asked the Minister of Technology if he will now take steps to utilise and extend the work of Dounreay Experimental Station in such a way as to provide for the generation of power for production purposes by the industrial factories and businesses in the city of Aberdeen.

My hon. and learned Friend will be glad to know that the Dounreay Experimental Fast Reactor has already supplied some 200 million kilowatt hours of electricity to the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board for consumption by Scottish consumers. When the prototype fast reactor comes into operation in 1971, Dounreay's generating capacity will be greatly increased.

asked the Minister of Technology how much motor vehicle imports have increased in number and value since devaluation; why these imports have not decreased; and what steps he is taking to make devaluation work in this respect.

Total vehicle imports in the four months December 1967 to March 1968 were 46,560 valued at £22,914,000. This compares with 26,864 vehicles, valued at £12,233,000, in the corresponding months of last year. The increase is attributed to the strong consumer demand for all types of vehicles in recent months, and to stock-piling by foreign manufacturers, in anticipation of the Budget. Imports in March although still at a high level, were less than in February, and I am hopeful that from now on the greater competitive power of home-produced vehicles, as a result of devaluation, will reduce the demand for imports.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will state the estimated safe ratio of home orders to export orders for heavy electrical generating plant in order to maintain competitive tendering in overseas markets, adequate up-to-date operating experience and progressive research and development; and whether he estimates that that ratio will be sustained in the next three-year period.

The ratio of home to export orders in this sector is dependent on irregular large contracts and therefore varies widely. Any generalisation unrelated to the profitability of particular markets must be misleading especially at a time of improving export achievement.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will give an assurance that Government subsidies will not be involved in the Rolls-Royce contract to supply jet engines to the United States of America; and if he will make a statement.

As my right hon. Friend said in his statement on 1st April, the launching aid which the Government has agreed in principle to grant for the R.B.211 will be in accordance with normal practice. The aid is not a subsidy since it is recoverable over sales of the engine and was reflected in the price Rolls-Royce quoted.—[Vol. 762, c. 44–9.]

asked the Minister of Technology what research he is now conducting into the development of zinc-air and other types of advanced battery systems; what is his Department's budgeted expenditure on this work for the year 1968–69; and if he will make a statement on the performance achieved so far and the expected performance to be realised as a result of the current work.

The Department's provision for extramural support in 1968–69 is £210,000 and there has been little change in the systems covered from the information that was circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT on 28th February, 1967. In addition work is being supported by the National Research Development Corporation. This sum includes initial expenditure under a three-year contract now being negotiated for the commercial development of a zinc-air traction battery. It is not possible to evaluate in general terms the prospects of the Department's wide-ranging and continuing programme. In the traction field I can say that while progress is generally encouraging, a number of years' work is likely to be needed before valid judgments of the prospects can be made.—[Vol. 742, c. 221–2.]

NUMBER AND DESTINATION OF BRITISH MANUFACTURED TELEVISION SETS EXPORTED—1968
			January	February	March	Total
Malta	…	…	100	—	71	171
Cyprus	…	…	60	242	59	361
Ghana	…	…	1	9	1	11
Nigeria	…	…	—	1	—	1
Zambia	…	…	262	1	50	313
Kenya	…	…	—	22	13	35
Mauritius	…	…	105	30	—	135
Bahrain	…	…	—	26	12	38
India	…	…	6	8	9	23
Pakistan	…	…	150	82	124	356
Singapore	…	…	8	20	—	28
Hong Kong	…	…	765	1,406	900	3,071
Australia	…	…	—	1	—	1
New Zealand	…	…	19	6	3	28
Western Samoa	…	…	2	—	—	2
Fiji	…	…	1	—	—	1
Dominica	…	…	1	—	—	1
Irish Republic	…	…	49	36	275	360
Norway	…	…	—	3	517	520
Iceland	…	…	20	—	37	57
Denmark	…	…	—	—	29	29
Poland	…	…	—	2	1	3
West Germany	…	…	121	102	62	285
Netherlands	…	…	—	2	2	4
France	…	…	—	—	1	1
Switzerland	…	…	21	202	50	273
Portugal	…	…	2,523	1,130	1,432	5,085
Spain	…	…	2	1	—	3
Italy	…	…	—	—	2	2
Austria	…	…	78	66	121	265
Greece	…	…	187	179	43	409
Netherlands Antilles	…	…	10	—	10	20
French Guiana	…	…	—	—	1	1
Canary Islands	…	…	165	47	3	215
Egypt	…	…	2	—	—	2
Libya	…	…	—	1	—	1
Morocco	…	…	3	1	—	4
South Africa	…	…	—	1	—	1
Israel	…	…	2	62	51	115
South Yemen	…	…	—	8	—	8
Saudi Arabia	…	…	80	—	—	80
Kuwait	…	…	16	319	55	390
Iran	…	…	1	—	1	2
Japan	…	…	—	1	1	2
U.S.A.	…	…	4	1	—	5
Cuba	…	…	4	—	—	4
Peru	…	…	12	—	—	12
Argentine	…	…	—	1	—	1
Paraguay	…	…	1	—	—	1
Congo	…	…	—	—	5	5
TOTAL	…	…	4,781	4,019	3,941	12,741

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a further statement on the support being accorded to the European Airbus project and the

asked the Minister of Technology how many British manufactured television sets were exported in the months of January, February and March 1968; and to which countries they were exported.

:nature of the delays which are being encountered.

The airframe and engine companies involved have just submitted reports on the work done up to the end of last month in conjunction with interested airlines. Recent design changes have involved some delay in the firms' final costing, but I expect to receive the outstanding information this month. This is a most important project and the Government are doing all in their power to make it a success.

asked the Minister of Technology what assurances he has had from the American authorities that they will launch a commercial or military satellite for Great Britain; and if he will make a statement.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 1966 under which the United States has agreed to launch two military communication satellites as part of the "Skynet" system. The United Kingdom has no requirement for a commercial communication satellite in respect of which such assurances could have been sought.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the programme for launchings of Black Arrow in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement.

The present schedule of launchings under the Black Arrow programme is as follows:

• 1st development launch (non-orbital), March 1969.
• 2nd development launch (orbital), late 1969.
• 3rd development launch (orbital), early 1970.
• 1st utilisation satellite, early 1971.

The programme beyond the launching of the 1st utilisation satellite has not yet been determined.

asked the Minister of Technology what money has been earmarked for the development of electric propulsion for satellites in each of the next five years.

As was said in answer to a Question from the hon. Member on 5th February, 1968, work on the development of electric propulsion is part of a broader programme, the Black Arrow programme, which is costing approximately £3 million a year. Much of the work on satellite technology also con- tributes to the development of electric propulsion and it is not possible to isolate work on electrical propulsion as such.—[Vol. 758 c. 25.]

asked the Minister of Technology if he will give an assurance that it is the Government's intention that Europa one and two launcher vehicles will be developed to operational status.

The European Launcher Development Organisation's programme—which is at present under review in the light of increased costs and the two failures of the French second stage—is a matter for the collective decision of its members. The position of the Government on ELDO was made clear in my statement to the House on 23rd April when I said that it had been decided not to undertake any additional financial commitments to the Organisation.—[Vol. 763, cc. 40–47.]

asked the Minister of Technology what he estimates to be the estimated cost of the purchase of a Europa launcher on the basis of an initial production run of 20.

The agreed arrangements within the European Launcher Development Organisation provide for the purchase by member States of Europa launchers on the basis of marginal costs only, i.e. excluding any element for amortisation of the very considerable costs of development and of capital facilities. On this basis the latest European Launcher Development Organisation estimate is £7 million per vehicle assuming a production run of five and launch at the rate of three per year. Since only one firm requirement is so far discernible (two launchers for the Franco-German "Symphonie"), no estimate on the basis of a production run of 20 has been made. It is not considered likely however that this would reduce the unit cost by more than 10 per cent.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the estimated capability of the launchers which will be the end product of the European Launcher Development Organisation programme by the time the programme ends in 1971.

By the end of 1971 the European Launcher Development Organisation plans to have completed the development of two launching vehicles Europa I and Europa II. Launched from the European Launcher Development Organisation's operational site under construction in French Guiana, the capability of Europa I is estimated to be 2090 lbs. into low equatorial orbit and that of Europa II 374 lbs. into geostationary orbit.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the estimated cost of the British contribution to the European Launcher Development Organisation in each year up to and including 1971.

On the basis of estimated European Launcher Development Organisation annual budgets, the United Kingdom liability for contributions is:—

1968	1969	1970	1971
million	million	million	million
£10·7	£10·1	£4·6	£2·2

asked the Minister of Technology if he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT an analysis showing how the £14 million saving arising from the withdrawal of Great Britain from the European Launcher Development Organisation project will be achieved.

The Government's decision is not to withdraw from the European Launcher Development Organisation, but to decline to undertake any new financial commitments to it. The United Kingdom share of the further ELDO programmes envisaged by the Causse Report was estimated to cost £8 million. The total saving quoted of £14 million included £2 million resulting from non-participation in the proposed T.V. relay satellite and £4 million from limiting the increase in scientific space expenditure.

asked the Minister of Technology what he estimates to be the estimated cost of the purchase of an American Atlas-Agena or Atlas-Centaur launcher, on the basis that it was available for launching a British commercial satellite.

In the absense of a United Kingdom national requirement for launchers of these types, no such discussions have been held with the United States authorities on this. However, estimates that have been made suggest the following:—

• Atlas/Agena—9–10 million dollars a launch.
• Atlas/Centaur—14–15 million dollars.

More appropriate vehicles for launching commercial satellites into geo-stationary orbit would be the Thor Delta, at approximately 5 million dollars and Titan III B/Agena, at approximately 10 million dollars.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will support the development of a British vertical take-off and lainding aircraft for inter-city transport within the United Kingdom having also prospects of sales to other European countries.

I am awaiting the outcome of the study that is being made by the Department, in consultation with other Departments concerned, the aircraft industry and airlines.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will state the imports of telecommunications equipment in each of the last three calendar years; and what are the reasons for the increase shown.

The information is given in the following table:

					Imports (£ million)
1965	…	…	…	…	2·72
1966	…	…	…	…	3·25
1967	…	…	…	…	5·14

It is difficult to isolate all the causes of the rise in imports but the major contributory factor seems to have been the rapid growth of home demand. Imports account for less than 5 per cent. of the home market and their share has not changed greatly over the last three years.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will give a list of shipyards and ship-repair yards to which he has authorised the Shipbuilding Industry Board to give grants or loans, respectively.

The following have been announced; loans of £5½ million to Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited together with grants in relief of interest payable on these loans up to the end of 1970; loans of up to £8 million to Harland and Wolff Limited; and the Shipbuilding Industry Board has with my approval agreed in principle to assist financially in the provision of facilities on the Tyne to build the large tankers on order there.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the talks with the Germans, Dutch, Italians, and Canadians about a collaborative project for a European multipurpose combat aircraft.

Discussions with possible partners are continuing but it is too early to make a positive statement on their outcome.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will support the proposals of the Advisory Committee to the European Space Conference for an experimental television relay satellite and a large astronomical satellite.

I have nothing to add to my statement of 23rd April.—[Vol. 763, c. 40–7.]

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a statement about the discussions with Australia concerning future British participation in the Woomera range.

I shall shortly be visiting Australia to discuss with the Australian Minister concerned the arrangements which will apply to the Woomera Range after 30th June, 1968, when the current arrangements expire. I cannot anticipate the outcome of these discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity, if she will give details of the cost of implementing equal pay.

This question is being studied by a joint group of officials of the Confederation of British Industries, the Trades Union Congress and my Department. The direct cost of implementing equal pay would depend on what definition is used. Rough estimates of the average direct cost for all industries together, without taking account of possible repercussions, have ranged from 3 to 6 per cent. of the wage and salary bill, though the cost in particular industries might be much greater and this is still under investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity, why the Government have not yet ratified International Labour Organisation Convention 100.

Convention No. 100 concerning equal remuneration for men and women workers has not yet been ratified because the present position in this country is not in complete conformity with its provisions. The Government fully accept the principle of this Instrument.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity, what consideration has been given, in her further consideration of the matter of equal pay, to the steps taken towards equal pay in the European Economic Community, details of which are in her possession.

My Department is kept continuously informed of arrangements made by the European Economic Community for implementing equal pay. These arrangements were examined by a joint group of officials from the Confederation of British Industry, the Trades Union Congress and my Department which has studied technical problems involved in introducing equal pay. The joint group is currently examining the implications for legislation of Article 119 of the Treaty of Rome.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity, if she will give a list of industries where women workers receive equal pay.

Equal pay applies to non-manual employment in the public sector including the non-industrial civil service, teaching, local government, the national health service and the nationalised industries. Equal pay also applies in a small number of cases elsewhere, but the information available is insufficient to allow a list to be given.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will give details of those industries where women receive the same increases in pay as men.

The extraction of this information would require a disproportionate amount of staff time because there are more than 500 nationally-determined arrangements relating mainly to manual workers and there are many thousands of basic or occupational rates, each of which may be affected by supplementary provisions for piecework, shift-work, premium rates and district differentials. It is not possible, therefore, to give the information in the form requested, but details of changes in basic rates of wages are included in the monthly publication "Changes in Rates of Wages and Hours of Work".

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many factory inspectors are concerned with day-to-day visiting of factories.

There are some 500 factory inspectors and all but a few stationed at headquarters are so concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity, what is Her Majesty's Government's policy regarding consultation with trade union representatives at factories by visiting factory inspectors.

The policy of Her Majesty's Government is that there should be close co-operation between the Factory Inspectorate and trade union representatives of persons working in factories. Inspectors are instructed that during general inspections they should see the elected representatives of the workpeople and give them an opporuntity of a private interview if they so wish.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Producivity whether she will seek powers to set up an institute of haute cuisine to provide industrial training in collaboration with the Hotel and Catering Industry Training Board.

No. It is the responsibility of the Training Board to consider the training requirements of the industry and to ensure that adequate facilities are provided.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will reconstitute the Hotel and Catering Industry Training Board in order to provide representation for small restaurateurs and small hoteliers.

No. One of the employer members of the Board is a smaller restaurateur and I am satisfied that the Board is aware of the problems of the smaller hotels and restaurants.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many young persons, including school-leavers, were unemployed in the Wearside area at the latest available date.

In the area covered by the Sunderland, Pallion, Southwick and Washington Employment Exchanges, 453 young persons were registered as unemployed at 8th April, 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the current waiting list for entry into Government training centres in the Northern Region.

On 8th April, there were 646 accepted applicants on the waiting list in Northern Region.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what steps are being taken to increase the re-training facilities in the Northern Region, especially to meet the needs of the increasing age-group 45 to 60 years; and whether she will make a statement.

Most of the retraining required is at operator level. It is best given by employers with the help of the Industrial Training Boards and of the Government grants which are available to assist such training in development areas. There has been a marked increase in applications for such grants from the Northern Region since the rates were doubled last October. Men in older age groups have the opportunity to train in Government Training Centres. In the Northern Region four new centres and extensions to present centres will raise the annual output of trained men from about 1,600 to about 3,400 by the end of 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether in her wage restraint policy, regard will be paid to regional differences in average earnings.

Regional variations in earnings are largely influenced by factors which lie outside the Government's incomes policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many men will be made redundant by the closure of Normand Limited (Park Royal Body Shop); how many of these are skilled craftsmen; what action is being taken to re-employ them locally; and if she will make a statement.

Fifty. Forty- six are skilled manual workers. Arrangements have been made for my officers to interview them at the factory, beginning on 13th May, to give them help and advice about alternative employment. Everything possible will be done to help them find other jobs.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the length of service to Messrs. Normand Limited of the men made redundant by the proposed closure due to be completed on 28th June.

Yes, following is the information:The length of service of the men to be made redundant by the proposed closure is understood to be as follows:—

			Number of men
Under 2 years	…	…	11
2–10 years	…	…	10
11–20 years	…	…	4
21–30 years	…	…	10
31–40 years	…	…	7
Over 40 years	…	…	8
			50

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity, what are the numbers who have registered with the Professional and Executive Register within the preceding three years with, if available, the length of time the names of individuals were on the register before receiving appointments.

There were 156,698 registrations during the three years ending 6th December, 1967. I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the question is not available, but the number of people still on the register at that date was 28,880 of whom about half were in employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity (1) what are the numbers employed in manufacturing industry, in all service industries and in the hotel and catering industry in all the employment exchange areas, and sub-areas listed in Schedule 17 to the Finance Bill, and in the Dunbar, North Berwick, Haddington, Tranent and Galashiels employment exchange areas or sub-areas;(2) what is the ratio of those employed in manufacturing industry to the total in employment in all the employment exchange areas and sub-areas listed in Schedule 17 to the Finance Bill, and in the Dunbar, North Berwick, Haddington, Tranent and Galashiels areas or subareas.

Following is the information:Only broad estimates of the numbers of employees in individual industries in local areas can be provided. The following table gives (a) the estimated numbers of employees (employed and unemployed) in manufacturing industries; (b) the percentage which this forms of the total of employees; (c) the estimated number of employees in the hotel and catering

ESTIMATED NUMBERS OF EMPLOYEES (EMPLOYED AND UNEMPLOYED) AT MID-1966 IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES (ORDERS III TO XVI OF THE STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION), CATERING, HOTELS, ETC. (MINIMUM LIST HEADING 884) AND IN SELECTIVE EMPLOYMENT TAX BEARING INDUSTRIES (ORDER XVII; MLH. 709 IN ORDER XIX; ORDER XX; ORDER XXI; MLH. 871; MLH. 873 AND MLH. 879 IN ORDER XXII; AND ORDER XXIII) AND THE PERCENTAGES THAT THOSE IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES FORM OF EMPLOYEES (EMPLOYED AND UNEMPLOYED) IN ALL INDUSTRIES AND SERVICES, IN EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AREAS LISTED IN SCHEDULE 17 TO THE FINANCE BILL AND CERTAIN OTHER AREAS
		Employees in Manufacturing Industry
		Number rounded to the nearest hundred	Percentage rounded to the nearest whole number	Number of Employees in Hotels, Catering, etc. Rounded to the nearest hundred	Number of Employees Tax-Bearing Industry Rounded to the nearest hundred
(a) In the Northern Development Area—
Alnwick	…	800	10	500	3,100
Amble	…	100	4	—	1,400
Barnard Castle Sub-Office	…	1,100	29	—	1,300
Berwick-on-Tweed	…	1,400	18	300	3,000
Cleator Moor	…	1,800	33	100	1,500
Cockermouth	…	1,600	37	100	1,500
Crook	…	3,700	41	100	2,200
Grange-over-Sands Sub-Office	…	100	4	200	900
Haltwhistle	…	1,000	34	—	800
Hexham	…	1,000	11	400	3,600
Kendal	…	6,300	31	1,500	8,200
Keswick	…	200	7	700	1,700
Malton	…	1,100	19	100	2,300
Middleton-in-Teesdale Sub-Office	…	Included in Barnard Castle
Millom	…	1,500	44	100	700
Morpeth	…	700	7	200	2,700
Northallerton	…	1,000	10	200	3,900
Penrith	…	2,000	19	600	4,300
Pickering	…	1,300	24	300	1,900
Prudhoe	…	800	24	100	1,000
Richmond	…	200	3	500	3,500
Scarborough	…	3,100	14	3,600	13,300
Thirsk	…	1,000	18	200	1,800
Ulverston	…	2,600	37	300	1,900
Whitby	…	400	8	500	2,500
(b) In the Scottish Development Area—
Banchory	…	100	4	400	1,300
Banff	…	400	10	100	1,500
Blairgowrie	…	1,200	23	200	1,900
Buckie	…	800	20	100	1,400
Campbeltown	…	600	14	200	1,800
Castle Douglas	…	800	13	300	2,200
Crieff	…	300	9	400	1,800
Dingwall	…	900	12	400	3,500
Dumfries	…	5,300	23	800	8,400
Dunoon	…	300	7	600	2,300
Elgin	…	2,800	22	500	5,300
Eyemouth	…	900	16	100	1,600
Forres	…	500	9	700	3,000
Fort William	…	1,900	29	500	2,900
Girvan	…	700	21	300	1,200
Helensburgh	…	700	12	300	3,600
Huntly (including Keith Sub-Office)	…	1,700	25	200	2,200

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what representations she has now received regarding threats or intimidation during the recent industrial dispute among transport drivers in Liverpool; and what action she proposes to take to prevent a recurrence.

Two organisations expressed concern about the use of threats and intimidation during the recent dispute, but I have had no reports from these or other sources of specific incidents. Any complaint of intimidation should be made to the appropriate chief officer of police.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many miners are unemployed in the Ashington district of Northumberland; and what steps her Department are taking to find new employment for them in the area.

At 8th April there were 351 men and 2 boys registered as unemployed at Ashington who were last employed in coalmining. My local officers are doing all they can to help them to find other work and offer training facilities where appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity, what is the ratio of the amount paid in regional employment premiums to all employers to the amount collected in Selective Employment Tax from all the employment exchange areas listed in Schedule 17 to the Finance Bill, and in the Dunbar, North Berwick, Haddington, Tranent and Galashiels areas or sub-areas.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the -Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate he has made of the increase or decrease

					Estimated increase (+) or decrease (-) in Population Year ended 30th June
					1965		1966		1967
Roxburghshire
Landward	…	…	…	…		-171		-330		-201
Hawick	…	…	…	…	+126		-48		+84
Jedburgh	…	…	…	…	-26		+31		+31
Kelso	…	…	…	…	+25		+84		+72
Melrose	…	…	…	…	+8		-12		+29
Total: Small Burghs	…	…	…	…		+133		+55		+216
Total: County	…	…	…	…		-38		-275		+15
Selkirkshire
Landward	…	…	…	…		-6		+16		-40
Galashiels	…	…	…	…	-217		+83		+14
Selkirk	…	…	…	…	-45		-46		-11
Total: Small Burghs	…	…	…	…		-262		+37		+3
Total: County	…	…	…	…		-268		+53		-37

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made by the working party which is considering the provision of community centres in new housing areas.

I think the hon. Member is referring to the Working Party of Corporation and Departmental officials which, as I told him in anwser to his Question on 31st January, was set up to examine how progress might be made in the provision of community facilities and the development of community activities in the new housing areas of Glasgow. It has been considering how, both in the short-term and in the long-term and within the resources likely to be available, more social and recreational facilities could be provided, especially for young people, in these areas. Much is already being done both by Glasgow Corporation and by voluntary bodies, but I understand that the Working Party hopes to be able to put forward some positive recommendations before long.—[Vol. 757, c. 303–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the proposed new scheme for rents of corpora-

As the answer involves a table of figures I shall, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.tion houses in Edinburgh has his approval.

As already announced, the Government propose to introduce legislation enabling me to direct local authorities to moderate increases which I regard as too high in present circumstances, and I shall be considering whether Edinburgh's scheme would involve such action.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what effect the cancellation of the European space satellites TD1 and TD2 by the European Space Research Organisation will have upon the future scientific programmes of that organisation; and whether the United Kingdom will continue to support an average increase of not more than 6 per cent. per annum of the 1968 European Space Research Organisation project.

The consequences of the cancellation for the future programme of E.S.R.O. are being considered—starting with the E.S.R.O. Scientific and Technical Committee which is meeting today. Our willingness to support an average increase of not more than 6 per cent. per annum from the level of the 1968 E.S.R.O. budget assumed continuation of the TD1/2 project. We must now await the outcome of the current examination.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what review he is undertaking in relation to the educational needs of areas with a high percentage of immigrants in their population.

A great deal of attention is being paid to the educational needs of these areas and discussions have recently taken place between officials of the Department and of local education authorities at a series of regional conferences. A number of authorities have already received additions to their teacher quota or extra minor works allocations.I hope that local authorities will make known to me their requirements in respect of additional buildings or extra teacher quota and I will give all possible help.My right hon. Friend the Minister of State and I are about to visit a number of areas where there are special problems in order to discuss their difficulties at first hand.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government, and to whom, in order to prevent Mr. Larry Farren, a South African amateur boxing champion, from taking part in the Police Boxing Championships at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday, 6th May; and why these representations have been made.

My right hon. Friend asked the Metropolitan Police Athletic Association Boxing Committee to withdraw the invitation to Mr. Farren because it is the Government's view that it would be inappropriate for bodies connected with official organisations in this country to maintain relations with representatives of official organisations in Rhodesia.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of Asian and African immigrants and their dependants who were allowed to enter this country during each of the last 10 years.

Particulars of the admission of Commonwealth citizens subject to control under the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962 are available in the annual statistics of Commonwealth immigration (published as Command Papers 2151, 2379, 2658, 2979, 3258 and 3594). These cover the period from 1st July, 1962, when the Act came into force, to 31st December, 1967. Earlier figures are not available. Monthly figures for 1968 are being placed in the Library of the House of Commons as they become available. If my hon. Friend will let me know of any additional information he needs, I shall be glad to send it to him if it is available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the report of the subcommittee inquiring into the work of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.

No sub-committee which my right hon. Friend has appointed is currently inquiring into the work of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. The hon. Member may have in mind however that a sub-committee of the Advisory Council on the Penal System is undertaking a study of the question of reparation by offenders; my right hon. Friend hopes to receive its report by the end of this year or early next year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now publish the rules governing identification parades conducted by the police.

The existing Home Office advice to chief officers of police on the conduct of identification parades has been publish I shall publish revised advice when consultations now in hand are complete.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will ask the Criminal Law Revision Committee to review the Vagrancy Acts of 1824 and 1838; and if he will also review the number and position of absolute criminal offences in the law.

The need for a review of the Vagrancy Acts, as part of the programme of criminal law reform, is being kept in mind, but I cannot yet say when it will be possible to undertake it. The Law Commission, with the help of a Working Party, is examining the general principles of the criminal law, including the place of strict liability therein.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order 1968 was not sent to local authorities until a few days before the operative date of 1st April.

The Order was laid before Parliament on 16th February and was subject to a negative resolution. The delay in sending copies to local authorities was due initially to the consideration given to questions raised in Parliament about it and later to heavy demands on Home Office distribution services at the time. I regret the delay and any inconvenience it may have caused to local authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether an application for an export licence for the Russell papers has now been received; and what action he proposes to take.

No application for an export licence has been received. Should an application be received, it will be subject to the normal procedure for such manuscripts as set out in the Notice to Exporters on the Export of Works of Art and Antiques dated 26th September, 1966, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are taken by his Department to ensure that arms exported under licence reach only their stated destination and are not resold.

Export licences for arms supplies are normally granted only in respect of orders placed by Governments or their accredited agents against genuine military requirements. In these circumstances, we have no reason to believe that arms do not reach their stated destination, and we do not place a restriction on their subsequent resale.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which of the European Free Trade Association countries concede preferential rates of duty on imports of cider, beer, wines or spirits produced in other European Free Trade Association countries; whether he will provide details thereof; and whether he will consider arranging for such preferences to be granted by the United Kingdom.

Ciders and wines are in Annex D to the E.F.T.A. Convention and are not, therefore, eligible for E.F.T.A. tariff treatment. But Denmark, Norway and Sweden allow certain categories of wine of E.F.T.A. origin to enter free of import duty.The treatment of alcoholic beverages of E.F.T.A. origin which are not in Annex D varies according to the type of beverage and the country concerned; all E.F.T.A. countries give preferences on some beverages. In some cases, the duty is regarded wholly as a revenue duty and no preference is accorded; in other cases, part of the duty has been declared a revenue duty and the remainder (the protective element) has been eliminated; in still other cases, the whole of the duty has been eliminated. In Portugal, which has a slow timetable of E.F.T.A. tariff reductions, beverages with a protective element in the duty have had 40 per cent. of this element eliminated. All the other E.F.T.A. countries also levy other duties and taxes at varying rates on alcoholic beverages.The United Kingdom gives no preferences on the alcoholic beverages in Annex

Tariff Heading	Rate of Duty
	Full			EFTA
22·03 Beer made from malt
(A) Of any description (other than mum, spruce, black beer, Berlin White beer or other preparations of a similar character, of an original gravity of 1200° or more) where the worts thereof were before fermentation of a gravity:	For every 36 gallons
	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
(1) of 1030° or less	10	8	8	9	8	8
(2) exceeding 1030° for the first 1030°	10	8	8	9	8	8
for every additional degree in excess of 1030°		8	0		8	0
(B) of the descriptions called or similar to mum, spruce, black beer, Berlin White beer or other preparations of a similar character, where the worts thereof were before fermentation of a gravity of 1200° or more.
22.09 Spirits (other than those of heading 22.08); liqueurs and other spirituous beverages; compound alcoholic preparations (known as "concentrated extracts") for the manufacture of beverages
(A) Liqueurs, cordials, mixtures, and other preparations in bottle entered in such a manner as to indicate that the strength in not to be tested:	per liquid gallon
	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
(1) if warehoused 3 years or more	23	6	0	23	2	6
(2) if not warehoused, or warehoused less than 3 years	23	8	0	23	4	6
(B) other spirits (including spirituous beverages having the character of spirits) and liqueurs:	Per proof gallon
	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
(1) of warehoused 3 years or more	17	5	3	17	2	9
(2) if not warehoused, or warehoused less than 3 years	17	6	9	17	4	3
(c) Other	10 per cent.			Free

The United Kingdom thus grants preference on imports of beer and spirits of E.F.T.A. origin but not on wines and cider. Changes in these arrangements are a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer.I shall be pleased to supply the hon. and gallant Member with details of duties in the other E.F.T.A. countries if he will let me know those which particularly interest him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has completed his review of the voluntary undertakings given to him by the oil companies in implementation of the Monopolies Commission's report on petrol.

After consulting all the parties having an interest in the supply of petrol to retailers and after carefully considering all the evidence brought to light in the review, I have decided, in D, that is on cider and wines. The protective elements in the duties on E.F.T.A. beers and spirits have been eliminated but the parts of the duties which are regarded as revenue duties are still levied. The rates of duty are as follows:consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Power that:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what, on the basis of information available to him, was the share of United Kingdom exports in Zambian and Malawi imports in each of the calendar years 1965, 1966 and 1967, and in South African imports in the calendar years 1958 to 1967.

The following is the information up to 1966. Data for 1967 are not yet available:

IMPORTS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL INCOME
					Per cent.
Zambia
1965	…	…	…	…	20·0
1966	…	…	…	…	22·1
Malawi
1965	…	…	…	…	25·3
1966	…	…	…	…	31·0
South Africa*
1958	…	…	…	…	33·8
1959	…	…	…	…	31·0
1960	…	…	…	…	28·4
1961	…	…	…	…	29·1
1962	…	…	…	…	30·3
1963	…	…	…	…	30·1
1964	…	…	…	…	28·6
1965	…	…	…	…	28·3
1966	…	…	…	…	27·7
* Excluding immigrants' effects, small value parcel post, and other items not allocated by country of origin.