asked the Minister of Power for how many years ahead a firm programme of capital expenditure in the gas industry has been worked out.

The gas industry has prepared a programme of capital expenditure for the five years to 1972–73. Firm approval was given by my predecessor for expenditure in 1968–69, and will be given this year for 1969–70 in the light of the current annual investment review.

asked the Minister of Power what has been the capital expenditure incurred during the last financial year, and to date in the current year, on the purchase of fully owned and partly owned subsidiary companies of nationalised gas undertakings, respectively, and in total, not directly concerned with natural gas, or the manufacture and distribution of gas.

None.

asked the Minister of Power (1) if he will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT, giving the cost, each acquisition by the nationalised gas industry of subsidiary companies, whether fully-owned or partly-owned, not directly concerned with the supply of natural gas and the manufacture and distribution of gas, during the last financial year, and to date during the current year; and what amount has been budgeted for this purpose in future years;(2) if he will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the capital expenditure incurred by each fully-owned and each partly-owned subsidiary of the nationalised gas undertakings not directly concerned with the supply of natural gas, and the manufacture and distribution of gas, during the last financial year and to date during the current year, respectively, and in total; and what amount has been budgeted for this purpose in future years.

The gas industry has not acquired or expended capital on any such subsidiary companies. I know of no proposals for the future acquisition of such subsidiary companies.

asked the Minister of Power, what was the amount spent on research and development in the gas industry's laboratories in the latest year for which figures are available; and what percentage of turnover this represented.

The amount so spent by the gas industry in 1966–67, including capital expenditure, was£4·2 million. This represented 0·8 per cent. of turnover.

asked the Minister of Power, when he proposes to publish the findings of the inquiry by the South Western Gas Board on the accident at Congresbury on 17th December in which Mrs. Wareing of Station Road, Congresbury, was killed.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 17th January, 1968.—[Vol. 756, c. 628.]

asked the Minister of Power, what increase or decrease there had been in the non-industrial staff of his Department since 15th October, 1964; and what decrease he anticipates during the next six months.

An increase of 112. I do not expect any decrease during the next six months.

asked the Minister of Power, on what criterion it is decided that public inquiries shall not be held when loss of life is sustained and a nationalised industry under his aegis is concerned.

The circumstances of each case are considered separately. If the cause can be established by the Inspectorate concerned, or where appropriate by the industry, it is unlikely that my right hon. Friend would direct a public inquiry to be held unless he thought there were special considerations in the public interest.

asked the Minister of Power if supplies of domestic coal are to be available at reduced prices during the summer; and when he anticipates that a public announcement will be made.

Yes. I expect an announcement to be made by the National Coal Board within a day or two.

asked the Minister of Power how much the National Coal Board budgeted for Press, television and poster advertising during the financial year 1966–67; and how much they spent.

I am informed that in 1966–67 the National Coal Board spent£590,000 on national and local promotional Press advertising, including recruitment advertising. Nothing was spent on television or poster advertising.

asked the Minister of Power what was the amount spent on research and development in National Coal Board laboratories in the latest year for which figures are available; and what percentage of the coal industry's turnover this represented.

Including capital expenditure£3·7 million in 1966–67, or 0·4 per cent. of turnover.

asked the Minister of Power if he will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT, giving the cost, each acquisition by the National Coal Board of subsidiary companies, whether fully-owned or partly-owned, not directly concerned with the supply of coal and the distribution of coal during the last financial year, and to date during the current year; and what amount has been budgeted for this purpose in future years.

I understand there have been no such acquisitions. It is not the Board's practice to publish estimates of expenditure in future years.

asked the Minister of Power if he will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the capital expenditure incurred by each fully-owned and each partly-owned subsidiary of the National Coal Board not directly concerned with the supply of coal, and the distribution of coal, during the last financial year and to date during the current year, respectively, and in total; and what amount has been budgeted for this purpose in future years.

The accounts of wholly-owned subsidiaries are consolidated with the Board's accounts and capital expenditure is included with that on similar activities of the Board as a whole. For information about the assets of companies in which the Board has an equity holding of 50 per cent. or more I would refer the hon. Member to the companies' accounts which are placed in the Library. It is not the Board's practice to publish estimates of capital expenditure in future years.

asked the Minister of Power what has been the capital expenditure incurred during the last financial year, and to date in the current year, on the purchase of fully owned, and partly owned, subsidiary companies of nationalised electricity undertakings, respectively, and in total, not directly concerned with the generation and transmission of electricity.

None.

asked the Minister of Power what was the amount spent on research and development in laboratories of the electricity generation and supply industry in the latest year for which figures are available; and what percentage of the industry's turnover this represented.

The amount so spent by the electricity supply industry in 1966–67, including capital expenditure, was£9·8 million. This represented between 0·8 and 0·9 per cent. of turnover.

asked the Minister of Power what has been the level of capital investment in the Southern Electricity Board during each of the past five years; and what it is estimated it will be in each of the next five years.

The figures are as follows:

				£ million
1962–63	…	…	…	13·16
1963–64	…	…	…	15·43
1964–65	…	…	…	18·22
1965–66	…	…	…	20·51
1966–67	…	…	…	20·89

Expenditure on capital investment in 1967–68 is estimated to be£20·48 million and my right hon. Friend has approved a figure of£18·06 million for 1968–69. Expenditure in future years is subject to annual review based on the growth of electricity demand and other circumstances.

asked the Minister of Power if he will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the capital expenditure incurred by each fully-owned and each partly-owned subsidiary of the Central Electricity Generating Board not directly concerned with the supply and manufacture of electricity during the last financial year and to date during the current year, respectively, and in total; and what amount has been budgeted for this purpose in future years.

No capital expenditure has been incurred and none has been budgeted for.

asked the Minister of Power if he will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT, giving the cost, each acquisition by the Central Electricity Generating Board of subsidiary companies, whether fully-owned or partly-owned, not directly concerned with the supply of electricity and the manufacture of electricity during the last financial year, and to date during the current year; and what amount has been budgeted for this purpose in future years.

None have been acquired and no future acquisitions have been budgeted for.

asked the Minister of Power whether, with reference to paragraph 15 of the National Board for Prices and Incomes Report No. 59, the effective costs of fuel and ash handling at coal-fired power stations are to be reduced as a result of improved handling of fuel and ash and increased sales of pulverised fuel ash; and from what date.

The change in the Bulk Supply Tariff referred to in paragraph 15 of the report took effect from 1st April, 1968. Its effect has been to transfer recovery of handling-charges from the adjusted running rates to the basic capacity charge in the tariff, and I understand from the C.E.G.B. that the change was not connected with expectation of future improvements in handling methods or increased sales of pulverised fuel ash.

asked the Minister of Health what increase or decrease there has been in the non-industrial staff of his Department since 15th October, 1964; and what decrease he anticipates during the next six months.

An increase of 988 since October, 1964. No decrease is expected in the next six months.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the technical reasons why it is now being found advisable to segregate blood banks on a racial basis, as well as on a group basis; and how many such racial groups are now registered and segregated under the National Health Service.

No account is taken of racial groups by the National Blood Transfusion Service in this country and there is no segregation of blood banks on a racial basis. Blood from donors, of whatever race, who have had malaria or lived for a long time in tropical or subtropical areas, is processed into dried plasma in order to avoid the risk of transmitting malaria.

asked the Minister of Health what has been the total of capital expenditure at the Woking Maternity Hospital since 1958.

:£80,632.

asked are Minister of Health what is the present ratio of maternity beds to population in the North-West Surrey Group hospital area; and what ratio is anticipated in five and 10 years time.

The present ratio is 0·48 beds per 1,000 population. The South-West Mertopolitan Regional Hospital Board are at present reviewing the maternity services in this area, and pending the completion of this review I cannot say what ratios are anticipated in five and ten years' time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he propses to make to the Government of Saudi Arabia in respect of the latter's revocation of their agreement to accept Mr. Horace Phillips as the Ambassador to Jedda.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the rejection by the Saudi Arabian Government of Mr. Phillips as ambassador.

The Saudi Arabian Goverment agreed to Mr. Phillips' appointment on 17th January, but following an article in the Jewish Chronicle of 27th March drawing atten- tion to his background, agreement was withdrawn. Her Majesty's Government regret this decision but, in keeping with international practice, must accept it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his latest efforts, as Co-Chairman of the Geneva Conference, to assist in securing a peaceful settlement of the war in Vietnam.

My right hon. Friend is in contact with the parties concerned, but for the moment I would ask the House not to press for details.

asked the Minister of Transport in view of the fourth accident and the deaths of a total of 19 people on continental-type crossings, if he will give a general direction to the Railways Board to alter immediately the warning time and the closing time of barriers to a longer period until other safety devices can be installed.

The operating time cycle of automatic half-barriers is one of the matters now being urgently considered in the Ministry's survey of level crossing policy. A comprehensive paper will be available to the Hixon Inquiry when it resumes on 29th April.There are dangers as well as advantages in an extended time cycle and all the factors including Continental experience must be carefully weighed.

asked the Minister of Transport what action has been taken on the recent report and recommendations made to his Department by the Central Transport Consultative Committee regarding improvement for Southern Region daily commuters on the South-Western Division.

The formal recommendations of the Central Committee are about investment plans and procedures, and are more concerned with the longer term than with the immediate future. The Southern Region attach the greatest importance to these matters, and my Department and British Rail are closely in touch to ensure the best possible arrangements for investment planning.The operating difficulties noted in the Annual Report of the Central Committee to me are mainly matters of management for British Rail. I understand from them that as a result of sustained and vigorous action by the Southern Region there have been progressive improvements over the system. In the South-Western Division, the right time peak period arrivals during March were 24 per cent. better than in November, 1967, and 81 per cent. of peak trains are now arriving within five minutes of the scheduled time, compared with 63 per cent. in November, 1967.

asked the Minister of Transport, what action has been taken on the recent report and recommendations made to his Department by the Central Transport Consultative Committee regarding improvement for Southern Region daily commuters on the South-Eastern Division.

The formal recommendations of the Central Committee are about investment plans and procedures, and are more concerned with the longer term than with the immediate future. The Southern Region attach the greatest importance to these matters, and my Department and British Rail are closely in touch to ensure the best possible arrangements for investment planning.The operating difficulties noted in the Annual Report of the Central Committee to me are mainly matters of management for British Rail. I understand from them that as a result of sustained and vigorous action by the Southern Region there have been progressive improvements over the system. In the South-Eastern Division, the right time peak period arrivals during March were 19 per cent. better than in November, 1967, and 80 per cent. of peak trains are now arriving within five minutes of the scheduled time, compared with 53 per cent. in November, 1967.

asked the Minister of Transport, what action has been taken on the recent report and recommendations made to his Department by the Central Transport Consultative Committee regarding improvement for Southern Region daily commuters on the Central Division.

The formal recommendations of the Central Committee are about investment plans and procedures, and are more concerned with the longer term than with the immediate future. The Southern Region attach the greatest importance to these matters, and my Department and British Rail are closely in touch to ensure the best possible arrangements for investment planning.The operating difficulties noted in the Annual Report of the Central Committee to me are mainly matters of management for British Rail. I understand from them that as a result of sustained and vigorous action by the Southern Region there have been progressive improvements over the system. In the Central Division, the right time peak period arrivals during March were 27 per cent. better than in November, 1967, and 93 per cent. of peak trains are now arriving within five minutes of the scheduled time, compared with 72 per cent. in November, 1967.

asked the Minister of Transport, what provision has been made in the recently circulated draft specification for tachographs for goods vehicles covered by quality licensing to differentiate between the running of an engine for road driving and its use, with the vehicle at rest, for driving ancillary equipment, such as for grain loading; and if he will give an assurance that provisions covering the driving of ancillary equipment will be included in his forthcoming regulations.

We are consulting manufacturers separately on this point. Periods when the engine of a goods vehicle is used for operating ancillary equipment while the vehicle is at rest will not be counted towards driving time for the purposes of Clause 115 of the Transport Bill.

asked the Minister of Transport what increase or decrease there has been in the non-industrial staff of his Department since 15th October, 1964; and what decrease he anticipates during the next six months.

The answer to the first part of the Question is an increase of 932. The answer to the second part is none.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations he has received following the decision to prohibit car parking in London Road, Camberley, before adequate off-street parking facilities were available; and if he will make a statement.

Following representations from the Frimley and Camberley Urban District Council, the Yorktown Traders' Association and the Camberley and Dis- trict Chamber of Trade I have suspended the waiting restrictions on the South side of London Road from east of Laundry Lane to the Frimley Road junction until 1st June pending the completion of the new off-street car park at Yorktown.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will announce the starting date for plating and testing of heavier goods vehicles under the Road Safety Act 1967.

Examinations for compulsory plating and testing will start on 1st October, 1968, in England and Wales and on 1st December in Scotland. As I have already announced I am postponing the start from 1st July to allow more time for completion of some of the testing stations and for getting them working smoothly. Regulations about the scheme will be laid before the House this week.As testing stations are completed they are being opened to give tests on a voluntary basis by appointment so that operators can have experience of the roadworthiness standards needed to pass the test. The testing stations at Ipswich, Norwich, Liverpool (Simonswood), and Preston (Kirkham) are now open and that at Peterborough is opening next week.

asked the Minister of Transport, if he will give for Great Britain the total estimated commitments outstanding on 31st March last, and the total estimated new commitments in 1968–69 in respect of new construction and major improvements for trunk roads and for principal roads and loans to highway authorities, respectively.

The provisional totals for England of commitments for new road construction and improvements outstanding on 31st March, 1968 are:

	£ million
Trunk Roads (including Motorways)	305
Principal Roads (Grants)	110
Loans	7
	422

asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made towards a settlement with Rhodesia; and whether he will make a statement about the latest political developments in that country.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the latest position in Rhodesia and on his plans for the future settlement of Rhodesian problems.

I would refer hon Members to the speeches of my right hon. Friend the Commonwealth Secretary and myself in the debate on Rhodesia on 27th March, to which I have nothing to add.—[Vol. 761, c. 1662; Vol. 761, c. 1545.]

asked the Prime Minister whether he will invite Mr. Smith and the Prime Ministers of the States bordering Rhodesia to a conference in London on the steps to be taken to establish a de jure government in that country.

No.

asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made on negotiations for a peace settlement in Vietnam.

I have at present nothing to add to the Answers I gave to Questions on this subject on 4th and 9th April.—[Vol. 762, cc. 605–7; Vol. 762, cc. 1075–7.]

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the rearrangement of departmental responsibilities, he is still concerned directly with the work of the Department of Economic Affairs; if he will continue to take the chair of the National Economic Development Council; and if he will make a statement setting out fully the new departmental responsibilities of all the economic Ministries.

As to the first part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to Answers I gave to Questions on 11th April; as to the second, "Yes"; as to the third, departmental responsibilities are unchanged except for the movement of responsibility for productivity, prices and incomes policy from the Department of Economic Affairs to the Department of Employment and Productivity announced on 5th April.

asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made with the proposal that a limited competition should be held to find the architect for the structure housing a carillon, which is to form the United Kingdom's contribution to the development of Canberra.

The competition has now been held and of the six designs submitted, that by the firm of Cameron, Chisholm and Nicol, of Perth, Western Australia, was chosen as the winning design by the Board of Assessors. By agreement with the Australian Government the winning design, together with the others submitted, will be on exhibition in Australia House from 1.0 p.m. on 26th April to 3rd May.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will state the number and names of objectors to the proposed Northern Pennines Rural Development Board.

A total of 35 prima facie objections has been received. These are of varying scope but the majority concern comparatively minor revisions of the proposed boundary. It would not be in accordance with precedent to disclose the names of the objectors.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he is now able to state the name of the Chairman, and the place where the headquarters will be situated, of the Northern Pennines Rural Development Board.

I am glad to announce that Mr. T. J. Cowen, M.B.E., a former Vice-President of the National Farmers' Union, has agreed to become Chairman of the Northern Pennines Rural Development Board, if Parliament approves its establishment. I cannot say yet where the Board's headquarters will be situated.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total capital investment in the Forestry Commission since its inception; and what has been the Commission's profit.

Up to 30th September, 1967, the capital investment was about£180 million, on which there is an accumulated interest charge of about£130 million. On the question of the return on this investment I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the profit and loss account appearing in the Commission's Annual Report for the year ended 30th September, 1966, and to the notes thereon on pages 11 to 13 of the Report.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what increase or decrease there has been in the non-industrial staff of his Department since 15th October, 1964; and what decrease he anticipates during the next six months.

Mid-month figures are not available, but since 1st October, 1964, the non-industrial staff serving in this Department have increased by 985. Estimates are difficult because of fluctuations in vacancies, but a decrease of some 250 in the next six months is expected.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs how Her Majesty's Government propose to fulfil their obligations to Brunei, and protect British interests there after the withdrawal of British troops.

The long-term relationship between the United Kingdom and Brunei after the withdrawal of British forces from the Far East is one of the matters which I hope to discuss with His Highness the Sultan when he visits this country later in the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, what increase or decrease there has been in the non-industrial staff of the defence Departments since 15th October 1964; and what decrease he anticipates during the next six months.

There has been a decrease of nearly 3,000 in the non-industrial staff of the Defence Departments since 16th October, 1964 but in the same period some 4,250 staff formerly classified as serving in industrial grades have been reclassified as non-industrials.Defence Estimates for 1968–69 provides for a decrease of 1,200 in the number of U.K. based non-industrial staff during the year. It is expected that the reduction will in fact be greater. It is, however, too early to forecast how many of these savings will occur during the next six months.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, by how many he proposes to reduce the number of full-and part-time civil servants employed by his Department, on account of the reallocation of Ministerial responsibilities for the prices and incomes policy.

About 35.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, what increase or decrease there has been in the non-industrial staff of his Department since 15th October, 1964; and what decrease he anticipates during the next six months.

The D.E.A. was not set up until 16th October 1964 so the increase since 15th October represents the staff now in post. These number 537, after the recent transfer of responsibility for Prices and Incomes policy to the First Secretary of State. I do not anticipate any decrease during the next six months.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what was the average annual sum per head invested in national savings for the last three years in Wales and England, respectively.

ANNUAL GROSS AMOUNTS INVESTED IN NATIONAL SAVINGS
Year ending 31st March		Wales			England
		£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
1965	…	26	13	8	36	17	6
1966	…	25	7	4	37	4	11
1967	…	31	16	10	44	2	11

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is now the total of Ministerial salaries and what was the total on 4th April, 1968.

:£613,850 and£591,225, respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the total amount of money which will be saved by those hotels, boarding houses and holiday camps in Scotland which will get all Selective Employment Tax refunded in future;

Separate figures for employment in hotels, boarding houses and holiday camps are not generally available. I estimate that for the hotel and catering industry as a whole, the increase in S.E.T. will yield approximately£750,000 a year in Scotland, of which very roughly£300,000 will be refunded to hotels in rural parts of the development area.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the decision of the Chamberlain Group Limited to pay a final dividend of 5 per cent. was in conformity with the Government's prices and incomes policy.

The Chamberlain Group Limited have announced total dividends of 7 per cent. in respect of 1967 compared with 9 per cent. in respect of 1965. This conforms with the requirements of the prices and incomes policy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what increase or decrease there has been in the non-industrial staff of the Departments under his control since 15th October, 1964; and what decrease he anticipates during the next six months.

The figures are as follows:

	Increase or Decrease October, 1964 to April, 1968		Increase or Decrease expected up to October, 1968
Treasury	+	182*	+	57
Treasury subordinate Departments	+	7	-	4
Inland Revenue	+	9,226	-	300
Customs and Excise	+	2,220	-	10
H.M.S.O.	+	417	+	38
Royal Mint	+	156	+	16
Paymaster General	+	46	—
Central Office of Information	+	117	+	16
* This figure has been adjusted to allow for staff who were transferred to or from the Treasury with their work.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what amount of grant from Exchequer sources was supplied to Brighton Corporation in each year since 1951 in respect of the school building programme.

The authority was authorised to start projects to the following values during the period.

			Major School Building Programme	Minor Works Programme
			£	£
1951–52	…	…	196,000	*
1952–53	…	…	Nil	*
1953–54	…	…	182,300	*
1954–55	…	…	209,535	*
1955–56	…	…	37,587	*
1956–57	…	…	42,350	*
1957–58	…	…	Nil	*
1958–59	…	…	94,727	*
1959–60	…	…	156,217	*
1960–61	…	…	82,350	54,000
1961–62	…	…	88,697	41,500
1962–63	…	…	165,880
1963–64	…	…	145,695	23,000
1964–65	…	…	Nil	40,000
1965–66	…	…	350,555	67,000
1966–67	…	…	64,519	97,000
1967–68	…	…	80,370	85,000
* Records for these years are not now available, but for the five years 1954–1959 the Department did not set limits to the value of minor works which could be started.

No information is available about the amount of Exchequer assistance involved in the use of these allocations.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) whether he is aware of the concern felt in Plymouth at the move of the Natural Environment Research Council's Ship Management Unit from Plymouth; and if he will give an assurance that full consultation will take place with the city council and the port authorities before a final decision is made;(2) if, in view of the fact that Plymouth City Council have offered every facility to the Natural Environment Research Council to extend their Ship Management Unit and that they have received no official information that the negotiations which were pending are to be discontinued, he will take steps to rescind the decision to move the Unit from Plymouth.

Since 1st January, 1966, the Research Vessel Management Unit of the Natural Environment Research Council has been temporarily based at Plymouth pending consideration of a permanent location. The facilities offered at Plymouth and other ports have been carefully considered in relation to the long term needs of the Unit, and the Council has concluded that these are likely to be most effectively met by the facilities available at Barry. The evidence leading to this conclusion has now been submitted to my Department and I am considering it. The Council is most grateful to the Plymouth City Council and to the Local Port Authority for the help they have given whilst these enquiries have been in progress. The Council's connection with Plymouth will in any event be maintained and strengthened through its support of the work of the Marine Biological Association at Plymouth, whose research vessels will continue to be based there.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultations his Department had with the Natural Environment Research Council over the siting of the Ship Management Unit.

The Natural Environment Research Council first explored the facilities offered by various ports. On the resulting evidence, the Council has concluded that the future requirements of its Research Vessel Management Unit are likely to be best met by the facilities available at Barry. This evidence has now been presented to my Department, and I am considering it.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why the South-West Regional Economic Planning Council were not consulted by the Natural Environment Research Council on the siting of the Ship Management Unit, and on its effect on Plymouth.

The Council has been in full consultation with the appropriate authorities concerned with harbour facilities at Plymouth. It has not been considered necessary to trouble the Economic Planning Council on a matter of relatively little significance for the economy of the South-West Region.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why adequate car parking facilities are not included in the lay-out in plans drawn up for the construction of new schools and community colleges.

My Department's cost limits for educational buildings contain an element for car-parking designed to cater for essential users. I do not think that educational funds should be used to provide car-parking accommodation going beyond this. Subject to this limitation it is for local education authorities to decide what to provide.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the proposed sports centres to be incorporated in new schools will have floodlighting to enable adults to use outside facilities throughout the year.

The incorporation of sports centres in new schools depends on the co-operation of the local authorities responsible for education and community facilities and on joint planning within the combined resources available to them. It is Government policy to encourage the maximum use of available resources in this way. Authorities wishing to submit proposals of this kind will no doubt bear in mind the desirability of floodlighting outdoor facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has considered paragraph 465 of the South-West Economic Planning Council's report, A Region with a Future; and what action he proposes to take thereon.

When a decision has been taken to establish a new research centre its location (subject to any overriding policy decisions of Govern- ment) is considered in the light of the facilities and requirements of the research to be done and where these are available; and of the recommendations of the Working Party on Liaison between Universities and Government Research Establishments. Where several sites fulfil these requirements then factors such as those set out in the report to which my hon. Friend refers are taken into account in making the final choice. As was stated in the Government's reply to the South-West Economic Council's report, full weight will be given to the claims of the South-West in considering the locations of research centres but the claims of other regions have to be borne in mind, especially in relation to the industries situated in them.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy regarding the concentration of establishments dealing with marine science and oceanography.

I am advised by the Natural Environment Research Council—and accept their advice—that there is no case for concentrating their research establishments dealing with marine science and oceanography, which are located according to the areas best suited to the kind of research they undertake. The N.E.R.C. is satisfied with the present locations of the marine laboratories for which it is responsible but the matter is kept under continuous review.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the machinery of consultation between his Department and other Departments concerned about the siting of all Government research establishments related to oceanography.

The main responsibility for co-ordinating scientific research in this field rests with the Natural Environment Research Council. Scientific and operational considerations affecting the siting of research establishments are assessed by the Council or its Committees on which interested Government Departments are represented by assessors. Research Councils are subject to normal planning and industrial development controls.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has for establishing a medical school in Leicester; and if he will make a statement.

This was a recommendation made by the Royal Commission on Medical Education. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said on 4th April, in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Halifax (Dr. Summerskill), the Government is now examining this report urgently. I am not yet in a position to comment on particular proposals in it.—[Vol. 762, c. 141–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the officers required to man the regional seat of Government system have been appointed.

Disclosure of this information would not be in the public interest.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now in a position to make a statement of his proposals for legislation on children and young persons.

Yes. The Government have been reviewing the law on children and young persons in the light of the comments on the White Paper "The Child, the Family and the Young Offender", and I shall lay before Parliament on Tuesday, 30th April, a White Paper setting out revised proposals for legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what increase or decrease there has been in the non-industrial staff of his Department since 15th October, 1964; and what decrease he anticipates during the next six months.

The non-industrial staff of the Home Office has increased by 3,478 since October, 1964. I do not expect any decrease during the next six months.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, what sums were allocated to the Basford Rural District Council in respect of rates rebates in 1967–68 and in the five preceding years.

Figures for 1966–67 and 1967–68, the first two years of operation of the rate rebate scheme, are as follows:

		1966–67	1967–68
Total rebate afforded	…	£9,751	£10,177
Number of recipients:?
1st half year	…	1,108	1,219
2nd half year	…	1,188	1,181
Average rebate for the year	…	£8 10s.	£8 9s.

75 per cent. of the total amount afforded is met by the Exchequer.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, what sums were allocated to the Beeston and Stapleford Urban District Council in respect of rates rebates in 1967–68 and for the five preceding years.

Figures for 1966–67 and 1967–68, the first two years of operation of the rate rebate scheme, are as follows:

	1966–67	1967–68
Total rebate afforded	£12,579	£11,875
Number of recipients:—
1st half year	818	870
2nd half year	1,003	890
Average rebate for the year	£13 16s.	£13 10s.

75 per cent. of the total amount afforded is met by the Exchequer.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, what sums were allocated to district councils in Nottinghamshire in respect of rate relief for domestic ratepayers in 1966–67 and 1967–68.

I understand that my hon. Friend is referring to the domestic element of the rate support grants which in 1967–68 secured a reduction in the rate poundages paid by domestic ratepayers of 5d. in the pound in respect of dwelling houses and 2d in the pound for mixed hereditaments which are predominantly residential. There was no similar rate reduction for domestic ratepayers in 1966–67.The estimated amounts of the domestic element of rate support grants payable to county district councils in Nottinghamshire in respect of the year 1967–68 are as follows:

Non-County Borough Councils
	…	£
East Retford	…	5,691
Mansfield	…	19,461
Newark	…	9,594
Worksop	…	10,337
Urban District Councils
Arnold	…	15,818
Beeston and Stapleford	…	30,181
Carlton	…	19,943
Eastwood	…	3,403
Hucknall	…	9,097
Kirkby-in-Ashfield	…	7,187
Mansfield Woodhouse	…	7,435
Sutton-in-Ashfield	…	12,383
Warsop	…	3,655
West Bridgford	…	18,933
Rural District Councils
Basford	…	25,607
Bingham	…	15,776
East Retford	…	5,345
Newark	…	5,338
Southwell	…	16,488
Worksop	…	5,403
Total	…	247,075

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the total square footage of unoccupied office space in the Greater London area at the latest convenient date; and what was the corresponding square footage at the end of July, 1966 and at the end of March, 1967.

Information about unoccupied offices in existing buildings is not available. However, for new office floor space, some 3¼ million square feet remained unoccupied in Greater London in April, 1966. The comparable figure for the end of March, 1967, which is the latest information available, was 3 million square feet. Local authorities are now compiling returns showing the position at the end of March, 1968 and the results should be available within the next few weeks.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what increase or decrease there had been in the non-industrial staff of his Department since 15th October, 1964; and what decrease he anticipates during the next six months.

Between 16th October. 1964 and 1st April, 1968 there was an increase of 1,160.This was mainly due to the introduction of new functions, including the rent assessment service, to the transfer of functions from other Departments, such as the Ministry of Land, and to expansion of functions in the field of planning and housing design.I cannot at this stage foresee any decrease during the next six months.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the number of direct labour organisations engaged in house construction at the latest convenient date; and what were the figures for 1945, 1951 and 1964.

In September, 1967, 170 local authorities in England and Wales had direct labour organisations engaged on house construction. In 1964 the number was 185. Information is not available for 1945 and 1951.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he will announce his proposals for older houses.

A White Paper with the title, "Old Houses into New Homes", (Cmnd. 3602), is published today, 23rd April. Copies are now available in the Vote Office.

asked the Minister of Labour whether she will state the statutory minima which are readily available of the six wages councils with the lowest minima of pay to male workers and the respective rates; and on the basis of the Budget proposals, the effects of devaluation, the abolition of the three waiting days, and the prescription charges, rent, rate, fuel and fares increases already announced, by how much he estimates that these workers' real income will be reduced in 1968.

At 11th April, 1968, the six wages councils providing for the lowest adult basic male rate for a normal working week were:

	s.	d.
Laundry	189	0
Licensed Non-Residential Establishment	187	0
Coffin Furniture and Cerement Making	183	9
Sack and Bag	182	0
Cotton Waste Reclamation	174	3
Button Manufacturing	168	0

These rates, which represent statutory minima and not average earnings, do not offer a basis for direct comparisons owing to the wide variations between Councils in the proportion of workers to whom the lowest rate is applicable.For the reasons already stated in reply to a similar Question from my hon. Friend on 8th April, it is not possible to provide the estimates requested in the last part of his Question.—[Vol. 762, c. 179.]

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how many major industries have increased their prices by over 50 per cent. since October, 1964; and if he will publish a list of these industries.

I have been asked to reply.There is no central record of all price changes over this or any earlier period.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will allow all industries to increase their charges in order that they shall make a return of 8 per cent. on capital employed; and if he will undertake to publish a list of all those who have been given permission to do this.

I have been asked to reply.It would not be consistent with the policy on productivity, prices and in- comes for an enterprise to increase its prices or charges specifically for the purpose of improving the rate of return on capital unless the requirements of the fourth criterion for increases in prices as set out in paragraph 16 of the White Paper Cmnd. 3590 were fully met. The second part of the Question does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Labour how far the settlement negotiated by the Liverpool bus drivers is related to the Government's prices and incomes policy.

An agreement reached in December, 1967, for Liverpool bus crews was referred to the National Board for Prices and Incomes on 1st March and I am awaiting their report. No other local settlement for Liverpool busmen has been reported to my Department.

asked the Minister of Labour if she has been notified of the income settlement between F. Lewis and Sons, Aston, and the Transport and General Workers Union in respect of road haulage drivers; what is the expected increase in rates and earnings; and if the increases in productivity are consistent with expected increases in earnings and with the Government's prices and incomes policy.

This settlement which is to take effect on 1st June has been notified to my Department. Further information is being sought regarding its productivity aspects. Until this is known, I cannot say what would be its effect on earnings or whether it is consistent with the Government's Prices and Incomes Policy.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will list the individual references now being examined by the National Board for Prices and Incomes, showing the dates of the reference and expected report.

A list of the references currently before the National Board for Prices and Incomes, with the dates on which they were gazetted, is set out below.The Prices and Incomes Act, 1966 requires the Board's reports to be published within three months of the date the re-

General Title of Reference	Date of Gazetting	Statutory time-limit where extended
Payment by Results Systems	23rd March, 1967	22nd June, 1968
Job Evaluation Schemes	23rd March, 1967	22nd June, 1968
Architects' Costs and Fees	11th April, 1967	10th June, 1968
Pay and Conditions of Manual Workers in the Engineering Industry	16th May, 1967	*29th April, 1968
Pay and Conditions of Staff Workers in the Engineering Industry	16th May, 1967	*29th April, 1968
Distributors' Costs and Margins on Furniture, Domestic Electrical Appliances and Footwear	17th August, 1967	16th May, 1968
Proposed increases by British Railways Board in certain Country-wide Fares and Charges	5th October, 1967	4th May, 1968
Gas Prices	5th October, 1967	†4th October, 1968
Increases in Rents of Local Authority Housing	12th December, 1967	5th May, 1968
Costs and Prices of the Chocolate and Sugar Confectionery Industry	4th January, 1968	3rd June, 1968
An Agreement and an Award relating to terms and conditions of employment in the Road Passenger Transport Industry	27th January, 1968	—
Passenger Fares and Freight Charges of the North of Scotland, Orkney and Shetland Shipping Co.	30th January, 1968	—
Domestic Appliances	13th February, 1968	—
Mercury Hearing-Aid Batteries	13th February, 1968	—
Price of Butyl Rubber	16th February, 1968	—
Agreements relating to terms and conditions of employment of draughtsmen in certain companies in the Engineering Industry	20th February, 1968	—
An Agreement relating to terms and conditions of employment of clerical staff employed by the Prudential Assurance Co. Ltd.	22nd March, 1968	—
An Agreement relating to terms and conditions of employment of clerical staff employed by the Pearl Assurance Co. Ltd.	22nd March, 1968	—
Office Staff Employment Agencies: Charges and salaries	22nd March, 1968	—
Rental Charges for Equipment hired from I.B.M. U.K. Ltd.	1968 11th April, 1968	—
* First Report already published: extension being gazetted this week in respect of second report.
† First report already published.

In addition, an instruction has been issued to the Board under Section 3(2) of the Prices and Incomes Act, 1966, to keep under continuous review the remuneration of the academic staff of universities and the pay allowances, pensions and gratuities of members of the naval, military and air forces of the Crown and of any women's service administered by the Defence Council. No specific time limit is set for the submission of reports by the Board. In the absence of a Ministerial instruction to furnish a report, the Board is required to report from time to time as it thinks fit.The Board hopes that reports in respect of about half of the above subjects will be published within the next two months.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the total number of persons employed in manufacturing industry, and in catering, respectively, and the percentage which each figure represented of the total insured population, in each of the following employment exchange areas, namely, Perth, Forfar, Jedburgh sub-office, Stirling, St. Andrews, Kelso sub-office, Sanquhar, Troon, Galashiels, and Hawick, at the latest date for which figures are available.

Only very broad estimates of the numbers of employees in individual industries in local areas can be provided. The following table gives the estimated numbers in manufacturing industries and in catering rounded to the

ESTIMATED NUMBERS OF EMPLOYEES (EMPLOYED AND UNEMPLOYED) AT MID-1966 IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES (ORDERS III TO XVI OF THE STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION) AND IN CATERING, HOTELS, ETC. (MINIMUM LIST HEADING 884) AND THE PERCENTAGES THAT THESE FORM OF EMPLOYEES IN ALL INDUSTRIES AND SERVICES
		Manufacturing industries		Catering, Hotels, etc.
		Number of employees (rounded to the nearest 100)	Percentage of all industries and services (rounded to the nearest whole number)	Number of employees (rounded to the nearest 100)	Percentage of all industries and services (rounded to the nearest whole number)
Perth	…	4,300	16	1,300	5
Stirling	…	4,600	19	1,600	7
Sanquhar	…	300	17	—	1
Forfar	…	2,800	31	200	2
St. Andrews	…	800	15	600	12
Troon	…	1,300	45	200	6
Jedburgh and Kelso*	…	1,100	21	100	3
Galashiels	…	5,400	39	300	2
Hawick	…	7,100	59	200	2
* Figures for Jedburgh and Kelso separately are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour what increase or decrease there has been in the non-industrial staff of her department since 15th October, 1964; and what decrease she anticipates during the next six months.

On 1st April, 1968, there were 7,810 more non-industrial staff in post in my Department than on 1st October, 1964. I do not anticipate that there will be any decrease during the next six months.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applications have been made since 1966 for the installation of new telephones; at what rate the Post Office is installing telephones; and what are the reasons for delays that are being experienced in the Hornchurch area.

From January, 1966, to March 1968, the national demand for new telephones was 1,817,000; during the same period new telephones were installed at an average rate of 65,700 a month.Shortage of equipment in Hornchurch and Ingrebourne exchanges, and at Rom-ford switching centre, is causing delay in giving service to applicants in the Hornchurch area.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applicants are awaiting the telephone service in the London Borough of Brent; how many of these applicants are in the Arnold, Colindale and Wordsworth area; and how long the earliest applicant has been waiting for the service.

At 31st March, 478 in the London Borough of Brent and none in the area covered by Arnold, Colindale and Wordsworth exchanges. The earliest waiting applicant applied for service in August, 1967.

asked the Postmaster-General what improvements have been effected in the postal delivery service in the Wembley area of Brent; and what has been the volume of complaint in the past four weeks.

Deliveries generally in March were completed earlier than in January and February. There has been one complaint about late delivery and three about incorrect delivery.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will take action, such as a letter to, or advertisement in, the local Press advising persons, when a post box has been set on fire by children or vandals, that their mail may have been destroyed, and where possible advise persons direct if their mail has been damaged on such occasions.

Where appropriate, we shall give local publicity to incidents of this sort. We shall continue to explain matters when a damaged packet is delivered, but will notify the sender in addition where his name and address is available and such action would not risk delaying the mail.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the average time that it takes for a letter despatched in the United Kingdom to reach the Island of Anguilla.

Letters reach St. Kitts, which is the headquarters of the postal administration of St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla, in from one to three days if sent by air. By surface route they take 10–21 days from the date of sailing, depending on the speed of the ship used. There are up to three sailings a month.

asked the Postmaster-General what added costs will have to be met in Scotland following the introduction of the higher telephone and postal charges.

In a full year, about£3·5 million from increased telecommunications charges and£2 million from increased postal charges.

asked the Postmaster-General what will be the percentage increase in the rate for an inland letter sent by first-class mail when the new charges come into force, compared with the equivalent rate in October, 1964.

This will depend upon the weight of the letter. For example, for a letter weighing less than 1 oz. the percentage increase will be 66⅔per cent.; for one between 1 and 2 oz. 11 per cent.; and for one between 2 and 4 oz. there will be a decrease of 16 per cent.

asked the Postmaster-General what extra speed of delivery compared to the present situation will result from the new 5d. letter service.

The aim under the new letter service will be to give first-class mail a service as good as the best we give now, with improved reliability where necessary.

asked the Postmaster General, whether he is satisfied that productivity in the Post Office has increased by over 50 per cent. since 1964 in line with extra charges placed on the public; and if he will make a statement.

Manpower productivity has been rising by about 8 per cent. a year in the telecommunications service and 1 per cent. a year in the postal service. Improvements are expected in the future. Increased charges for both services are necessary for the reasons I gave to the House on 10th April.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, what estimate he has made of the extra cost of the new postal charges to industry in Scotland.

I have been asked to reply. The cost to our business customers in Scotland will probably be about£1,350,000 in a full year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make a statement about the effect of the higher telephone and postal charges on persons living in rural areas of Scotland.

I have been asked to reply. I have no separate estimate of the additional revenue I expect to obtain from people living in rural areas of Scotland. The effect on individuals will, of course, depend on the use they make of Post Office services.

asked the Postmaster General what increase or decrease there has been in the non-industrial staff of his Department since 15th October, 1964; and what decrease he anticipates during the next six months.

An increase of 29,500 or 7·7 per cent. In the same period business turnover has increased by nearly 24 per cent. Future staff levels depend on business trends, offset by increased productivity and developments in technology, and the availability of recruits to fill existing vacancies.

asked the Postmaster General (1) how long the new 4d. letter will take to reach Ayr if posted in London at 5 p.m. on a Monday;(2) how long the new 5d. letter will take to reach Ayr if posted in London at 5 p.m. on a Monday.

A 5d. letter should be delivered on Tuesday and a 4d. letter on Wednesday.

asked the Postmaster General if he will introduce a lower postage rate for newspapers delivered locally in rural areas by sub-post offices operated by the local newsagent.

No. We have standard rates of postage as between rural and urban areas and I believe that the rural areas would be the losers in the end if we departed from this principle. There is already a concessionary tariff for newspapers generally.

asked the Postmaster General what steps he is taking to improve postal deliveries in Scotland.

We shall continue to do all we can to give a good postal delivery service in Scotland, but if the hon. Gentleman has any particular problem in mind, and he will let me have details, I shall be pleased to look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what increase or decrease there has been in the non-industrial staff of his Department since 15th October, 1964; and what decrease he anticipates during the next six months.

The Ministry of Overseas Development did not exist on 15th October, 1964. Compared with the Department of Technical Co-operation, which had a much narrower range of duties, there has been an increase of staff of 551 since that date. No decrease is expected in the next six months.