asked the Minister of Transport when he will be able to make a further statement regarding the installation of automatic half-barrier crossings in built-up areas.

The public hearings of the Inquiry under Mr. E. Brian Gibbens, Q.C., concluded on 29th May: 63 witnesses were heard during the 41 days of hearings, and it will inevitably be some weeks before Mr. Gibbens can fully assess the complex evidence, and submit his report to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has for the establishment of a passenger transport authority in the Nottingham area.

We intend to wait until the future shape of local government is clearer before we consider setting up any P.T.A.s in England beyond the four already proposed.

asked the Minister of Transport what estimate he has made of the effect on the railway deficit for 1968 of the Government's refusal to allow certain increases in railway fares and charges because of the standstill.

British Railways have made it clear that the Report of the Prices and Incomes Board will add to their difficulties in the short term, but they and we are confident that the deficit will be contained within the Estimate already made.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to quantify the influence of devaluation on railway business; and to what extent he intends to allow justifiable increases in fares and charges as a result.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro) on 8th May, and to what my right hon. Friend told the House on 30th May, on the Third Reading of the Transport Bill.—[Vol. 764, c. 390; Vol. 765. c. 2063–66.]

asked the Minister of Transport what are the main factors which are responsible for the increased railway deficit of £153 million for 1967 compared with £1347 million in 1966.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Annual Report of the British Railways Board for 1967 in which the Board primarily attribute the increased deficit to a reduction of £25 million in freight traffic receipts.

asked the Minister of Transport why only 97 miles of motorway were under construction on 31st March, 1968, compared with 118 miles in 1966.

The total mileage under construction at any one time fluctuates considerably according to the actual starting and finishing dates of individual contracts. Starts are planned to increase rapidly during the rest of the year so that the mileage under construction by the end of December should be about double the March mileage.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the provisions under his regulations which enable local authorities to force contractors to use the authorised signs as laid down in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1964 in conjunction with road works.

None. It is for highway authorities to include in their contracts a clause requiring the signing of the works to comply with their directions.

asked the Minister of Transport, if he will take steps to mitigate the consequences of sudden multiple pile-up accidents on the M4 and other motorways, by the installation of modern signalling systems based on those in use on railways, or by the introduction and enforcement of headway regulations.

Yes. Such systems should be installed on all motorways by the mid-1970s. The first came into operation at the Severn Bridge last Friday.Headway regulations could not be made effective. The Highways Code already advises drives not to drive too close to the vehicle ahead.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether, in view of the importance of a by-pass for the A12 at Wangford, he will now give a commencing date.

The scheme is not yet secured a place in the roads programme and it is, therefore, too soon to suggest when work might start.

asked the Minister of Transport, what progress is being made with the installation of crash barriers along the central reservations of motorways in accordance with the policy set out in the Sixth Report from the Estimates Committee, 1967–68.

In March work was completed on a continuous length of safety fence from the elevated section of M4 to Heathrow Airport, the purpose of which is to prevent collisions with the recently installed lamp standards. In planning the development and extension of the motorway network we shall watch for situations which would justify the use of crash barriers in accordance with the policy outlined in the Committee's Report.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the charge of 4s. for the complement fixation test in regard to brucellosis was first imposed.

This fee, which is charged to veterinary surgeons for private tests undertaken on behalf of owners, was introduced on 1st May, 1968.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the high rates of interest, whether he will permit the purchasers of new fishing vessels, on which grant is being paid, and on which the same purchasers have to find 25 per cent. of the price, only to pay the first 15 per cent. and not require them to find the balance, until the grant has been paid.

It is an essential safeguard for public funds that the applicant's full share of the cost should be paid before the grant. But the hon. Member's point would be met by our proposal to increase the maximum assistance by way of grant and loan available for inshore vessels from public funds to 90 per cent. of the cost.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will make a further statement on the Government's policy for assistance to the fishing industry.

A further statement will be made within a few weeks.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what consultations he is having with the Norwegian Government to bring to an end the increasing quantities of subsidised fish being sold in Great Britain to the detriment of the United Kingdom industry;(2) what further action he plans to stop subsidised imports of fish, whether frozen or fresh, from undermining the United Kingdom industry; and if he will make a statement.

The effect of fish imports on the United Kingdom market is being taken into account in our consideration of future subsidy policy, but no consultations are at present taking place with the Norwegian Government on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a list of the services in Scotland for which he is responsible.

The main services in Scotland for which Ministerial responsibilities rest with me are set out below. Detailed execution of these services is in most cases undertaken by local authorities or other bodies, subject to varying degrees of policy control or administrative supervision. In addition I am responsible for the formulation of plans for economic development in Scotland, and for coordinating their implementation, within the framework of national policies. For fuller information I would refer the hon. Member to the Handbook on Scottish Administration, a copy of which was sent to him last September.

Town and country planning; housing; new towns; roads; urban redevelopment; water and sewerage; clean air; electricity; local government; countryside; tourism.

Highland development, including shipping; forestry; Crown Estate.

Education; child care^✶; approved schools^✶; recreation and sport; the arts.

Health, including hospitals; welfare^✶, including welfare of the aged and disabled.

Agriculture; fisheries; food supply; crofting.

Public order; police; fire; civil defence; legal questions, including law reform (jointly with the Lord Advocate) and legal aid; criminal justice; prisons; probation^✶; liquor licensing.

^✶ These will be incorporated in the new social work service if the Social Work (Scotland) Bill at present before Parliament becomes law.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what evidence he has of the danger to fish stocks of worm infestation of fish from seals;(2) what is his latest estimate of the amount of damage done to the fishing industry by the seals round the coast.

Scientific research has shown a marked increase since the war in infestation of cod by a parasitic worm of which seals are the only known definitive host. While there is no danger to stocks of fish (and none to human beings if the fish are properly cooked), the occurrence of the worm adversely affects the marketability of the fish and the return to the catcher and others.In addition, it has been estimated that seals round the Scottish coasts consume about 100,000 tons of fish each year, at least some of which would otherwise be caught. Although seal damage to the white fish industry cannot be costed, the loss to the Scottish salmon fishing industry has been put at between £50,000 and £100,000 each year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to rectify the anomaly whereby a householder can pay rates for a garage that ceased to exist when a new tenant takes occupation of the house.

Material changes of circustances of this kind are normally taken into account in the valuation roll for the following year, and my right hon. Friend is not aware of any general dissatisfaction with this arrangement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what exports of British plant and equipment to Hungary are currently under discussion by his Department.

A number of transactions, covering a wide range of capital investment goods, are currently under discussion between British firms and Hungarian trading organisations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which Hungarian imports into the United Kingdom he estimates will expand by the end of 1971.

I hope that Anglo-Hungarian trade will continue to grow in both directions, but I cannot estimate what particular imports from Hungary will expand.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which exporting industries will benefit most from the recently signed five-year trade agreement between Hungary and the United Kingdom.

Hungary's main requirements are for capital investment goods and semi-manufactures, and these are likely to account for the majority of our sales during the current Trade Arrangement. There should, however, be increasing opportunities in other fields.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what information he has about the causes of oil pollution off east coast beaches during the Whitsun recess; and what efforts are being made to track down any ships which inadvertently discharged fuel.

As the hon. Member knows, a sample test has indicated that the oil was fuel oil. Despite inquiries, I have no information as to how the pollution occurred nor have I any reports which would connect it with a particular ship.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will investigate imports of raspberry pulp from Yugoslavia to ensure that they are not dumped on the British market.

My Department is considering with the National Farmers' Union of Scotland whether there is a prima facie case for anti-dumping action under the Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Act. 1957.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what estimate he has made of the amount spent in the last 12 months on the import of portable red reflecting road accident prevention triangles which may not be used on the roads because they do not comply with the relevant British Standards specification.

These items are not identified separately in the import statistics and no estimates have been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence by what authority he has issued instructions to the Army Council that any officer convicted by the civil authority following a breathalyser test is to be court-martialled, and, if found guilty, dismissed the service.

No such instruction, which would be unlawful, has been issued. But the case of an officer convicted in such circumstances by a civil court is reported to the Army Board, who consider whether any administrative action is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will visit Sweden to study the Swedish system of protection of the civil population against chemical and microbiological warfare.

I have no present plan to visit Sweden.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy in the matter of giving permission for the photographing and filming of experiments in defence research establishments involving pain to animals.

My policy is to observe the requirements of the Cruelty to Animals Act (1876) and regulations made under it by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give approximate details of the species of the 85,000 animals killed last year at the Porton Research Establishment for experimental purposes.

I said on 12th June in reply to the hon. Member for Wolver-hampton, North-East (Mrs. Renée Short) that 66,144 animals were used in 1967 in research at the two Porton Establishments. About 63,000 of these animals were rates, mice and guinea pigs. Details are given below. In addition, a number of other animals were used for the production of serum and were not destroyed. —[Vol. 766, c. 42.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what experiments are being conducted in defence research establishments involving the use of atropine,

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many British soldiers volunteered last year to be subjects for experiment in the use of the gas B2.

I presume my hon. Friend is referring to the incapacitating agent BZ. In practice Servicemen volunteer, not for specific tests, but for any tests which it may be necessary to carry out in the future. When the need arises, Servicemen are told beforehand of the nature of the tests and are then at liberty to withdraw if they wish. Four volunteers took part in BZ tests in 1967. The tests were carefully controlled, and there was no danger to the men concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what research is being done to develop a bullet-proof inflatable gas-proof treatment tent.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he hopes to announce the result of his inquiry as to whether the publication by Sanity of aerial pictures of Nancekuke is to be proceeded against as a violation of the Official Secrets Act.

My right hon. Friend has ordered no such inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the terms of his Department's contract for the manufacture of gas with Schermuly Limited, Spar Works, Newdigate, Guildford, Surrey.

It is not the practice to disclose the terms of contracts.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what work is being done at the Microbiological Research Establishment, Porton, on problems of contagious abortion in cattle;(2) what work is being done at the Microbiological Research Establishment, Porton, on problems of undulant fever.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 15th May. Contagious abortion of cattle is a type of brucellosis and undulant fever is the human form of this disease.—[Vol. 764, c. 250.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence for what purpose an Army van and two photographers took pictures of demonstrators outside Porton on Whitsunday, 1968.

Photographs were taken in view of the possibility that damage might be caused to Government property. However, I have now given instructions for the photographs to be destroyed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what acreage of farmland is used by his Department within the 22-mile perimeter of the Microbiological Research Establishment and Chemical Defence Experimental Establishment at Porton.

About 1,300 acres are used for conventional farming.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will arrange for the Microbiological Research Establishment and Chemical Defence Experimental Establishment at Porton to issue regular reports describing the general character of their classified work.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what research he is doing into aerobiology.

Studies in the survival and detection of airborne microorganisms.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what quantities of CS gas, manufactured at Nancekuke, were sold to police forces abroad during 1967 at a cost of 35s. per pound;(2) if he will state the names of the 60 countries whose police forces purchase CS gas made at Nancekuke in Cornwall.

No CS gas was sold direct to police forces abroad during 1967. Quantities of CS were, however, sold to a British firm which makes riot control devices and exports them to a number of countries overseas under export licences issued by the Board of Trade. It is not the practice to disclose information about export licences.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he proposes to reply to the letter from the Skidbrooke-cum-Saltfleet Parish Council of 15th April regarding the bangs that result from the low-flying Phantom aircraft; why a reply has not been sent sooner; and what action he is taking to mitigate the fears caused by these operations.

A reply to the letter from the Skidbrooke-cum-Saltfleet Parish Council was sent by the Department on 12th June, 1968.At the time of the receipt of the letter from the Parish Council, new procedures were being discussed for use of the Theddlethorpe range and consequently it was decided to delay a full reply. It is normal practice to send an interim reply, but in this case this was not done. I apologise for this oversight.Theddlethorpe range is off-shore. It is used by the R.A.F. for gunnery and bombing and to a lesser degree by the R.A.F. and U.S.A.F. for night photographic reconnaissance exercises. The bangs in question result from these latter exercises. They are made by photo-flash cartridges which make a sharp crack on ignition just after they leave the aircraft.As with all Ministry of Defence ranges, Theddlethorpe is operated in accordance with strict safety regulations designed to protect both the users and the members of the public. It has been in use since 1935 and has a good safety record.The reply which was sent to the Parish Council explains the general safety measures in operation at Theddlethorpe and describes certain new procedures for the use of the range at night by Phantom aircraft engaged on photographic reconnaissance exercises, which were introduced earlier this month to provide yet greater margins of safety and to reduce disturbance. The improved procedures now in force include radar reflectors on the target to ensure navigational accuracy and new approach and departure routes which are over the sea at all times.These should avoid future incidents such as occurred in September, 1967, and at the end of May, 1968, when small fragments of light alloy from photo-flash cartridge cases were found outside the range danger area.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will now make a ruling for local education authorities to follow the inclusion of additional payment in cash in the computation of teachers' superannuation payments.

No. Each payment must be considered according to the circumstances, in the light of regulation 24 of the Teachers' Superannuation Regulations, 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will review the Teachers Superannuation Regulations so that teachers at special schools paying additional superannuation are not penalised if they return to ordinary teaching duties.

No. This is not practicable in a scheme in which benefits are based on the average salary for the last three years of pensionable service, except in so far as such teachers might benefit under Regulation 29 of the Teachers' Superannuation Regulations, which assists those who suffer reduction in salary shortly before retiring age.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to set up a department of speech therapy in one of the teacher training colleges in Wales, or in another educational institution within the Principality.

As my right hon. Friend and I indicated on 24th and 31st May, respectively, proposals for the establishment of speech therapy training facilities in Wales have been received and are under consideration in the Department. But it may be some time before decisions can be reached.—[Vol. 765, c. 144 and 286–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will seek to amend the Factories Act and the Women and Young Persons Act so as to make it possible for pupils still at school to undertake works experience courses.

The amendment of the law relating to the employment of children is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity. Her Department and mine are at present discussing the legal and safety questions arising from work experience schemes for school pupils.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many further education colleges and technical colleges in England and Wales make provision for courses to enable mature students to gain entry qualifications to colleges of education.

Extensive provision is made in local colleges of further education and evening institutes for G.C.E. and other courses leading to qualifications which are accepted for entry to teacher training. Where there is a sufficient demand local education authorities and college principals try to arrange special courses for people who wish to improve their general educational standard for this purpose. The number of mature students entering the colleges of education continues to increase substantially.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what help her Department is now providing, and with what results, for the miners shortly to be declared redundant at Kingsbury Colliery.

It was not possible for my officers to arrange interviews with these men until the N.C.B. had finished a programme of interviews about possible transfer to other collieries. This is now almost complete, and arrangements have been made for my officers to interview redundant miners, at the colliery, beginning on 24th June, to give advice and information to help them find other employment. I understand there will be no dismissals before the end of July.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what steps her Department is taking to find alternative employment for workers made redundant at Hawker Siddeley Dynamics factory, Coventry.

My Department has set up a special office in the factory to give advice and information to the redundant workers to help them to find alternative work. Of 939 who have so far been terminated, 647 have registered at the office; 179 have been placed or are known by my officers to have found work. Only 152 were registered as unemployed on 3rd June.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the position of cardiac surgery in the Manchester Regional Hospital Board's area, in the light of the correspondence and memorandum sent to him by the hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe.

The allocation of resources to meet the many demands (including those of cardiac surgery) made upon them is for Boards to decide in the light of their assessment of priorities. The Manchester Regional Hospital Board and the Board of Governors of the United Manchester Hospitals are discussing means of increasing the facilities for cardiac surgery in the Region. I shall be sending my hon. Friend a reply to his recent letter on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been in the last 12 months for the offence of using portable red reflecting road accident prevention triangles which do not comply with the relevant British Standards specification.

This is not in itself an offence. The use of unauthorised red reflecting triangles may nevertheless render the user liable to prosecution for offences such as obstruction. I regret, however, that the information requested is not available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) by what authority the consultants for the Chorley/Leyland New Town are refusing to allow new firms to set up works in the Chorley area;(2) how many applications for new industries in the Chorley area have been refused by the consultants for the Chorley/Leyland New Town.

The local authorities in the area of the proposed new town have at my request agreed to obtain the views of the consultants when dealing with planning applications which might be of importance in relation to the consultants' proposals for the new town, such as an application for development on a site which could prejudice the line of an important road. The local planning authorities have agreed to refer to me any case where they consider that permission should be granted against the consultants' advice.I am inquiring about cases in which these procedures have been followed in relation to proposals for new industrial development in the Chorley area, and will write to my hon. Friend. I understand that in a recent case which my hon. Friend may have in mind the consultants, with the firm and the local authority, were able to find a suitable site for an industrial expansion in place of one where development would have prejudiced a road line.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what consideration he has given to the problems arising in many south coast towns from the increasingly high age structure, caused to some extent by a lack of industry in these areas; and what action he proposes to take to ensure that more industry is allowed to come there.

My right hon. Friend is considering with other Ministers, the problems of south coast towns to which the South East Economic Planning Council drew attention. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will consider applications for industrial development certificates for projects in these towns which are suited to their needs and which cannot be located in the development areas, or, where appropriate, in new or expanding towns.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will make arrangements to bring to the notice of hon. Members developments in the Post Office.

Yes. Arrangements have been made for three exhibitions to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall:

asked the Postmaster General when Telex facilities will be provided for the use of hon. Members.

I am pleased to announce that Telex service is now available at the Central Lobby Post Office from 8 a.m. until half an hour after the rising of the House on each sitting day for right hon. and hon. Members or their representatives. Written messages should be handed in at the Post Office. The charge for each transmission will comprise a one shilling call office fee, a small typing fee, and a call charge which will vary depending upon the distance and duration of the call.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works, if he will arrange for the Exhibition on Ancient Monuments at present displayed in the Banqueting House, Whitehall, to tour the country.

Arrangements have been made for the Exhibition to go on tour. It will visit Edinburgh from 4th-24th July and Cardiff from 5th-25th September. Other sites are being considered for this year and next.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will summarise the amounts spent on different products in the contracts for manufactured imports worth £120 million which were let by the Government departments during 1966–67.

Government purchases of manufactured imports in 1966–67 may be summarised as follows: