asked the Minister of Health what is now the estimated cost of administering the exemption arrangements for prescription charges.

No separate figure is calculable but I expect the total administrative costs of reintroducing prescription charges, with exemptions under the interim arrangements to which I referred in my reply to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Dr. David Owen) on 25th April, to be between £½ million and £¾ million. A substantial proportion of the cost will relate to arrangements to make sure that everyone understands what charges have to be paid. who may claim exemption or refund and how to make a claim.—[Vol. 763, c. 81–2.]

asked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from leukaemia does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time when such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he would expect to be prescribed during that period;(2) why a person suffering from schizophrenia does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time when such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he would expect to be prescribed during that period.

asked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from gall stones does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Com- mand Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time when such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he would expect to be prescribed during that period;(2) why a person suffering from diaphragmatic hernia does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time when such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he would expect to be prescribed during that period.

asked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from diverticulitis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;(2) why a person suffering from proctitis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.

asked the Minister of Health, why a person suffering from hepatitis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.

asked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from bronchial asthma does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;(2) why a person suffering from chronic bronchitis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 400 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.

asked the Minister of Health why a person suffering from renal failure does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.

asked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from congenital heart disease does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;(2) why a person suffering from spina bifida does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.

asked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from rheumatoid arthritis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges, in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;(2) why a person suffering from cancer of the lung does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges, in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would, require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.

asked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from cerebral thrombosis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;(2) why a person suffering from a duodenal ulcer does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.

asked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from dermatitis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;(2) why a person suffering from depression does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.

asked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from nephritis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;(2) why a person suffering from osteoarthritis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.

asked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from angina does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;(2) why a person suffering from multiple sclerosis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.

asked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from sciatica does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;(2) why a person suffering from prolapsed intervertebral disc does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.

asked the Minister of Health what progress he has made in arriving at a satisfactory system of exemption from prescription charges for the chronic sick.

As to the definition of chronic sickness and the reasons for it, I would refer my hon. Friends to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Ladywood (Mr. Victor Yates) on 21st March. Duration and amount of medication is a matter for medical judgment in the individual case.—[Vol. 761, c. 143–5.]

asked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from ulcerative colitis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;(2) why a person suffering from gastric ulcer does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.

asked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from osteomyelitis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;(2) why a person suffering from fisula in ano does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;(3) why a person suffering from pruritus does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;(4) why a person suffering from psoriasis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.

asked the Minister of Health (1) why a person suffering from arteriosclerosis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period;(2) why a person suffering from tuberculosis does not come within the category of chronic sick and qualify for exemption from prescription charges in accordance with the undertaking given in paragraph 40 of Command Paper No. 3515; what is his estimate of the period of time over which such a person would require medication; and what is the number of items he estimates would need to be prescribed during that period.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will include pulmonary tuberculosis in the list of conditions for drugs which will be prescribed without a prescription charge.

I would refer the hon. Members to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wandsworth, Central (Dr. David Kerr) and other hon. Members today.

asked the Minister of Health under what conditions he will provide a motor-car instead of an invalid carriage to enable a disabled person to take up employment at some distance from his home.

Persons eligible for powered invalid vehicles may choose cars instead of three-whellers if they are war disabled pensioners; or persons with related members of the same household also eligible or blind, or having sole care of a child.

asked the Minister of Health if he will seek powers to enable him to direct the manufacturers of all toxic pharmaceutical preparations to print the appropriate antidote to poisoning whenever this is possible.

The powers provided for in the Medicines Bill now before Parliament are wide enough for this, but my present advice is that such labelling has serious disadvantages and would be feasible only in a very limited number of cases.

asked the Minister of Health whether the certificate of consent to medical use of a body in the event of death printed on page 35 of "Drive", a motorists' magazine published by the Automobile Association, a copy of which has been sent to him, will be accepted by hospital authorities.

I would expect so.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give details of the number and circumstances of leucotomy operations carried out in the National Health Service during the past three years, similar to that performed recently on a 21-year-old man to cure him of gambling.

I am advised that leucotomy operations are nowadays used only for a few patients who fail to respond to other methods of psychiatric treatment. Statistics are not now collected centrally. I understand that the patient referred to in the Question has not had such an operation.

asked the Minister of Health if he will instruct the South-West Regional Metropolitan Hospital Board to reopen the casualty department of the Royal Hospital, Richmond in view of hardship being caused to the hon. Member for Richmond's constituents by its closure.

No. The position remains as stated in my reply to the hon. Member on 26th March.—[Vol. 761, c. 244–5.]

asked the Minister of Health what additional hospital accommodation is planned for the county of Durham within the next two years; and where new hospitals will be sited.

As the Answer to the first part of the Question lists a large number of schemes I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. No decisions have been taken on the siting of new hospitals.Following is the information:SCHEMES IN COUNTY DURHAM TO BE COMPLETED OR STARTED WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead—Intensive Care Unit.Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead—Improvements to Casualty Department and Pharmacy.South Shields General Hospital—Additional geriatric beds.South Shields General Hospital—Phase I of development. Consultative Out-Patient Department, Medical Records Department, Part of X-ray Department.Shotley Bridge General Hospital—Phase II of development. Maternity Unit.Shotley Bridge General Hospital—Cardiothoracic intensive care unit.Ryehope General Hospital.—Improvements to X-ray Department.Leeholme Hospital, Easington.—Up-grading of geriatric accommodation.Sunderland Royal Infirmary.—Intermittent dialysis unit.Sunderland Royal Infirmary.—Twin operating suite.Sunderland Royal Infirmary.—Extension of Pathology Department.Sunderland Orthopaedic and Accident Hospital.—Improvement of operating suite.Sunderland General Hospital.—Re-provision of special treatment clinic.Hartlepool General Hospital.—Second operating suite.Hartlepool General Hospital.—Phase I of development. Acute and Geriatric beds.North Tees General Hospital.—Phase I of development. Maternity Department. Part of Psychiatric Department.North Tees General Hospital.—Phase II of development.Bishop Auckland General Hospital.—Phase I of development. (Accident and Consultative Out-patients Departments and one operating suite.)Earls House Hospital, Durham.—Phase I of development. Additional beds.Dryburn Hospital, Durham.—Additional Pathology Laboratory.Dryburn Hospital, Durham.—Accident and Orthopaedic Departments.Chester-le-Street Hospital.—Up-grading and extension of geriatric accommodation.Darlington Memorial Hospital.—Phase I of development. Psychiatric Unit and Accident and Orthopaedic Unit.Winterton Hospital, Sedgefield.—Ward improvements.Aycliffe Hospital.—Laundry and boiler house.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider adding a small maternity ward to the Lewes Victoria Hospital; and what would be the cost of such a four-to five-bed ward.

No. My right hon. Friend is not in favour of developing a very small maternity unit where larger units are available at a reasonable distance.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give an assurance that the Victoria Hospital in Lewes is to be retained as a general hospital; and if he is aware that on this assumption nearly £12,000 has been raised by voluntary subscriptions towards the target of £16,000 to provide a new operating theatre, work on which has already commenced.

The South-East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board have no present plans either to close or to change the use of this hospital.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the widespread dissatisfaction of nurse tutors with the report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on nurses salaries; and what action he is taking in this matter.

Yes. I am considering representations which the Royal College of Nursing and the Principal Tutors of the schools of nursing of the London teaching hospitals have made to me.

asked the Minister of Health what is the average daily occupation of beds in hospitals at the latest available date and the corresponding figure for 1964.

389,821 in 1967 compared with 400,277 in 1964.

asked the Minister of Health how many of the 15 regional hospital boards have appointed a woman as senior administrative medical officer.

None.

asked the Minister of Health how many beds are involved in the consideration he is giving to the designation of hospitals to the responsibility of teaching hospitals; if he will withhold any further such decisions until he has declared his policy on paragraph 500 of the Report of the Royal Commission on Medical Education; and if he will make a statement.

None. As I have already indicated in reply to my hon. Friends the Members for Lewisham, North (Mr. Moyle) and Willesden, West (Mr. Pavitt) I shall be taking account of the Royal Commission's views in my review of administrative structure generally.

asked the Minister of Health how many private nursing homes are now registered under the Abortion Act, 1967.

51 have been approved in England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Health what have been the value and extent of the hospital building programme in Portsmouth in each of the past five years; and what it is estimated they will be in each of the next five years.

Capital expenditure on the hospital building programme in Portsmouth in the last five financial years has been as follows:

asked the Minister of Health when he anticipates that work will commence on the rebuilding of the District Base Hospital at Neath on its present site, in accordance with the decision already announced by him, in view of the fact that the delay in implementing the decision is proving to be to the disadvantage of the population served by the Neath General Hospital.

Some preliminary work is already in hand at this hospital and the Welsh Hospital Board hope to commence the construction of a new maternity unit by the end of 1968. Thereafter the development of the hospital will need to be considered in the light of the recommendation in the Report of the Royal Commission on Medical Education that a new medical school should be established at Swansea.

asked the Minister of Health if he will instruct regional hospital boards to authorise overtime payments to nurses employed in hospitals under their control.

Hospital authorities are required to observe the agreements of the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council, which confine overtime payments to certain grades in psychiatric hospitals.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he intends to take to offset the recent increase in mortgage interest rates.

I have no proposals for further assistance for house purchasers beyond the help they can already obtain through the option mortgage scheme and tax reliefs. Many borrowers will continue to make the same monthly payments to building societies who commonly agree to an extension of the mortgage period.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if, in view of the proposals by the National Board for Prices and Incomes regarding council house rents published on 25th April, he will seek to take similar powers to restrain the Building Societies Association from implementing their recommendation that borrowers' interest rates be raised by ½ per cent.

No. The circumstances are different. The Building Societies' Association recommended in- creases in the rates paid to investors, and consequentially in the rates charged to borrowers, because they thought it necessary to do so to maintain an inflow of funds sufficient to meet the demand on them for new mortgages. This is a matter for their judgment, but deposits with Societies had fallen very sharply. I am glad to see that some societies have found it possible to postpone the introduction of higher rates to existing borrowers.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the estimated increased cost of a three-bedroomed council house at the latest available date, due to the higher standards now being required by local authorities and his Department.

80 per cent. of local authority houses approved in the first quarter of 1968 already incorporate the required space and 87 per cent. the heating standards. The increase in the overall average cost of three-bedroomed council houses in order to bring all up to the required Parker Morris standards of space and heating is estimated at about £37.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what plans he has to seek to reduce the number of rent-controlled dwellings.

The Government's proposals, described in paragraphs 30 to 37 of the White Paper, Old Houses into New Homes (Cmnd. 3602), are that where a property has been, or is being, provided with all the basic amenities and is in a good state of repair, the owner may apply for a regulated rent. In order to protect tenants from sharp increases in rent, any increases would be phased over a period.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he now expects to receive the Report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes in connection with his submission on the matter of the increase in council house rents by the local authority in Coventry.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the Question by my right hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) on 25th April.—[Vol. 763, c. 486–493.]

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement on the White Paper, Old Houses into New Homes, and, in particular, on paragraph 34.

The objects of the proposals in paragraph 34 of the White Paper are to ensure that a house which has been improved to the full standard without a grant, and is in good repair, will be treated in the same way as one which has had the benefit of a grant and that there is sufficient rent to ensure that it is kept in good repair.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what area of land in the proposed green belt in the Meriden constituency has been built upon with his authority by the fuel and power industries in the past 10 years.

Information is not available in this form. I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the total sum paid by way of rate rebates for the last financial year ended in South Shields; how many received rebates; and what was their average value.

In 1967–68 rate rebates in South Shields amounted to £15,504; there were 1,483 recipients in the first half of the year and 1,484 in the second; the average rebate for the year was £10 9s.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many ratepayers in the County Borough of Bolton have obtained rebates of their rates; what is the total annual amount of such rebates; and what is the average rebate per claimant.

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

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that Gratton Warehouses recommended 20 per cent. final dividend, requiring £2,112,000, would exceed the Government's sanctioned limitation by £600, and that consequently it was altered to 19·9 per cent.; and if he will allow a deviation from the fixed limit to prevent such rates having to be paid in future.

The maximum permissible increase in these circumstances is 3½ per cent. It would be invidious to try to differentiate between increases marginally in excess of the maximum.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he has insisted that Cammell Laird Limited and Lex Garages Limited should limit the increase in their distributions to shareholders to 3½ per cent., while approving increases in distributions of 30 per cent. by William Craine (Holdings) Limited, and of more than 4 per cent. by Burmah Oil Ltd.

There were no exceptional circumstances in the cases of Cammell Laird Limited and Lex Garages Limited to justify an increase in excess of 3½ per cent. The Treasury has had no direct communication with William Craine (Holdings) Limited. The relevant distributions of Burmah Oil Limited did not exceed the 3½ per cent. limit.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking, in order to make more effective economic planning in Scotland, to provide separate financial statistics for Scotland for each sphere of Her Majesty's Government's responsibility.

The Digest of Scottish Statistics, published twice a year by the Scottish Statistical Office, covers much of the field. I have under consideration whether any improvement can be made in the coverage of the figures at present available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what total increase in revenue he expects per year as a result of the increase in purchase tax on drugs.

About £2 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of tax allowances in Scotland, England and Wales, respectively, made to house purchasers on mortgage interest, and on insurance premiums on life policies assigned in connection with the mortgages obtained, respectively.

I would refer the hon. Member to my Answer to her on 31st January. The amount of life assurance relief on assurance policies assigned in connection with mortgages is not known.—[Vol. 757 c. 368.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the car allowance paid to Members of Parliament for journeys from Westminster to their homes, and from their homes to their constituencies is taxable, in view of the fact that the user of train for these journeys is thus at an advantage; and if he will make a statement.

The treatment of the allowance to which my hon. Friend refers follows the ordinary rule that a cash allowance paid to an office holder or employee in respect of travel between his home and place or work is subject to tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total cost to the Inland Revenue department of issuing its revised notices of coding. together with the printing of the explanatory form, to all those in receipt of family allowances under the recent increases.

About £½ million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the light of the recent economic crisis, he will give a direction to all Government Departments to publish proposals for improving their control of Departmental public expenditure.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of the fact that the monthly gold figures in their present form are inadequate and misleading, if he will give the Bank of England instructions to issue the figures in a new and simplified form that will reveal the nation's true reserves, and also its current and long-term liabilities.

Figures of reserves and liabilities are published regularly, and an estimate of total overseas assets and liabilities is included in the Annual Pink Book.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied that the limit of the United Kingdom's ability to borrow abroad has now been reached; what representations he has received from foreign central banks on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

Our policies are aimed at a net surplus in the balance of payments which would enable us not only to avoid the need for any further borrowing but to repay our outstanding debts. I have not received any representations of this sort from foreign central banks, for whose co-operation and support I am grateful.

asked the Secretary of State far Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the outcome of the discussions with the Governments concerned arising from the decision to withdraw British forces from East of Suez.

There have been diplomatic consultations between the Governments of Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore, and these have led to agreement to convene a Five Power Conference in Kuala Lumpur on 10th June.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made in discussions leading towards a defence agreement with Malaysia and with Singapore.

I have nothing to add to the replies which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member on 6th February and to the hon. Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) on 5th March.—[Vol. 758, c. 77; Vol. 760, c. 226.]

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what are the rates of Income Tax now applicable in Gibraltar; and how much Income Tax a married man, with two children of school age, on an income of £1,000 per annum will pay in 1968–69.

The standard rate of Income Tax for the year 1968–69 is 5s. in the £.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what is the present level of Corporation Tax in Gibraltar.

Corporation Tax has not been introduced in Gibraltar.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what is the present level of Capital Gains Tax in Gibraltar.

Capital Gains Tax has not been introduced in Gibraltar.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what are the present rates of excise on tobacco, wines and spirits in Gibraltar.

There are no excise duties on tobacco, wines or spirits in Gibraltar.Import duties, however, are chargeable on these commodities as follows:Personal rates per £ of taxable income are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what is the present level of Corporation Tax in the Falkland Islands.

There is a company tax of 5s. 9d. in the £ with an additional profits tax of 2s. in the £.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what are the rates of Income Tax now applicable in the Falkland Islands; and how much Income Tax a married man with two children of school age will pay on an income of £1,000 per annum in 1968–69.

The following are the rates of tax applicable in the Falkland Islands.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what is the approximate per capita contribution of the citizens of Gibraltar to United Kingdom defence costs.

The citizens of Gibraltar do not contribute directly to United

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs, what is the present level of Capital Gains Tax in the Falkland Islands.

There is no Capital Gains Tax.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what are the present rates of excise on tobacco, wines and spirits in the Falkland Islands.

There is no excise duty on tobacco, wines and spirits, but the following import tariffs apply:Kingdom defence costs. The Gibraltar Government, however, make an annual contribution towards the costs of the Gibraltar Regiment, equivalent to 5s. 5d. per head of the population.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what is the approximate per capita contribution of the citizens of the Falkland Islands to the United Kingdom defence costs.

The people of the Falkland Islands do not contribute directly to the defence costs of the United Kingdom, but the approximate per capita contribution by the people to maintain the Islands' Volunteer Defence Force is about 32s.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) if he will publish the correspondence between Her Majesty's Government, the President of the United States of America and the President of Guatemala, relevant to the proposed change of status of the Crown Colony of British Honduras;(2) what stage has been reached in the negotiations between Her Majesty's Government, the President of the United States of America and the President of Guatemala concerning the future of the Crown Colony of British Honduras.

I have nothing to add to the statement which my right hon. Friend made on this subject yesterday.—[Vol. 763, c. 798–801.]

asked the Secretray of State for Foreign Affairs, if he will take steps to convene an international conference to consider ways and means of limiting the supply of arms to countries with internal strife.

No. We would willingly support any feasible measures for the limitation of arms supplies but such a conference would not be effective without the co-operation of all the leading arms exporting countries and unfortunately there is no indication that this support would be forthcoming.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by whom the United Kingdom is represented at the Human Rights Conference under United Nations auspices in Teheran.

The United Kingdom is represented at the International Conference on Human Rights in Tehran by myself, Mr. Evan Luard M.P., Sir Samuel Hoare (the United Kingdom representative on the United Nations Commission on Human Rights) and two officials of Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service.

asked the Postmaster-General whether in consultation with the local planning authority, he has now found an alternative site for the new telephone exchange which was to have been built on the site of St. Peter's Church, Regents Square, W.C.1.

Two possible alternative sites are being considered by the Ministry of Public Building and Works, as agents of the Post Office, in consultation with the local planning authority.

asked the Postmaster General when he expects to overcome the arrears of applicants waiting for telephones in Bellshill; and if he will make a statement.

Additional equipment is expected to be installed in late autumn this year; all waiting applicants will then he given service.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) what is the total number of public telephones installed on platforms used by the public in British Railways stations, excluding telephones in the public concourse areas;(2) what is the ratio of installed public telephones on platforms used by the public in British Railways stations to the total number of platforms so used, excluding telephones in the public concourse areas;(3) if he will ensure that public telephones are installed on British Railways stations at which all staff are withdrawn before the arrival of the last train or trains serving such stations;(4) what special steps are taken to ensure a high rate of serviceability of public telephones installed in British Railways stations.

There are about 3,000 kiosks on railway property but we do not keep records centrally of the sizes of the railway stations concerned. When considering the provision of kiosks at railway stations or elsewhere all relevant public needs are taken into account.Kiosks at railway stations are inspected regularly and emergency attention is given to any which are reported faulty. Daily inspections are made at London, and other large termini, but less frequently elsewhere.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) how long the present 4d. letter, posted in London at 4 p.m. on a Monday, takes to be delivered in Perth, Blairgowrie, Coupar Angus, Alyth, Abernethy, Kirkmichael, Perthshire, Enochdhu, Invergowrie, Glenfarg, Glenshee, and Path of Condie, respectively;(2) how long the new 4d. letter, posted in London at 4 p.m. on a Monday, will take to be delivered in Perth, Blairgowrie, Coupar Angus, Alyth, Abernethy, Kirkmichael, Perthshire, Enochdhu, Invergowrie, Glenfarg, Glenshee, and Path of Condie, respectively;(3) how long the new 5d. letter, posted in London at 4 p.m. on a Monday, will take to be delivered in Perth, Blairgowrie, Coupar Angus, Alyth, Abernethy, Kirkmichael, Perthshire, Enochdhu, Invergowrie, Glenfarg, Glenshee, and Path of Condie, respectively.

At present 4d. letters posted in London at 4 p.m. should be delivered on Tuesday, except at Enochdhu, Glenshee and Kirkmichael, where delivery should be made on Wednesday. I am looking into the question of whether delivery can be made on Tuesday at these three places. The new 5d. letter should get the same service. The new 4d. letters should be delivered at most of the places named on Wednesday, but for a few it will be Thursday.

asked the Postmaster General at what time on a Monday the new 5d. letter will have to be posted in Perth, Blairgowrie, Coupar Angus, Alyth, Abernethy, Kirkmichael, Perthshire, Enochdhu, Invergowrie, Glenfarg, Glenshee, and Path of Condie, respectively, to ensure delivery in London on Tuesday morning; when the new 4d. letter posted at these times will be delivered; and when the present 4d. letter is delivered if posted at these times.

New 5d. letters for London posted at the undermentioned places and times on a Monday should be delivered on Tuesday morning. This is the service due to be given at present to 4d. letters. From 16th September, 1968 4d. letters posted on Monday at these places and times for London should, as far as we can see at the moment, be delivered on Wednesday.

asked the Prime Minister, whether, to ensure that hon. Members are able to serve the House of Commons to the utmost capacity, he will move to increase the number of specialist committees including, in particular, defence, foreign affairs and research into industrial expansion.

My right hon. Friend will know that the number of specialist committees has been considerably increased in recent years. I understand that for this year, however, we are near the limit of the number of committees which the resources of the House will support.

asked the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his opening speech to the Central Treaty Organisation Conference.

I did so on 23rd April.

asked the Prime Minister why the Cabinet Office staff has increased from 379 at a cost of £474,500 in 1963–64 to 484 at a cost of £809,000 in 1968–69; and, in view of his policy of economising on these types of expenditure, what action he has taken, or proposes to take, to reduce the staff and expenses of the Cabinet Office.

It is the Government's policy to strengthen the central machinery of co-ordination and to provide, in particular, an improved statistical basis for decision-making. The staff of the Cabinet Office, which, of course, includes the Central Statistical Office, has been increased in pursuit of this policy; and I have no proposals for reducing it.

asked the Prime Minister if he will introduce legislation to provide that the appointment to the office of Lord Chancellor should not be affected by colour or religious persuasion; and if he will make a statement.

I am not aware that qualification for appointment as Lord Chancellor is affected by either colour or religious persuasion, save that there is apparently some doubt whether the legislation abolishing disabilities imposed on Roman Catholics has been entirely effective in the case of the Lord Chancellor. There might well be some advantage in resolving this doubt, but I am not persuaded of any immediate need for legislation. It is always open to a private Member to introduce such a Bill if he wishes to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many British military personnel are seconded as advisers to the Nigerian Federal Government; and at what cost to public funds.

None.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration has been given by the Agricultural Wages Boards in England and Wales regarding the introduction of British Standard Time.

I understand that the Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales has not had occasion to consider this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the suspected case of foot-and-mouth disease in Scotland has been confirmed; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.This suspected case was shown to be negative and all restrictions have been withdrawn.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what requests have been received from the Birmingham Local Education Authority for schools to be designated as priority schools in which the teachers may receive the extra £75 per annum agreed to by the Burnham Committee.

Local education authorities have been asked to submit by 15th May their recommendations for schools to be designated as schools of exceptional difficulty for extra salary purposes. We have not yet received the request from Birmingham.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will set up an independent inquiry to evaluate the success of the methods of Mr. M. Duane, the former headmaster of Risinghill Comprehensive School, with a view to their wider adoption.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he received the submission of the Birmingham Local Education Authority in response to Circular 10/65; and whether this submission is in conformity with the criteria laid down in that circular.

On 11th April. I cannot comment upon it until I have had time to study it carefully.

asked the Lord Privy Seal when the new design of House of Commons stationery will become generally available to Members, following the period of experimental issue.

Members are at present being asked whether they approve of the new design of House of Commons stationery, and a final decision will be taken in the light of these answers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British visas were issued in countries in Eastern Europe in the past year; how many applications for British visas in these countries were refused in the same period; and what was the average length of time between the date of application and the granting or refusal of these visas.

In the 12 months ended 31st March, 1968, 43,157 visas for the United Kingdom were granted in Eastern European countries and 336 applications

asked the Minister of Labour what increase in the Index of Retail Prices she estimates will result from the other price movements, apart from those resulting from devaluation or tax changes announced in the Budget.

There will be some other price increases apart from those due to devaluation and tax changes but all proposed increases will be rigorously scrutinised against the prices criteria of Cmnd. 3590. It is not customary to publish detailed forecasts of prices.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the increases in the Index of Retail Prices for nationalised industries, for food, for housing, for fuel and light, for durable household goods, for clothing and footwear, for transport and vehicles, for miscellaneous goods, for services and for all items in the Index since October, 1964, since July, 1966, and since November, 1967, respectively, to the latest convenient date.

The percentage increases were as follows:

asked the Minister of Labour what estimate she has made of the cost in money terms of the increase in the Index of Retail Prices since October, 1964, since July, 1966 and since November, 1967, respectively, to persons over 65 years of age with weekly incomes under £5, over £5 but under £10, over £10 but under £15, and all households where the head of the household is aged 65 years or over.

I regret this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will give the numbers and proportion of employees eligible for regional employment premium payments, and the number and proportion of employees in the service industries in each of the employment exchange areas for Hawick, Annan, Dumfries and Galashiels.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will give the numbers and proportion of employees eligible for regional employment premium payments, and the number and proportion of employees in the service industries in each of the employment exchange areas for Fort William, Inverness,

asked the Minister of Power what was the total number of persons employed in the gas industry as at 31st March, 1968.

End March figures are not yet available. There were 123,431 persons employed at 29th February, 1968.

asked the Minister of Power if he will list the smokeless fuel plants operated by the National Coal Board together with their capital cost and the

Only very broad estimates of the numbers of employees in individual industries in local areas can be provided. The estimates are likely to understate slightly the proportion of employees in service industries and overstate the proportion in manufacturing.The following table gives the estimated numbers in manufacturing industries and in tax-bearing industries; the manufacturing figures do not correspond exactly with the numbers in establishments eligible for regional payments, of which figures are not available for local areas. The estimates are rounded to the nearest hundred and relate to June, 1966, which is the latest date for which local estimates are available.amount of fuel sold over the last 12 months.

Detailed figures on individual plants are a matter for the National Coal Board and I have asked the Chairman to write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works, under whose instructions, and for what purposes, the official motor car, number SMT 970 F, left New Palace Yard at speed at about 12.20 a.m. on 25th April, 1968.

This car is allocated to the Secretary of State for Defence, and was taking him home from a sitting of the House. I understand that it left New Palace Yard at a normal speed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prisoners in Scottish jails have turned down release under the new parole scheme.

59 prisoners and young offenders in Scotland who have qualified for consideration for parole, or will qualify by 30th June, have asked to be excluded from the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will seek to convene a meeting of all overspill receiving authorities with a view to providing housing for those who are living in damaged slum property in Glasgow.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of places, in primary and secondary schools, respectively, which were represented by the figures of school building approvals, starts and com-

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he will now authorise the supply of disposable

I do not think that this would help. I understand that Glasgow Corporation has already re-housed all those whose houses were rendered uninhabitable by the storm.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration has been given by the Agricultural Wages Board in Scotland regarding the introduction of British Standard Time.

I understand that the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board has not formally considered this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, what was the amount of expenditure represented, in primary and secondary schools, respectively, by school building approvals, starts and completions, in the first quarters of 1966, 1967 and 1968, respectively.

The information is set out in the table below:pletions, in the first quarters of 1966, 1967 and 1968, respectively.

The information is set out in the table below:syringes and needles for general dental practitioners in Scotland.

I am still considering representations that such arrangements should be introduced.

asked the Minister of Technology, if he will take steps to set up an advanced institute of technology in the northern highlands.

I doubt whether such a proposal would be feasible in present circumstances. Research within industry may well bring greater and speedier benefits than the setting up of such an institute.

asked the Minister of Technology, whether he will now set a definite date by which industry should complete its transfer to the metric system, so that plans can be made within a known time scale.

It is not the Government's function to impose a final date for metrication in industry as a whole but to support each industrial sector in carrying out the conversion programme and time-scale which it adopts for itself as being most appropriate to its needs and resources. These programmes are devised after extensive consultation, through the co-ordinating machinery of the British Standards Institution. That for the construction industry was published last year. The programme for the general engineering sector is in the last stages of consultation and should be published shortly, followed later in the year by those of the electrical and shipbuilding industries. It is still the assumption of both Government and industry that the metric system will become the primary system used in industry by 1975.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, of the establishments employing 93,000 persons set up since 1945 by non-Scottish manufacturing companies, how many of the companies are English companies, United States companies and companies of other countries, respectively; and if he will break down the 93,000 into constituencies.

About 320 establishments in manufacturing industry, now estimated to employ about 100,000 people, have been set up in Scotland by non-Scottish firms since 1945. Of these about 80 have been set up by United States firms, about 20 by other overseas firms and the rest are of English or Welsh origin. I regret that the information requested in the latter part of the Question is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many square feet of office development he has approved in Bedford and Wellingborough, respectively, during the past two years.

Since the office control was extended to Bedford and Wellingborough on 21st July, 1966, the area approved in Wellingborough has been 36,000 square feet. In Bedford, one office development permit has been issued, but as the scheme has not been completed, I am not at liberty to give the area because of the risk of disclosure of an individual firm's intentions. Since 27th July, 1967, permits have not been required in Bedford and Wellingborough for areas not exceeding 10,000 square feet.