asked the Minister of Power what were the tonnages of Welsh anthracite mined, supplied to the home market and exported, respectively, in each of the months of December and January in the years 1966, 1967 and 1968.

I have asked the Chairman of the National Coal Board to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will authorise a survey to be made of the Levern Water and the Brock Burn on the south side of Glasgow to establish what were the causes of the floods in Househillwood in December. 1966.

I see no need to do so. Glasgow Corporation has received and is considering the report from consulting engineers referred to in the reply given to the hon. Member on 31st January.—[Vol. 757, c. 312.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the number of persons killed and seriously injured to date on Scottish roads since the breathalyser tests were introduced, and the figures for the previous two years.

The figures are as follows:

	Killed	Seriously Injured
1st October, 1965 to 31st January 1966	239	2,877
1st October, 1966 to 31st January, 1967	304	3,064
1st October, 1967 to 31st January, 1968	283	3,080

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date he proposes to transfer to local authorities the power to install pedestrian crossings; and on what principles they at present work in deciding to install them.

No date has been fixed, but I hope to consult local authorities in the next month or two about the number of crossings to be allowed in each area without my specific consent. The criteria for crossings are under review, but the broad policy is to install a crossing where there is a volume of traffic, at least during peak periods, which causes real difficulty for pedestrians, and a flow of pedestrians sufficient to keep the crossing in regular use during these periods.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the total amount of grant and subsidy paid to the North of Scotland Shipping Company and the Orkney Island Shipping Company in the last year;

The 1967 accounts have not yet been finalised, but the estimated grants payable to these companies are as follows:

	£
David MacBrayne Ltd	585,000 (Year ending 31.12.67)
North of Scotland, Orkney and Shetland Shipping Company Ltd.	24,000 (Year ending 31.12.67)
Orkney Islands Shipping Company Ltd.	63,000 (Year ending 31.3.68)

asked the Minister of Technology in view of the fact that only 3·3 per cent. of the development and research work is carried out by his Department's establishments in Wales, what steps he is taking to have this amount increased.

The greater part of the intramural research and development expenditure of the Department is in the defence field, and is tied to the location of existing major research establishments. As new developments are undertaken every effort is made to locate them in development areas and with industry. Recent support for research and development in Wales has included a cold strip computer control research project at the British Steel Corporation, and a project for the development of modular units for automatic assembly systems which are to be built at Aberbargoed by Staveley Industries.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the number of persons in his Department who have, for any stated period, been prosecuted for any offence connected with obtaining money under false pretences or intentional misrepresentation, and the results in each case.

No. Perhaps my hon. Friend would write to me if he has some particular point in mind.

asked the Minister of Technology to what extent it is intended that his Department will finance the new radio research station at Orfordness.

None.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether British expatriates working in developing countries on salaries provided by his Department have yet had those salaries increased as a result of devaluation; when this adjustment will take place in all cases; and if payments will be retrospective to the date of devaluation.

The necessary adjustments, which are retrospective to the date of devaluation, have been notified to the Governments concerned. Where the actual payments are made by those Governments, they will make the adjustments against reimbursement. Where they are made by my Ministry, the adjustments are already being applied to the salaries of newly appointed staff but because of the amount of work involved it may be three to four months before all arrears are paid to existing staff.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the number of persons in his Department who have, for any stated period, been prosecuted for any offence connected with obtaining money under false pretences or intentional misrepresentation, and the results in each case.

No. Perhaps my hon. Friend would write to me if he has some particular point in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his plans to replace the Remington factory in Thornliebank when it is closed.

I have been asked to reply. I shall take whatever measures I can to find another tenant.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the cost involved in building the 27 advance factories in Scotland since October, 1964; and, of the nine that have become occupied, how many have been taken by English, how many by Scottish and how many by United States firms.

The estimated total cost, exclusive of extensions to meet occupant's needs, is £1·8 million. Of the 9 occupied factories, 2 are occupied by English firms, 6 by firms which are United-States controlled and one, which is subdivided into 4 units, by 3 Scottish and 1 English.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is his policy to continue to build advance factories in Scotland, in view of the fact that 18 out of 27 built since October, 1964 are standing empty; and how many are to be built in 1968, and where.

We shall continue to build advance factories as long as they can serve a useful purpose in attracting industry to localities where it is desirable to create new employment opportunities. 13 more advance factories are due for completion in 1968 at:

Harthill.	Donibristle.
Cumnock.	Hillington.
Lochgelly.	Queens Park.
Bellshill (2).	Chapelhall.
Aberdeen.	Uddingston.
Kilwinning.	Dumfries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade from which airports in the South-West Region there are regular commercial passenger ser vices; and what are their destinations and their frequencies.

Following is the information:

SCHEDULED PASSENGER SERVICES FROM AIRPORTS IN THE SOUTH WEST REGION IN JULY, 1967
South West Airport	Destination	Weekly Frequency
Bristol	Amsterdam	1
	Belfast	4
	Cardiff	30
	Cork	6
	Dinard	2
	Dublin	17
	Glasgow	5
	Guernsey	7
	Isle of Man	2
	Jersey	17
	Liverpool	5
	Manchester	5
	Newcastle	5
	Ostend	1
	Paris	10
	Tees-Side	2
Exeter	Belfast	4
	Cork	2
	Dublin	4
	Guernsey	7
	Jersey	21
	Paris	3
	Southampton	7
	Swansea	7
Staverton	Guernsey	1
(Gloucester/ Cheltenham)	Jersey	4
Penzance Heliport	Scilly Isles	53
Newquay	Birmingham	1
	East Midlands	1
	Glasgow	1
	Liverpool	1
	London	1
	Manchester	1

asked the President of the Board of Trade why Aluminium (Portsmouth) has made no annual return under the Companies Act since 1965.

After reminders by the Registrar of Companies, the company filed its annual return for 1966 in Janury, 1968. The Registrar is asking the company to file the return for 1967.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the number of Bankruptcy Orders made by the Courts in 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966 and 1967, respectively.

The numbers of Receiving Orders and Administration Orders made by the Courts under the Bankruptcy Act, 1914, in England and Wales were:

Year	Receiving Orders	Administration Orders	Total
1963	4,095	34	4,129
1964	3,529	23	3,552
1965	3,528	28	3,556
1966	3,835	27	3,862
1967	4,194	30	4,224

The number of Sequestration Orders made by the Courts in Scotland under the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act, 1913, were:

Year	Sequestration Orders
1963	164
1964	116
1965	132
1966	113
1967	130

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what grounds he is satisfied that certain Sunday newspapers should be increased in price to 1s.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the Sunday Times and the Observer. The proprietors of each of these newspapers notified us under the "early warning" arrangements of their proposed price increases and, after considering their cases, we informed the proprietors that we would not wish to raise objection. The information submitted in support of these cases is confidential.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what study he has made of the report of the Confederation of British Industry, a copy of which has been sent to him, in which the majority of firms questioned stated that their output was below capacity; and what steps he will take to promote the fuller use of industrial capacity.

I have read the report my hon. Friend refers to with great interest. As a result in particular of the stimulus devaluation will have given to exports and import substitution, the Government looks forward to a considerable growth in home output over the next few years and thus an increase both in the use of existing capacity and in investment in new capacity.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the extent of the adverse trade balance with the Argentine in each of the last 10 years.

The values of imports, c.i.f. from, and exports and re-exports, f.o.b. to, the Argentine are given in Volume 1 of the Annual Statements of the Trade of the United Kingdom for the years 1958 to 1966 and, for 1967, in Table IV of the December Overseas Trade Accounts. The difference between these figures is not, however, a good measure of the visible trade balance with the Argentine because, for instance, of the differences in valuation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest position with regard to imports of chipboard.

I have been asked to reply. Total imports of particle board in 1967 were 136,000 tons valued at £5·2 million c.i.f., of which wood chipboard accounted for 95,000 tons valued at £3·7 million c.i.f.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many design contracts for school building were granted by local education authorities in development areas in the last year for which information is available; and how many of these were placed with consultants in the development areas.

I am afraid this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will estimate the promotional and administrative costs to public funds of his Department's campaign to encourage schoolchildren to take free school meals.

The cost of printing my personal message to parents and school children, and of distributing it to local education authorities was £6,600. The postal charges for leaflets returned by parents are unlikely to exceed £3,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of children in primary and secondary schools was regularly taking school meals in January, 1967; and what was the percentage in January, 1968.

Returns from local education authorities relating to a day in the autumn term of 1966 and 1967 show that 68·4 per cent. and 70 per cent. respectively of children present in primary schools on those days and 6·2 per cent. and 68·7 per cent. of children present in secondary schools were taking school meals on those days. Information for the month of January is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the Report of the Royal Commission on Medical Education will be published.

I understand that the Royal Commission hope that their report will be published early in April.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the action which he is taking to assist the Wolverhampton Education Authority in dealing with their special problems arising from immigration.

I am discussing with the local education authority specific proposals for additional school accommodation for this purpose. I have also promised to give sympathetic consideration to a request for an increase in the authority's teacher quota and am awaiting further information on this point.My right hon. Friend will shortly be inviting local education authorities to submit for his approval schools to be recognised as schools of exceptional difficulty, at which qualified teachers are to receive the £75 per annum salary addition recently agreed by the Burnham Committee. One of the criteria for such schools is the proportion of children with serious linguistic difficulties. Within the very limited resources available, my right hon. Friend will consider as sympathetically as possible any submission by the Wolverhampton authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is aware that several hundred students with full qualifications for entry will be rejected by Strathclyde this year because of shortage of places; and if he will restore the cuts in university building and consider again the advisability of establishing another university in Scotland.

Statistics of admissions to universities next autumn are not available at this stage. The reduction to be made in capital investment by universities in Great Britain is not unreasonable in view of the need for economies in national expenditure. The decision stands that no more new universities should be established for several years.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will give the values of the projects submitted for the school building programmes for 1967–68 by each local authority; and what are the corresponding values of the projects he has approved.

It is not possible to make this comparison for the following reasons:

(a) Authorities submitted proposals for the 1967–68 programme on two or more occasions between 1963–66. Some projects were put forward more than once though not always in exactly the same form. In addition, mainly because of changes in national and local policy since the first part of the programme was announced in 1964, some projects then included have since been revised or others have been substituted for them.

(b) The first submissions in 1963 were part of a composite submission for the three years 1965–68 and some authorities did not ascribe their proposals to a particular year.

(c) During the period from 1963 until the announcement of the 1967–68 programme was completed in January, 1967, there were a number of boundary changes in local government areas.

(d) Projects in the programme but not started by 1st April, 1968 will be included in the review which I have asked authorities to undertake of their proposals for starting projects in 1968–69.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will give the values of the projects submitted for the school-building programmes for 1968–169 by each local authority; and what are the corresponding values of the projects he has approved.

The withdrawal of allocations for raising the school leaving age for the years 1968–69 and 1969–70, and the addition of £7 million to the programme for each of these years have made it necessary for me to ask local education authorities to review their proposals for starting projects in 1968–69. Their replies are still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the Reports of the Committee of Inquiry into Soccer and the Committee on Athletes can be expected; and if he will make a statement.

The Committee of Inquiry on Football is at present engaged in the final stages of drafting its report. I understand that the Committee under the chairmanship of Lord Byers which is investigating athletics hopes to be able to present its report to the Amateur Athletic Association and the British Amateur Athletic Board at the end of the month.

asked the Minister of Transport if she is aware that the provision of traffic lights is being artificially help up by restrictive agreements between the two suppliers who together enjoy a monopoly in this field; and if she will refer the matter to the Monopolies Commission.

Under the provisions of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1956, matters arising from the existence or alleged existence of restrictive trading agreements fall to be dealt with not by the Monopolies Commission but by the Restrictive Practices Court. The action to be taken in any particular case of this nature is a matter for the Registrar of Restrictive Trading Agreements.

asked the Minister of Transport what consideration she has now given to raising the 80 milligrams limit on breathalyser tests in the light of the further evidence which is available.

We have no evidence which would warrant raising the prescribed limit.

asked the Minister of Transport whether she is aware that the hon. Member for West Ham, North, has over a short period of time supplied to the responsible authorities details of thousands of unlicensed vehicles, some having been unlicensed for years, some having been reported on more than six occasions and that replies have been received that it is impossible to enforce action due to shortage of enforcement staff; and whether she will seek to establish an enforcement staff for this purpose.

We are aware that my hon. Friend has been diligent in reporting apparently unlicensed vehicles to the Greater London Council. All these reports are investigated by the Council and where offences are established, legal proceedings or other recovery action is taken as appropriate. I understand that, apart from reports which duplicated those received by the Council from other sources, duty had in fact been paid on about half of the vehicles reported by my hon. Friend.The Council has a full complement of enforcement staff and although this is kept under rievew there is no justification for an increase at present.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will set out the dates when she expects to be calling for tenders,

Section			Call for Tenders	Start Work	Open to Traffic
Bredon Bridge and approaches	…	…	Under construction	Under construction	December, 1970
Bredon Bridge to Eastington	…	…	October, 1968	March, 1969	December, 1970
Eastington to Almondsbury	…	…	January, 1969	May, 1969	May, 1971
Almondsbury to Cribbs Causeway (including the Filton By-Pass)				Open to traffic
Cribbs Causeway to Bristol	…	…	Under construction	Under construction	December, 1969

asked the Minister of Transport what is the length of the Stokesly Bypass; when the work on the bypass was started; what was the then estimated cost of the full scheme; how much of the work has now been completed; when it is intended to finish the scheme; and what is now the estimated cost of completing this work.

This bypass was originally planned by North Riding County Council, the highway authority, to extend for a length of 1 mile 1,070 yards, at an estimated cost of £216,844. Work was started on 5th April, 1963, at the northeastern end of the bypass and 1,400 yards have been completed. Work on the remainder cannot start until negotiations for the purchase of land have been concluded. It is now estimated that the final cost of the scheme will be £270,177.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what computers are being made available to the Royal Artillery.

Computers of British manufacture are embodied in Air Defence Weapon Systems and Mortar Locating Devices at present in service with the Royal Artillery.A Field Artillery Computing Equipment, based on an existing British computer, will be introduced into service with the Royal Artillery in the near future. This system will more satisfactorily perform the plotting and computing tasks in artillery fire control which have hitherto been carried out manually.

The present programme is as follows:Computers of British manufacture will also be embodied in future Meteorological, Target Acquisition and Surface to Air Guided Weapon Systems due to be introduced into service during the next five years.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the reduction of staff in his Department.

The long term plan is for a reduction of 80,000 civilian staff at home and overseas by 1973, but the detailed plans to implement these reductions are still being worked out.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will publish the full details of the revised local overseas allowances payable to officers and men of the armed forces serving abroad.

I have written to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the total number of the sons of officers and ratings and the number of orphan sons of officers and ratings, respectively, at the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, Suffolk;(2) what is the number of sons of officers and ratings and the number of orphan sons of officers and ratings, respectively, at the Royal Hospital School for whom fees were charged; and what are the amounts of the fees.

The number of boys at present at the Royal Hospital School is:

Sons of Direct Entry Officers	62	(62)
Orphan sons of Direct Entry Officers	14	(12)
Sons of officers promoted after at least four years service as ratings	153	(153)
Orphan sons of officers promoted after at least four years service as ratings	9	(9)
Sons of ratings	393	(391)
Orphan sons of ratings	69	(63)
The figures in brackets show the number of boys for whom fees are paid.

The maximum fee payable is £120 per annum. Where neither the Navy Education Allowance nor Local Education Authorities meet the full cost, parents are asked to contribute only what they can afford without hardship. 123 pay £120 per annum and the remainder from zero upwards.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number of new entrants in the current term at the Royal Hospital School; and what are the number of officers' and ratings' sons and the number of orphan sons of officers and ratings, respectively.

Of the 23 boys who were entered at the beginning of this term, 11 were the sons of ratings and 3 of these had only one parent living; 8 were the sons of officers promoted after at least four years' service as ratings and one of these had only one parent living; 4 were the sons of direct entry officers and 3 of these had only one parent living.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the number of new entrants in the current term at the Royal Hospital School for whom fees were charged, the number who were officers' and ratings' orphans, respectively, and the amounts of the fees.

Of the 23 boys entered in the current term fees have been charged in respect of 22. 7 orphans were entered. No fee has been charged for one of these—the son of a rating. Full fees of £120 per annum were paid by the surviving parent in the case of 4 boys, all sons of officers. The Local Education Authority paid the full fee for 2 ratings' orphans.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what policy he is adopting in his Department concerning the employment of persons over 60 years of age.

It is the general aim of the Civil Service to employ fit and willing officers for as long as is practicable consistent with the best interests of the public service. Continued employment of officers over the age of 60 is dependent upon a number of factors, including continued efficiency and good health, and the career interests and promotion prospects of other members of the grades in which the officers are serving. In general, the higher the grade, the lower will be the age at which officers are likely to be retired.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what were the dates on which his Department first communicated with the West Suffolk and East Suffolk County Councils, respectively, on their proposal to construct a new radar station at Orfordness.

8th and 29th January, 1968, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of the two Leander class frigates to be built this summer.

The cost will depend on the results of competitive tendering.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the cost of Sea Dart;(2) what is the cost of Seaslug II;(3) what is the cost of the Icara missile.

It is not the practice to give weapons information in this detail.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of improving the Buccaneer IIs.

I have nothing to add to what I said in the Defence Debate on 4th March about the possibility of improving the Buccaneer IIs.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what projects in defence research and development he is carrying out with Australia.

The United Kingdom cooperates with Australia in trials of guided and other weapons at Woomera. The Ikara anti-submarine weapons system is being modified collaboratively to meet R.N. requirements and the Mallard tactical trunk communications system is the subject of a joint venture with Australia, Canada and the United States. Trials of the Rapier anti-aircraft guided weapon will be undertaken with the Australian forces in Queensland and at Woomera. Under the Technical Cooperation Programme, Australia and the United Kingdom co-operate with Canada and the United States over a wide field of defence research and development, and the armies of the four countries work for basic standardisation under the ABCA agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of the Mallard project.

I have nothing to add to the information I gave in answer to a supplementary question on 13th December last year.—[Vol. 756, c. 412.]

asked the Minister of Health how many designated officers have been down-graded following amalgamations of hospital management committees, before and after 1st August, 1967; how many personnel were affected, and in what appointments; and if he will make a statement.

On the information available, 42, of whom 15 have since retired or secured posts at least as good as those previously held; no amalgamations have yet taken place since 1st August, 1967; those affected were 17 Hospital Management Committee Secretaries, 11 Deputy Secretaries, 7 Treasurers, 1 Deputy Treasurer, 3 Supplies Officers, 1 Deputy Supplies Officer and 2 Hospital Secretaries; all hospital authorities are fully aware of the importance of finding suitable alternative employment for staff downgraded following amalgamations, and the National Staff Committee is paying particular attention to this problem.

asked the Minister of Health on what grounds he intends to close Belmont Hospital with its 313 beds and ancillary departments; what is the 50- or 60-bed unit by which he proposes to replace it; and what is the intended timing of these operations.

I am informed that the South-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board are considering the future of Belmont Hospital in a general review of the development of neurosis services in the Region but they have not yet reached a decision whether or not to recommend its closure.

asked the Minister of Health what percentage of the Middle-wood Hospital, Sheffield, admission rate is attributable to residents in the Attercliffe and Brightside Parliamentary constituencies.

Hospital admissions are not recorded on a constituency basis.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to repeal the provisions of the Shops Act, 1950 relating to Sunday trading.

The Government has made it clear that in its view the Sunday trading recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Sunday Observance represent a reasonable basis for eliminating the worst anomalies of the present situation. I understand that a Private Member's Bill to implement those recommendations is likely to be introduced in another place shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the flat of Mr. Blackman, a constituent of the hon. Member for Wandsworth, Putney, was searched by the police on 3rd October, 1967; why Mr. Blackman was arrested and detained for three hours; and why the police forcibly removed Mr. Blackman's property and refused to return it to him.

These are matters for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. I am informed that the flat was searched under warrant to seek some property which had been reported to be stolen and that Mr. Blackman voluntarily accompanied the police to the police station to help them with identification and other aspects of their inquiries. The Commissioner has now decided not to institute proceedings in connection with the articles of which the police took possession and they have been returned to Mr. Blackman.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied that the necessary arrangements have been made for the medical examination of all the Asians who arrived recently from Kenya; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that houses and housing accommodation are not overcrowded as a result of their entry into the United Kingdom.

Asians from Kenya arriving since the coming into force of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1968 will be subject to medical examination at the port of entry. Medical examination and treatment under the National Health Service are available to all members of the community. Those attending school will have the benefit of medical examination under the school health service.Local authorities already have powers to deal with overcrowding and with unsatisfactory conditions in multi-occupied houses. These powers are generally considered to be adequate, if resolutely used, but they are included in the review by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government of the legislation concerning old housing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much is paid by his Department towards the salary of the international liaison officer in Huddersfield; and why no contribution is made to the cost of additional assistance.

In accordance with the White Paper "Immigration from the Commonwealth" (Cmnd. 2739), the National Committee for Commonwealth Immigrants, which receives a grant-in-aid from the Government, is making a grant of £1,500 for the year 1967–68 towards the salary of the liaison officer to the Huddersfield International Liaison Committee. The White Paper expressed the hope that local authorities would make their contribution by providing office accommodation and secretarial support for these officers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department upon what principle each fee mentioned in the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order, 1968, has been raised; and upon what principle each rise has been calculated.

The broad principle followed in this Order and analogous Orders laid by other Ministers is that fees, many of which have remained unchanged for a considerable number of years, should be increased to take account of the change in the value of money since the charge was last fixed, the level of other related fees and the views of the local authority associations, as well as what is known about the cost of collection and inspection.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the cost of collection, absolutely and as a percentage, of each fee mentioned in the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order, 1968;(2) what is, for the latest available year, the income collected from each fee mentioned in the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order, 1968.

This information is not readily available and could not be obtained without undue cost in time and labour.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimate he made of the rise in profits of theatre owners and managements between 1843 and 1968, when considering the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order, 1968:(2) what estimate he made of the rise in remuneration of Hackney carriage drivers outside London between 1847 and 1968, before making the Miscellaneous Fees (Varition) Order, 1968;(3) what estimate he made of the rise in income of pedlars between 1871 and 1968, before making the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order, 1968;(4) what estimate he made of the increase in profits of the owners of gunpowder stores between 1875 and 1968 before making the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order, 1968;(5) what estimate he made of the increase in profits of the owners of premises used for public music and dancing from 1890 to 1968 in the provinces, from 1926 to 1968 in the home counties and from 1963 to 1968 in London, before making the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order, 1968;(6) what estimate he made of the increase in profits of pleasure boat owners between 1907 and 1968 before making the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order, 1968;(7) what estimate he made of the increase in remuneration of pleasure boat boatmen between 1907 and 1968 before making the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order, 1968;(8) what estimate he made of the increase in profits of cinema owners between 1909 and 1968 before making the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order, 1968;(9) what estimate he made of the increase in remuneration of persons carrying on the business of receiving postal packets between 1920 and 1968 before making the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order, 1968;(10) what estimate he made of the increase in remuneration of exhibitors and trainers of performing animals between 1925 and 1968 before making the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order, 1968;(11) what estimate he made of the increase in remuneration of theatrical employers between 1925 and 1968 before making the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order, 1968;(12) what estimate he made of the increase in profits of persons licensed to keep petroleum spirit between 1928 and 1968 or, if this was unknown, of oil companies retailing in the United Kingdom, before making the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order, 1968;(13) what estimate he made of the increase in profits of owners of pet shops between 1951 and 1968 before making the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order, 1968;(14) what estimate he made of the increase in income of adoption societies between 1958 and 1968 before making the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order, 1968;(15) what estimate he made of the increase in income from betting and gaming of persons licensed under the sections of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963 mentioned in the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order, 1968, from 1963 to 1968, before making that Order;(16) what estimate he made of the increase in profits of the owners of premises licensed under the London Government Act 1963 for public boxing or wrestling between 1963 and 1968, before making the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order, 1968;(17) what estimate he made of the increase of profits from 1963 to 1968 of the owners of animal boarding establishments before making the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order, 1968;(18) what estimate he made of the increase of profits from 1964 to 1968 of the owners of riding establishments before making the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order, 1968.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the names and addresses of the manufacturers of the police breathalyser who have undertaken to make the device available for sale to the public.

The Alcotest (R)80, the only breath-testing device so far approved for the purposes of the Road Safety Act, 1967, and in current police use, is manufactured by Drägerwerk of Lübeck, West Germany, and is marketed in this country by Draeger Normalair Limited, of Kitty Brewster, Blyth, Northumberland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now provide a breakdown showing for what reasons the police have stopped motorists prior to the application of a breathalyser test.

In England and Wales up to 31st December, 3,281 breath tests were required on suspicion of the presence of alcohol, 3,526 after accidents, and 3,156 on suspicion that drivers had committed moving traffic offences.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that other than occasional spot checks, and in cases of accidents, no action is taken to enforce the various regulations issued by the Ministry of Transport concerning road fund licensing, roadworthiness certificates, insurance, lights, number plates, and similar matters; and, in view of the shortage of staff for enforcing existing regulations, what plans he has to enforce the new regulations on tyres.

The police do all that can reasonably be done to enforce the various provisions of the road traffic law; and I understand that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport pro poses to include tyre standards in her testing schemes for cars and goods vehicles.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many qualified accountants there are in Government Departments; how many of them are at headquarters; and what is their salary range.

There are at present 328 in the Professional Accountants Class of whom 302 are employed in headquarter type offices. The current basic salary scales range from £1,194 at the minimum for Accountants, up to £4,500 at the maximum for a Director. The scales are under review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT full and complete details of all persons receiving payments from the Treasury funds who have for any stated period been prosecuted for any offence connected with obtaining money under false pretences or intentional misrepresentation and the results in each case.

No. But if the hon. Member has any particular point in mind perhaps he would get in touch with me about it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that in 1964 10 per cent. of the population obtained 30 per cent. of the total personal income; and what is the present ratio.

I cannot readily identify the figures quoted by the hon. Member, but they correspond closely with the figures for distribution of incomes before tax in 1964 and 1965 in Table 26 of the National Income Blue Book, I regret that information is not available for a year later than 1965.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer as over 55 per cent. of cigarettes are sold with gift coupons, what estimates has he made of the increase in revenue from tobacco duty, on the basis that manufacturers replace the gift coupons by a similar value of duty-paid tobacco.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons have been prosecuted for failing to declare their holdings of gold coins as required by Statutory Instrument 1966 No. 438; how many persons have been convicted; on what dates; and with what sentences.

I refer to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Hillhead (Mr. Galbraith) on 20th June, 1967.—[Vol. 748, c. 230.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied that the surrender of gold coins provisions of Statutory Instrument, 1966 No. 438 have in general been complied with; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the statement made by the former Financial Secretary on 19th June, 1967 in answer to the hon. Member for Chippenham (Mr. Awdry).—[Vol. 748, c. 205.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what statutory authority he stated in his Written Answer of 18th July, 1967 that gold coins in the form of jewellery acquired before Statutory Instrument 1966, No. 438, came into effect are not subject to the said Statutory Instrument.

The Exchange Control Act, 1947, especially Section 2(1).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to encourage wider share ownership through company thrift schemes.

I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what was the machinery of co-ordination between his Department and the Ministry of Health on 30th August, 1967, concerning the representations made about the condition of the 770 lamb carcases from the Argentine at the abattoir of the Fatstock Marketing Corporation at Wrexham;(2) what was the state of the 770 lamb carcases from the Argentine, sent to Wrexham on 29th August, 1967;(3) what reply the deputy veterinary officer gave to representations made by the Wrexham public health authority on 30th August regarding the condition of 770 lamb carcases held by the Fatstock Marketing Corporation and received from the Argentine;(4) why the 770 lamb carcases from the Argentine, held responsible for the initial outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, were transferred from Manchester to Wrexham;(5) whether the 770 lamb carcases from the Argentine held responsible for the initial spread of foot-and-mouth disease in the recent epidemic, were directed to Manchester before being transferred to Wrexham;(6) what representations were made to his Department, and in particular to the assistant chief veterinary officer on 30th August, regarding the condition of the 770 lamb carcases from the Argentine, sent to Wrexham;(7) who authorised the release of the 770 lamb carcases from the Argentine held at Wrexham on 30th August by the Fatstock Marketing Corporation.

The lamb referred to was unloaded at London on 23rd August and dispatched immediately by the purchasers to their depot at Wrexham. It was never stored in Manchester.On 25th August the Public Health Laboratories reported the presence, in samples taken from lamb offals from Establishment 1408 in an earlier cargo, of a strain of Salmonella not previously known in this country. A similar strain had been isolated in connection with an outbreak of disease in Manchester.The Port Health Authorities were immediately notified and they, as the enforcing authorities under the Imported Food Regulations, stopped all further releases of meat originating from Establishment 1408, pending further investigation.The Public Health Authorities concerned were informed of this action and on 30th August the Wrexham Authority sought guidance from my Department on the disposal of the lamb which had already been released by the Port Health Authority. No representations were made on the condition of the lamb. They were referred to the Ministry of Health in accordance with standing instructions. I understand that the Ministry of Health advised that the Wrexham Authority appeared to have no ground to justify the detention of these carcases as unfit for human consumption.All samples taken by the Port of London Health Authority from the lamb in this shipment were negative for Salmonella, and the action described was precautionary only. All the lamb in this shipment including the 770 carcases at Wrexham was released for consumption. Part of the earlier cargo from which unsatisfactory results had been reported was condemned by the Port Health Authority and destroyed; the remainder was released after the usual tests.No link was ever established between any of this meat and the Manchester infection.My Veterinary Attaché in Buenos Aires inspected Establishment 1408 on 24th July and again on 31st August following upon the action described. His reports, on both occasions were satisfactory. As a further precautionary measure shipments had been suspended from this Establishment but they were allowed to be resumed on 13th September.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will institute an inquiry into the price and costing methods of manufacturers who sell goods to various firms in the retail and distributive trades for sale under their own brand name, with a view to effecting a reduction in food prices.

No. I have seen no evidence that would justify such an inquiry at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many bone depots there are in England and Wales of the type described in the Appendix to Command Paper No. 3560.

This information is not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate, related to a constant money value, of the total net farm income for Wales for 1964, 1965, 1966 and 1967.

As my hon. Friend said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Cardigan (Mr. Elystan Morgan) on 30th January, 1968, annual figures of net farm income in Wales are not available.—[Vol. 757, c. 287.]

asked the Minister of Health what was the machinery of coordination between the Wrexham public health authorities, the Manchester public health authorities, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and his Department on 29th and 30th August, concerning the 770 lamb carcases from the Argentine, sent to Wrexham for distribution by the Fatstock Marketing Corporation.

The Manchester Public Health Department communicated with the Wrexham Public Health Department, who made an inquiry of my right hon. Friend's Department and mine about these carcases. This matter was dealt with in accordance with standing arrangements.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he will consider holding an inquiry into the causes and effects of the use of the thalidomide drug;(2) in view of the fact that a small proportion of the children affected by the thalidomide drug are to receive compensation, if he will consider in the case of other children similarly affected taking steps to ensure that they may be granted payment from public or other funds in lieu of compensation.

Greatly as I sympathise with the families affected I do not think that an inquiry could add significantly to the knowledge we already have. The Distillers Company are reported as having indicated that they will consider ways of providing a substantial sum for the direct assistance of malformed children who do not benefit from the settlement of certain claims which was recently approved by the High Court.