asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of traffic wardens now employed in Scotland, indicating the number of male and female wardens, respectively.

At 31st January, 1968, 415 male and four female traffic wardens were employed by police authorities in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of houses built in Scotland from the end of 1964 to the nearest date; and what were the numbers built in 1962 and 1963, respectively.

By the end of January over 126,000 houses had been completed under the present Government, an average of some 37,800 a year. The comparable figure for 1962 was 26,761 and for 1963 28,217.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what number of houses were approved by his Department since 1964; and what were the totals for 1962 and 1963, respectively.

The present Government have approved over 114,000 houses for building in Scotland by the local authorities, the new town corporations and the Scottish Special Housing Association, an average of over 34,000 a year. The comparable figure for 1962 was 27,255 and for 1963, 30,041.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the present level of house building in Scotland; and how far is that level on target in the building of 50,000 houses per annum.

The public sector is making steady progress towards its target: in 1967 it completed 33,960 houses and at 31st December had 43,706 under construction and 20,564 approved but not started. The private sector has not achieved the growth we hoped for: in 1967 it completed 7,498 houses and at 31st December had 9,380 under construction.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what general guidance he has given to the Parole Board for Scotland in the consideration of the cases of those prisoners becoming eligible for release on parole under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1967.

Since the Parole Board has a statutory duty to advise my right hon. Friend, he would not think it proper to give it guidance. Members of the Board have, however, been sent copies of material prepared for the guidance of the local review committees which consider the cases of persons eligible for release on licence under the Criminal Justice Act, 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to put into effect the provisions of Section 60 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1967; and what is the number of prisoners he estimates will be released on parole as a result.

On 1st April next. Of the cases already referred to the Parole Board for Scotland the number likely to be released on parole is about 12.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now make a further statement about the relief of storm damage in Scotland.

In answering Questions today I am informing the House about what is being done in a number of respects. If the right hon. Gentleman wishes to have this information supplemented in any way I should be grateful if he would let me know.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further measures he will introduce to assist agriculture, forestry and horticulture in Scotland following the recent hurricane.

I mentioned during the debate on 7th February that all applications under the various improvement grant schemes would be dealt with sympathetically. On present information I am not satisfied that any further assistance from Government funds towards agricultural damage would be justified. The position regarding forestry is still under consideration.—[Vol. 758, c. 422–426.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will publish a White Paper giving the details of damage to housing in the west of Scotland during the recent hurricane.

I do not propose at present to issue a White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities in Scotland insure their council houses against the risk of storm damage.

I do not have this information, but I am taking steps to obtain it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate is now available as to the amount of timber blown down in the recent gale which will need to be transported out of Scotland in order to be processed; whether he will seek to make a contribution to transport costs; and if he will make a statement.

The report of the Scottish Windblow Action Group indicates that about 6½ million hoppus feet of sawlogs, as well as an unspecified quantity of small roundwood, will have to be processed outside Scotland.I will consider this problem in the light of the Forestry Commission's recommendations, which I understand will reach me almost at once.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, how much money has now been paid to Scottish local authorities to provide the means of giving loans to owners of private property and rented property damaged in the recent hurricane; and how much of this sum has actually been paid to contractors undertaking the repairs.

£350,000 has been advanced to local authorities. Information on payments made to contractors is not at present available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he is satisfied that adequate supplies of skilled labour and materials are available in Glasgow to deal with storm damage repairs; and when he anticipates that the work will be completed.

I understand from Glasgow Corporation that it expects the repair of its own property to be finished by the end of the year but cannot yet assess how long the repair of privately owned property will take. I am not aware of any shortage of materials. The Ministry of Labour's arrangements for bringing in men from elsewhere, including England, are working well, but discussions are taking place about the adequacy of the present labour force.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make a further statement on the steps which are being taken to deal with hurricane damage; and if he will now consider introducing a scheme of grants to assist occupiers of damaged houses.

A general scheme of direct grants would be inappropriate because of the widely varying insurance and other circumstances of individual owners. To help those in difficulty I am asking the local authorities, when they are arranging to recover the costs of repairs that they have instructed for private houses, to have regard to individual circumstances and to ensure that recovery does not cause hardship.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has now made of the consequential losses suffered by farmers in Scotland following the recent hurricane.

I can only make an estimate in respect of the damage to farm buildings and other fixed equipment as revealed by applications for grant under the various improvement schemes. The estimated cost of the work to which these relate is now £1,075,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the amounts spent on capital expenditure on hospitals in Scotland in 1965, 1966 and 1967; and what were the amounts spent in comparison in 1962, 1963 and 1964.

For the financial years beginning 1st April in the years 1965–67, £10·3 million, £12·1 million, and £14·3 million; and in the years 1962–64, £5·4 million, £6·9 million, and £9·6 million respectively. The figure for 1967–68 is an estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what extra incentives he will make available through the Highlands and Islands Development Board to offset the increase in transport costs consequent upon the provisions of the Transport Bill, in order to continue to attract industry to the Highlands.

Many of the provisions of the Bill will be of great benefit to Scotland and the Highlands and Islands in particular.The Highlands and Islands Development Board has also a very wide and flexible range of beneficial powers, and I have no doubt that it will use them with increasing success, particularly in the field of industrial and economic development.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his estimates of the additional cost per year to the farming and forestry industries, respectively, in Scotland of the proposals in the Transport Bill.

No useful estimate can be made at this stage since the effect of the provisions in the Bill will depend on the precise nature of the Regulations to be made once it has become law.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received to date about the effects in Scotland of the fees on abnormal loads proposed in the Transport Bill; and what replies he has sent.

I have received representations from 30 firms and six organisations. I have replied drawing attention to the fact that this subject is being examined at my request by the Scottish Economic Planning Council and to the promise made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport to consider in Committee what might be done to mitigate the effect of the charges on firms in development areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has now considered, in detail, the practical effects of the Transport Bill on Scottish industry in general, and the north-east of Scotland in particular; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, and I am satisfied that overall the provisions of the Bill will be of advantage to Scotland including the North-East.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place a copy of his Departmental report on the impact of the Transport Bill on Scottish industry in the Library of the House of Commons.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the calculations which led to his forecast of a four per cent. increase in the operating costs of freight vehicles in Scotland, and a one per cent. increase in the delivered cost of goods, resulting from the Transport Bill.

My hon. Friend the Minister of State did not, in fact, make either of these forecasts. He said only that in the case of some vehicles covering low annual mileages the increase in road transport operating costs attributable to the road haulage charges proposed in the Transport Bill might be about four per cent. but that even then the increase in delivered costs might be expected to be less than one per cent. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has said, the increase in operating costs would generally be of the order of 2½ to 3½ per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the total extra cost per year to local authorities in Scotland of the additional taxation proposed in the Transport Bill.

No meaningful estimate can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made in the steps being taken to persuade Scottish doctors serving in the United States of America to return to practice in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

I refer to the Answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Govan (Mr. Rankin) on 28th February.—[Vol. 759, c. 368.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will instruct the Scottish Development department to carry out an investigation into the reasons for the decline in the number of persons in employment in Scotland between mid-1964 and mid-1967.

The Scottish Economic Planning Board and Council keep changes in employment, and the reasons for them, under regular review.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will instruct the Scottish Development Department to investigate the implications for the expansion of Scottish agricultural production of the 1968 Price Review.

No. This is a matter for consideration at the Review itself and falls within the sphere of my Agricultural Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement on the changes he has made in the hospital building programme since 19th November, 1967 and on his discussions with the regional hospital boards about starting dates.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make a further statement on the cut-back in the hospital building programme, and clarify the reasons for the changes which have been made.

The re-phasing of the hospital building programme described in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, Central (Mr. Oswald) on 30th January does not constitute a cutback in the finance available for the programme and has no connection with the reduction in public expenditure announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 16th January. The changes are needed for reasons that are internal to the hospital building programme itself. Pending the completion of my consultations with regional hospital boards, I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend said on 30th January.—[Vol. 757, c. 282–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will enumerate the changes made in the Scottish hospital building programme as a result of recent cuts in public expenditure, giving details of changes made since 30th January; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the recent economy cuts, he will give details in each case of the changes in the hospital building programme, showing the new dates for starting and completion.

I would refer my hon. Friends to the Answer given earlier today to the hon. Members for Dumfries (Mr. Monro) and Perth and East Perthshire (Mr. MacArthur).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the percentage increase in the amount of money to be raised by way of local rates in 1968.

I estimate the increase in 1967–68 to be about 1·7 per cent. It is too early to make a prediction for 1968–69.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of crimes of violence reported to the police in 1967; and what were the comparable figures for 1962 and 1957, respectively.

The numbers of crimes of violence made known to the police in Scotland during 1967, 1962 and 1957 were 3,536, 1,829 and 1,116, respectively. (The figure for 1967 is provisional.)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now amend the scheme giving grants to student teachers so that widowed mothers taking teacher training courses are put on a basis at least as favourable as wives of men in employment.

I have nothing to add to the reply which my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State gave to the hon. Gentleman on 25th October, 1967.—[Vol. 751, c. 1701.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the fire services in Scotland are up to establishment; if he is satisfied that their equipment is up to date; and if he will make a statement.

Most brigades were under strength at the end of 1967 but their deficiencies should be reduced as availability for 56 hours' duty a week is extended. I am satisfied that brigades are all well equipped for their statutory functions; and I think they are to be congratulated on the efficient and devoted manner in which they carry out their duties.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he now proposes legislation to impose an upper limit on the size of arable farms in Scotland.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what surveys have been carried out under the sponsorship of his Department since 1964 to ascertain whether hill land in Scotland is being efficiently utilised.

The seven area surveys with which my Department has been concerned since 1964 have been aimed at assessing the extent to which hill land in these areas might be afforested without significant detriment to agriculture.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to increase the number of teachers being trained in technical subjects.

I hope to circulate soon for comment my proposals for the recruitment and training of teachers of technical subjects.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to increase the number of teachers being trained in homecraft subjects.

My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary will shortly be meeting the principals of the domestic science colleges to discuss means of increasing the supply of homecraft teachers. I am, of course, making provision for a substantial expansion of places in courses for intending teachers at colleges of domestic science.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further action he plans to take for the eradication of brucellosis from milk and beef herds, particularly in the north-east of Scotland.

The Government's policy on brucellosis was set out in the statement made to the House on 2nd November, 1966, by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and I have nothing to add to it.—[Vol. 735, cc. 96–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for securing the siting of further Government offices or agencies in Scotland.

Scotland is considered whenever locations are desired for new or transferred Government work. Government organisations explicitly concerned with Scotland are naturally located there. The siting of the headquarters of the Scottish Countryside Commission in Perth is the most recent example.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many domiciled Scots students failed to secure university places in Scottish universities in 1967 who had the necessary qualifications for university entrance; and how many Scots domiciled students attending Scottish universities are in a faculty which was their second choice.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) on 7th June, 1967.—[Vol. 747, c. 219.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will report on the progress in setting up the Regional Crime Squad for Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

A draft collaboration agreement to set up a Scottish crime squad has been prepared in consultation with the police and local authority interests and has been approved by the Police Advisory Board for Scotland. It is now being cast in final form, and I hope to send it to all Scottish chief constables later this month so that, with the approval of their police authorities, they can accede to it. I propose that the agreement should come into effect within one month of the last signature being obtained.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the programme of slum demolition will be affected by the recent proposals for cuts in public expenditure.

Not at all.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent on trunk roads in each of the last six years; and to what extent the programme will be affected by recent proposed cuts in public expenditure.

With permission, I wilt circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total amount of expenditure on trunk road schemes for 1968–69 which will now be deferred.

The proposed expenditure in 1968–69 on the new construction and improvement of trunk roads has been reduced by £1·3 million, but it is still expected to increase from £15·6 million in 1967–68 to £17·5 million in 1968–69.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of Glasgow Corporation's decision to close Lawmuir Agricultural School after 26 years of successful operation; and if he will take steps to have the decision reviewed.

I have only very recently received proposals from Glasgow Education Authority which involve discontinuing further education and secondary education at Lawmuir. This proposal is consistent with the recommendations of the Scottish Technical Education Consultative Council, but I shall, of course, examine it carefully before reaching any decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he is making for raising the school-leaving age in Scotland to 16 years; and if he will make a statement.

The Government's plans for the raising of the school-leaving age in Scotland remain substantially unchanged. The necessary preparations, in terms of building, staff and curriculum, will go forward in relation to 1972–73, subject to the initial adjustment to the building programme already announced.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many drivers in Aberdeen and district were asked to take the breathalyser test since it started; with what results in the way of prosecutions and otherwise; and how

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement on the effects of breathalyser testing on the road accident rate in Scotland.

In Aberdeen between 9th October, 1967 and 31st January, 1968 there were 83 breath tests at the roadside or in hospital of which 56 were positive and 4 were refused or failed, and 76 tests at police stations of which 61 were positive and 7 were refused or failed. I shall, with permission, provide similar figures for other police areas in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Details of prosecutions in cases where tests were given are not readily available.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 21st February to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton).—[Vol. 759, c. 130–31.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table of figures showing the number of out-patients dealt with at the Vale of Leven Hospital in 1956 compared with the latest available

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the inadequate facilities for the treatment of out-patients at the Vale of Leven Hospital; and when a scheme can be proceeded with.

I am aware that it is the Board of Management's view that extension of the out-patient department is urgently needed; the Regional Hospital Board is at present discussing a scheme with the Board of Management, but no starting date has yet been fixed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are being taken to promote further experiments in ring or purse netting for herring.

Experiments sponsored by the Herring Industry Board with Government finance have shown that purse seine netting is practicable and worth while for Scottish fishermen in suitable conditions, and I do not think that steps to promote further experiments are needed at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consider providing under the

In 1956 2,094 new out patients were treated at Vale of Leven Hospital. The number treated in 1967 was 20,541. I am publishing details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.Following are the details:National Health Service the unobtrusive type of hearing aid for fitting behind the ear.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health announced in the House on 8th March, 1967, that he and I had decided in principle that, on an experimental basis, head-worn hearing aids should be provided for school children over the age of seven for whom they are considered suitable. This proposal is now in its final stages of consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his decision in principle to serve the North Isles of Shetland overland and by vehicle ferries still stands.

Yes, and I have asked Zetland County Council to draw up plans for the vehicle ferry service.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further steps he is taking to deal with the crime wave now occurring in Glasgow.

As I said in reply to Questions by the hon. Member for Dumfries (Mr. Monro) and other hon. Members on 31st January, I believe that for the prevention of crime we must chiefly look to social measures and to the co-operation of the public. The working party of corporation and departmental officials, to which my right hon. Friend referred in his reply of 31st January to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Pollok (Mr. Wright) has begun its examination of social measures. A campaign to encourage the public to assist the police will be opened in Glasgow by my right hon. Friend on 15th March.—[Vol. 757, c. 1317–8; Vol. 757, c. 303–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the capital investment in 1966–67 by local authorities in Scotland on facilities exclusively for sport as defined in Command Paper No. 2177 of October, 1963; and what is the estimated expenditure for 1967–68.

Capital investment by local authorities in Scotland on facilities exclusively for sport was £2·8 million in 1966–67 and is expected to be £3·3 million in 1967–68.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what answer he has sent to the letter dated 27th February from Aberdeen Corporation protesting against the proposed disbandment of the Civil Defence Corps.

I have replied that, while I appreciate the value of the services given by the Corps in the past, there can be no question in present economic circumstances of going back on the Government's decision to disband it. I have sent my hon. and learned Friend a copy of the reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in what financial year he plans to make provision for the A68 bypass at Jedburgh.

This depends largely on the pace of redevelopment of the burgh. I have already agreed to build the relief road in the first five years of redevelopment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to authorise the construction of a new building for Kirkcolm primary school, Stranraer.

I have not been asked by Wigtownshire Education Authority to approve the starting of a new school at Kirkcolm. The authority's investment allocation to March, 1970 is likely to be needed for other projects.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate he has made of the total amount saved by the postponement of the school-leaving age in Scotland per annum.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, what is the increase in the crime rate in the cities of Aberdeen and Glasgow between 1963 and the latest convenient date.

In Aberdeen the number of crimes made known to the police increased from 4,635 in 1963 to 6,896 in 1967, an increase of 48·8 per cent. The corresponding figures for Glasgow were 42,921 and 45,349, an increase of 5·7 per cent. The 1967 figures are provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total amount paid by way of grants to the grant-aided schools in Scotland; and if he will publish the figures, school by school, showing the individual sums for the years 1965–66 and 1966–67.

The total amount of central government grant estimated to be paid to the grant-aided schools in the schools' financial years ending in 1968 is £1,685,000. The following table shows the amount of grant paid or estimated

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps to prevent rises in the charges in student halls of residence, in view of the announced economies in student grants.

No. I know that universities and colleges have in the past made considerable efforts to limit or postpone increases in residence charges and I am sure that any increase will be kept to the minimum.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps, in consultation with the Scottish universities, to establish facilities for the taking of external degree courses at a Scottish university.

The introduction and administration of degree courses is a responsibility of the universities themselves.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had from the Aberdeen fishing industry regarding the payment of a supplementary subsidy to the Scottish fleet; and what reply he has sent.

The Scottish Trawlers' Federation asked that special subsidies should be paid to all vessels over 80 feet. It was informed that such subsidies can be paid only to classes of vessels in special difficulty and that in the review period no classes of vessel in Scotland were considered to be in this position. Representatives of the Federation subsequently expressed their dissatisfaction with this decision in a meeting with my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to legislate on the basis of the Hunter Report on Scottish Salmon and Trout Fishing.

I cannot yet say when it may be possible to introduce legislation on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the shortage of secondary school teachers in 1973.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Bothwell (Mr. James Hamilton).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an assurance that dairy farmers in Scotland will not suffer a dilution in the pool price of milk as a result of an increase in dairy cow numbers.

The Government's assurance on this subject, given in paragraph 9 of the Annual Review White Paper for 1966, was that they would take the facts into account at future Reviews. I cannot say more at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average waiting period for a hospital bed in the Edinburgh area for patients requiring treatment of a non-emergency nature.

In 1966 the average waiting time for a hospital bed in the Edinburgh area (other than for mental, mental deficiency and maternity beds) was 76 days for patients who were discharged from or died in hospital following admission from a waiting list. This covers only 28 per cent. of hospital patients in the Edinburgh area: the remaining 72 per cent. are admitted otherwise than from waiting lists.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the siting of an aluminium smelter in Scotland.

I have nothing to add to the Answer I gave in the House on 6th December.—[Vol. 755, c. 1432.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date he now expects work to start on the new South Ayrshire Hospital; and if he will make a statement.

No provisional starting date has yet been fixed for this project; but I expect it to be included in the programme for the period after April, 1972.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money he expects to save in Scotland during the financial year 1968–69 by the imposition of prescription charges.

About £1¾ million.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements he proposes to make so that old-age pensioners, the chronic sick and other needy persons shall not have to pay the new prescription charges imposed by the Government.

My right hon. Friend is associated with the proposals which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health outlined in his reply to the hon. Member for Willesden, West (Mr. Pavitt) on 29th February.—[Vol. 759, c. 416.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now prepare and publish a revised edition of the White Paper on the Scottish Economy, Command Paper No. 2864.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the replies given to the hon. Members for Moray and Nairn (Mr. G. Campbell) and Perth and East Perthshire (Mr. MacArthur) on 31st January.—[Vol. 757, cc. 1325–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the representations he has received which are, respectively, clearly in favour or clearly against the retention of the track of the Stranraer-Dumfries line.

I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a note showing representations received in the Scottish Office. Certain other representations were, I understand, properly addressed to the Ministry of Transport.Following is the information:Representations in favour of retention were received in the Scottish Office from the following:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the status of the Scots Gaelic for the current year and in the period to 1970; and what practical steps he proposes to take in Scotland to improve the status.

The Government will continue to encourage the teaching of Gaelic and the publication of Gaelic school text books. My Department will shortly be discussing with an Comunn Gaidhealach and others concerned how Gaelic activities might be further developed. Moreover, by its regional development policies and through such agencies as the Highlands and Islands Development Board, the Government will continue to stimulate economic growth in the Highlands and Islands and so provide the conditions in which the Gaelic language and culture can be sustained.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date he now expects work to start on the completion of the Ayr bypass.

I am glad to say that, under the programme for special development areas, I have now instructed the completion of the bypass, and work will start in 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will institute a survey of the incidence of old-age pensioners dying of malnutrition and hypothermia in Scotland and of the incidence of cases in which these factors contributed to hastening of death.

My Department is at present taking part in a Great Britain study of the nutrition and diets of the elderly. I have also arranged for the Registrar-General to make a special record over the next 12 months of all cases in which the death certificates of men aged 65 and over, and women aged 60 or over, mention malnutrition or hypothermia as one of the causes of death.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had from persons in Scotland following the introduction of Summer Time on 18th February.

I have received five letters written after 18th February objecting to the introduction of British Standard Time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek powers to provide conversion tables to assist housewives in determining the weight of detergent in the various packages produced by detergent manufacturers; and if he will make a statement.

No. Pre-packed detergents, where the contents exceed 1 oz., are already required to be marked with the weight under Schedule 7 of the Weights and Measures Act, 1963. I see no need for conversion tables.

asked the president of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the area of unused factory space in the Northern Region; how many advance factories remain untenanted; what proposals he has for the utilisation of spare capacity; and if he will make a statement.

No complete record of unoccupied factory space is kept by the Board of Trade. The Regional Office in Newcastle keep records of empty industrial space in the Northern Region notified to them and bring the information to the attention of suitable firms. There are nine completed Board of Trade advance factories still untenanted in the Northern Region. Interest has been expressed in four of these; every effort, including advertising in the national press, is being made to find tenants for the remainder.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has any immediate proposals to facilitate the provision of additional industrial land within and adjacent to the constituency of Houghton-le-Spring.

An additional 13 acres has just been purchased to extend the existing industrial estate at Houghton-le-Spring. Negotiations have been started to acquire 46 acres at Rainton Bridge, in my hon. Friend's constituency, and 43 acres at Pennywell, Sunderland, which is outside it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take to encourage the use of British ships by importers, in view of the findings of the Report on Invisible Earnings.

I do not think that this is a matter in which the Board of Trade should intervene.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the reason for the failure of the Trident aircraft to land at Aldergrove Airport in County Antrim on B.E. 6514 flight on Saturday, 24th February; whether there were abnormal snow conditions on the runway on this occasion; and if he is satisfied that the airport equipment was adequate to deal with the fall of snow lying on that morning.

The responsibility for deciding whether to land or divert rests with the captain of the aircraft; the snow conditions were not abnormal but the runway was in course of being swept and gritted; yes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many British merchant ships used the Cape route in January, 1967 and January, 1963, respectively.

This information could not be obtained without undue expense.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will include columns showing figures for private invisible trade and for Government spending in the monthly Press releases of the trade figures, so that the table produced is similar to that given on page 204 of the Report of the Bland Committee on Great Britain's invisible earnings.

The information on invisibles which the Bland Committee on Britain's invisible earnings suggested should be included in the tables of the monthly Press release of the trade figures is more detailed than would be appropriate for a statement concerned primarily with visible trade. There are considerable variations in invisibles in the short term and these are better commented on in the quarterly release on the balance of payments. However, there is value, as the Bland Committee suggested, in drawing attention to the regular surplus we earn over the years on the invisibles account as a whole and a reference will be included in the text of the press release for the February trade figures to be published on 13th March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in order to give further encouragement to exporters, he will consider removing the restriction which limits the number of times a firm may participate in any overseas trade fair under the Board of Trade's Joint Venture Scheme.

The Joint Venture Scheme has proved very successful and is being increasingly used by exporters to demonstrate and sell their goods in the market places of the world. I have therefore decided to abolish immediately the present limitation on the number of times an individual firm may participate in a joint venture at any Overseas Trade Fair.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent during the two years ended 31st December, 1967, have the dividends paid by publicly quoted companies decreased and the profits of those companies decreased in relation to the volume of sales.

I have no firm figures. Between 1966 and 1967 there was probably a decrease in dividends paid, but some increase in these companies' profits in relation to the value of sales.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why the number of qualified engineers and scientists working in defence research establishments was greater at the end of 1967 than it was at the end of 1964.

The main reasons for the increase were the regrading and reallocation of staff; the filling of vacancies; and additional work on hand.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the launching of the next Polaris submarine.

In accordance with the scheduled programme, the fourth Polaris submarine will be launched at Birkenhead on 15th March, 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of servicemen in each of the services who have failed to report for duty at the latest convenient date.

Servicemen fail to report for duty for a number of reasons ranging from sickness, delays in travelling to an intention to desert and no central records of such occurrences are kept.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if his Department will seek to make a financial contribution towards the provision of additional local authority services where these have to be expanded to meet the calls upon them following the return of servicemen and their families from overseas;(2) if he will take steps to inform local authorities, in whose areas camps lie, to which Servicemen and their families are to be returned from overseas bases, of the extent of the additional demand there will be to local authority services of all kinds;

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 10th April, 1967.—[Vol. 744, c. 136–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, what percentage ratio the defence estimates of £1,998 million for 1964–65 bore to the gross national product in that financial year.

6·7 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has for increasing sea-forces in the waters around Greece and Turkey;(2) what plans he has for increasing sea-forces in the waters around Norway.

I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Horn-church (Mr. Alan Lee Williams) on 26th February.—[Vol. 759, c. 263.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has received from the Benelux countries on common defence procurement.

The Benelux proposals contained the suggestion that

"the development, production and joint purchase of military material"

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what further research he proposes on the development of tactical nuclear weapons.

It is not the practice to disclose details of the nuclear weapons programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Defence Forces have been transferred to productive employment during the financial year 1966–67.

Over 40,000 men of all ranks left the Armed Forces in 1966–67, but it is not possible to say how many entered any particular form of employment.