asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, whether, in view of the cruelty caused by the wounding by 0·22 bullets and the clubbing to death of seals at Scroby Sands, near Great Yarmouth, he will prohibit the execution of seals by such methods for the future.

I am advised that, with the special high velocity bullet used in the Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee's recent cull, a ·22 rifle is a humane means of killing seals. I am satisfied that, in the circumstances obtaining at the time, the clubbing of a single wounded seal was the most humane way of despatching it.There are no general powers under which the use by the public of particular methods of killing common seals (or grey seals out of the close season) can be prohibited.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why mutton and lamb production has fallen behind the levels forecast in the National Plan.

No production targets were set under the selective expansion programme but it was expected that mutton and lamb production would meet part of the gradual increase in demand which was then foreseen. Future demand is now thought to be less strong than for other meats, and at the 1967 Annual Review the Government also recognised that the expansion in the cereals acreage and the dairy herd under the programme would leave less scope for lowland flocks whose numbers have been declining. It will take a little time for the encouragement given to upland sheep at the last two Annual Reviews to show their full effect on the size of the national flock.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why beef and veal production has fallen behind the levels forecast in the National Plan.

The selective expansion programme envisaged that beef production would need to be expanded to the limits of the technical possibilities. But no specific targets were set. In fact, between 1964, the year on which the industry based their estimates, and the 12 months to June, 1968, home-fed beef and veal production is expected to increase by some 60,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, why pig meat production has fallen behind the levels forecast in the National Plan.

No specific target was set for pig meat production in the selective expansion programme, although it was envisaged that pig meat could make a substantial contribution to increasing requirements by 1970–71, consistently with our obligations to our overseas suppliers.Pig meat production tends to vary cyclically and 1967–68 was the low point of the last cycle. However, numbers are now on the upswing and output is expected to increase steadily during the coming year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, why milk production has fallen behind the levels foreshadowed in the National Plan.

The selective expansion programme for agriculture did not lay down any production target for milk. Nevertheless milk production has risen considerably during the period of the Plan.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what was the unit value of cheese imports in the first five months of 1968 compared with the same period in 1967.

The unit value of cheese imported during the period January to April, 1968 (inclusive) was £269 per ton compared with £273 per ton in the corresponding period of 1967. Figures for May, 1968 are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what was the total volume of milk product imports from France in the first five months of 1967 and 1968.

The quantities of milk products imported from France during the periods January to April, 1967 (inclusive) and January to April, 1968 (inclusive) were as follows:

	tons
	Jan.-Apr., 1967	Jan.-Apr., 1968
Whole milk, evaporated or condensed	10	151
Milk powder	627	1,049
Butter—fresh	1,103	1,080
Butter—other (ghee, etc.)	1,345	—
Cheese	2,185	3,061
Casein, casemates and other casein derivates	41	315
Cream (fresh, preserved, concentrated or sweetened)	—	2
Totals	5,311	5,658
Figures for May, 1968 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on the Government's plans in regard to the Royal Dockyards, with particular reference to the future of the Devonport Dockyard.

I am not yet in a position to make a further statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence by whose authority Land Rover 83 EL 65 was driven at a sustained speed of 55 to 60 miles per hour through the limited zones of the M4 and the Cromwell Road Extension between 3 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. on 28th May, 1968.

If the hon. Member will let me have the evidence on which this alleged case of exceeding the speed limit is based, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Transport why a stretch of the north bound carriageway, 2¼ miles in length, on the recently completed Tuxford by-pass on the A1, has been closed to vehicular traffic for the past two weeks; and when it is likely to be reopened.

New construction techniques were employed for the Tuxford By-Pass. Special joints and measuring equipment were also installed in association with the Road Research Laboratory. Some of these joints have proved unsatisfactory and it has been necessary to close a length of one carriageway so that the remedial work can be carried out. The work has been completed and the road should be reopened on Friday, 31st May.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will ensure that the roadways of level crossings controlled by half-barriers are made absolutely firm and level with the rails, so as to reduce the danger of the engines of vehicles being stalled by jerking.

Our requirements for automatic half-barrier level crossings lay down that a good surface on the crossing and its immediate approaches is to be maintained.I am of course concerned to make these crossings as safe as possible, and I look forward to receiving the report of the inquiry under Mr. E. Brian Gibbens, Q.C., who, with his two expert assessors, has been considering the general safety of automatic half-barrier level crossing protection as part of his investigation of the accident at Hixon in January.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now give a firm date for the building of the new swing bridge at Lowestoft.

No, because preparatory work is not yet complete, but I have written to the hon. Member telling him what progress has been made.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now give a decision on the application of the parish council of Hopton-on-Sea to place traffic lights and/or a speed limit on the A12 road; what has been the delay in reaching a decision; and why letters from his Department have failed to deal with points raised in letters by the parish council.

Over the past year, we have tried to meet the difficult problems of this village by a number of measures. These have not sufficiently improved the situation and we now intend to propose in addition a 40 m.p.h. limit. We could not reply fully to the parish council until the effect of the various other measures had been assessed.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take immediate action to reduce the risk of accidents being caused by overtaking vehicles on Clack Hill, Market Harborough.

Arrangements are now in hand for double solid white lines to be laid down the whole length of Clack Hill in place of the present solid/broken combination.

asked the Minister of Transport why delay is occurring in completion of certain parts of the recently widened Lewes Road, Brighton; and when it is now anticipated that work on the whole scheme will be completed.

This scheme is the responsibility of Brighton County Borough Council as the highway authority. The roadworks were started in April, 1967, on an 18 month contract and we understand they will be completed on time in October next.British Railways began work on the bridge spanning the road in April this year on a 12 month contract.

asked the Minister of Transport in what circumstances permission has been given to Brighton Corporation to alter the generally accepted traffic control system at roundabouts, that is to give way to traffic from the right, at the roundabout at Brighton Aquarium.

They have decided not to apply the advisory rule to traffic approaching from the west because of the presence of a signal controlled pedestrian crossing some 20 feet before the roundabout. To hold back this traffic at the roundabout could block the crossing in summer.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he plans to take as a result of the recommendations of the Lighting Working Party on the use of headlamps, published in 1967; and from what date such action will take effect.

My right hon. Friend is hoping to announce a decision on the recommendations of the Report and other related matters in a few weeks' time.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he proposes to take to publicise the new penalty of a £20 fine for non-exhibition of a current Road Fund licence; and what action he intends to take to instruct the traffic wardens on their new duties concerning this and similar offences.

The law already imposes a penalty of £20 for failing to display a licence which has been taken out. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will be consulting the police authorities before extending the powers and functions of traffic wardens under the provisions of the Transport Bill.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the proposed direct precepting on local authorities by transport authorities will be offset by increased Exchequer grants to avoid a situation in which such added commitments make it impossible to keep within the expenditure limits laid down by the Government.

No. The situation postulated by the right hon. Gentleman cannot arise because Clause 13(7) of the Transport Bill lays down that any precepts made by Passenger Transport Authorities shall not count as part of the expenditure (namely relevant expenditure for rate support grant) which the Government expect to be restrained.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consult with the motoring organisations, with a view to discussing legislation providing for their becoming more representative of public motoring opinion, by democratic elections or otherwise.

My right hon. Friend would not wish to interfere in the internal affairs of the motoring organisations.

asked the Minister of Transport why he has not replied to the letter of the Borough of Lowestoft of 3rd May giving the firm assurances that he had asked for about the widening of the channel; and whether he will now send a reply.

The hon. Member has been sent a copy of the reply which was despatched yesterday.We have had to consider most carefully the adequacy of the assurances offered, and in particular as regards proposals to increase the depth of the channel. In this matter the letter from the borough of Lowestoft gave no information about the council's intention and no assurances, and we have now asked for this.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents there have been at X-crossings; and whether he will replace the white X at such crossings by a green light.

The recently published report by the R.R.L. (L.R. 145) gave details of accidents at the experimental sites. The appropriateness of the white X is one of the main aspects we are now considering before taking a decision on this type of crossing.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many prospective students who were suitably qualified were refused places at English and Welsh universities in 1967.

The Fifth Report of the Universities Central Council on Admissions shows that of 101,600 applicants through U-C.C.A. for admission in 1967 to universities in the United Kingdom, 44,526 were accepted. Of the remainder, U.C.C.A. estimates that as many as 20,000 did not have the minimum examination qualification which would have entitled them to be considered for admission. The ultimate number admitted in October, 1967, including those admitted by agreed arrangements outside the U.C.C.A. scheme, was 56,222. A similar analysis for England and Wales only is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of the students of the University of Wales come from Welsh schools.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of students of the universities of Oxford and Cambridge respectively, come from English schools.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, whether the proposed higher national pool charges for further education and training of teachers will be fully offset by increased Exchequer grants to local authorities.

The Rate Support Grant Order, 1966 and the Increase Order, 1967 allowed for a big increase in expenditure on further education and teacher training between 1967–68 and 1968–69.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, how many vacancies exist in Wales for speech therapists; how many vacancies have been advertised without any application; and what steps he has taken to ensure the training and recruiting of more speech therapists.

In Wales, in December, 1967, there were 11 full-time vacancies for speech therapists employed by local education authorities. I regret that I have no information about advertisements of such posts.A proposal about the training of speech therapists in Wales is at present under consideration in the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, whether the proposed increases in the scale of students' grants will be fully offset by increased Exchequer grants to local authorities.

This is one of the increases in costs in 1968–69 which, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced in January, the Government expect local authorities to absorb by making savings elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, whether the cost of the extension to the free school meals service as from 1st April, 1968 will be fully met by Exchequer grants to local authorities, so as to enable local authorities to keep within the expenditure limits laid down by the Government.

Additional expenditure by local authorities on the provision of free school meals from 1st April, 1968 was taken into account in the Rate Support Grant Increase Order, 1967.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he has completed his review of the rates of pension paid to retired colonial officers and the widows of former colonial officers having regard to the increased cost of living and the effects of devaluation upon the purchasing power of such pensions.

The pensions of retired colonial officers and their widows are paid by the overseas countries by whom the officers were employed and are governed by the pensions laws of those countries. Supplements to those pensions may be paid from British funds under the Pensions (Increase) Acts of 1962 and 1965 on a similar basis to the increases granted to United Kingdom public service pensioners.The question of any increase in the supplement rates must depend on further pensions increases for the United Kingdom public service and on this point I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the Financial Secretary's statement during the debate on Public Service and Armed Forces Pensions on the 9th May.—[Vol. 764; c. 646–56.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what discussions he has had with Rolls-Royce Limited, Maesycoed Road, Llanishen, Cardiff, concerning the proposed closure of the factory which they occupy as tenants of his Department;(2) what assurances he required Rolls-Royce (Bristol Engines) to give to their employees at the Maesycoed factory, Llanishen, Cardiff, when they took over the tenancy; and whether he is satisfied that these assurances have been fulfilled;(3) what efforts he is making to find a suitable tenant for the Maesycoed factory, Llanishen, Cardiff, which is being vacated by Rolls-Royce Limited;(4) when he was informed of the proposed closure of Rolls-Royce Limited, Maesycoed Road, Llanishen, Cardiff;(5) what assurances he sought concerning future employment and expansion of the factory at Maesycoed Road, Llanishen, Cardiff, when Rolls-Royce Limited took over the premises as a tenant of his Department;(6) whether he has been notified when Rolls-Royce Limited, Maesycoed, Llanishen, Cardiff, intend to vacate their factory.

There was no preliminary discussion with Rolls-Royce and the Board of Trade on the closing of this factory but my Office for Wales was informed of the proposed closure on the same day as the Unions concerned. It is not the practice of the Board to require firms occupying their factories to give assurance to their employees, nor can a firm in such circumstances be expected to enter into binding agreements with the Board about future levels of employment. Every effort will be made to find another occupant for the factory when the firm have vacated it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will list those airline companies which have below average safety records.

In the course of the recent special review of the safety performance of United Kingdom airline operators an attempt was made to compare the safety levels of individual independent operators in relation to the overall average. It was found that no valid conclusions could be arrived at because of the small number of operations and accidents involved. It is therefore not possible to list those which are below average.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what officials of his Department witnessed the trial transfer of large quantities of oil, from the 207,000-ton "Macoma" to the 70,000-ton "Drupa" on 29th May, off Lyme Regis; whether he is satisfied that no pollution of the sea took place; and if he will make a statement.

Two experienced professional officers of the Board of Trade attended this operation, which did not start until yesterday afternoon. My information is that the results have been satisfactory.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the advanced factory at Girvan was completed; how long it has been untenanted; and, in view of the problem of unemployment in the area, what steps he has taken to find a tenant.

Since its completion in March, 1967, the factory has been drawn to the attention of 35 firms, eight of whom have visited it, but no firm application has been received. An incoming occupant would be eligible to be considered for the special incentives mentioned in my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Con-way (Mr. Ednyfed Hudson-Davies) on 14th November last.—[Vol. 754; c. 84–86.]

asked the Postmaster General what contractual arrangements he has made, and with whom, to print the new neighbourhood telephone directories for the Greater London area.

There will be no change in the present arrangements; the new directories will be printed by Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

asked the Postmaster General whether he is aware that for several hours each day, except Saturdays and Sundays, it is almost impossible to get a line to telephone any of the major towns in the south-west from London; and if he will therefore take action to increase the number of lines in the near future.

While some congestion may occur during the busiest hours of the day the trunk lines between London and the South West are adequate to meet the demand. The trouble is mainly due to lack of equipment in London, and additional equipment now being installed should soon bring about an improvement in the service.

asked the Postmaster-General how many letters from persons resident in the United Kingdom are being held by the Post Office awaiting despatch to Rhodesia.

Only those which were posted too late to connect with the regular weekly surface despatch and the daily air despatch made on 30th May, that is, about 4,500.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the average time a letter written and posted in the United Kingdom takes to reach its recipient in Rhodesia.

The average transmission times to Rhodesia are about one and a half days and 16 days for air and surface letters respectively.I cannot say how long any letter takes to reach the recipient after its arrival in Rhodesia.

asked the Lord Privy Seal why he has not moved to approve the recommendation of the Select Committee on Education and Science contained in the Second Special Report, dated 30th April, that additional Scottish Members should be appointed to the subcommittee due to visit and take evidence in Scotland.

I understand that there were difficulties in the appointment of additional Members in time to take part in the enquiry which started this week.I have written to my hon. Friend about this.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many women staff employed in the Refreshment Department at the House of Commons receive less than equal pay for equal work; and what are the differentials.

I have been asked to reply.There are five female general assistants, and five male general assistants who also do portering. There are also three barmaids and five barmen. The male staff receive an average of 30s. a week more.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what would be the cost of raising the salaries of all Parliamentary staff by 25 per cent., with a view to compensating them to some extent for the increased hours of work imposed on them by recent changes in the methods of conducting Parliamentary business.

£123,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons between the ages of 17 and 21 years have received and completed a determinate sentence of imprisonment for murder or manslaughter since the passing of the Criminal Justice Act, 1948; and what was the average length of detention in those cases.

Determinate sentences are not passed for murder. Between 1949 and 1967 118 such persons received determinate sentences for manslaughter in England and Wales; the average period of detention, assuming no remission to be lost, would be 2 years and 4 months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons between the ages of 17 and 21 years have received and completed a sentence of life imprisonment for murder or manslaughter since the passing of the Criminal Justice Act, 1948; and what was the average length of detention in those cases.

Since 1st January, 1949 32 such persons have received and have subsequently been released on licence from indeterminate sentences (including commuted death sentences) for murder and manslaughter. The average time served, to the nearest month, was 7 years 10 months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable concerned about progress in tracing the wheabouts of Owain Williams who recently absconded on bail from a court hearing in North Wales.

I understand from the Chief Constable that extensive police enquiries are being made, so far without success.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals in Wales have been prosecuted for illegal possession of explosives in each of the past six years.

The information is not available in the precise form or for all the years requested. Following are the numbers of persons tried at the higher courts in Wales for offences involving the possession or use of explosives to the danger of life or property in the years 1964 to 1967:

1964	…	…	…	…	2
1965	…	…	…	…	4
1966	…	…	…	…	3
1967	…	…	…	…	6

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to appoint a Welsh training officer responsible for the training of probation officers in Wales.

The professional training of applicants for the probation service is arranged centrally before they are appointed to their future probation and after-care areas, and includes practical training under experienced probation officers throughout England and Wales. Central courses for subsequent in-service training are also arranged by the Home Office. To promote the further development of in-service training, the Training Committee of the Advisory Council for Probation and After-Care has approved in principle a scheme for the appointment of regional training officers. Initially four such appointments are proposed. Their responsibilities will relate to existing groupings of probation areas. A separate training officer for Wales is not contemplated nor would the workload appear to justify it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will appoint to the Race Relations Board or to its committees persons who officially notify him that they are opposed to some of the provisions of the Race Relations Bill and in favour of further immigration limitation.

I propose to appoint to the Race Relations Board persons who will bring a balanced judgment to the duties laid on them by the provisions of the Race Relations Bill as eventually enacted. The appointment of members to conciliation committees will continue to be a matter for the Board itself.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to alter the taximeter control of journeys beyond six miles and to revise the tariff.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he now proposes to make a statement on the application to him by the London cab trade for a revision of taxi fares in London.

The two issues are connected and are being examined jointly. I cannot yet say when my right hon. Friend will be in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he proposes to accede to the request of the London Motor Cab Proprietors' Association for a meeting with their representatives to discuss an increase in taxi fares.

My right hon. Friend suggested to the Association that they should, in the first place, meet to discuss this matter with officials and I hope they will accept this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether the proposed higher common police services' charges will be fully offset by increased Exchequer grants to local authorities;(2) whether the proposed approved school flat rate charges will be fully offset by increased Exchequer grants to local authorities.

Within the rate support grant arrangements, actual approved expenditure by local authorities on these services attracts specific grant at the rate of 50 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether police officers in the Metropolis are authorised under his regulations to photograph participants in political or pseudo-political demonstrations; how the photographs are filed; if he will call for reports from chief constables in the rest of the country as to their instructions and the practice of their forces in this matter; and if he will make a statement.

Anybody is entitled to take a photograph of a demonstration in a public place and the taking of photographs by the police is not subject to regulations. Photographs are taken by them for a variety of purposes and the decision whether to take a particular photograph and what to do with it if taken is an operational matter within the discretion of the chief officer of police concerned. I do not believe that it is reasonable to call for reports.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what requests the Government have received for defence equipment, aid or guarantees from Zambia; and whether he will now grant defence assistance against Rhodesia.

Defence matters have been discussed between Her Majesty's Government and the Zambian Government on many occasions and we are providing Zambia with defence assistance in the form of a British Joint Services Training Team and a grant available since 1965 for the purchase of defence equipment from this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will instruct the Governor of the Falkland Islands to undertake an inquiry into the methods being employed by local commercial organisations to recruit employees, particularly juveniles, for service in the islands.

I know of no circumstances which would justify such an inquiry. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind perhaps he would inform me.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs how many distressed United Kingdom residents have been repatriated by Her Majesty's Government from the Falkland Islands during the 12 months ending 30th April, 1968; and what has been the total cost.

One at the total cost of £110 which was met by the Falkland Islands Government as is usual in these cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further representations he has made since 9th May to the Government of Togoland concerning British members of the aircraft which recently landed there and was held by that Government; and what information he has of the conditions of these British subjects and of when they are likely to be brought to trial.

None.There has been no change in the conditions under which the prisoners are detained since the answer I gave to the hon. Member on 10th May, except in the following respect.Mr. Wicks and Mr. Deegan were released on bail on 19th April and have since returned to the United Kingdom. They are not required to return to Lomé for the trial, having given their lawyer in Lomé powers to represent them.The trial began on 29th May and will resume on 5th June. The prisoners' lawyer sought provisional liberty for them without payment of bail but this was refused. I am advised that if the two remaining British prisoners can find the sum required as bail, they can obtain their release and return to this country in the near future.The Vice-Consul in Lomé is in regular communication with the prisoners.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what was the cost to public funds of sending an official expert on folk dancing to international conferences during the past two years; and what were the numbers of such conferences at which folk dancing was and was not discussed, respectively.

I am not aware of any public funds having been spent for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he still intends to ratify the international convention on Human Rights, in view of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1968.

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. We have decided that the United Kingdom should sign this and the other Convenant on Economic, Cultural and Social Rights. Ratification will be considered later. I do not accept my hon. Friend's implication about the consequences of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1968, in this respect, but all such questions will, of course, be further considered during the study of possible ratification.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what amendment the Government will propose to make to the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1968, to enable the United Kingdom to ratify international conventions.

None. I do not know which particular conventions my hon. Friend has in mind but I do not accept his implication about the consequences of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1968, in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why he will not publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the attendance record of hon. Members at the last meeting of the Council of Europe.

Because, as I told my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 30th May, it is not the practice with an all-party Parliamentary delegation of this kind.—[Vol. 765, c. 266–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what official facilities will be afforded to the United Nations Special Committee on Apartheid during their visit to London from 24th to 26th June.

No official facilities have been requested for the Committee's visit to London, which I understand is to be from 20th-27th June. Normal facilities on arrival and departure will, of course, be provided. The Committee are hoping to pay a courtesy call at the Foreign Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the further deterioration of the health of ex-Squadron Leader Hindle James, and the consequent expenses which his illness has entailed, he will reconsider his decision not to ask the Egyptian Government to pay compensation; and whether he will further bring to the attention of the Egyptian Government, with a view to apology, the increased ill-health of Squadron Leader Hindle James resulting from torture and imprisonment inflicted by the Egyptian authorities.

Squadron Leader Hindle James's claim for compensation was received on 27th May and is being examined urgently. It will be presented to the Government of the United Arab Republic as soon as possible. On 29th May the Counsellor of the United Arab Republic Embassy was informed of the claim and of Her Majesty's Government's full support for it. His attention was also drawn to the Squadron-Leader's allegations of ill-treatment and to his poor state of health.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity in which months in 1967 and 1968 the number of wholly unemployed seasonally adjusted excluding school leavers has been above 500,000.

Thirteen, from May 1967 onwards.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will make a statement on the Government's plans for reducing the cost of living.

The Government have made it plain that the retail price index is bound to rise during 1968 as a result of devaluation and the Budget measures designed to secure the full benefit of devaluation. But the Government are taking all possible steps to prevent price increases which are not fully justified against the criteria set out in Cmnd. 3590 and also to secure reductions in individual prices where the circumstances warrant this.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she

		Percentage increases
		Index of Retail Prices		Index of Basic Rates and Wages
Period		All-items	Food only	Weekly rates	Hourly rates
October, 1964 to April, 1968	…	+15·7	+14·4	+18·6	+23·7
October, 1954 to March, 1966	…	+6·2	+4·7	+7·6	+11·6
April, 1966 to April, 1968	…	+7·6	+7·2	+10·1	+10·6
July, 1966 to June, 1967	…	+2·8	+4·8	+1·9	+2·1
November, 1967 to April, 1968	…	+3·7	+4·5	+3·1	+3·2

Information relating to productivity is not available in the form requested. Figures relating to gross domestic product per head are available on a quarterly basis and details for the period 1964 to the third quarter of 1967, the latest available date, are set out below:

Gross domestic product per head of labour force (Average 1950 = 100)—seasonally adjusted
1964
1st quarter	…	…	…	135·9
2nd quarter	…	…	…	136·3
3rd quarter	…	…	…	136·3
4th quarter	…	…	…	138·4
1965
1st quarter	…	…	…	139·8
2nd quarter	…	…	…	138·8
3rd quarter	…	…	…	139·9
4th quarter	…	…	…	140·9
1966
1st quarter	…	…	…	141·4
2nd quarter	…	…	…	140·8
3rd quarter	…	…	…	141·7
4th quarter	…	…	…	144·8
1967
1st quarter	…	…	…	145·9
2nd quarter	…	…	…	145·9
3rd quarter	…	…	…	146·2

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity on what grounds her Department refused to approve the payment of a salary increase with effect from 1st January, 1968 to district office clerks employed by the Co-operative Insurance Society Limited, Miller Street, Manchester.

The figures for retail prices and wages are as follows:

In accordance with the Government's policy outlined in paragraph 24(i) Cmnd. 3235 "Prices and Incomes Policy after 30th June, 1967", the Society and the union were informed that the proposed increase should be deferred until a date 12 months after the date of the last increase which was operative from 29th May, 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many people are at present employed by the Rolls-Royce Maesycoed factory, Llanishen, Cardiff; and whether he will give a breakdown of the labour force according to individual trades.

It is not my Department's practice to disclose statistics relating to an individual firm or establishment.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what has been the approximate percentage rise in the average price of ordinary shares and of earnings, respectively, for the last available 12 months.

During the period March, 1967 to March, 1968, the rise in the average price of ordinary shares, as measured by the Financial Times— Actuaries All-Share Index—was approximately 35 per cent. The rise in earnings during this period is estimated to have been approximately 8½ per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints the Mental Welfare Commission has investigated, with what results; and what plans he has for a similar system for non-mental hospitals.

The Mental Welfare Commission has told me that during the year ending 29th May it received 73 complaints of a varied nature; and that in 35 cases the complaints were found to have no foundation, in 26 cases satisfactory explanations were received, in nine cases remedial action was taken on its recommendation and in three cases action is not yet complete. These figures do not include requests by patients for discharge or complaints raised by patients at their interviews with medical commissioners and satisfactorily dealt with at the time.I have no plans at present for a similar system for non-mental hospitals.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons he estimates will become qualified to teach under the provisions of the Schools (Scotland) Code (Amendment No. 1) Regulations, 1968 as conditionally registered teachers, when they become effective.

I understand from the General Teaching Council that so far 805 applications for conditional registration have been accepted. As applications are still being received it is not possible to estimate the number of conditionally registered teachers likely to be in service next session.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many teachers in primary and secondary schools have not yet registered with the General Teaching Council; and whether education authorities will be prevented by his regulations from employing those persons after 1st August, 1968.

I understand from the General Teaching Council that the information requested in the first part of the Question is not yet available. The draft Schools (Scotland) Code (Amendment No. 1) Regulations, 1968, which I have published for comments, provide that from 1st August, 1968, appointments in primary schools will be restricted to registered or conditionally registered teachers. This restriction will also apply in special schools and secondary schools except that where the services of a registered or conditionally registered teacher cannot be obtained an authority may appoint an unregistered teacher on a temporary basis. Such a temporary appointment must, however, be reported to a reference panel constituted by the Secretary of State; and where it is disapproved by the panel the employment of the teacher must be terminated.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take, in view of the numerous attacks on prison officers and police officers with particular regard to the incident in Peterhead Prison on 27th May, 1968; and if he will make a statement.

I deplore all such attacks. All practicable measures consistent with the duty of training inmates are taken by my Department to protect prison staff from attack. The police also take all practicable precautions. It is worth noting that despite the rise in recent years in the number of persons in custody, there has been no increase in the number of assaults on prison staff in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the scheme for the reorganisation of secondary education in Sutherland, which he has approved, will be implemented.

I have been informed that Sutherland Education Committee has decided to upgrade the school at Farr to a four year junior high school as from the beginning of session 1968–69, subject to the recruitment of additional teaching staff, and to downgrade Dornoch Academy to a four year junior high school at the same time. The timing of the implementation of other parts of the scheme depends on the completion of the new school to be built at Lairg. The planning for this has now, I understand, been put in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs why Mr. Maurice Ash resigned from the Soulh-West Regional Economic Planning Board; and if he will publish his correspondence with Mr. Ash.

Mr. Ash declined my invitation to accept reappointment to the South-West Economic Planning Council because of his disagreement with the Government's regional policies. It is not usual to disclose correspondence between Ministers and members of Economic Planning Councils but since Mr. Ash's reasons for his resignation have already been publicised, I am arranging for copies of his letter of refusal of reappointment and my reply to be placed in the Library.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now give the area of unoccupied new offices in Greater London in March, 1968; and what percentage change this shows compared with the position in March, 1967.

The information requested is not yet available, but I will let my hon. Friend have an answer to his Questions as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will place a copy of Appeals Note 65/3 in the Library.

No; but my right hon. Friend intends later this year to start publication of a series of notes in a more appropriate form giving policy guidance on various planning matters. The siting of motels is one of the matters that will be dealt with.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, if he will investigate the cause of the smog blanket now hanging over parts of the North Riding of Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement.

The fog in the North Riding is, I understand, caused by a sea mist and not industrial pollution. The industrial emissions on Tees-side are already the subject of a working party.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, whether he is aware that a number of taxpayers with several children originally accepted the option mortgage scheme which was to their benefit, but now find that the increased family allowances, and consequent increased liability to tax make the scheme work to their disadvantage; and whether in such cases he will seek to waive the rule that mortagage options are irrevocable.

There is no provision in the Housing Subsidies Act, 1967 for a properly given option notice to be revoked, and I have no power to vary the provisions of the Act. I am aware that some marginal cases may be affected in the way suggested, but changes in taxable income may render an option mortgage less favourable or more so.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, what is the approximate number of people who are on housing waiting lists and homeless, respectively, in Greater London; and what is his estimate of the number of people, at the standard area for council flats, who could be housed in the area of empty new offices in Greater London.

Comprehensive figures about families now on housing waiting lists in Greater London are not available. At 31st March, 1968 there were 9,034 homeless people in temporary accommodation provided by the London borough councils. Office buildings would need costly adaptations to convert them into satisfactory dwellings and the money and labour required can be better used in providing purpose-built dwellings in areas more appropriate for residential use. Such dwellings are being provided on an increasing scale. I do not, therefore, feel able to make the estimate requested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, what steps he proposes to take to ensure that rent increases applied to Brighton council house tenants conform to the criteria laid down in the new Prices and Incomes Bill.

My right hon. Friend has requested Brighton County Borough Council, among other local authorities, to review their rent increases in the light of the advice in Circular 25/68. He will consider whether further action is necessary when he has received the results of this review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost of providing Ministerial briefs on the Report stage of the Highland and Islands Development (Scotland) Bill, the Friendly and Industrial and Provident Societies Bill, and the Caravan Sites Bill.

£190, £85 and £90 respectively.

							£ million
	1960	1961	1962	1963	1964	1965	1966
AUSTRALIA
Total net investment by the U.K.* of which,	75	60	60	90	85	45	60
(i) direct investment, including unremitted profits†	62	35	48	57	78	56	49
(ii) direct investment, excluding unremitted profits†	47	24	29	39	49	23	19
(iii) portfolio and other investment*‡	15	25	10	35	5	-10	10
Total (ii) and (iii) above	60	50	40	75	55	15	30
SOUTH AFRICA
Total net investment by the U.K.* of which	—15	—5	10	—	15	30	15
(i) direct investment, including unremitted profits†	20	9	15	34	33	45	35
(ii) direct investment, excluding unremitted profits†	8	—	-1	13	1	21	6
(iii) portfolio and other investment*‡	-35	-15	-5	-35	-20	-15	-20
Total (ii) and (iii) above	-25	-15	-5	-20	-20	5	-15
* Including net purchases or sales of Australian and South African securities even when with residents of other countries.
† Excluding oil and, before 1963, insurance.
‡ Very tentative; including direct investment in oil and investment by the Commonwealth Development Finance Company.
A minus sign means net disinvestment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average revenue per head of population raised by local authorities from rates and other local taxes in Scotland, England and Wales in the latest financial year.

In 1965–66 (the latest year for which complete information is available) the figures were as follows:

			£	s.	d.
England	…	…	23	16	6
Scotland	…	…	23	7	6
Wales	…	…	20	5	2½
Great Britain	…	…	23	12	6

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the total of net investments, excluding the re-investment of unremitted profits, by the United Kingdom in Australia and South Africa in each year from 1960 to 1967, inclusive, showing separately portfolio and direct investments.

Comprehensive information about United Kingdom private investment in individual countries in 1967 is not yet available. Private investment in Australia and in South Africa in earlier years has been estimated as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what annual total of earnings there begins to be a decrease in net income 1968–69 over 1967–68 resulting from increased family allowances and reduced income tax allowances for children, in respect of married men with no unearned income and with only child and personal allowances, with six children, eight children, and 10 children, respectivey, assuming the children rank for family allowances.

In the cases mentioned by the hon. Member the level of earnings depends on the age of the children. Assuming in each case that half the children are under 11 and half are over 11 but under 16, the levels of earnings at which there is a decrease in 1968-69 net income compared with 1967-68 are £1,534, £1,708 and £1,907 for six, eight and ten children respectively. This decrease in net income at these levels is due to the fact that an increase of 5s. a week in family allowances for fourth and subsequent children was paid from 24th October, 1967, in advance of the all-round 7s. increase which became payable in April, 1968, but there was no offsetting reduction in income tax allowances in 1967–68.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what studies have been made by the Management (Services) Division of his Department into the relative cost of providing tea from vending machines and from tea trolleys in Government offices; and if he will state the conclusions of such studies.

No study has yet been made but a survey is about to be started jointly by a Treasury Catering Adviser and an Organisation and Methods Officer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what studies are being made in his Department to improve the presentation of the Civil Estimates in such a way as to express the figures in management accounting terms; and when he expects to be able to make a statement on the results.

I doubt whether the Civil Estimates can usefully be adapted to provide the primary instrument of management accounting; but work is in progress in other directions to improve management accounting in Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what instructions are given to nationalised industries and public authorities generally to purchase British paper and board whenever there is parity of price, in view of the need for import-saving.

Government agencies purchase British products—including paper and board—whenever they are, on a balance of commercial considerations, competitive with foreign alternatives. The purchasing policies of the nationalised industries and other public authorities are not within the direct control of the Government, but they are known to follow the same line.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what value of imports of paper and paperboard, for use by nationalised industries and public authorities, has taken place during the latest six months for which figures are available; and what comparison has been made between the prices of these imports and those of similar home-produced goods.

I regret that these figures are not available. Government agencies —and, no doubt, nationalised industries and public authorities generally—carefully weigh comparative prices and other commercial considerations before choosing foreign products.

asked the Minister of Social Security what action she intends to take following the report of the National Insurance Advisory Committee on the question of the time limits for obtaining payment of benefit.

I am considering the Committee's recommendations.

asked the Minister of Social Security (1) how many claims were made for sickness benefit involving earnings related supplement in the last 12 months, where the illness lasted one month or less, between one and two months, between two and four months and four months or more, respectively; and what were the comparative figures for the 12 months preceding the introduction of the Earnings Related Scheme;(2) how many claims were made for sickness benefit involving earnings related supplement in the last 12 months; and how many claims were made for sickness benefit for periods of more than 12 days for the 12 months prior to the introduction of the Earnings Related Scheme.

I regret that the information requested is not available. There is a time lag in obtaining detailed statistics but I am arranging for such information as will be available to be analysed in due course.

asked the Minister of Health what estimate he has made of the total non-recurring expense involved in the re-imposition of prescription charges.

There are difficulties both of definition and of estimating, but I would expect the figure to be between £¼ million and £½ million.

asked the Minister of Health what estimate he has made of the gross annual income from prescription charges.

Payments by patients are expected to account for some £16–£17 million of the overall saving of £25 million a year which it has been estimated will accrue from the reintroduc-tion of prescription charges.

asked the Minister of Health what, on average, is the cost, capital and annual, borne by his Department when a disabled person, entitled to a motorised tricycle, elects instead to convert and use a motor car.

The average cost of these grants is £60 and the maximum £90. A further full grant may be paid if the car is changed after five years and proportionately less if the interval is shorter.

asked the Minister of Health if he will issue a short pamphlet, written in popular style and attractively printed, directed to nurses in order to give them an easy understanding of the recommendations of the Salmon Committee.

An outline of the Report and a summary of the Committee's main recommendations has been published by H.M. Stationery Office but I am attracted to my hon. Friend's suggestion and will consider it.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to ensure that the casualty department at the Mexborough Montagu Hospital, which has been closed down, will be reopened immediately.

It has been necessary to close this department temporarily in order to reinforce the staff of Rother-ham Hospital, where there are a number of temporary vacancies. Arrangements have been made for patients from the Mexborough area who require emergency hospital treatment to go to Rotherham Hospital or to the hospitals in Barnsley and Doncaster.