married man with three children (two girls and a boy) between the ages of 11 and 14 was as follows:

1. Education (if at maintained schools)—£444 18s. 0d.

2. National Health Service-£72 17s. 0d.

3. School Meals and Milk—£55 19s. 0d.

4. Family Allowances—£46 16s. 0d. Gross.

It is assumed that a man in the circumstances described by the hon. Member earning£10,000 a year would have been in employment throughout the year and thus would have drawn no sickness, unemployment or retirement benefit. No account has been taken of agricultural subsidies which are payments to producers and are not necessarily directly reflected in the price of food. Family Allowances (which are treated as earned income for tax purposes) in respect of his second and third children would have resulted in his paying an extra£32 in tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the annual amount paid by each adult person in direct and indirect taxes and in weekly contributions to the National Health Service.

The annual amount of taxes and contributions paid by the personal sector in 1966, per head of the population aged 16 and over was as follows:

	£
Taxes on income	88
Taxes on expenditure	112
National insurance, health and Redundancy Fund contributions of which:	44
National health contributions	4
Total taxes and contributions	244

NOTE.—Figures of the numbers of adult persons paying the taxes are not available. Tax payments by the personal sector include small amounts paid by life assurance and superannuation funds and private non-profit-making bodies.