asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will assist all firms operating in the City of London, by exempting them from selective employment tax, in view of the fact that the City's contribution to the balance of payments is £900 per employee compared to £360 per employee in manufacturing industry.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total public investment during 1964-65; and what he estimates that it will be during 1968–69.

The 1964–65 outturn of gross domestic fixed capital formation by central government, local authorities and public corporations was £2,661 million. The 1968–69 estimate for the equivalent items is £4,054 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the inter-departmental discussions which have been held on the introduction of output budgeting.

There have been many such discussions. The current feasibility study in the overseas departments is inter-departmental. And the work of the Treasury Management Accounting Unit in this field is essentially inter-departmental.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he allowed consumer spending in the first quarter of 1968 to exceed £6,000 million, in view of the fact that this contravened his general policy; and what new steps he proposes to check this expenditure, which included £376 million for tobacco and £339 million for alcoholic drink.

I explained my strategy for the economy, including con- sumers' expenditure, in 1968 in my Budget Speech, to which I have nothing to add at present.—[Vol. 761, c. 251–302.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to reduce the level of selective employment tax in development areas where there is no alternative employment for those engaged in service industries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of the fact that unemployment in the North-East Region is twice the national average, if he will take steps to attract new industries to the area by seeking to abolish selective employment tax in the Region.

The Government are keeping a close watch on the level of unemployment in the development areas, but general relief from selective employment tax would not be the most effective way of giving them further assistance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the extent of the movement of private investment into the developing countries in 1967 and 1964, respectively.

About £100 million in 1964 and probably about £90 million in 1967.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total of man hours worked by Inland Revenue staffs in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; and what percentage increase this represents compared with a similar annual period in 1963–64.

About 101 million in 1967–68; and about 9 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is satisfied that white Commonwealth immigrants who are at present allowed to enter this country and work here for two years without applying for a work voucher are meeting their obligations to pay Income Tax on their earnings; and if he will take steps to tighten up the regulations in order to insist on Pay As You Earn in all such cases.

I have no evidence to suggest that the individuals referred to avoid their obligations under P.A.Y.E., but if my hon. Friend has any information on this point I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total net increase in National Savings in the first five months of 1968; and what were the comparable figures in the first five months of 1967, 1965 and 1963, respectively.

£108 million, £93 million, £129 million and £189 million, respectively. The figure for 1968 is partially estimated.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he estimates the United Kingdom can now make before 1970 towards the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development growth target of 50 per cent. for the current decade; and what was the United Kingdom average annual growth rate in the years 1960 to 1965.

Our rate of growth in the coming period, and therefore our contribution to the O.E.C.D.'s target for the O.E.C.D. countries collectively, must depend upon the extent of our success in achieving an increase of exports. Between 1960 and 1965 the real gross national product of the United Kingdom, at market prices, grew at an average annual rate of about 3½ per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many taxpayers have emigrated from the United Kingdom since 19th March, 1968, to the nearest convenient date; and what is the consequential net loss of capital to the United Kingdom.

Statistics of emigration are completed quarterly. Those for the current quarter will not be available for some weeks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy regarding those parts of the Annual Report of the Bank for International Settlements, dated 10th June, 1968, a copy of which is in his possession, which concern the economy of the United Kingdom.

The Report contains extensive references to the United Kingdom economy on which it would not be appropriate for me to comment in detail. However, I agree with the authors that effective restraint of domestic money incomes and of public expenditure is essential to the achievement of the large and continuing balance of payments surplus that we require.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the internal purchasing price of the £1 sterling has fallen in the six months since devaluation in November, 1967.

Taking the internal purchasing power of the £ as 20s. in November, 1967, its value in May 1968 is estimated at 19s. 3d. This estimate is based on movements in the index of retail prices.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will isue instructions to all Government departments when seeking applicants for jobs to ensure that there is no discrimination against persons on account of age; and if he will make a statement.

Age limits vary according to the type of post to be filled. In general the rules are liberal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why amounts of the new decimal coinage are being offered to traders for training purposes at prices in excess of the value of the coins included; and whether this practice has his approval.

The intention is that these coins should be provided in small quantities for machine and other experimental purposes and not for general training. The price has to take account of special handling and packing costs.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of those offices of public employment where, as a condition of the duties to be performed, the employee must sign the Official Secrets Act; and how many persons are under this obligation at the present time.

Civil Servants and others employed under the Crown are required to sign a declaration which reminds them of their obligations under the Acts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will extend to the Customs and Excise the investigation which his organisation and methods staff are to make of the Board of Trade and other Departments.

If the hon. Member has in mind the study referred to in my right hon. Friend's Answer of 11th June to the right hon. Member for Wallasey (Mr. Marples), I doubt whether it could usefully be extended in the way he suggests.—[Vol. 766, c. 15.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why changes have been made in the Farmer's Guide to Pay As You Earn, with regard to short period and casual workers; and, in view of the fact that the exclusion from the new guide of paragraph (b), section 64 of the 1964 guide will disrupt the payment of all casual workers, particularly in fruit and vegetable enterprises, and hamper the production and efficiency of the whole industry, whether he will issue fresh instructions.

On the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 1st May to the hon. Member for North Angus and Mearns (Mr. Buchanan-Smith). The answer to the second part is "No".— [Vol. 763, c. 221–2.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to announce an increase in the foreign travel allowance.

As soon as the balance of payments allows.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the evaluation of the incentive bonus scheme for Government office cleaners, which is now being tested at Eland House, will be completed.

An evaluation will be made during July and August.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement with regard to the setting up of a centralised Government office cleaning service along the lines proposed to his Deparment by management consultants; and from what date the service will operate.

It is too early to say whether such a service would be practicable and economical.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a further statement on the balance of payments.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer which I gave to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Bedfordshire, South (Mr. Gwilym Roberts) earlier this afternoon.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the balance of payments in the second half of 1968.

I do not wish at this stage to add to what I said on this subject in my Budget speech. Since then imports have continued at a rather high level, though this seems to have received some check recently. Exports have come well up to my expectations. Our net invisible earnings have done well. The first quarter saw some exceptional investment transactions but these will not affect the prospects for the rest of the year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what improvement in Great Britain's financial position, notably in the balance of payments, has taken place during the seven months since devaluation of sterling.

The main effects of devaluation and the Budget have not yet had time to work through, particularly on the volume of imports, but export performance has been encouraging.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further action he plans to take to strengthen the balance of payments.

I have no new proposals to announce at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals have been put to the Civil Service National Whitley Council to increase efficiency and productivity in Government Departments; and whether he will introduce outside consultants into certain Departments, with a view to obtaining a smaller, better qualified, and more highly paid Civil Service.

The increased efficiency of the public service is one of the standing objects of the National Whitley Council. Since April 1965 Government Departments have commissioned management consultants for some 80 assignments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates to be the net gain or loss to the Inland Revenue of decreasing Income Tax by 2s. 6d. in the £ sterling for residents in Scotland, raising it by 3d. in the £ sterling for residents in England, and leaving it unchanged for residents in Wales.

There would be a net gain of £16 million for the full year assuming that there were proportionate changes in the reduced rates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates to be the net gain or loss to the Inland Revenue of decreasing Income Tax by 2s. in the £ sterling for residents in Scotland, raising it by 2d. in the £ sterling for residents in England, and leaving it unchanged for residents in Wales.

There would be a net loss of £1 million for the full year assuming that there were proportionate changes in the reduced rates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will undertake to make it the practice to publish an explanatory memorandum on Finance Bills.

There are some difficulties in the way of the hon. Member's suggestion, but I am sympathetic to his proposal and will consider it carefully.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total liability to Income Tax, Surtax, Corporation Tax and Capital Gains Duty on the compensation for foot-and-mouth disease which has been assessed since September 1967.

Practically none. It will be some years before the effect of the special arrangements I announced on 2nd April can be measured.—[Vol. 762, c. 153–4.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the increase in public expenditure, what further proposals he now has to curtail it.

I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's statement of 16th January, published as Command Paper No. 3515, and to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement of 19th March.— [Vol. 756, c. 1577–620; Vol. 761, c. 259.]

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider making a special allocation of funds to expand the cardiac surgery centres at Manchester Royal Infirmary and Baguley Hospital.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris), on 19th June.—[Vol. 766, c. 152.]

asked the Minister of Health whether he will now outline his new plans for the Freeman Road Hospital, Newcastle-on-Tyne, to ensure that the mortuary is better placed in relation to the dining room, following his undertaking given to the hon. Member for Tynemouth.

The Regional Hospital Board's plans provide for access to the mortuary along a subway that does not pass the staff dining room.

asked the Minister of Health whether space will be allocated for chapels in all new designs for National Health Service hospitals.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Health (1) what was the number and percentage of members of the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board who were nominated by trade unions; and how these figures compare with 1964;2) what is the national average of membership of regional hospital boards appointed on the nomination of trade unions; and how this figure compares with 1964.

At 1st April, 1968, the 15 regional hospital boards had 27 members appointed after recommendation by the Trades Union Congress (1–8 per Board) as compared with 18 (1–2 per Board) on 1st April, 1964. The corresponding figures for the Newcastle Board were two members in 1964 and one member in 1968. Four other members of the board have strong trade union connections.

asked the Minister of Health (1) what is the number and percentage of members of the hospital management committees in the area of the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board who are nominees of the trade unions; and how these figures compare with 1964;(2) what is the national average of membership of hospital management committees nominated by trade unions; and how this figure compares with 1964.

Such information is not normally collected centrally. A special enquiry in 1964 showed that 295 (4–7 per cent.) of the members of the 354 hospital management committees in England and Wales had been appointed after recommendation by trade unions or local federations of trades councils. 45 (9–4 per cent.) out of 481 members of such Committees in the Newcastle Region had been so appointed. No more recent figures are available.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the policy for hospital building and maintenance in development areas.

My general policy is to achieve a common satisfactory standard of service in all parts of the country, but in distributing resources for capital development among hospital regions I take into account the provision of services in development areas, in so far as this is possible without detriment to hospital services in other parts of the country. In particular, when special additional funds have been made available to stimulate employment in the development areas the hospital service has played its part by mounting additional minor building and maintenance works. Additional work valued at £2–5 million was undertaken for this purpose in the development areas last whiter. Furthermore, in the placing of contracts for capital works and the supply of equipment, hospital authorities are asked to give preference, other things being equal, to contractors in the development areas.

asked the Minister of Health what were the amounts of grant to the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board in respect of building and maintenance for hospitals in the area covered by the Board for the year 1968–69, and for the four previous years.

Total expenditure from Ministry of Health funds by Newcastle Regional Hospital Board in each of the years 1964–65 to 1968–69 is shown below.

asked the Minister of Health what were the amounts spent in the last financial year by each competent local authority on family planning advice and services under the terms of the National Health Service (Family Planning) Act, 1967.

Information about expenditure by individual local authorities under the 1967 Act is not available for 1967–68 but authorities have been asked to provide this information for the financial year ending on 31st March, 1969.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement on the progress of the inquiries into the allegations in Sans Everything; and when he expects to publish the results.

I am still unable to give a date.

asked the Minister of Health whether the conference on the transplantation of organs has yet reached conclusions on the safeguards which will be necessary, in any amendment of the Human Tissue Act, for those who object to the removal of organs from their own bodies after death, or from those of their close relatives.

The conference has held a further meeting and has sent me a report of its conclusions which is reproduced below. I agree with the recommendation in paragraph 2 of the report that it should not be necessary to seek the views of relatives other than the next of kin. But I am not convinced that the suggestions in paragraph 3 of the report relating to the recording of objections could be made effective at this stage.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he plans to amend the Local Government Superannuation Scheme so that it will take into consideration salary awards not payable owing to the salary and wages standstill.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to amend the scheme on this account.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he will now bring forward legislation to amend the retirement regulations for public service servants who have 25 years service, following the agreement on this matter between the National Association of Local Government Officers and the Association of Municipal Corporations.

My right hon. Friend has no immediate proposals for amending the local government superannuation scheme, review of which ought to wait until the Government's own proposals for a national earnings-related pension scheme are made known.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what total sum was demanded in betterment levy before the concession of the 10th April was announced; how many people in the United Kingdom received such demands; and what is the total amount to be refunded by the Land Commission.

Thirty-two notices of assessment were issued in cases affected by the concession, for a total amount of £10,208 4s. Refunds have been or will be made in the nine cases, where payments had been made, totalling approximately £1,090.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what further extra-statutory concessions for betterment levy he has under consideration.

My right hon. Friend has asked the Land Commission to advise whether any further concession should be made.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will instruct the Land Commission to apologise to all persons who received demands for large sums in betterment levy, before the concession of 10th April was decided, for the financial anxiety caused to them over the preceding six months.

No. The Land Commission were carrying out the duty laid upon them by Parliament.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to introduce the legislation to amend the Land Commission Act to give statutory effect to the betterment levy concession decided on 10th April; and what form it will take.

An appropriate amendment to Schedule 5 of the Land Commission Act will be introduced at the earliest convenient opportunity.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give loan sanction for the provision of zoological and botanical gardens at Newquay as requested by the Newquay Urban District Council in a letter to his Department on 21st May, 1968.

The council was told on 6th June that loan sanction for this scheme would be issued when tenders had been obtained.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will introduce legislation to amend the 1968 Rent Act and the 1967 Leasehold Reform Act so that service charges are excluded from assessed rents, in view of the fact that the market in good quality flats has been frozen; and if he will make a statement.

The hon. Member doubtless has in mind the recently expressed opinion that if the total amount payable for rent and services by the holder of a long lease were to rise above two-thirds of the rateable value the lease may become subject to rent regulation. Only the courts can establish with certainty whether this is the position, but my right hon. Friend is having some inquiries made about the possible extent of this problem, and he will then consider whether any further action is called for.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what moral and material assistance has now been given to the people of Southern Rhodesia in their struggle to achieve their freedom and independence.

The whole aim of our policy is to assist the people of Southern Rhodesia in this way. We have also given substantial educational assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether Mr. Justice Cairns' Committee dealing with the withdrawal of passports from citizens normally living in Rhodesia will have the same access to persons and papers as the Parliamentary Commissioner.

All the information which the Committee may require for the performance of their functions will of course be made available to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs how it is established whether a political refugee, who has left Rhodesia and applies for a British passport in another country, is or is not a terrorist.

All the evidence relevant to each application is considered before a British passport is issued.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the result of the Minister of State's visit to Lagos.

At present I have nothing to add to the communique issued in Lagos on 24th June at the end of Lord Shepherd's visit. Lord Shepherd arrives back in London only this afternoon. A copy of the communique will be placed in the Library.

asked the President of the Board of Trade where the cannon raised from the supposed wreck of the warship "Association" in the Scilly Isles at present are; and what he intends to do with them.

The cannon are in the legal possession of the Receiver of Wreck for the Isles of Scilly. If no claim to ownership is established within one year from the date on which the Receiver took possession they will be sold as prescribed in the Merchant Shipping Acts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the number of tugs operating within the landward limits of the River Thames that are in receipt of investment grants.

Investment grants have been paid towards expenditure on eight tugs which are, I understand, operating in the Thames area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent his proposals for increased safety for pleasure craft apply within the landward limits of the River Thames; and if he will make a statement.

The recently announced scheme for the issue of Boatmen's Licences to persons in charge of small passenger craft carrying more than 12 passengers which ply in inland or estuarial waters or go only short distances to sea, covers such craft plying on the River Thames.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will make a statement on the number of tugs operating with Board of Trade certificates within the landward limits of the River Thames; and what qualifications are required by masters of such vessels;(2) what study he has made of the number of tugs with Board of Trade certificates that will be required in the years ahead for use within the landward limits of the River Thames.

These tugs are not normally required to have Board of Trade certificates; nor are there any statutory requirements governing the qualifications of their masters. However two of them which sometimes carry more than twelve passengers are required to have passenger certificates. I have no information as to the numbers of such tugs which may be required in future years; nor have I any reason to believe that a special study of the subject is called for at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the countries with which the United Kingdom has quota agreements for the import of raspberry pulp; and what is the size of the quota for individual countries.

The following quotas have been established for the year 1968 for imports which may include raspberry pulp:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the quantity and value of raspberry pulp imported in each of the past five years; and if he will give these figures for each country of origin.

Raspberry pulp is not separately distinguished in the trade statistics.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to announce the Government's decision on the recommendations of the Monopolies Commission in their report on man-made cellulosic fibres.

As I announced on 5th March, I have already instituted a tariff review following the Commission's report. I expect to have the results of this in two or three months time. Meanwhile, my officials have had discussions with Courtaulds on the recommendations of the Commission other than that relating to tariffs. I cannot yet say when I shall be able to announce a decision.—[Vol. 760, c. 60–1.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade what information he has on the relative merits of the full price and reduced price washing powders made by the two principal manufacturers as recommended in the Monopolies Commission's Report on detergents; and if he will make a statement.

A report by the Consumer Association published on 13th June found no difference between the full-price and reduced-price brands in tests for the removal of dirt and stains. They recommended as the "Best Buys" two reduced-price brands, Surf and Tide; these are made available by the manufacturers at about 20 per cent. less than the normal price of the dearer brands, under arrangements agreed with the Board of Trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will list the total registered unemployed, including those temporarily stopped, the percentage which this represents and the unfilled vacancies for the month of June for the last 10 years in the Coventry, Nuneaton, Tamworth and Coleshill areas.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will give an undertaking that she will introduce equal pay within the next three years.

No, I think the right approach is to carry out preparatory work now so that there need be no delay when economic circumstances permit progress. This my right hon. Friend is doing.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence which are the 10 best recruited regiments in the Royal Armoured Corps.

The Royal Scots Greys; 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards; The Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons); The Queen's Own Hussars; 2nd Royal Tank Regiment; 13th/18th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary's Own); 3rd Royal Tank Regiment; 17th/21st Lancers; 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars; 4th Royal Tank Regiment.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present shortage of manpower in the Army; and what was the corresponding figure for the same time in the last three years.

On 31st March, 1968, the soldier strength of the Army was 4.543 below ceiling. The comparable figures for 1965, 1966, and 1967 were 1,578 below, 862 below and 648 below, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present strength of the Scottish Division expressed as a percentage of its present authorised establishment.

When the Scottish Division comes into existence on 1st July, it will be approximately 104 per cent. of establishment. The strength is likely to fall to within the ceiling by 1st April, 1969. This over establishment is due to the disbandment of the Cameronians and the posting of many ex members of that regiment to other regiments in the division.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) which sites in Great Britain have been investigated as suitable sites for radio telescopes of the kind at Jodrell Bank; and what considerations were borne in mind in deciding what is a suitable site;(2) what investigations have been made in Wales as to a suitable site for a radio telescope for Manchester University that will not adversely affect visual amenities; and what sites other than that of Meifod have been considered.

A suitable site must have maximum freedom from man-made interference for the estimated life of the telescope, which can only be obtained with an instrument of the size proposed by siting it in a shallow valley giving an horizon of a degree or so. The site must be sufficiently close to the parent university for the scientists to carry out both their teaching and research activities, and to Jodrell Bank, for combined operation with the existing telescopes. There must also be satisfactory meteorological and geological conditions. Because a new telescope would be remotely controlled from Jodrell Bank it was possible to look for sites at up to 100 miles distant. Investigations soon reduced the possible areas to four in North Wales and the Welsh Border. One site, at Meifod in Montgomeryshire, most nearly meets these conditions and further investigations are continuing there. A telescope sited at Meifod below the horizon should not affect visual amenities adversely.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of police officers employed in various capacities in connection with the recent visit to this country of Daniel Cohn Bendit.

A number of police officers were engaged at various times and for part of their turn of duty in connection with the recent visit of several foreign students, including Mr. Cohn Bendit, but it is not possible to say how many in all.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will make a statement on the future development loans which Great Britain will make available to the Government of Malawi.

We have offered, and the Malawi Government have accepted, a further interest-free development loan of £5 million to cover the two-year period 1969 and 1970. The loan will be made available for approved development projects. Parliament will in due course be asked to provide the necessary funds. In the meantime, advances will be sought from the Civil Contingencies Fund if necessary.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what new financial aid Great Britain offered to India and Pakistan at the Consortia meetings organised by the World Bank in Washington from 21st to 24th May, 1968.

£35 million was pledged for India and £8 million for Pakistan for 1968–69. As in the case of previous aid to India and Pakistan, this will be in the form of interest-free loans repayable over 25 years with a grace period of 7 years before repayments of capital begin. Disbursements during 1968–69 will be charged to the Overseas Aid (Bilateral) Vote in due course.

asked the Postmaster-General what was the cost and purpose of the half page advertisement he inserted in The Times newspaper on Thursday, 13th June; what other similar advertisements were or will be inserted in other newspapers; and at what total cost.

The advertisement is one of several designed to show more clearly to our customers the part which the postal service plays in their life. These advertisements are preliminary to publicity that will be needed later this year when we introduce fundamental changes designed to modernise the service. The cost of The Times advertisement was £765. Advertisements of a similar character have appeared or will be appearing in The Guardian, the Financial Times and in national colour supplements. The cost of these newspaper advertisements will be about £40,000 and there will be television advertising later.

asked the Postmaster-General in what respects the contract between the General Post Office and Thompsons Directory Limited has been varied from the conditions laid down in the document of tender issued in 1965.

None, apart from the addition of a clause on bad debts. As provided in the terms, it has been extended to cover new directories introduced subsequently.

asked the Minister of Power what has been the value and tonnage of bulk steel imports and exports, respectively, in each of the last three years, and to date this year.

The following is the information:

asked the Minister of Power how many of the amendments made by the Lords to Bills originating in his Department in the present Session were, in the case of each Bill, sponsored by a Government Department; and if he will give comparable figures for Bills of the previous Session.

This information is available in the published OFFICIAL REPORTS of the proceedings of another place.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a revised list of representative institutions in Scotland, and of the number of individuals in Scotland, who have now made representations to him regarding the Government's proposed British Standard Time, stating in each case whether the representations were favourable or hostile.

I have received representations against the British Standard Time Bill from the following 88 local authorities and other representative organisations since the Government announced their decision to introduce the Measure on 22nd June, 1967. I have received similar representations from 28 private firms and individuals; and in addition five hon. Members have sent me petitions signed by a number of their constituents and others. I have received no representations in favour.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many teachers applied for registration with the General Teaching Council in the month of May, 1968; and how many paid the £1 registration fee during that month.

1,718 and 6,994, respectively. 42,558 teachers have now applied for registration and 35,409 have paid the registration fee.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the waiting period for admission to Milesmark and Northern Hospitals, Dunfermline, in respect of medical beds.

The latest available information shows that no one has waited more than six months for admisson to a general medical bed at Milesmark Hospital; statistics for shorter periods of waiting are not available, but patients re- quiring emergency treatment are admitted without delay. There are now no medical beds at the Northern Hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the day-occupancy of medical beds in Milesmark and Northern Hospitals, Dunfermline, respectively.

During the six-month period ended 31st March, 1968, the average daily occupancy of general medicine beds in Milesmark Hospital was 63. Dunfermline Northern Hospital no longer has any general medicine beds.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the day-occupancy of geriatric beds in Milesmark and Northern Hospitals, Dunfermline, respectively.

The following table shows, for the six-month period ended 31st March, 1968, the average daily occupancy of geriatric assessment and geriatric long-stay beds in Milesmark and Northern Hospitals, Dunfermline:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action is now being taken to reduce the use of oil in power stations as a result of the increases in its price.

No further action is necessary, because the Scottish Electricity Boards are already burning the maximum possible amount of coal in place of oil.

asked the Minister of Social Security if she will state the numbers of people in 1965, 1966 and 1967 who, having been ill on short trips abroad, claimed sickness benefits on return to the United Kingdom, but whose claims in this matter were disallowed.

I regret that the information requested is not available.

asked the Minister of Social Security if she will now review the position whereby British residents who are ill while on short trips abroad cannot claim sickness benefits from her department.

No. Sickness benefit is paid for incapacity for work and we have already lifted the disqualification for receiving sickness benefit abroad in circumstances in which we can be reasonably satisfied that there is continuing incapacity. My right hon. Friend is not prepared to go further because of the impossibility of obtaining the same weight of evidence of incapacity from people abroad as that which is required from people in this country. People here are expected to produce continuing evidence of incapacity for work from a registered medical practitioner and to submit themselves, when required to do so, to medical examination by a Regional Medical Officer in the service of the appropriate Health Department.

asked the Minister of Social Security how many working days are lost per year as a result of arthritis.