asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will seek to confer powers upon the Wales Tourist Board to approve the naming of hotels to classify hotels according to an official classification, and to strengthen the financial position of the Board to enable it to undertake this work.

The Wales Tourist Board has been given a special Exchequer grant for 1968–69 to enable it to complete the listing of all holiday accommodation in Wales conforming to the minimum standards recommended by the British Travel Association. Any alteration in the powers of the Tourist Board would be something I would wish to consider in the context of the wider review of tourism policy which the Government are now undertaking.

While I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for undertaking that review, may I ask whether he is aware that we could learn a good deal from the way in which the Irish Government are dealing with their tourist industry? Is there not a strong case for the creation of a powerful Welsh tourist Board, with more money and powers to organise the industry?

I will look at the tourist experience of other countries. My hon. Friend must appreciate that considerable progress has been made in Welsh tourism over the last 18 months.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether a scheme for grant under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Acts has been submitted by the Mid-Glamorgan Water Board for an improved water supply to the houses, farms and cafes in and around the village of St. Hilary, Cowbridge.

Not yet. But the Mid-Glamorgan Water Board is preparing a scheme for submission and, if this is approved, it will be eligible for grant.

Will my hon. Friend assist this little community by getting the Water Board to move quicker in bringing forward the water supply?

In fairness I should say that the Board has very large schemes in progress or under consideration, but is short of professional staff. I understand that it is hoping to submit proposals within the next three months.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales in what month of the current year will work be commenced on the first sections of the Cardiff to Merthyr trunk road.

My right hon. Friend hopes to let the contract for the Tongwynlais to Nantgarw scheme in September.

Did I understand my hon. Friend to say September?

Yes.

The scheme was approved for the present financial year, and we had an announcement that work would commence in the early months of the summer. Now it is thrown to the end of the year. Cannot we get a move on with these things?

I acknowledge with regret that there has been some delay, due to some very good reasons, but I believe that the main difficulty has now been overcome. Subsequent to a public inquiry last October into objections in to the compulsory purchase order, we agreed to consider further representations about the effect of the scheme on one plot of land.

Would the hon. Gentleman tell his hon. Friend that he is relatively lucky compared with some other parts of Wales?

asked the Secretary of State for Wales which local authorities in Wales have offered council houses for sale; what is the total number offered by each individual authority; what number has actually been purchased; and what advice his Department has given to those local authorities on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has so far been made in Wales in enabling council houses to be purchased by their tenants; and what proportion of Welsh housing authorities has so far taken steps to permit such purchases.

Local authorities are not required to notify my right. hon. Friend when houses are offered for sale, so it is not possible to say which local authorities have done so, or how many have been offered by individual councils. In 1967, 22 councils in Wales sold 183 houses. I shall, with permission, circulate details in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The latest advice to local authorities on the subject is contained in Welsh Office Circular 20/67.

Is my hon. Friend aware that his Answer is most unsatisfactory? Is he further aware of the difficulties experienced by several local authorities in the country with repair and decorative work and with the layout of estates? Will he bear in mind that the sale of council houses is contrary to Labour Party policy and take steps to prevent any further sales.

There is no evidence to suggest that the present level of sales in Wales is having any adverse effect on housing policy.

Will the Minister take account of the fact that there are parts of South Wales where an extension of home ownership is needed even more than it is in the rest of the British Isles? Might this not make a valuable contribution where circumstances are appropriate?

The Government's record in assisting owner-occupation is very good. However, in areas where there is still an unsatisfied demand for houses to let at moderate rents, sales of council houses have undesirable effects.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the progress being made on improving road links between the Midlands and South Wales; and if he will make a statement.

While good progress is being made, my right hon. Friend will not be satisfied until this most important road linking South Wales with the Midlands has been completed. The length from Monmouth to Mitchel Troy is open to traffic. Work is well advanced on the section between Mitchel Troy and Raglan. The line of the road has just been fixed between Raglan and Usk and his proposals for the final section from Usk to Coldra were published on 8th March.

I thank my hon. Friend for his reply, and I appreciate his efforts in this matter. Will he bear in mind that the Port of Bristol is energetically seeking traffic from the Midlands and that these improved road links are urgently necessary to combat the challenge from Bristol?

We are conscious of the importance of this road, and we expect to meet the target dates unless unforeseen difficulties arise over land acquisition.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many members will form the new Welsh Economic Council; if he will state the date when the first meeting is to take place; and whether he will make a statement.

I hope to be able to announce the membership of the Welsh Council—which will not exceed 40 in number—in time for the first meeting to be held towards the end of April or early May.

Can my right hon. Friend tell me what interests will be represented on this new Council?

A wide range of interests will be represented on the Council as was outlined in the White Paper on local government. They will include both sides of industry, local government, the University and others who are knowledgeable in various spheres of activity.

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that this new Council, as he calls it, is in fact a reversion to the old Advisory Council for Wales? Secondly, has he yet a chairman for the Council? He will recall that I asked him that question last time.

No chairman has yet been appointed, but really the hon. Gentleman must read the White Paper on local government, because he will see that it is not a reversion but an extension on the Welsh Economic Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to ensure a more rapid expansion of the tourist industry in Wales.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which was given to the hon. Member for Cardigan (Mr. Elystan Morgan) on 20th February.—[Vol. 759, c. 108.]

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that even the six-county Government of Stormont gave their Tourist Board £186,000 last year and that the Irish Government gave their Tourist Board £2,770,000? It will be impossible to realise the full potential of the Welsh tourist industry unless the level of support is not raised nearer to those figures.

I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman is not prepared to acknowledge the great progress which has been made, the increase in tourism in Wales and the increased revenue which has accrued. The Board's increased budget of £80,000 this year is not small and, in any case, it is only part of the total expenditure for this purpose. I would point out to him that Wales benefits from an annual expenditure of about £250,000 by the British Travel Association on overseas promotions to attract visitors to the Principality.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some of the Welsh mountains, while not quite so magnificent as the Scottish mountains, are not so well known to tourists? Will he consider attracting tourists to Snowdon by transferring the forthcoming investiture from Caernarvon to the summit of Snowdon at dawn?

I would not accept that the Welsh mountains are less well known than the Scottish ones.

Would the right hon. Gentleman inform his hon. Friend the Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes) that, in spite of all he says, there is still a welcome in the hillside?

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the progress made by his economic development plan, Wales: The Way Ahead published in July 1967; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. I am satisfied that good progress is being made in implementing the policies set out in "Wales: The Way Ahead". This progress may be seen from the Annual Report for 1967, and more recent examples are the announcements about new industrial development, the appointment of a consultant for Llantrisant and the addition to the preparation pool of the new Gabalfa to Bridgend Road.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the economic history of Wales last year was one of almost continuous decline, with 22,100 less at work in service and manufacturing industries, with only 125 men at work in the advance factories built by the Board of Trade since 1964, and with only five redundant miners retrained?

I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman should constantly denigrate what has been done in Wales. Enormous progress has been made over the past three years, and I am satisfied that it will continue to be made. It gives me some satisfaction that, in his Question, the hon. Gentleman refers to the White Paper as an "economic development plan". That shows that he is making some progress.

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that if the hon. Gentleman's friends would stop scrawling slogans on walls such as, "Go home, English", it would help the development of good relations between the Welsh and English people and attract more tourists?

The relationships between the people of Wales and those of England are among the best in the world. The House will bear in mind that it is the oldest partnership in the world.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what studies have been made by the Welsh Economic Council of the machinery of departmental supervision of education, health and agriculture in Wales.

None.

Is it not true to say that the Welsh Office will never be a complete Department unless and until these functions are transferred to it? Can my right hon. Friend say whether the new Council that he proposes to set up will be able to examine this matter?

On the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said on 11th December, except to say how gratifying it is that my hon. Friend should have such confidence in the office of Secretary of State. On the second part of his question, the terms of reference of the Welsh Council will be considerably wider than those of the present Economic Council, and it will be able, if it so wishes, to undertake these duties.

Without knowing the answer to the question, as his hon. Friend obviously did, would the right hon. Gentleman please answer the second part of it, which was whether the Welsh Economic Council is considering these matters?

No, Sir. The hon. Gentleman will be aware that the present Welsh Economic Council comes to the end of its term of office this month. Such studies would appear to be well outside its terms of reference.

Would my right hon. Friend say whether he will seek to extend his oversight powers, and whether he has oversight powers in relation to the Ministry of Power?

My hon. Friend will be aware of the Prime Minister's statement on the extent of my oversight powers. In fact, they extend to all domestic departments of the Government which operate in Wales—

Including Power?

It is not for me to decide on additional functions. That is a matter for the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will refer to the Welsh Economic Council the question of designating as special development areas those parts of rural Wales which find it difficult to attract industry or which suffer from a high rate of depopulation.

As my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade said on 13th March, 1968—[Vol. 760, c. 286]—the Special Development Areas have been selected as those areas within the Development Areas likely to suffer most severely from colliery closures. So far as the views of the Welsh Economic Council on the problems of rural Wales are concerned, I have nothing to add to the Answer I gave my hon. Friend on 29th January. 1968.—[Vol. 757, c. 246.]

Would my right hon. Friend not agree that there is also a very strong case for the granting of special assistance to rural areas, which find it very difficult to attract industry since they receive the same benefits as those received by growth localities in the same development area?

The future prospects of development areas are kept under continual review. I am sure that my hon. Friend will agree that it might not be entirely beneficial if the inducements were spread too thinly over too wide a geographical area. In addition, the areas of depopulation were neglected over many years, but they are now schedule and receive substantial benefits.

As the help intended for the development areas has been very much weakened, for example, by the terms of the Transport Bill, what is the right hon. Gentleman doing to try and protect them?

I cannot accept what the hon. Gentleman has said or the substance of his question. He should put it down for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport to deal with.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what are the total cuts in 1968–69 road estimates in maintenance on Class I roads in the counties of Brecon, Radnor, Montgomery and Cardigan; and if he will make a statement,

All the local highway authorities have been asked to reduce by 15 per cent. the total expenditure they would otherwise have incurred on the improvement, maintenance and lighting of non-principal roads. The allocation of reductions is a matter for the authorities themselves and the information asked for by the hon. Member is not, therefore, available.

But surely, concerning Question No. 11, on Class I roads this is far more a question for the Welsh Office than for the local authorities. Why cannot the Minister give me an answer?

It is not possible to assess the amount of reduction which will be made by each individual authority on maintenance, which is the subject of the Question, because the 15 per cent. reduction which they have been asked to make is an overall figure and will be a matter for the local authorities to decide.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT, up to the latest convenient date, the number of houses erected for private purchase in the area of each of the Welsh housing authorities since November, 1964 and the number erected in each area during the last year.

The figures for 168 Welsh housing authorities are too long for the OFFICIAL REPORT and my right hon. Friend, will, if the hon. Member agrees, write to him.

Can the Minister say whether these figures show a substantial increase during the period and, if so, can he indicate what percentage increase there has been?

Yes. Private building has been at a very good rate indeed, and the percentage was nearly 50 per cent. for last year. Since November, 1964, they have been building at twice the annual average rate than in previous years. An additional incentive to owner-occupation is given by the introduction of the Government's scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will give his approval to the scheme for suitable spur roads linking Cardiff with the proposed by-pass north of the city; whether he will allow them to be constructed at the same time as the proposed by-pass; and whether he will seek to speed up the planning process in order that the by-pass and the spur roads are constructed as quickly as possible.

As soon as proposals have been received from the highway authority, my right hon. Friend is ready to include in the preparation list of principal road improvements the most urgent Cardiff road schemes to enable traffic to make the best use of the intermediate by-pass which he added to the preparation pool for trunk road schemes on 5th March.

I welcome enthusiastically the decision to extend the M4. Will my hon. Friend confirm that a large percentage of the traffic going west of Cardiff is generally going to Cardigan and that it is therefore vital that the road system of Cardiff is closely linked with the development and extension of the M4?

I assure my hon. Friend that this is receiving all our attention. We have indicated to Cardiff the roads which we are prepared to consider for grant, but we have not yet received details from the authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in view of the decision by the International Olympic Committee to invite a team from South Africa, chosen on the basis of racially segregated trials, to the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico and of the protest against this decision by other countries, if he will give an undertaking that the Government will not continue to subsidise the British Olympic team.

No, Sir. British participation in the Olypmic Games is a matter for the British Olympic Committee who have indicated that they have accepted the invitation to the 1968 Games in Mexico City. I do not think in the circumstances of this case it would be right to withhold the grant offered to the British Olympic Association towards the cost of participation.

Does not that answer conflict with an answer which the Minister gave on 30th January to the effect that the Government did not support teams participating in sport where racial discrimination was involved?

There is no conflict at all. I can well understand the strong feelings of the hon. Gentleman, and indeed others—I share them myself—about any racial discrimination in sport, but that is not the responsibility of the Government. My responsibility is for the grant to be made to the British team and how that money is used and the conditions under which British sportsmen will compete in Mexico. I am satisfied on all those counts.

Does my hon. Friend agree that, irrespective of the Olympic Games, we should put money into British sport? Will he also bear in mind the strong feeling that is held on this side of the House about a British team participating in sport where there is a colour bar?

I do not follow the logic of that question. We have done everything, particularly on the advice of the Sports Council, to make certain that there is no racial discrimination involved where public money is being spent.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the less political interference there is in the affairs of the International Olympic Committee, the better? Does he also agree that if an example is not given in this respect by the more responsible nations, such as ours, the whole future of the Olympic Games will be at stake?

Comment on the International Olympic Committee is free, and I understand much of the comment about it. I am not, however, certain that it is right for Governments to comment, since the Committee is a private sporting body. Nothing would disturb me more than to accept responsibility for the nature of Governments of countries against which British sportsmen compete.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will amend the student grant regulations so that no allowance should be made for private school fees in assessing parental contribution.

This suggestion will be considered with others which have been proposed by students' organisations and other interested bodies for adjustment of the student grant arrangements.

Would not the money saved by this change be more usefully employed to increase the lower level of the parental contribution scale?

Yes. This is certainly one of the things which we must consider and which I am prepared to discuss with the student organisations and other interested bodies, such as the vice-chancellors, and so on. However, we ought to await the outcome of the discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local education authorities do not have teacher representation on their education committees.

Forty-two of the 162 local education authorities have education committee arrangements which do not make specific provision for the representation of teachers, but 38 of these provide for the inclusion of members from outside the Council and it is likely that in practice most of them include teachers or their representatives.

Will the Minister do everything in his power to persuade those local authorities who still refuse to have teacher representation on their education committees to change their minds?

Yes. But my powers are limited by the 1944 Act, which does not lay down that teachers as such should be represented on local education authorities. I think it is most desirable that they should be, and in the vast majority of cases they are represented.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in view of the recent economy measures, he will request the Advisory Panel on Grants to review the level of student grants earlier than 1971.

The timing of the next review of student grants will depend on the economic situation.

As the hon. Lady has had to take part in this very drastic decision before any figures are announced arbitrarily to reduce by 50 per cent. any recommended increase, would not be a reasonable quid pro quo to say that a firm request to the Advisory Panel on Grants will be made before 1971? Is not that a reasonable request to make?

The normal space between reviews is approximately three years. I would repeat that until we can see how the economic situation develops, it would be impossible for me to give a pledge of one kind or another.

Can the Minister do anything in the meantime to ensure that the parental contribution is paid, because, where it is not paid, it causes hardship?

I certainly take my hon. Friend's point. This is one of the matters which we are considering along with other points put before us by the students' organisations.

Would the hon. Lady agree that in considering this question she must have regard not only to the economic situation, but to the increase of halls of residence and refectory charges and also the increase in the cost of books, which may hit students severely during the period ahead?

On the first point, the right hon. Gentleman will realise that the universities are concerned to try to keep the level of hostel prices down as low as possible, and discussions are being held to that effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received regarding the proposed cut in the increase of students' grants; and what reply he has sent.

I have received representations from student organisations, and from a number of individuals. I have made it clear that the decision must stand to limit to half the total of the increases recommended by the Advisory Panel; but that I am very willing to consider any proposals for adjustments to the grant structure, provided that they do not increase the total sum to be made available.

When will these consultations take place? Will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to consider the possibility of a variable grant, to take in higher costs of living in certain areas?

Does the hon. Gentleman mean variable geographical grants?

Yes.

That would be very difficult. It has not been put to me. but I shall consider anything that is. Now that the Report is in my hands, I shall be consulting the various bodies and organisations concerned, including the student organisations.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that many of us on these benches believe that university students have been fairly and adequately treated under present circumstances?—[HON. MEMBERS "Speak for yourself."]—I am stating my view. It is high time that under-priveleged children referred to in Plowden and Newsom received some attention. We regret that the school-leaving age was not raised.

I, too, regret that the school-leaving age was not raised. We are not neglecting the children in the kind of school to which my hon. Friend is referring.

In view of the likely cost increases this year, does the right hon. Gentleman agree that there is a strong case for a special inquiry now, before 1971, and, secondly, that at the very least he ought to look with urgency at the income scale for the assessment of parental contributions?

With regard to the second part of the right hon. Gentleman's question, I am doing this. There is a strong case for it. There is a case for an earlier than three-year review, but I cannot commit myself to this. It must depend on the general economic developments, and the priorities in education on which we may decide. I agree, however, that there is a case for this.

Will my right hon. Friend, when looking at this matter, pay particular attention to the problem of older students, particularly those with families?

I will look at it to see whether we can make arrangements within the total sum to deal with that problem. I am prepared to do what I can to meet proven cases of hardship within the total scale, and there is some hardship in the case to which my hon. Friend refers.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he will set a date for the restoration of the cut, and, secondly, whether he has abandoned the principle of ever implementing the Anderson Committee's Report on the matter?

I cannot set a date. Directly we have more money available for education, we will have to settle our priorities. This will be among them. We have not totally abandoned the principle of anything.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these cuts will bring hardship, particularly to such people as those of my constituents, with children, who are in the lower income groups? Is he aware that many of us deplore these cuts, which will only bring difficulties to the educational system which we hope to improve?

There are no cuts. There will be an increase in September for every student getting a grant, which means practically all of them. I agree that the failure to increase it by the amount expected will produce some cases of hardship, and I am preparing to consider these. I am consulting various organisations, including the students, about the best way of doing this within the sums which I have available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has yet received the report of the Advisory Panel on Grants; and when he expects to make it public.

Yes, Sir. I expect it to be published early in May.

In view of the anxiety with which these figures are being awaited and the Secretary of State's decision arising out of them, does he feel able at this stage to give at least a preliminary indication about the likely increase?

I think it would be better that the whole of the Report should be available to hon. Members and others. This is the earliest date by which I can get it printed. It will be printed as fast as we can manage, and everybody will know the facts which the Committee has presented to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what developments have followed the decision announced by the Government two years ago to encourage and grant aid to national school sports associations; how many such associations now receive a grant; and how much financial assistance has been given to their work in England and Wales and Scotland, respectively.

National school sports associations are eligible for assistance towards their annual administration costs and participation in international events overseas. In England and Wales, administration grants totalled £2,300 to 10 associations in 1964–65, £2,775 to 14 associations in 1965–66, £4,975 to 19 associations in 1966–67, and £5,550 to 19 associations in the current financial year. Grants amounting to £923 have been offered for international schools events overseas.

Is my hon. Friend aware that these improved figures will give great satisfaction to the numerous teachers who have been carrying out these duties in an honorary capacity, and will he give an assurance that the sums mentioned will not be modified as a result of recent measures?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend. These grants, which I regard as dealing with the whole foundation of the future of British sport, give me particular pleasure. I am grateful to the teachers who do this voluntary work. I assure my hon. Friend that they will be the last to suffer any handicap under the present difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the conclusions of the Dainton Report.

I refer my hon. Friend to my answer on 29th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford (Dr. Ernest E. Davies).—Wol. 759, c. 400–1.]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is not enough merely to say that the conclusions are largely a matter for local authorities? Does he agree with the conclusion of the Dainton Report that every child should study mathematics until he leaves school? If he does, where are the thousands of extra mathematics teachers to come from?

Whatever my hon. Friend may say, it is true that nearly all the recommendations of the Dainton Committee were directed to universities, L.E.A.s, and schools, and I do not think that I am yet called on to express a view on that kind of recommendation. I am engaged at the moment in consulting various bodies and associations concerned. What is gratifying is that there has been a general acceptance of the view that the swing away from science is wrong, and should be reversed.

Are not a number of very important issues raised by this Report, and, indeed, in certain respects, does it not go in the opposite direction to an important recent statement of the Schools' Council? Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that within the fairly near future he will make a statement in the House, or a speech on this subject, saying where he stands? He cannot keep right out of this.

The right hon. Gentleman knows that it is proper in these matters to have some consultation first. The time will come when I must make my views known, and I shall.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice he has given to local education authorities about identifying educational priority areas.

I gave authorities guidance in Circular 11/67 on the criteria which I would take into account in considering building projects for inclusion in the special £16 million E.P.A. building programme. I hope to announce details of this programme very shortly. Criteria have recently been settled by the Burnham Committee to govern the selection of schools, subject to my approval, as schools of exceptional difficulty in which all qualified teachers are to receive an addition to their salaries of £75 a year.

Will my right hon. Friend accept that many of us are gratified that the Burnham Committee has at last reached agreement on the question of this £75, but will he make sure that the two sets of criteria are fitted into one another, and will he give particular weight to the criterion which concerns the number of immigrants, since many of us believe that this handicap puts a greater strain on a school than some of the other criteria which he has laid down?

I agree that it is very gratifying that the Burnham Committee has come to this conclusion. One of the criteria which it has suggested in its submission to me is the proportion in a school of children with serious linguistic difficulties, and I think that this meets the point made by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to improve the contact between school and home in educational priority areas, in particular by the appointment of home liaison officers.

This is primarily a matter for the local education authorities and schools concerned. I understand that some local education authorities are experimenting in the use of education welfare officers and other social workers to help in the development of home and school contact in deprived areas. My right hon. Friend has accepted the Plow-den recommendation that he should issue a pamphlet on home/school relations generally, and I expect this to be published in the autumn.

Does not the work of the officers who have been carrying out these services show that great results flow from a comparatively modest expenditure of time and effort? Therefore, would the right hon. Lady not do all she can to encourage the extension of this work?

Yes, I will certainly do all I can. I always make a special point of mentioning this when I go around the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a further statement on the establishment of the Open University; and to what extent its development has been retarded by the cuts in public expenditure.

The Planning Committee is making very good progress, and recently published its proposals for the curriculum and courses of the Open University. Its work is not affected by the cuts in public expenditure.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the whole House is gratified to see her back in her place?

There are no delays. I am grateful to Sir Peter Venables and his Planning Committee for the work they are doing. We expect their preliminary job to be finished by the autumn, and we expect that by the autumn of 1970, or January, 1971, this entire project, thoroughly prepared, will be launched. The gestation period for setting up a great university of this kind is no longer than for any of the other new universities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to receive the report of the Public Schools Commission.

I expect the Report to reach me in April, and to be published in the summer.

Meanwhile, will my right hon. Friend take steps to ensure that there are no further leaks about what the Commission is proposing, or not proposing? Will he appreciate that if there is any truth in the leaks which now appear to be emanating from the Council, there will be very little support from this side of the House for its proposals?

I would have to extend my powers considerably to look after leaks from the Commission. I have no idea whether the leaks are true or not.

If there is no summer, will there be no report? Why is the right hon. Gentleman so complacent about the serious leaks which there have been from this Commission? Does not he take them seriously?

I do not know whether to do that. Until the Report reaches me, I do not know whether they are true or not.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is aware that of the £26,000 made available to the Huddersfield local authority, towards the cost of immigrants in the borough, little is directly available to the education committee for use for the benefit of the 10 per cent. immigrant school population; and whether he will authorise an immediate grant to meet this need.

Eighty-two per cent. of this sum relates to the salaries of teachers and others employed in the education service. These grants are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

Is my hon. Friend aware that those are not the facts as I know them in Huddersfield? Does he appreciate that they have a real problem there, and that, proportionately, we have a higher number of immigrant school children almost than any other place in the country? Will he consider sending someone from his Department to study this, and discuss it with the education authority?

I have visited Huddersfield quite recently and studied the matter and discussed it with the authority. It seems that my hon. Friend is suggesting that there is a difference of opinion between the Finance Committee and the Education Committee. I can tell him that the Huddersfield Corporation is one and indivisible, and that when we pay money to it for grants to teachers in respect of immigrants, it is not our concern how it disperses that money. I am aware of the serious problem, and I assure my hon. Friend that I am continuing to keep it under very close review.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of students in Scottish and English universities, respectively, were from overseas, at the most recent date for which information is available.

In autumn 1967, 5·5 per cent. in Scotland and 7·7 per cent. in England.

In view of the relatively high proportion which Scottish universities take of overseas students and of students from England, would the hon. Lady be prepared to discuss with some English universities the possibility of the Scottish Certificate of Education being accepted as a qualification for university entrance?

The hon. Gentleman will know that the Scottish Certificate is accepted by many English universities, although I am aware that there are one or two problems. Second, I must repeat that the proportion of Scottish students who go to university is well above the proportion of English.

Is my hon. Friend aware that people interested in Scottish education are very proud that the Scottish universities cater for a proportion of overseas students, and that we wish we could take more?

Following those remarks, I must pay tribute to the considerable welcome which is given to overseas students in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students of medicine have qualified as doctors in each succeeding year from 1960 to 1967.

As the reply contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is my hon. Friend aware that, due to the wastage in the profession and the increase in the population, there will be a severe shortage of doctors in the near future? What plans have been prepared to meet this situation?

My hon. Friend will know that, following the report of the Willink Committee in 1957, the previous Government reduced the number of medical students. We have now recovered this situation, both by opening a new medical school in Southampton and by setting up a Royal Commission on medical education, which is due to report next month. As a result, there are already 500 extra medical places planned, which will shortly improve the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the fall in recruitment of teachers to the special one-year course for teachers wishing to add Russian to their teaching subjects.

The number of teachers attending the courses has fallen each year since 1964–65, although teachers successfully completing the course are entitled to a salary increment. Teaching of Russian in schools has expanded less rapidly than was expected when the courses were instituted.

What has become of the Government's plans whereby the teachers of clasics could become teachers of Russian through this one-year course?

My hon. Friend will know that any teacher may submit himself for the one-year course and will receive an increment in his salary if he completes it. The difficulty appears to be largely in the demand for Russian speakers after they leave school. This lies much more deep in the general approach to exporting and selling by foreign languages than perhaps my hon. Friend's Question alone suggests.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what study he has made of the report of the Schools Council, a copy of which has been sent to him, stating that it would be unwise to encourage the expansion of the teaching of Chinese at the present time; and what is his policy in this matter.

The Schools Council have not reported on this subject. The view of one of their sub-committees, as reported in the First Report of the Committee on Research and Development in Modern Languages, is that it would be unwise to encourage the expansion of the teaching of Chinese in schools at the present time. The Report recommends the establishment of an Inter-Universities Chinese Language School as a single centre for the training of undergraduates in their first year. I understand that this suggestion is being energetically pursued.

Although no one believes that the teaching of Chinese is the greatest priority facing my right hon. Friend, may we be assured that the momentum which began in 1964 and 1965 is being continued?

As I have said, there will be some progress with regard to the Inter - University Chinese Language School, but I cannot assure my hon. Friend, for practical reasons—for one thing, the supply of teachers—of our being able to do anything in the schools.