asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the evidence supplied to him by the hon. Member for South Bedfordshire on the possibility of accidents with imported machines, he will take steps to ensure that all imported commodities, including machines, conform to British standards.

The evidence to which my hon. Friend refers relates to a machinery accident in a factory. There are already requirements in the Factories Act, 1961, relating to the safety of machines in factories and these apply to all such machinery irrespective of its origin.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will seek powers to grant agricultural engineers and contractors refund of Selective Employment Tax.

Agricultural engineers whose main business is dealing in agricultural machinery are classified under a distribution heading which does not attract refund of selective employment tax. I see no reason to treat them differently from the rest of the distributive trades. Agricultural contractors are in general already eligible for refund.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he now has evidence as to the extent to which the Selective Employment Tax has succeeded in achieving redeployment from service into manufacturing industry; and if he will make a statement.

Between June, 1966 and June 1967, the number of employees in employment in the sectors of the economy which bear Selective Employment Tax fell by about 4·4 per cent. In the construction industry the numbers fell by 5·6 per cent., in the distributive trades by 4·3 per cent., in miscellaneous services by 3·7 per cent. Over the same period employment in manufacturing fell less sharply by only 3·1 per cent. Over the past six or seven years the tendency has been for employment in manufacturing to rise slowly and for employment in construction, distribution and miscellaneous services to increase at a much faster rate. The previous trend (as a result of which manufacturing industry employed a decreasing proportion of the working population) has been reversed. It seems clear that S.E.T. has played a major part in bringing this reversal about.

asked the Minister of Labour how many vacancies now exist for skilled tradesmen; and what steps he is taking to fill them.

At 6th December 1967, the latest date for which an occupational analysis is available, there were 25,430 unfilled vacancies on the books of employment exchanges for occupations within the engineering, building, vehicle building, woodworking and printing industries which are commonly regarded as skilled. The employment exchanges regularly fill about two-thirds of all vacancies notified to them, but our statistics do not show what proportion are filled in particular occupations. The expanding programme of Government Training Centres is helping to meet persistent shortages of skilled labour.

asked the Minister of Labour what representations he has made, and what action he has taken, following the recommendations in Report No. 49 of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on pay and conditions of service of engineering workers, that employers should reconsider their policy towards the Foremen and Staff Mutual Benefit Society; and with what result.

This recommendation is addressed to employers. I shall however take it into account in considering any relevant recommendations by the Royal Commission on Trade Unions and Employers' Organisations.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the numbers employed in manufacturing, and in the service industries, respectively, at the latest convenient date and in September 1966.

Estimates for service industries are available only for June each year.Between June, 1966 and June, 1967 the industrial classifications of many establishments were altered. After allowing for the effect of these reclassifications, it is estimated that in Great Britain there were 8,976,000 employees in employment in manufacturing industries at June 1966 and 11,227,000 in service industries. At June 1967 the comparable figures were 8,701,000 and 11,174,000.These estimates relate to service industries as defined for statistical purposes. Some of the industries included do not bear Selective Employment Tax, and construction which is not included, does bear the tax.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the numbers employed in manufacturing industries and in service industries in England and in Wales, respectively, at the latest convenient date, and in August, 1966.

Estimates analysed by industry, are available only for June each year.Between June, 1966, and June, 1967, the industrial classifications of many establishments were altered. After allowing for the effect of these reclassifications, it is estimated that in England there were 7,887,000 employees in manufacturing industries in June, 1966, and 9,727,000 in service industries. At June, 1967, the comparable figures were 7,648,000 and 9,691,000.In Wales at June, 1966, there were 331,000 employees in manufacturing industries and 456,000 in service industries. The June, 1967, figures were 321,000 and 443,000, respectively.These estimates relate to service industries as defined for statistical purposes. Some of the industries included do not bear Selective Employment Tax, and construction, which is not included, does bear the tax.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is yet able to make a statement on the future of the Appointed Doctor Service.

I have accepted in principle the recommendations of the Sub-Committee of my Industrial Health Advisory Committee set up to review the Appointed Factory Doctor Service and I have reconvened the Sub-Committee to help in working out the details of the new scheme. The first meeting took place last Tuesday.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied that his Department will be able to cope with the extra work involved in the resettlement and retraining of those personnel involved in the run-down of the armed forces; and if he will make a statement.

I am satisfied that my Department will be able to cope with the work required of it. I have nothing further to add to the Answer I gave to Questions on the same subject by the hon. Member for Rye (Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine) on 19th February.—[Vol. 759, c. 2.]

asked the Minister of Labour what was the total increase in numbers employed in the gas, electricity and water industries during 1967.

It is provisionally estimated that between December 1966 and December 1967 the numbers decreased by about 6,000.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will investigate the case, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Louth, of a person who received £11 a week unemployment pay, earned £10 a week tax free on the side, had not worked for two years and had no intention of working, and made excuses to would-be employers to make himself unsuitable; and what steps he is taking to stop this abuse.

Enquiries have failed to reveal the identity of this person. If his identity is discovered the case will be investigated.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will appoint additional staff to offices of his Department in areas in Scotland likely to suffer from the effects of the doubling of the Selective Employment Tax and the increase in whisky duties, to handle any additional redundancies that may result.

I have no reason to believe that such additional staff will be necessary.

asked the Minister of Labour what is his latest figure for employment in the whisky industry in Scotland; and what forecast he has made at the level of employment in the industry in one year's time.

Employment estimates are made collectively for the industries covered by Minimum List Heading 239 of the Standard Industrial Classification, that is "Other Drink Industries", but not for whisky distilling alone. At June, 1967, the latest date for which figures are available, it was estimated that 24,900 persons were employed in these industries in Scotland. I am not prepared to make forecasts of employment or unemployment.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the average numbers and percentages of unemployed registered in the Mexborough Employment Exchange area during each of the past six years, and the number and percentage registered at the latest available date.

Annual averages have not been calculated for local areas and this could not be done in the time available. I will with permission circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table of figures for March each year.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there are many trades union, joint industrial councils and wages boards agreements which lay down that employees working on declared public and bank holidays should receive double pay, and, in some instances, an additional day off with pay; whether the application of these types of agreements for Friday 15th and Saturday 16th March is in accordance with the Government's prices and incomes policy; and whether he will make a statement.

I am aware that many agreements provide for special payments, or time off in lieu, for work carried out on public holidays. My information is that the provisions in the majority of such agreements relate to specified holidays. No incomes policy issues arise.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will list all the various training boards which have so far been established under the Industrial Training Act, 1964, and the total number of staff employed by each.

No. This is a matter for the boards.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the unemployment figures in Scotland in the years 1952 to 1968, respectively, for March, giving a break up of the figures for male, female and juvenile unemployment in each respective year.

TOTAL NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED IN SCOTLAND
				Men	Boys	Women	Girls	Total
17th March, 1952	…	…	…	39,665	1,510	25,821	2,239	69,235
16th March, 1953	…	…	…	43,643	1,266	25,553	1,574	72,036
15th March, 1954	…	…	…	44,418	1,636	23,126	1,463	70,643
14th March, 1955	…	…	…	37,749	1,464	19,377	1,313	59,903
12th March, 1956	…	…	…	35,576	1,338	17,999	1,296	56,209
11th March, 1957	…	…	…	40,237	1,340	20,360	1,201	63,138
17th March, 1958	…	…	…	52,736	2,066	22,478	1,628	78,908
9th March, 1959	…	…	…	70,433	4,070	26,418	2,112	103,033
14th March, 1960	…	…	…	62,754	3,355	24,182	1,576	91,867
13th March, 1961	…	…	…	48,873	1,894	20,164	1,276	72,207
12th March, 1962	…	…	…	55,302	2,674	20,457	1,794	80,227
11th March, 1963	…	…	…	88,904	5,823	27,039	3,592	125,358
16th March, 1964	…	…	…	62,225	3,469	24,146	2,225	92,065
8th March, 1965	…	…	…	49,720	2,293	19,986	1,782	73,781
14th March, 1966	…	…	…	42,079	1,780	15,770	1,203	60,382
13th March, 1967	…	…	…	61,728	2,583	21,263	2,115	87,689
11th March, 1968	(provisional)		…	64,663	2,409	18,286	1,523	86,881

asked the Minister of Labour what records he has of the number of Commonwealth alien immigrants returning to this country from leave in their country of origin, but who claim to be citizens in the United Kingdom or so resident at any time in the past two years, and are unable to obtain employment on return, and are in receipt of unemployment benefit and National Assistance.

No separate statistics are kept, either by the Ministry of Labour or the Ministry of Social Security, of Commonwealth immigrants readmitted to the United Kingdom as "returning residents" who are in receipt of unemployment or supplementary benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in order to ensure the efficient performance of work in the London Docks, he will make a scheme to provide that a closed shop shall not be introduced for the lock gate men at Tilbury Docks.

It would not be appropriate to take any legislative action on the question of the closed shop in advance of the report of the Royal Commission on Trade Unions and Employers' Associations.

Following is the information:

asked the Minister of Labour what study he has made of the article on the retail price index published in the Consumer Council's magazine, "Focus", a copy of which has been sent to him; and whether he will make a statement on his conclusions.

I welcome the interest shown by the Consumer Council in the index and the methods used to compile it. The index is compiled in accordance with the advice of my Cost of Living Advisory Committee. The weighting pattern of the index is brought up to date each January and is based on the expenditure records of nearly 10,000 households which co-operated in the Family Expenditure Survey in the three years ended in the previous June. Each month more than 100,000 price quotations are collected in 200 areas in respect of nearly 350 items. I am satisfied that the index derived from these price quotations provides a reliable index of changes in the prices paid by households of wage earners and small and medium salary earners for the goods and services they purchase.The article referred to contains some criticisms on which I would like to take the opportunity of commenting.Some of the criticisms appear to be based on a misunderstanding of the purpose of the index. This is to measure changes in the level of retail prices of goods and services. Hence it does not include, for example, Income Tax. And while mortgage payments are omitted, owner-occupiers are treated as if they paid an equivalent rent.There appears also to be a misconception that if a commodity is not included among the list of items (or price indicators) for which prices are collected, then it is not in the index. The expenditure on such a commodity is included in the weighting pattern and provision made for movements in its price on the basis that these follow one or more of the price indicators for similar commodities.The items for which quotations are obtained and the methods of collecting prices are kept continuously under review and changes are made when necessary. For example, when resale price maintenance was ended on sweets and chocolates and wines and spirits, the central collection of prices from manufacturers and importers was discontinued and local collection from retailers was started. No immediate changes in the methods of price collection or index construction are contemplated other than the inclusion among the price indicators of meals bought and consumed outside the home.As regards the possibility of producing separate indices for regions and special social and income groups, I expect to receive shortly a report by my Cost of Living Advisory Committee which is examining this problem. I am also inviting the Committee to let me have any comments they may wish to make generally on the article in question.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the total paid out in unemployment benefit in Scotland in each of the last eight years.

This is as follows:

Financial year (April-March)	Total unemployment benefit paid
	£
1964–1965	9,246,725
1965–1966	9,240,804
1966–1967	12,113,272
April, 1967–February, 1968 (11 months)	15,587,576

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present level of the Redundancy Fund.

The amount paid out between 6th December. 1965, when the Act came into operation, and 16th March, 1968, was £69 million. The Redundancy Fund's receipts from contributions during the same period were £59 million. There is therefore a shortfall of £10 million and under the powers available in Section 35 of the Redundancy Payments Act the difference has been met by temporary loans at present totalling £9·9 million from the Consolidated Fund.The Act provides that the aggregate amount outstanding in respect of loans from the Consolidated Fund may not exceed £8 million unless a higher figure (not exceeding £20 million) has been approved by Parliament. Last July, with the approval of Parliament, I made an Order increasing from £8 million to £12 million the amount so permitted to be outstanding.My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Budget speech that because payments from the Redundancy Fund have continued to run at a higher rate than receipts, it was intended to increase the employer's contribution by 2d. a week for men and 1d. a week for women with effect from 2nd September, 1968.Meanwhile, to avoid the risk of the present loan limit of £12 million being exceeded before the new contribution rates take effect, I have thought it right to ask Parliament for a temporary and limited extension of the borrowing powers. I have therefore laid today a draft Order revoking the Order made last July and increasing the borrowing limit to £15 million for a period of 12 months.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the total amount paid out in Scotland in redundancy payments from the inception of the Act to date; and how many workers it covered

Between 6th December, 1965, when the Redundancy Payments Act came into operation and 29th February,1968, £8,381,000 was paid in Scotland under the Act to some 44,500 redundant workers. Of this sum £2,021,000 was paid by individual employers and £6,360,000 from the Redundancy Fund.

asked the Minister of Labour what is his latest estimate of the number of persons employed in Scotland, and in the Arbroath, Forfar and Dundee employment exchange areas, respectively, in service, manufacturing, con

EMPLOYESS MID 1967
SCOTLAND
			Males	Females	Total
Service Industries (Orders XVIII-XXIV)		…	540,900	555,254	1,096,154
Manufacturing (Orders III-XVI)	…	…	514,206	239,720	753,926
Construction (Order XVII)	…	…	187,222	10,390	197,612
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (Order I)		…	61,007	9,284	70,291

EMPLOYESS MID 1966
ARBROATH/CARNOUSTIE GROUP
						Males	Females	Total
Service Industries	…	…	…	…	…	2,115	2,325	4,440
Manufacturing	…	…	…	…	…	2,562	1,338	3,900
Construction	…	…	…	…	…	685	66	751
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing				…	…	830	82	912

FORFAR
						Males	Females	Total
Service Industries	…	…	…	…	…	1,793	1,965	3,758
Manufacturing	…	…	…	…	…	1,490	1,337	2,827
Construction	…	…	…	…	…	617	43	660
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing				…	…	1,470	351	1,821

DUNDEE/BROUGHTY FERRY GROUP
						Males	Females	Total
Service Industries	…	…	…	…	…	19,782	20,715	40,497
Manufacturing	…	…	…	…	…	25,839	18,433	44,272
Construction	…	…	…	…	…	6,463	394	6,857
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing				…	…	915	266	1,181

I am not prepared to make forecasts of employment or unemployment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what discussions have taken place under the Bonn Convention and Allied High Commission Law between Her Majesty's Government and the Federal German Republic in regard to the 1953 Order imposed on the firm of Krupps about the disposal of their coal and steel interests in Germany; and if he will make a statement.

Arising out of the new situation following the death of Alfried Krupp, discussions are in progress between the four Governments who signed the Bonn Settlement Convention. These include Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Federal German

Following is the infomation:Republic. I hope shortly to be in a position to report the outcome of these discussions to the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of Great Britain's failure to join the Common Market, he will now seek to increase trade with the countries of Eastern Europe.

I do not accept the assumption in the first part of the Question. Our trade with Eastern Europe has increased by more than 40 per cent. over the last three years and we are anxious to increase it further. I would also refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for Hamilton (Mrs. Ewing) on 27th February.—[Vol. 759, c. 326.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the fact that the World Assembly of Youth receives 350,000 dollars a year from the United States Government's Central Intelligence Agency, if he will discontinue the smaller amount his Department contributes through the British Youth Council.

No. I have no knowledge of the facts alleged by my hon. Friend. Her Majesty's Government pay a grant-in-aid to the British Youth Council of £3,000 and a further sum of up to £2,000 on a pound for pound basis to match money raised by private subscription, to assist it in meeting its administrative expenses.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he intends to attend the forthcoming United Nations Security Council meeting on Rhodesia for the purpose of putting Great Britain's case; and whether he will make a statement.

There have been no developments in the Security Council on this subject since my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister answered Questions on 21st March. I would in any case not wish to anticipate the debate which has been arranged for Wednesday next. As to my right hon. Friend going to New York, it is too early to say how the Security Council debate on Rhodesia will develop.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Ethiopia in regard to the stoning of the British Ambassador at Addis Ababa on Tuesday 12th March, to secure appropriate redress in respect of this occurrence and to ensure that there is no repetition of such attacks.

None. On the occasion in question Her Majesty's Ambassador received the fullest possible co-operation from the Ethiopian security authorities who not only prevented any violation of Embassy premises but also immediately dispersed the crowd as soon as the stone-throwing started. He has reported that neither he nor any member of his staff was injured and that the stone-throwing was in his opinion the act of a small minority on the fringe of what was otherwise an orderly demonstration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with reference to Recommendation No. 485 on the ratification of Protocols Nos. 2, 3 and 4 to the European Convention on Human Rights which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 26th January, 1967, whether Her Majesty's Government are now prepared to ratify Protocol No. 4.

Not at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Recommendation No. 513 on the power to be conferred on the Assembly to refer alleged breaches of the Convention to the European Commission of Human Rights, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 31st January, 1968; and if he will instruct the United Kingdom Permanent Representative in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to vote in favour of the proposals contained in this recommendation.

Her Majesty's Government support the purpose behind this Recommendation and would welcome any action to extend the protection for Human Rights provided by the European Convention. But it is unlikely that this purpose could be achieved by the action suggested in this Recommendation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Recommendation No. 512 on the Stockholm Conference on Intellectual Property which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 31st January, 1968; and if he will instruct the United Kingdom Permanent Representative of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to vote in favour of the proposals contained in this recommendation.

Her Majesty's Government have not signed the Stockholm Text of the Berne Convention and have no present intention of accepting the application of the Protocol attached to it regarding developing countries. The problems associated with the Protocol are being studied in the Berne Union and Her Majesty's Government intend to await the outcome of this study.As regards paragraph 7(b) of Recommendation No. 512, Her Majesty's Government consider that the Council of Europe would not provide the most appropriate framework for any "special agreements" and that it is better for the United International Bureaux for the Protection of Intellectual Property in Geneva to study such a proposal which falls within their competence.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Recommendation No. 514 on the problems raised by industrial stockbreeding which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 1st February, 1968; and if he will instruct the United Kingdom Permanent Representative in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to vote in favour of the proposals contained in this recommendation.

Problems caused by the emergence of large-scale intensive enterprises in agriculture may have more relevance for countries with less developed agricultural industries than in the United Kingdom, where this development is contributing substantially to increased production. In the view of Her Majesty's Government it would be a retrograde step to seek to restrict developments of this kind in this country. The Recommendation is still being considered by the Committee of Ministers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Recommendation No. 515 in reply to the Second Report on the activities of the World Food Programme which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 1st February, 1968; and if he will instruct the United Kingdom Permanent Representative in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to vote in favour of the proposals contained in this recommendation.

This Recommendation is under consideration by Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Recommendation No. 517 on farming in mountain areas which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 1st February, 1968; and if he will instruct the United Kingdom Permanent Representative in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to vote in favour of the proposals contained in this recommendation.

This Recommendation is in line with Her Majesty's Government's policy for the hills and uplands which recognises that special steps may be needed in some areas to co-ordinate the development of agriculture, forestry and tourism and to improve public services.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Recommendation No. 518 on the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 1st February, 1968; and if he will instruct the United Kingdom Permanent Representative in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to vote in favour of the proposals contained in this recommendation.

The United Kingdom already makes an indirect contribution to the Centre through its contributions to the Council of Europe and to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. I can hold out no hope that Her Majesty's Government would be able to contribute further.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Recommendation No. 520 on the situation of the Refugees in the Middle East which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 2nd February, 1968; and if he will instruct the United Kingdom Permanent Representative in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to vote in favour of the proposals contained in this recommendation.

Her Majesty's Government fully endorse preambular paragraphs 1 to 4 of the Resolution. With regard to the "symbolic" payment to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency recommended in paragraph 7(a), the hon. Member will be aware that Her Majesty's Government will this year again be making a substantial contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency funds despite the difficulties posed by devaluation.Her Majesty's Government, while they are in sympathy with the aims outlined in paragraph 7(

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Recommendation No. 508 on the extension of European scientific and technological co-operation which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 29th January 1968; and if he will instruct the United Kingdom Permanent Representative in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to vote in favour of the proposals contained in this recommendation.

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the Chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology of the Consultative Assembly were present at the Meeting of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Science Ministers as observers. It is intended that a report on the meeting will be forwarded to the Council of Europe.No decisions have been taken on the recommendation for a meeting of European Ministers to consider the consequences for Europe of the results of the meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Recommendation No. 507 on European space policy and satellite applications which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 29th January 1968; and if he will instruct the United Kingdom Permanent Representative in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to vote in favour of the proposals contained in this recommendation.

This Recommendation will be taken into account in preparing for the forthcoming 3rd Conference of the European Space Ministers in Bonn, in July.Her Majesty's Government are seeking, through the European Conference on Satellite Communications, a common European policy on definitive arrangements for a global commercial communications satellite system.The European Space Conference in Rome in 1967 set up an Advisory Committee on Programmes to frame proposals for the establishment of a European Space policy. The Committee's report has been placed in the Library and Her Majesty's Government are considering it preparatory to the Bonn Conference.Her Majesty's Government fully support the concept of World Weather Watch and intend to play a full part in its implementation.My right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General has welcomed the idea of periodic meetings of European Ministers responsible for telecommunications.Some discussion on the use of satellites for educational and cultural purposes has already taken place in the Council for Cultural Co-operation and the Council is now considering, with the support of Her Majesty's Government, how this discussion can best be pursued on a practical basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will now embark upon the ratification procedure of the European Convention on Establishment which was signed by 15 member countries of the Council of Europe, seven of whom have ratified this Convention so far.

The utility of the Convention depends not only on the number of countries which ratify it but also on the number and extent of the reservations made by them. The advantages and disadvantage of ratification from the point of view of the United Kingdom are under examination.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government now propose to take with regard to Resolution No. 361 on Greece which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 31st January, 1968; and what action Her Majesty's Government has taken on it.

Resolutions passed by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe represent the opinion of the parliamentarians attending the Assembly and are not binding on member Governments. I understand that Resolution No. 361 on Greece was considered at a recent meeting of Ministers' Deputies in Strasbourg. The results of their deliberations will be made known to the Consultative Assembly at its next meeting in May.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Resolution No. 364 on the defence of the freedom of opinion and expression in European countries which was was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 2nd February, 1968; and what action the Government has taken or intends to take on it.

Resolution 364 calls for no action by Governments. Her Majesty's Government sympathise with the wish expressed in paragraph 5.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Resolution No. 359 on the general policy of the Council of Europe which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 30th January, 1968; and what action the Government have taken or intend to take on it.

Resolution 359 does not call for action by Governments, but we welcome it and are in broad agreement with its terms. As regards the points made in paragraph 9(c), Her Majesty's Government support the peace-making efforts of the United Nations Special Representative in the Middle East and consider that while these are in progress, it would not be appropriate to consider specific proposals for the development of the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will take new initiatives to facilitate the resumption of diplomatic relations between Her Majesty's Government and the Governments of Iraq and Algeria.

There have been informal contacts between Her Majesty's Ambassador and the Iraqi Ambassador in Cairo about the possible resumption of diplomatic relations with Iraq. These contacts are continuing.We are in touch with the Algerian Government and I am hopeful that diplomatic relations can be resumed in the near future.

asked the Minister of Social Security what was the figure paid out weekly by her Department for men who have been on the employment exchange over a period of one to five years in Frazerburgh, Peterhead, Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Social Security what sum she estimates will be saved each year by the discontinuance of the payment of benefit for the first three days of sickness, industrial injury and unemployment.

As explained in the Explanatory and Financial Memorandum to the Family Allowances and National Insurance (No. 2) Bill, this change is expected to result in a reduction in expenditure in a full year of about £15 million from the National Insurance Fund and of about £2½ million from the Industrial Injuries Fund. After taking account of the effect on supplementary benefits, the total net saving is expected to be about £15 million.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what was the direct cost of the damage to Grosvenor Gardens and Trafalgar Square as a result of the demonstrations on Sunday, 17th March, which will be borne by his Department.

About £2,500 in Grosvenor Square Garden and about £5 in Trafalgar Square.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works, if he will take steps to retain and keep in use all 19th century lamp standards in the Royal parks throughout London.

This is my general policy.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he is aware of local concern about the architectural style of the proposed new Balslow Automatic Telephone Exchange at Harrow Lane, Hastings; and whether he will make available for local public inspection the proposed design before any commitment is made to the building of the exchange, in view of the fact that it will be sited within a few feet of existing bungalows.

This is a scheme, approved in principle by the local planning authority, for extending the existing telephone exchange. Apart from one letter last June from the Ratepayers' Association, which was referred to the planning authority, neither my Department nor the Post Office has received any representations. The hon. Member may like to consult the planning authority about their making the plans available for public inspection.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what estimates he has made of the average increase in building costs per house of the proposed increase in Selective Employment Tax.

The increase in S.E.T. which was announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 19th March could add about 1 per cent. to the cost of construction generally, including house-building, but the increase will be less if productivity continues to rise, as it has been doing in the past.

asked the Minister of Technology when he expects to receive the interim report of the working party on hydrofoils.

Early next month.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he is now satisfied as to the accuracy of the figures and factual statements in the Wilson Report; and if he will make a statement.

The Wilson Inquiry had access to a good deal of evidence which is not available to me. It naturally follows that it is not for me to vouch for every detail in their report. As I said on 28th February, the Government accepts its general conclusions.—[Vol. 759, c. 1408–12.]

asked the Minister of Technology if he will state the number of persons employed by his Department on non-military scientific research in Wales, Scotland and England, respectively.

I regret that this information is not available in the form requested.The following numbers of qualified scientists, technologists and engineers (QSE's) are employed in the Ministry's civil Research Stations:

	QSE's
Scotland	270
England	1,150

There is no Ministry of Technology civil Research Establishment in Wales.In addition, Ministry of Technology defence Research & Development Establishments in England employ approximately 320 QSE's on civil research.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the work of the Commonwealth Secretariat to bring about a settlement in Nigeria; and what further initiative Her Majesty's Government have proposed.

Mr. Arnold Smith is continuing his efforts to bring the two sides in Nigeria to a negotiated settlement. We fully support these efforts. We have also taken every opportunity of making known our view that the earliest possible end of the fighting is essential.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will refer to the National Board for Prices and Incomes for investigation the fees and salaries paid to those connected with all legal cases during the past 12 months where the costs were more than £2,000, to ascertain to what extent such payments were in accordance with the Government's policy on prices and incomes.

No. There is no reason to suppose that either barristers or solicitors' charges have risen unduly since the date when the Prices and Incomes policy was adopted.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what improvement the transfer of the office of the South-East (England) Conservancy of the Forestry Commission from Woking to Lyndhurst will achieve in the private woodlands services of the Conservancy;(2) What estimate he has made of the total cost to public funds involved in transferring the office of the South-East (England) Conservancy of the Forestry Commission from Woking to Lyndhurst; and how much of this total is accounted for by the need to build an extension to the present New Forest office at the Queen's House, Lyndhurst;(3) What date has been set for the transfer of the office of the South-East (England) Conservancy of the Forestry Commission from Woking to Lyndhurst; and what factors influenced this choice.

The transfer from Woking to Lyndhurst is estimated to cost about £38,000, including £20,000 for the cost of an extension to the present office at the Queen's House, Lyndhurst. This expenditure will be more than offset by the proceeds of the sale of the premises at Woking and by considerable annual savings in overheads.The final move will take place when the new premises at Lyndhurst are ready for occupation, which will probably be towards the end of 1969.The private woodlands work of the Conservancy will not be affected by the removal of the Conservancy to Lyndhurst, since services to private woodland owners are mainly rendered in the field.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many regulations have been made by him under the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act, 1964.

The following Regulations and other statutory instruments have so far been made under the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act, 1964, by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food either alone or jointly with the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for the Home Department:

• 2 principal Regulations, 6 amendment Regulations and 14 Schemes under Part I;
• 2 principal Regulations, 2 amendment Regulations and I Order under Part II;
• 1 Order under Part III;
• 2 Orders under Part IV.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when it is proposed to bring all parts of the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act into operation; and what is the reason for the delay in this matter.

Part I of the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act, 1964, and substantial portions of Parts II and III, are already in operation. Use of the powers in Part II to replace the Seeds Regulations made in 1961 was deferred pending the outcome of the negotiations for entry into the European Economic Community and to enable the seeds industry to assimilate changes under other Parts of the Act. The position will be reviewed as soon as I receive the report of the committee which is now inquiring into the herbage seeds industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the cost in a full year to agriculture and to horticulture, respectively, of the increase in duty on hydrocarbon oils.

I estimate that the increase of 4d. per gallon in the duty on hydrocarbon oils announced in the Budget is likely to add about £1,650,000 to costs in a full year for agriculture and horticulture together in the United Kingdom. About a tenth of this is attributable to horticulture.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the cost in a full year to agriculture and horticulture, respectively, of the increase in vehicle licence duty.

I estimate that the in-increases in vehicle licence duties announced in the Budget will add about £2½ million to costs in a full year for agriculture and horticulture together in the United Kingdom. About a tenth of this is attributable to horticulture.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average gross output expressed in £ sterling of the United Kingdom agricultural industry per person engaged in it in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

For all agricultural holdings average gross output including Exchequer support is expected to be about £2,900 per person in the year beginning 1st June, 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is aware of proposals to hold a much larger demonstration in London than ever before in the near future; and what action he is taking.

I am in touch about these matters with the Acting Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, and have asked him to keep me informed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what consideration is being given to methods of keeping under control demonstrations in London consisting of 100,000 persons or more.

This is a matter for the Acting Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, with whom I am in touch.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many extra policemen were employed on Sunday 17th March in Central London to control the Vietnam protest demonstrations; how many policemen as a result were forced to forgo their rest day; and what were the costs to public funds as a result of the special precautions taken.

1,437 police officers were employed in connection with the Vietnam Ad Hoc Committee demonstration on 17th March; 557 had their rest day postponed. Additional expenditure was incurred on transport and refreshments, and is likely to be incurred on overtime, but it is not possible, without a disproportionate expenditure of time and effort, and extensive research, to establish the exact total cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the cost of overtime and special duty on the part of the Metropolitan Police involved in controlling the demonstrations in Trafalgar Square and outside the American Embassy on Sunday, 17th March, 1968.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply today to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Horn-church (Mr. Alan Williams).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress is being made with the programme of criminal law reform announced by Her Majesty's Government in July, 1967.

The Theft Bill is now before Parliament. The Criminal Law Revision Committee has made much progress in its reviews of the law of criminal evidence and of common law misdemeanours. As soon as its other commitments allow, my right hon. Friend will ask it to review the law on sexual offences, and the law on offences against the person, including homicide.The Law Commission, with the assistance of a Working Party, has begun an examination of the general principles of the criminal law. In addition, the Commission has started reviews of extraterritorial jurisdiction in criminal offences, and of the specific offences of malicious damage to property, and bigamy and offences against the marriage law; and, as part of its Second Programme, the Commission is also to review the offences of forgery and perjury.A start has been made within the Home Office in examining the law and practice relating to powers of arrest and search.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, to what extent the Metropolitan Police assisted in obtaining the banning of lorries in Downshire Hill, Hampstead; why the police agreed to this ban; and whether consideration will now be given to bantling lorries from using other roads and streets within the vicinity on the same grounds.

I am informed that lorries are not banned from using this road. Weight restrictions on traffic using particular roads are a matter for highway authorities.

asked the Minister of Transport when the hon. Member for South Buckinghamshire may expect to receive a reply to the letter which he wrote to the Minister of State on 27th November, 1967, relating to Western Avenue, and in relation to which he wrote a further letter on 2nd February, 1968, asking for a reply.

I have written to the hon. Member today. The subject involved a great deal of detailed investigation.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the official survey of the parking problem on the A6 in Clapham, Bedfordshire, has now been completed; and when she will authorise unilateral parking only on this busy stretch of road.

The survey was completed last year. It showed that the traffic and parking situation in the village did not justify such measures.

asked the Minister of Transport when the Channel Tunnel opens in 1975 or earlier, how many of the ferries, aircraft and hovercraft then operating she estimates will go out of business.

The Channel Tunnel is not expected to be open earlier than 1975. The design and construction period will in any case be of sufficient length to enable operators of other types of cross-Channel transport to plan ahead for a phased withdrawal of equipment or for its transfer to other routes. The exact extent of such withdrawals and transfers will be a matter for the operators themselves in the light of further traffic studies to be carried out over the next few years.

asked the Minister of Transport how many of the financial proposals regarding the Channel Tunnel now being considered require guarantees of interest payments from public funds.

Details of the financing proposals are confidential to the British and French Governments.

asked the Minister of Transport what she estimates to be the approximate cost in foreign exchange of interest payments for the Channel Tunnel in each year from 1975 to 1995; and what is the approximate annual interest value, at eight per cent., of the balance to be raised in Great Britain.

Since the proportions of the Channel Tunnel capital to be raised in sterling and foreign currencies have yet to be determined, no estimate of the relative servicing costs can be given.

asked the Minister of Transport what study she has made of risk factors and safety proposals regarding the Channel Tunnel.

The results of preliminary studies by British and French officials to establish the engineering feasibility of a Channel Tunnel were published in 1963 (Cmnd. 2137, Chapter 3). The drawing up of final specifications and operating procedures will be a matter for the bodies set up to construct and operate the tunnel subject to approval by the two Governments, who will, of course, demand appropriate safety standards.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in considering the project, her Department has made allowance for the heating effect of trains in the Channel Tunnel and the necessary air flow to carry this away at peak periods.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Transport what proportion of households in England and Wales own a car.

The latest estimate is that last December 46 per cent. of the households in England and Wales owned a car and that a further 3 per cent. had the exclusive use of one without owning it.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will state the proportion per thousand of the population of road fund licences issued in each of the 13 counties of Wales; and what is the proportion per thousand for England as a whole.

At the last census of motor vehicles, taken in the third quarter of 1967, the numbers were as follows:

	Number of licensed motor vehicles per thousand population
Anglesey	314
Breconshire	275
Caernarvonshire	289
Cardiganshire	373
Carmarthenshire	320
Denbighshire	288
Flintshire	268
Glamorganshire	217
Merionethshire	296
Monmouthshire	227
Montgomeryshire	414
Pembrokeshire	330
Radnorshire	426
England	371

asked the Minister of Transport how much of the 14,750 million ton-miles of rail traffic handled in 1966 was handled through railway depots, using normal railway goods services, from company loading-unloading bays to ports, and special unloading points on a single wagon basis using normal railway goods services, on company trains between factories, mines, or ports, and by freightliners, respectively; and if she will provide a similar breakdown for the 16,500 million ton-miles predicted for 1975, and the 20,000 million ton-miles predicted for 1980.

The analysis of rail freight traffic in 1966 requested by the hon. Member is set out below. Comparable figures are not available for 1975 or 1980:

RAILWAY FREIGHT TRAFFIC, 1966
Estimated ton miles (millions)
Type of movement	Train loads	Other than train loads
1. Between British Railways depots, whether carted by B.R. or public collection	60	910
2. Private sidings to/from docks	370	895
3. Private sidings to/from B.R. depots or between two private sidings	2,825	9,275
4. B.R. depots to/from docks or between two docks	15	410
5. Freightliners	65	—
Totals	3,335	11,490

asked the Minister of Ttransport how many depots capable of transferring bulk freight and containers from road to rail, now carried over 100 miles in vehicles of over 16-ton plated weight, or already carried by rail, she plans British Railways to operate in 1970, 1975, 1980, respectively, and if she will list these depots, giving the handling capacity of each, and the capital expenditure which will have to be incurred on each to implement her plans for reorganising the freight services.

It is for the Railways Board to plan and provide their freight facilities, subject to my right hon. Friend's approval where substantial capital expenditure is involved. It is not practicable to forecast how many depots there will be at any particular time in the future.

asked the Minister of Transport how much of the 4,500 million ton-miles increase in rail traffic predicted in her White Paper for 1970, and the 6,000 million ton-miles increase in rail traffic predicted for 1980 will be carried on normal railway goods services between depots, company trains, and freightliners, respectively.

As Appendix 1 to the White Paper makes clear, the figure of 4,500 million ton-miles quoted in the White Paper was not a prediction of the increase in rail traffic for 1970, but an estimate of the total ton-mileage of the flows of road traffic which might potentially be attracted to freightliner service by the early 1970s assuming a network of about 50 terminals. Relatively small proportions of this traffic and of the increased potential by 1980 might in practice move in company trains and on "normal goods services" but no estimates of these proportions have been made.

asked the Minister of Transport what assessment she has now made of spare rail capacity in terms of ton-mileage per annum as outlined on page 10 of the White Paper, The Transport of Freight, Command Paper No. 3470.

None in terms of ton mileage. There is ample spare rail capacity for the number of freightliner trains that will pass each day on the routes to which significant quantities of traffic are expected to be attracted.

asked the Minister of Transport if she will tabulate the freight forecasts of inter urban freight flows suitable for freightliner operation as outlined on page 10 of the White Paper, The Transport of Freight, Command Paper No. 3470.

Forecasts of interurban freight flows suitable for freightliner operation have been made by British Railways with the help of information provided by the Department about goods carried by road. We do not think it would be right to ask British Railways to release the figures in detail.

asked the Minister of Transport how many railway depots can now handle goods, normally transported over 100 miles by lorries of over 16 tons plated weight; if she will list these depots, stating whether they are inside or outside the boundaries of the towns and cities which they serve, and whether they now have crane power to lift containers carried on these vehicles in each case; and how many of these are in development areas.

In addition to freightliner terminals, the Railways Board has some 1,200 depots which handle freight of various kinds. It is not practicable to distinguish those referred to in the hon. Member's Question.

asked the Minister of Transport how many days have been lost due to industrial stoppage from strikes on freightliner depots now in existence; and if she will tabulate the number of days lost in the case of each depot to date.

The British Railways Board have supplied the following information about days lost from strikes at freightliner depots since the initial service began in November, 1965.

Depot	Days lost	Man Days lost
London (York Way)	2	95
Glasgow (Gushetfaulds)	—	1*
	2	96
* Sum of separate periods of working time lost by a few men; depot did not close.

asked the Minister of Transport how many freightliner depots are in existence now; if she will list these indicating the freight handling capacity of each; how many freightliner depots she plans for 1970, 1975 and 1980, respectively; if she will list these indicating how many will be inside the boundaries of the towns and cities they will serve; how many will be in development areas; and what capital expenditure is to be incurred on each.

Seventeen, as set out below. It would not be in the Railways Board's commercial interests to give handling capacities of individual terminals.It is for the Board to plan future terminals. It is not practicable to forecast where they will require them in future years.

asked the Minister of Transport how many railway depots in existence today are on grey line routes on the basic railway network map; how many will be closed down by 1970, 1975 and 1980, respectively; and if she will list those she plans to close down by each date, respectively, as part of her plans for reorganising the railways.

The number of depots on grey line routes is not readily available. This information would not in fact be of particular significance in considering the arrangements for the handling of freight. The Railways Board do not require my right hon. Friend's consent to close depots and it is for them to plan how to reorganise and rationalise their system so as best to meet future requirements. I understand from them that they cannot forecast the numbers to be closed in future years.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government in what proportion of objections to building preservation orders in the last six months he has disagreed with his inspector; and whether he will ensure that officials who advise him in such cases in future inspect the building concerned, and that their opinion is made available before or at the public inquiry in order to save costs.

Of 19 cases decided since 22nd September, 1967, in which an inquiry was held, my right hon. Friend disagreed with the Inspector in three. In

				1961–62	1962–63	1963–64	1964–65	1965–66	1966–67
				£	£	£	£	£	£
Capital Grants:
Libraries, etc.	…	…	…	—	—	—	—	1,250	1,788
Housing	…	…	…	2,721	—	—	—	—	—
Town and country planning			…	—	6,780	—	—	—	—
Highways	…	…	…	106,496	351,245	186,040	159,690	147,172	456,881
Civil Defence	…	…	…	4,373	2	—	—	—	—
Water supply	…	…	…	14,466	—	—	—	—	—
Corporation estates		…	…	2,500	—	2,500	5,000	—	—
Miscellaneous	…	…	…	262	2,195	27,825	—	—	—
Revenue Grants:
Education	…	…	…	285,525	285,860	289,690	359,740	373,852	417,983
Port health service		…	…	6,982	5,615	5,683	7,053	7,048	6,778
Air pollution prevention		…	…	100	14	1,400	3,875	750	3,860
Care of aged	…	…	…	1,291	1,296	1,358	1,761	2,141	2,236
Protection of children		…	…	1,444	2,013	2,316	1,697	1,986	2,355
Improvement grants		…	…	5,320	9,107	13,001	14,635	19,338	21,799
Town and country planning			…	—	—	—	8,882	—	—
Highways	…	…	…	407	207	52	3,875	2,946	3,049
Police	…	…	…	288,776	298,495	326,372	356,790	390,993	406,151
Civil Defence	…	…	…	16,378	21,146	23,225	25,683	29,285	25,794
Administration of justice		…	…	45,227	47,296	56,530	62,557	52,167	69,726
Miscellaneous	…	…	…	206	99	61	45	173	5,218
Housing subsidies and other housing				314,546	363,915	375,085	406,056	514,624	592,042
Water supply	…	…	…	—	—	1,495	2,467	2,448	2,747
Corporation estates		…	…	600	600	600	1,000	1,000	600
General Grant	…	…	…	2,135,109	2,341,239	2,666,741	2,831,933	3,315,362	3,625,976
Rating (Interim Relief) Act (Sections 1 and 5)				—	—	—	12,898	15,051	15,651
Rating Act 1966 Rate Rebates			…	—	—	—	—	—	49,496
TOTALS	…	…	…	3,232,729	3,737,124	3,979,974	4,265,637	4,877,586	5,710,130

Source: Epitomes of Accounts and Departmental Records.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in view of the Budget statement

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will detail the amounts granted from public funds to Southampton Corporation for each financial year from 1961–62 to 1966–67.

The information is as follows:—about rent increases, he will now advise local authorities to freeze existing rents of council house tenants until the Government's proposals are made known.

No. The Government recognise that some rent increases are necessary and reasonable, but all authorities have been advised to moderate any necessary increases and to phase any unavoidably substantial increases over a period.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many persons in Southampton have benefited by the rate rebate scheme since its inception to the latest available date.

In 1966–67, 3,578 Southampton ratepayers were granted rebates in the first half year and 4,046 in the second. The average rebate for the year was £17 6s.

						1963–64	1964–65	1965–66	1966–67
						£	£	£	£
Birmingham		…	…	…	…	21,091,487	23,467,867	26,634,436	28,635,918
Liverpool		…	…	…	…	18,800,067	19,932,760	22,578,463	24,807,466
Manchester		…	…	…	…	14,668,980	15,656,267	18,067,914	18,648,313
Sheffield	…	…	…	…	…	8,746,047	10,132,002	10,564,535	11,679,487
Leeds	…	…	…	…	…	10,282,689	11,744,092	13,221,269	14,306,670
Bristol	…	…	…	…	…	8,408,983	9,229,860	9,681,993	10,565,769
Nottingham		…	…	…	…	5,518,195	6,066,892	7,087,894	7,594,152
Bradford		…	…	…	…	7,252,454	7,834,480	8,869,858	9,786,943
Kingston-upon-Hull			…	…	…	8,377,838	9,123,287	10,242,949	11,180,913
Cardiff	…	…	…	…	…	4,652,385	5,056,425	5,811,547	6,849,911
Newcastle-upon-Tyne			…	…	…	5,244,254	5,720,627	6,875,075	7,607,581
Plymouth		…	…	…	…	4,284,267	4,513,102	4,979,879	5,548,335
Sunderland		…	…	…	…	4,634,642	4,892,998	5,599,803	5,971,228
Portsmouth		…	…	…	…	4,137,486	4,179,044	4,531,698	4,924,990
Southampton		…	…	…	…	3,979,974	4,265,637	4,877,586	5,710,130
Swansea	…	…	…	…	…	3,602,312	3,726,446	4,063,336	4,508,437
Southend	…	…	…	…	…	2,582,461	2,760,243	3,381,318	3,991,614
Brighton	…	…	…	…	…	2,343,641	2,547,673	2,995,857	3,405,700
Bolton	…	…	…	…	…	3,623,087	3,930,080	4,310,903	4,959,140
Middlesbrough		…	…	…	…	4,427,804	4,782,958	5,323,009	5,771,117
Total for the County Boroughs listed					…	146,659,053	159,562,740	179,699,322	196,453,814
The County Boroughs are listed in descending order of population as at June, 1967 omitting those where alterations of area during the period have altered the population by more than 1 per cent.

Source: Epitomes of Accounts and Departmental records.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what regulations cover the erection of new buildings near Royal Naval Armaments Depots; and to what radius his regulations extend.

Local planning authorities are required, by statutory directions issued by the development departments, to consult the Ministry of Defence on proposals for new buildings near to Service establishments at which explosives are stored. The areas concerned are notified in map form and vary from

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, for each of the financial years 1963–64 to 1966–67, inclusive, he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the figures of total Exchequer grant, on both capital and revenue account, paid to the 20 largest county boroughs in England and Wales, excluding those more than marginally affected by boundary changes during those years.