asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will consider introducing legislation during the current session to alter the law governing the compensation payable for unfit property.

The Government's White Paper "Old Houses into New Homes", published on 23rd April, contains proposals on compensation for unfit property—particularly in paragraphs 44 to 51. Broadly, these will result in owner-occupiers of unfit property receiving compensation on a market value basis, and in higher payments for well-maintained tenanted property. Legislation on these lines is proposed as soon as Parliamentary time permits.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he will introduce legislation to implement the proposals contained in the White Paper, Old Houses into New Homes.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if, in view of its propsals for increased compensation for owner-occupiers of condemned properties, he will introduce legislation at an early date based on the Government's White Paper, New Homes for Old.

Now that the proposals have been announced, I think it desirable that there should be reasonable opportunity for consultation and discussion. This in itself will preclude legislation this Session, but I hope afterwards to introduce legislation as soon as the Parliamentary timetable permits.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will issue a circular advising local authorities to allocate dwellings on the basis of need only.

At my right hon. Friend's request, the Central Housing Advisory Committee has established a sub-committee to suggest rules or principles to be followed in allocating tenancies, and my right hon. Friend will issue any further guidance to local authorities as and when necessary.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he will take to provide housing land in compensation for houses which are demolished for trunk road building purposes in towns which are short of such land.

It is the Government's policy that sufficient land should be available for authorities to meet their housing needs, whatever be the origin of those needs. Where there are difficulties in reconciling various land uses, I am always glad to arrange discussions with the local authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many houses he estimates will be started this year, in 1969 and in 1970.

I expect the present high level of housebuilding to be maintained this year and in the years mentioned by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will call a conference with the building societies to discuss interest rates, liquidity ratios and working margins.

I keep in touch with the Building Societies' Association continuously. Liquidity ratios and working margins were fully investigated by the Prices and Incomes Board in 1966, and there is no need for a special conference.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if, in view of the Government's prices and incomes policy, he will take steps to freeze building society interest rates at 7⅛ per cent.

Building societies must pay interest on investments made with them at a rate which will attract sufficient funds. If they pay more for the money lent to them they cannot avoid charging more for the loans they make. If building society rates were frozen there would be a mortgage famine.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he proposes to publish the Report of the Sample Census of Old Houses.

Detailed findings of the sample survey are set out in the Appendix to the White Paper, Old Houses into New Homes (Cmnd. 3602), which was published on 23rd April.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what concessionary crownhold dispositions for the provision of housing are being made by the Land Commission.

None.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, whether he will take steps to make available repair grants to landlords of property which is still subject to rent control, in order to prevent so many of these properties falling into an unfit state each year.

The Government propose in their White Paper, Old Houses into New Homes, that some items of structural repair carried out when a house is being improved should rank for grant.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will introduce legislation to enable building societies and local authorities to acquire an equity share in the property they have advanced mortgages to borrowers to purchase.

No. I think we would need to study more deeply the effect it would have on the attractiveness of home ownership and the level of house prices.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what plans he has for assisting Crawley New Town with the expansion of its housing programme with a view to accommodating displaced workers from South-East London.

A special five-year housing programme has already been approved for Crawley in July, 1966.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, whether he will seek powers to lay down criteria to guide the members of Rent Tribunals in arriving at decisions on appeal against rents in furnished premises.

I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion for consideration when an opportunity arises for amending legislation in this field.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, following the Report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on Rents, what special assistance he will now give to local authorities facing deficits in their housing accounts, and who have major slum clearance programmes to finance.

Local authorities already receive much improved subsidies under the Housing Subsidies Act, 1967 towards the cost of their housing programmes. These subsidies were backdated for certain authorities with exceptional slum problems—including Sheffield.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that the high rates of interest paid by local authorities for housing loans are a major cause of high rents on council houses; and whether he will now fulfil the undertaking to provide a special low-interest charge for local council housing.

The Government have fulfilled the Labour Party's election pledge of 1964 to introduce a policy of lower interest rates for housing by the enactment of the Housing Subsidies Act, 1967. This enables local authorities to provide new housing at the low interest rate of 4 per cent.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what consultations he has had with the Building Societies Association about the nationalisation of the building societies movement.

None.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the amount paid in housing subsidies to the city of Manchester in each of the years 1961–62 to 1967–68 inclusive.

	1961–62	1962–63	1963–64	1964–65	1965–66	1966–67	1967–68
	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
General grant	7,398,421	8,013,875	8,978,627	9,272,742	10,531,184	11,261,573	—
Rate deficiency grant	Nil	Nil	1,075,451	927,732	957,194	905,548	—
Highways revenue grant*	28,941	39,740	103,812	71,465	55,587	60,541	—
School milk and meals	979,311	1,063,167	1,117,278	1,238,932	1,362,633	1,496,367	—
Rate support grant:
needs element	—	—	—	—	—	—	13,610,002
resources element	—	—	—	—	—	—	795,450
domestic element	—	—	—	—	—	—	220,995
Total	£ 8,406,673	9,116,782	11,275,168	11,510,871	12,906,598	13,724,029	14,626,447
*Estimated. Sources: Epitomes of accounts and Departmental records and grand claims.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what special steps are being taken to ensure that the new income levels at which rate rebates may be claimed are widely known among council tenants; and if he will list the new provisions in the Official Report.

My right hon. Friend will shortly be laying a draft Order prescribing higher income limits for rate rebate, which will require the approval of both Houses.When the Order has been approved, my right hon. Friend will arrange for national publicity about the new limits and he will ask local authorities to take complementary steps locally.

The following payments of housing subsidy were made to the city of Manchester in 1961–62 to 1967–68 inclusive:

Year				Amount
				£
1961–62	…	…	…	927,808
1962–63	…	…	…	1,033,276
1963–64	…	…	…	1,094,119
1964–65	…	…	…	1,432,594
1965–66	…	…	…	1,435,665
1966–67	…	…	…	1,523,806
1967–68	…	…	…	1,744,003

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what were the amounts paid by the Government to the city of Manchester in rate support grants, and their former equivalents, in each of the years from 1961–62 to 1967–68, inclusive.

The information is as follows:

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government which items he recommends a local authority not to charge against its housing revenue account; and if he will ask councils to exclude street lighting, children's playgrounds and interest charges on land bought and stored for future use from the costs to be borne exclusively by council house tenants.

My right hon. Friend will consider what guidance should be given to local authorities on these matters after the completion of consultations with the local authority associations on the Report of the Working Party on the Housing Revenue Account.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now take powers adequately to compensate house-owners whose properties are compulsorily acquired for the provision of new motorways.

Where property is compulsorily acquired for new motorways, compensation is assessed on the same basis as for other acquisitions. The White Paper "Old Houses into New Homes" announced the Government's intention to bring payments for owner-occupiers of unfit houses up to full market value.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will consider increasing the grant for the removal of dereliction in grey areas from 50 per cent. to the amount allowed in development areas, namely 85 per cent., in view of the amount of dereliction in parts of the Yorkshire and Humberside Region.

This grant under the Local Government Act, 1966, became effective only a year ago.The Hunt Committee will be reporting on grey areas and their findings may have a bearing on this matter but any proposal of this kind must be considered at present in the light of the need to restrain the growth of public expenditure. Meanwhile local authorities are being encouraged to draw up rolling three-year programmes in discussion with the Department's regional officers, who have been asked to give priority to schemes from grey areas.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what economic aid he makes available to local authorities in the old industrial areas, but excluded from development areas, to clear derelict buildings and land preparatory to economic development.

Under the Local Government Act 1966 grant at the rate of 50 per cent. is available to all local authorities towards the cost of clearing derelict, neglected or unsightly land, in- cluding derelict buildings. In addition, the balance of the expenditure on clearance may qualify for the resources element of the rate support grant.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a further statement on the betterment levy demanded by the Land Commission last year from Mr. E. E. Finnecy and Mr. J. Watling, both employed by the Atomic Energy Research Establishment at Harwell.

No. It is not desirable to give information on an individual's liability to betterment levy.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether the betterment levy concession that he made on 10th April applies to those who purchased land between 22nd September, 1965 and 6th April, 1967, both for residential and non-residential purposes.

No. As my right hon. Friend said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Test (Mr. R. C. Mitchell) on 10th April, the concession applies only to plots of land bought in this period for single houses.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if, in view of traffic hazards created by the opening of cafées and restaurants at focal points, he will re-examine the wording of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1963 (No. 708) Use of a Shop as a Café or Restaurant, which permits the use of a shop as a café or restaurant without planning consent; and if he will make a statement.

If my hon. Friend will let me have any evidence in his possession of the kind of difficulty to which he refers, I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he proposes to confirm the green belt between Birmingham and Coventry.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28th November, 1967, to the hon. Member for Bromsgrove (Mr. Dance).—[Vol. 755, c. 43.]

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what date has been fixed for the public inquiry into the proposed library and theatre project initiated by Bromley Council.

25th June.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what has been the value of ordnance survey sheets sold, the cost of production and the subsequent loss which has to be met

		ORDNANCE SURVEY—COSTS AND RECEIPTS
		(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)			(7)
		Total production costs, i.e. gross expenditure*	Receipts from sales of maps	Receipts from copyright and other mapping services	Total net expenditure ("subsidy")	Number of maps sold	Net expenditure ("subsidy") per map sold†			Col. (4) expressed as a percentage of Col. (1)
		£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	(thousands)	£	s.	d.	Per cent.
1965–66	…	5,499	691	1,035	3,773	2,835	1	6	6	69
1966–67	…	5,750	708	1,242	3,800	2,640	1	8	9	66
1967–68	…	7,174	741	1,664	4,769	2,710	1	15	3	66
1968–69 (estimated)	…	7,521‡	800	1,512	5,209	3,000	1	14	9	69
* Includes the cost of the national survey and its maintenance.
† Calculated on the notional basis that the total net expenditure relates solely to maps sold.
‡ Includes £525,000 in connection with the move of the Department to new offices in Southampton.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that developers are threatening private property owners with the use of the Land Commission's powers of compulsory purchase in order to facilitate purchases of land; and whether he will direct the Commission to withdraw their approval of this practice.

I am aware of reports to this effect. The Land Commission do not approve of this practice.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will introduce legislation to provide fair compensation to small shopkeepers on weekly tenancies whose premises are compulsorily acquired.

Tenants receive the full market value of their interest plus disturbance payments when their premises are compulsorily acquired. But, by subsidy in each of the last three years; and what figure is budgeted for this purpose during the current year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what has been the subsidy towards the manufacture of ordnance survey sheets, the total number of sheets sold and the average subsidy per sheet and percentage subsidy compared with the total cost of production, in each of the last three years.

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate a table in the OFFICIAL REPORT.Following is the table:as I have said before, we have received and are studying representations about compensation. These include the position of the small shopkeeper.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to make available loan sanction for the building of a sports centre in Huddersfield.

This scheme is in only the initial stages of preparation and it is too early to say when loan sanction might be given.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the average price per plot of land acquired by local authorities in 1964 and 1967, respectively.

The average price per dwelling of housing land for which loan sanction has been given to local authorities in England and Wales, in the calendar years 1964 and 1967, is estimated in broad terms to have been about £370 and £430 respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that since devaluation internal domestic prices have risen by less than 2 per cent., whereas import prices have risen by 9½ per cent.; how much longer he anticipates this trend will continue; and what steps he is taking to avoid another devaluation.

As imports account for only a small proportion of the goods and services entering into the retail prices index, firs disparity is hardly surprising. On the last and somewhat disparate point, I have nothing to add to my speeches in the House on 17th January and 19th March and 25th March last.—[Vol. 756, cc. 1789–1805; Vol. 761, cc. 251–322; Vol. 761, cc. 1036–1046.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will undertake not to oppose an increase of 11 per cent. in total distributions to shareholders by Cliffords' Dairies Limited;(2) if he will give an undertaking not to oppose a 33 per cent. increase in total distributions by Mentmore Manufacturing Limited.

Both companies' final dividends were the subject of formal public recommendations made by the Boards of Directors prior to 19th March, and are therefore regarded as firm commitments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what criterion he acts in selecting the places in Scotland to which Selective Employment Tax is to be applied; why it is to be imposed on the city of Aberdeen; and, in view of the damage which will be caused to trade and industry and employment in that city, if he will take steps to exempt North-East Scotland from payment of the tax.

If my hon. and learned Friend is referring to the proposals for relieving the hotel trade in certain rural parts of development areas from effective liability to Selective Employment Tax, the answer is that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer explained the criteria for selection in his speech on the Second Reading of the Finance Bill. On the basis of these criteria neither the City of Aberdeen nor North East Scotland as a whole would appear to qualify for relief. These matters are, of course, being considered by the Standing Committee on the Finance Bill.—[Vol. 763, c. 254–5.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will reconsider his decision not to exempt market towns such as Berwick-upon-Tweed situated in development areas, from paying Selective Employment Tax.

I have been asked to reply.The Selective Employment Tax is collected uniformly throughout Great Britain. I am proposing to refund the tax in respect of employment in hotels in certain parts of the development areas, which include Berwick-upon-Tweed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will undertake not to oppose a 50 per cent. increase in aggregate distributions to shareholders by Tomatin Distilleries Limited.

The dividend recently recommended by this company does not exceed the level of the preceding year after adjustment to take account of the difference in lengths of accounting periods.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an undertaking not to oppose an 8½ per cent. increase in total distributions by Advance Electronics Limited, accompanied by a one-for-five scrip issue.

The company consulted the Treasury on both points which had been the subject of formal public recommendations by the Board of Directors before 19th March. They are, therefore, regarded as firm commitments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will undertake not to oppose an increase in total distributions to shareholders from reduced profits by Mark Lane Limited;(2) if he will undertake not to oppose a 38 per cent. increase in total distributions to shareholders by Clover, Croft and Slater Limited.

If the companies wish to propose increases in total distributions, I will consider all the relevant circumstances.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he approved a 25 per cent. increase in aggregate distributions to shareholders by Telephone Rentals Limited.

The company was committed to an annual dividend rate of 26 per cent. by the terms of an offer made to shareholders of another company before 19th March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what effect the Budget increase has had on the consumption of Scotch whisky in the United Kingdom.

It is too early to discern the post-Budget pattern of consumption of Scotch whisky in the United Kingdom.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total of sterling balances held on behalf of the Reserve Bank of Rhodesia at the time of the Unilateral Declaration of Independence and at the end of each subsequent calendar quarter.

It is not the practice to disclose the sterling holdings of residents of other countries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sources of statistical information are available to the Govern- ment to establish the level of public expenditure proposed in the 1968–69 fiscal year on imports as a result of spending by Departments on imported semifinished and finished manufactured goods.

Statistics of expenditure on Government purchases from abroad are not available in advance since the placing of orders depends on a variety of factors including the domestic and international requirements of tendering procedures.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to establish a direct air link between the Falkland Islands and Chile.

There is no airfield in the Falkland Islands, but the Governor is examining a possible site on which the Board of Trade are being asked to provide technical advice.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what communications he has received from the Australian and New Zealand Governments about the future of the Falkland Islands; and if he will make a statement on the discussion he has held with the representatives of these Governments on this subject.

No communications about the Falkland Islands have been received from the Australian or New Zealand Governments nor has the subject been discussed with them.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to establish a tanning factory in the Falkland Islands; and if he will make a statement.

None. No request has been received from the Falkland Islands to do this.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what discussion he has had with the Falkland Islands Government about establishing a canning factory for pet foods in the Islands; and if he will make a statement.

No approach has been made to me on this subject by the Falkland Islands Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what further steps have been taken during the last month to protect the rights of the people of Gibraltar to decide their own future government.

We have continued the process of consultation with the Gibraltar Government in preparation for the constitutional discussions in Gibraltar in June. To this end the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister are at present visiting London.

asked the Minister of Health why the sum of £50,000 was accepted from company A in respect of the delay in negotiating the provision of medicines for the National Health Service as referred to in paragraph 27 Civil Appropriations Accounts 1966–67, in the light of the estimated saving of £466,000 in the year 1968 on prices which had prevailed each year since 1962.

I accepted the payment as one part of a compromise settlement; there had been a number of interim price reductions relating to this company's products between 1962 and the end of 1967.

asked the Minister of Health if the negotiations with company A, providing the National Health Service with pharmaceutical products, announced in paragraph 27 of the Report on Civil Appropriation Accounts 1966–67 have yet been completed.

No.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the Government's policy to guard the poorest from the effects of rising prices, he will take steps to increase the invalid chair allowance to cover the increased price of petrol.

No.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will approve the extension of the incentive bonus homes scheme for building craftsmen, successful at Manchester Royal Infirmary, to other hospitals in the Manchester region.

The Manchester Royal Infirmary scheme is experimental and has not yet been evaluated. I am, however, encouraging hospital authorities generally to recruit Work Study Officers with a view to the introduction of similar schemes based on proper work study. The Manchester Regional Hospital Board are proposing to introduce a pilot scheme as part of a wider experiment in the Ashton, Hyde and Glossop Hospital Management Group. They are also considering in the light of the experience at the Manchester Royal Infirmary whether they can reduce the time needed to introduce new schemes.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on his proposals for extending the application of incentive bonus schemes to building trade operatives employed in the hospital service.

There are three experimental schemes at various stages of development and I have agreed to the introduction of six more. The sites for two of these have been selected and the rest are under consideration. I have asked hospital boards to expand their work study forces as quickly as possible with a view to the introduction of schemes relating pay to productivity in all manual occupations, including building maintenance work.

asked the Minister of Health (1) how many coloured immigrants were recruited to British hospitals services under his Department from African states during each quarter over the last 10 years;(2) how many coloured immigrants were recruited to British hospitals services under his Department from East and West Pakistan during each quarter over the last 10 years.

Information is not available in the form requested but I will,

Information is available about certain nursing and midwifery staff and medical staff as follows:—
Table A
NUMBERS OF PRE-REGISTRATION STUDENT NURSES, PUPIL NURSES AND PUPIL MIDWIVES (BORN IN COUNTRIES SHOWN) IN TRAINING IN NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE HOSPITALS IN ENGLAND AND WALES AT 31ST DECEMBER
	1961	1962	1963	1964		1965		1966
				(a)	(b)	(a)	(b)	(a)	(b)
African states (Commonwealth)	2 127	2,474	2,512	2,747	1,218	2,607	1,062	2,654	1,044
African states (outside Commonwealth)	Not available			143	76	152	81	149	68
Pakistan	38	34	35	69	17	54	17	41	11
(a)=Total.
(b)=Number included in (a) who were recruited while still in their country of origin.

	1961	1962	1963	1964	1965	1966
All nationalities at 30th September	*64,489	*67,172	65,566	65,740	68,159	71,504
* 1961 and 1962 figures include post-registration students not separately identifiable.

Table B
NUMBER OF MEDICAL STAFF IN THE GRADE OF SENIOR REGISTRAR WORKING IN NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE HOSPITALS IN ENGLAND AND WALES AT 30TH SEPTEMBER
	1963	1964	1965	1966	1967
Total staff	1,118	1,221	1,306	1,360	1,369
Staff born outside the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland	167	183	200	198	228

NUMBER OF MEDICAL STAFF IN THE GRADES BELOW SENIOR REGISTRAR WORKING IN NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE HOSPITALS IN ENGLAND AND WALES AT 30TH SEPTEMBER
	1963	1964	1965	1966	1967
Total staff	9,626	9,822	10,203	10,352	10,813
Staff born outside the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland	3,997	4,312	4,654	4,984	5,440
Notes:
(1) Information about individual country of birth is not available over the period.
(2) Locum staff and general practitioners holding hospital appointments are excluded.
(3) The grades below senior registrar are those of registrar, Junior Hospital Medical Officer, Senior House Officer and House Officer.

asked the Minister of Health (1) how many coloured immigrants were recruited to British hospitals services under his Department from India during each quarter over the last 10 years;(2) how many coloured immigrants were recruited to British hospital services

NUMBERS OF PRE-REGISTRATION STUDENT NURSES, PUPIL NURSES AND PUPIL MIDWIVES BORN IN INDIA AND WEST INDIES IN TRAINING IN NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE HOSPITALS IN ENGLAND AND WALES AT 31ST DECEMBER
			1961	1962	1963	1964		1965		1966
						(a)	(b)	(a)	(b)	(a)	(b)
India	…	…	142	216	198	249	68	323	85	222	68
West Indies	…	…	5,263	6,071	6,019	6,294	1,918	6,714	2,189	7,137	2,420
(a) = Total.
(b) = Number included in (a) who were recruited while still in their country of birth.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, since nearly the whole of the Abertillery constituency was designated as a special develop-

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to him earlier today.Such relevant information as I have about India and West Indies is:ment area, what action has been taken to provide new industry in the area; and how many new jobs have been created.

An i.d.c. has recently been issued for a new factory at Abercarn, but I cannot disclose details of an individual project. The Board of Trace are continuing to bring to the notice of all suitable firms seeking development area locations the facilities for development which Abertillery offers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what are the latest figures he has of the approximate total British investments, imports from, and exports to, the Republic of South Africa, Mozambique and Angola, and the rest of Africa, respectively.

The latest figures of the book values of British direct investments overseas are contained in Table 1 of the article "Book Values of Overseas Investment" in the Board of Trade Journal, 26th January, 1968, page vii. The latest figures of imports and exports will be found on pages 282–284, 286, 287 and 289–291 of the Overseas Trade Accounts for March 1968.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what was the estimated total cost to the balance of payments as a result of United Kingdom citizens visiting Spain on holiday and/or business last year.

About £40 million, excluding the overseas costs of transport to and from Spain, for which information is not readily available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, how many householders situated around Heathrow Airport have accepted the installation of sound proofing.

At 19th April, 1968 applications for grants had been received in respect of 1,099 dwellings, and approval had been given in respect of 1,050.

asked the Minister of Transport in view of the uncertainty over the future of British docks, and the lower efficiency of some as compared with their Continental rivals, if he will issue as a matter of urgency a White Paper on dock nationalisation; and whether it is still his intention to bring the new arrangements into operation by 1970.

I will make a statement on this subject as soon as I have completed my consideration of the views expressed in the consultations we have had with the many interests concerned.

asked the Minister of Transport when he intends to introduce legislation to deal with the financial structure of the Port of London Authority, in view of the fact that its annual debt is now £1;600,000, or £3,600,000 if depreciation replacement costs are included.

The Port of London Authority are an independent statutory body. The 1967 deficit was in part due to exceptional circumstances in that year, and the Authority are working to plans which should enable them to achieve viability within the next three years.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the estimated cost of providing accommodation for the additional service men and their families who will now be serving in the United Kingdom because of the reduction in defence commitments overseas.

We expect that these men and their families will be housed in existing accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will give the latest comparable and fully revised figures for the index of manufacturing production and output per operative hour in manufacturing industry, based on the averages of 1955=100, seasonally adjusted, from the first quarter of 1955 to the latest available quarter.

The figures required are shown below.

INDEX OF PRODUCTION AND OUTPUT PER OPERATIVE HOUR MANUFACTURING SEASONALLY ADJUSTED
1955=100
		Index of production Manufacturing	Output per operative hour in Manufacturing
1955–1st Quarter	…	97·8	98·1
2nd Quarter	…	99·3	99·6
3rd Quarter	…	100·6	100·6
4th Quarter	…	102·2	101·7
1956–1st Quarter	…	99·9	99·8
2nd Quarter	…	99·6	100·4
3rd Quarter	…	99·2	100·8
4th Quarter	…	99·3	100·8
1957–1st Quarter	…	100·7	102·3
2nd Quarter	…	101·7	103·0
3rd Quarter	…	103·2	104·5
4th Quarter	…	101·1	103·4
1958–1st Quarter	…	101·8	105·1
2nd Quarter	…	99·7	104·9
3rd Quarter	…	99·7	106·4
4th Quarter	…	100·5	108·1
1959–1st Quarter	…	101·5	108·8
2nd Quarter	…	105·1	111·0
3rd Quarter	…	107·1	111·7
4th Quarter	…	112·1	115·7
1960–1st Quarter	…	114·5	116·8
2nd Quarter	…	114·8	117·7
3rd Quarter	…	115·3	117·7
4th Quarter	…	115·7	118·5
1961–1st Quarter	…	115·7	119·0
2nd Quarter	…	116·0	119·0
3rd Quarter	…	115·6	119·1
4th Quarter	…	114·1	119·1
1962–1st Quarter	…	114·3	119·9
2nd Quarter	…	116·2	122·4
3rd Quarter	…	117·2	124·0
4th Quarter	…	115·4	124·0
1963–1st Quarter	…	114·9	125·0
2nd Quarter	…	118·7	128·2
3rd Quarter	…	122·8	131·6
4th Quarter	…	125·3	133·5
1964–1st Quarter	…	127·8	135·7
2nd Quarter	…	129·6	136·9
3rd Quarter	…	130·7	137·7
4th Quarter	…	132·2	139·1
1965–1st Quarter	…	134·2	141·8
2nd Quarter	…	133·6	141·1
3rd Quarter	…	134·0	142·6
4th Quarter	…	135·9	145·0
1966–1st Quarter	…	138·0	148·4
2nd Quarter	…	136·4	147·2
3rd Quarter	…	137·0	148·8
4th Quarter	…	133·3	148·6
1967–1st Quarter	…	134·5	152·4
2nd Quarter	…	134·0	153·6
3rd Quarter	…	134·0	154·3
4th Quarter	…	136·4	157·4

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will list, in detail, the amounts granted from public funds from his Department to Bristol Corporation for each financial year from 1962–63 to 1966–67.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give details of the amounts granted from public funds by his Department to Bristol Corporation for each financial year from 1962–63 to 1966–67.

The following sums were paid by my Department in respect of the school meals and milk service:

			£
1962–63	…	…	560,723
1963–64	…	…	585,600
1964–65	…	…	670,136
1965–66	…	…	715,905
1966–67	…	…	825,896

Exchequer assistance towards the cost of the education service was given through the General Grant paid by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give details of the number of students attending Bristol Technical College for the academic years 1962 and 1967, respectively.

The following table gives numbers of students by category of attendance:

		1962–63	1967–68
Full-time and sandwich	…	485	617
Part-time day	…	4,669	4,478
Evening only	…	1,968	1,712

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give details of the amounts currently being granted from public funds to the University Grants Committee for use in Bristol University and Bath University; and if he will give comparative figures for the financial years 1962–63 to 11966–67.

			Bristol University			Bath University
Financial Year			Recurrent	Capital	Total	Recurrent	Capital	Total
			£	£	£	£	£	£
1967–68	…	…	3,784,144	1,242,742	5,026,886	1,361,589	1,526,095	2,887,684
1962–63	…	…	1,628,819	1,609,360	3,238,179			*
1963–64	…	…	2,094,191	1,912,171	4,006,362			*
1964–65	…	…	2,549,917	2,683,691	5,233,608			*
1965–66	…	…	2,895,265	2,717,653	5,612,918	1,116,447	358,126	1,474,573
1966–67	…	…	3,363,719	1,654,650	5,018,369	1,240,233	545,096	1,785,329
* Bath University (formerly Bristol College of Science and Technology) was not included on the University Grants Committee's grant list until 1st April, 1965.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give details of the numbers of students attending Bristol University for the years 1962 and 1967, respectively.

The following table gives the figures:

			1962–63	1967–68
Undergraduates—
Full-time	…	…	3,095	4,676
Part-time	…	…	76	117
Postgraduates—
Full-time	…	…	582	896
Part-time	…	…	134	264
All students—
Full-time	…	…	3,677	5,572
Part-time	…	…	210	381

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what relations are covered by the term dependent in the context of immigrants permitted to apply for their dependants to join them in Great Britain; whether the applications are so framed as to enable him to state the numbers in each category of relationship; and what these numbers are.

The rules for the admission of dependants of Commonwealth citizens are set out in the published Instructions to Immigration Officers (Cmnd. Papers Nos. 3064 and 3566). They do not require a Commonwealth citizen resident here to apply for permission for his dependants to join him. But the statistics of Commonwealth immigration, published annually as White Papers and now placed in the Library of the House every month, give the numbers of dependent men, women and children admitted.

Grants paid on advice of the University Grants Committee have been as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now introduce a pilot scheme for police officers to wear name badges in place of numbers on their uniforms.

I shall shortly be discussing this suggestion with the Police Advisory Board and will write to my hon. Friend when I have considered the Board's advice.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applicants in the Orpington, Farnborough and Biggin Hill telephone exchange areas, respectively, are waiting for telephones; and what is the average waiting period in each case.

The figures at 31st March were:

Exchange		Number of waiting applicants	Average waiting period
Orpington	…	128	About one month
Farnborough	…	Nil	Nil
Biggin Hill	…	2	3½ months

asked the Postmaster-General why permanent pensionable posts as overseas telegraph operators in London are advertised as being open to men and women under 36 years of age, thus debarring older people from posts which would appear to be suitable for those of mature years.

Press advertising is directed to the age group which provides suitable recruits in reasonable numbers. Experience has shown that, apart from proficient touch-typists, people in their late thirties and over have difficulty in acquiring the manipulative ability to operate efficiently the teleprinters and other equipment used in the overseas telegraph services. Recruitment literature sent to applicants for employment explains that people aged 36 and over will be considered if they can touch-type at 30 or more words a minute. This condition used to be mentioned in Press advertisement but the response from siutably qualified applicants was very poor.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will carry out a review of the postal services in the constituency of the hon. Member for Heywood and Royton, in view of the non-delivery of letters and circulars in the area, as well as instances where notices of meetings, although posted in plenty of time, have arrived after the day of the meeting, not arrived at all or have been delivered to wrong addresses.

I am looking into the complaints made by my hon. Friend and will write to him.

TOTAL NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED AT EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES IN MONMOUTHSHIRE AND THE CORRESPONDING PERCENTAGE RATES FOR THOSE AREAS OR THE TRAVEL-TO-WORK AREAS OF WHICH THEY FORM PART
		Total registered unemployed						Percentage rate of unemployment
		Mar. 1957	Mar. 1958	Mar. 1961	Mar. 1962	Mar. 1967	Mar. 1968	Mar. 1957	Mar. 1958	Mar. 1961	Mar. 1962	Mar. 1967	Mar. 1968
Abergavenny*	…	107	105	101	102	238	278	2·5	2·4	2·2	1·6	4·2	4·8
Abertillery*	…	296	498	413	517	529	529	2·9	3·7	3·0	3·6	4·6	5·0
Ebbw Vale*	…	175	214	180	219	345	372
Newbridge*	…	236	269	196	238	328	358
Tredegar*	…	283	343	253	302	350	404
Blackwood*	…	344	378	339	377	573	694	4·4	4·7	3·7	3·9	6·2	7·0
Blaenavon	…	81	139	106	102	121	170	2·3	2·8	2·7	3·5	4·4	4·6
Pontypool	…	482	560	516	698	854	854
Chepstow	…	57	73	51	74	309	179	0·8	1·0	0·8	0·9	4·3	2·5
Cwmbran	…	202	159	160	255	435	471	2·2	1·7	1·5	2·1	2·7	2·9
Monmouth	…	58	89	59	110	128	133	2·3	3·4	2·2	3·3	3·5	3·7
Newport	…	833	765	514	723	1,821	2,020	1·7	1·5	0·8	1·3	2·8	3·1
Newport Docks	…	166	164	79	146	97	109
Risca	…	137	231	96	193	207	270	2·9	5·0	2·3	4·6	6·2	8·0
* The percentage rates shown for Abergavenny relate to the travel-to-work area which also includes Crickhowell. The rates for Abertillery, Ebbw Vale, Newbridge and Tredegar are for the travel-to-work area which also includes Brynmawr. For Blackwood, the rates are for the Bargoed, Blackwood, Pontlottyn and Ystrad Mynach travel-to-work area.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give the percentage increase represented by each of the price rises announced by him on 10th April; and if he will indicate which of the increases were not considered by the National Board of Prices and Incomes.

The existing and the new charges were published in the OFFICIAL REPORT on 10th April [Vol. 762, cc. 1373–1402].The National Board for Prices and Incomes discussed the main Post Office proposals in their Report; referred to the others; recommended some specific changes and that

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will publish the percentage level of unemployment and the total numbers of unemployed at all individual employment exchanges in Monmouthshire on the following dates, namely, March, 1968, March. 1967, March, 1962, March, 1961, March, 1958 and March, 1957.

Following is the table:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what plans she has to assume responsibility for apprenticeship schemes in Wales.

In Wales, as in other parts of Great Britain, it is the responsibility of Industrial Training Boards to provide or secure the provision of such training courses and other facilities as may be required for apprentices or other trainees.

asked the Minister of Power if he will publish a White Paper setting out the considerations and principles, including, as appropriate, the advice given by the Nuclear Safety Advisory Committee, which will in future govern the granting of permission for the siting of nuclear power stations.

I am considering the possibility of publishing a short White Paper on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in which islands of the Outer Hebrides the Highlands and Islands Development Board intends to have hotels built and when they are to be built.

The Board proposes to locate the first of these hotels in Mull and hopes that construction will begin this year. Harris and Barra are being considered as locations for the next hotels under the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will clarify the position under his regulations regarding the entitlement to reimbursement of people having to pay ferry hires, and car hires or bus fares to and from ferries, in the Western Isles on essential journeys to and from the nearest doctor and/or surgery.

There are arrangements under which patients living in the Highlands and Islands can have travelling expenses to hospital reimbursed, but no provision for reimbursing expenses incurred in travelling to see a family doctor. I am not aware of any misunderstanding about the position, but if my hon. Friend has any particular point in mind I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make arrangements to ensure that people who have to pay bus, taxi or ferry charges when collecting prescriptions at distant dispensaries are fully reimbursed.

No. Provision for traveling expenses under the National Health Service has never covered the cost of journeys to family doctors or to chemists, and I am not contemplating any change in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for the reorganisation of the Blood Transfusion Service in Scotland.

About two years ago a review of the organisation was initiated to advise on whether any alterations were needed. Various possible forms of reorganisation have been considered, and these are shortly to be discussed with the regional boards and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Association.