asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to bring an end to the culling of seals on Scroby Sands which are authorised by his Department, in view of the representation made to him by the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare about the great cruelty often involved.

The Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee decided on 28th May to bring the cull to an end because of its lack of success.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the increase in the price of food on the basis that the cost of agricultural support is passed to the consumer.

It is not possible to give a precise estimate because many variable factors are involved; but to raise market prices to the levels of the current guarantees to the agricultural industry would result in an increase of some 4–7 per cent. in the cost of food. If the cost of production grants were also transferred to the consumer, food prices would, of course, rise further.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if, in view of recent evidence, details of which are in his possession, that the ingestion of cyclamate can be harmful to the health, particularly of people with heart, circulatory and liver complaints, he will now amend the Labelling of Food Regulations, 1967 so as to require that the addition of cyclamate to any foodstuff be shown on the label.

No.As I explained in my reply to the hon. Member for Wood Green (Mrs. Joyce Butler) today, this evidence is not new. I have nothing to add, therefore, to my answer to the hon. Members for Wood Green and Bromley (Mr. Hunt) on 15th May.—[Vol. 764, c. 1215.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the average farm income in Cornwall in 1965, 1966 and 1967, and the average in the same years for the United Kingdom as a whole.

I regret that the statistics necessary for such a comparison are not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total of imports of new potatoes in the present year; and how this quantity compares with the last three years.

Up to the end of April this year 80,500 tons of new potatoes had been imported, as compared with 55,400 tons last year, 69,600 tons in 1966 and 68,100 tons in 1965. The figure for May this year will not be available until 28th June.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what was the appropriate volume in the United Kingdom of retail sales of liquid milk from Channel Island herds in 1966 and 1967; and what estimate he has made of the volume of such retail sales in 1968.

The information requested is not available. However, the Milk Marketing Board for England and Wales paid Channel Islands premium on 115 million gallons in the April/March year 1965–66 and about 113 million gallons in 1966–67 and 1967–68. No significant change is expected in 1968–69. In Scotland the amount of milk produced by Channel Islands herds is estimated to be about 2 million gallons per annum. The amount produced in Northern Ireland is thought to be negligible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what quantities of canned and frozen potatoes, or potatoes in any other containers which have been pre-cooked, have been imported into this country since 1st January.

Imports during the first four months of 1968 were:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total value of all imported potatoes and potato products to the latest available date in 1968, and the figure for the corresponding period of 1967.

Up to the end of April this year the value of imports of new potatoes was £5·0 million compared with £3·7 million last year. The corresponding figures for dehydrated potato were £1·3 million and £0·2 million respectively. Imports of canned and frozen potatoes for the same period this year were £1·1 million but no figures are available for 1967.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the tonnage of potatoes which was imported into the United Kingdom in the two weeks up to 15th June, 1968; and what is the approximate breakdown of their countries of origin.

Official statistics of potato imports in June will not be available until the end of July. My estimate is that something of the order of 50,000 tons were imported during the first two weeks of June, almost entirely from Cyprus.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much soft wheat has been imported into the United Kingdom during the last two calendar months; and how much is on firm contract up to the end of August, 1968.

Official trade statistics do not distinguish soft wheat, but taking it to refer to Continental wheat, I estimate that about 130,000 tons was imported in April and May and that about 120,000 tons is on contract to arrive in June, July and August. These amounts include wheat imported for animal feed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that the current imports of French wheat are depressing the market for grain, and that this wheat is being imported below its cost of production; and what action he now proposes to take as a result of his discussions on this matter.

Imports of French wheat in the current crop year look like being about the same as they were on average over the four previous crop years. Although imports of French wheat are heavily subsidised, the return to United Kingdom producers is safeguarded by the guarantee system. Discussions are continuing about an increase in the minimum import prices following devaluation and I will make an announcement as soon as these are completed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will dismiss Mr. Henry Plumb, Deputy President of the National Farmers' Union, from membership of the Northumberland Committee.

No.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to expand trade in fish and other marine products with member States of the European Free Trade Association.

The trade is expanding steadily, and no specific action is contemplated.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether a four-months licence on an agricultural tractor is acceptable for investment grant purposes; and if he will make a statement.

Licences for agricultural machines are issued only for a full year. The question does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to strengthen the health regulations for meat re-exported into this country from other countries; and what information he has on the origin and slaughter conditions of such meat.

The Imported Food Regulations 1968, operative from 1st August, continue and amplify the provisions of the Public Health (Imported Food) Regulations 1937 to 1948 by which meat may not be imported for human consumption, directly or via an intermediate country, unless it has an official certificate, formally recognised by me, of the legally competent authority where the meat was actually produced. The certificate must show the identity of the production establishment. I do not recognise any certificate unless I am satisfied, on the basis of my officers' reports, that the competent authority in question applies our detailed standards of hygiene, inspection and supervision.Apart from these safeguards, no food may be imported for human consumption if it is found to be unfit, unsound or unwholesome on arrival here or if a competent authority in any country has found it to be unfit for food.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the staff of five employed by the Beef Recording Association in Scotland includes the three herdsmen at the three bull performance testing stations; and according to whose demand the field staff are allocated.

I am informed that the staff of five includes the two managers and one stockman at the Aberdeen bull performance testing station. Field staff are allocated according to the demand for recording services from beef breeders and producers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much agricultural land has been taken in Shropshire for other purposes in the years 1965 and 1966; what percentage this represents of the total; and how this compares with the national average.

826 acres in 1964–65 and 415 acres in 1965–66. This represents about one-tenth of one per cent. and one-twentieth of one per cent. respectively of the total agricultural land in the county. The national average was higher than this; about one-quarter of one per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that current imports of potatoes are seriously threatening returns to early potato growers; and if he will take steps to limit such imports.

Since the first week in June prices for early potatoes have been lower for this time than for some years past. This has been due, first, to weather conditions which caused the earliest crops from the south and west to overlap with the eastern counties crops which usually arrive a fortnight later, and second, to the increase of about 7,000 in the acreage planted to first earlies. Imports—most of which arrive before mid-May—have not been a critical factor. The potatoes which have arrived since mid-May are mostly from Cyprus; these compete more with the old crop than with the new.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average price prevailing in the market for early potatoes in the first week of June 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1968.

The most usual wholesale prices for home grown early potatoes in England and Wales during the first week of June in 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1968 were 44s., 84s., 84s. and 74s. per cwt. respectively; but wholesale prices for early potatoes vary daily and widely in early June.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has received from the Natural Environment Research Council their report about seals; and if he will make a statement.

I have just received a note of the meeting which the Natural Environment Research Council convened to review the scientific facts about the seals on the Fame Islands. I am now considering what further action to take.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on his Department's plans for introducing the metric system.

My Department, in common with other Departments, is prepared to support metrication plans as they are drawn up by and for the various sections of industry. For example, action in line with the programme for the construction industry is already being taken in view of the implications for agricultural and horticultural buildings and the Ministry's standard cost regulations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent communication he has received from the British Veterinary Association about the foot-and-mouth epidemic; and what reply he has sent.

I have received no recent communication from the British Veterinary Association about the epidemic. I understand that they have submitted evidence to the Northumberland Committee but it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this stage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is now taking as a result of his discussions to prevent the depression in the price of milk sent for manufacture as a result of the import of dairy products.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given today to the hon. Members for Torrington (Mr. Peter Mills) and Dumfries (Mr. Monro).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he is making in preventing the netting of salmon off the Greenland coast.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Gainsborough (Mr. Kimball) on Wednesday, 12 June.—[Vol. 766, c. 44–5.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what is his estimate of the increase in the milking herd in the United Kingdom and in Cornwall during the past year; and what steps he is now taking to control imports of milk products.

Between December, 1966 and December, 1967 the number of dairy cows in the United Kingdom increased by 50,025 and in Cornwall by 4,619.In answer to the second part of the Question I have nothing to add at present to the replies given to the hon. Member for Torrington (Mr. Peter Mills) and for North Angus and Mearns (Mr. Buchanan-Smith) on 15th May last and the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Hastings) on 19th June. [Vol. 764, c. 1199 and

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the total number of handicapped children in primary schools; and if he will publish a table in the OFFICIAL REPORT showing a breakdown of that figure for the various classes of handicap.

8,047 children aged 5 to 12 were attending public and grant-aided special schools or classes in January, 1967, the last month for which figures are readily available. I am, as requested, providing details for the OFFICIAL REPORT:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost per unit of electricity sent out in 1967–68 from South of Scotland Electricity Board power stations using coal, oil and nuclear power, respectively, giving the figures in each case to include depreciation and interest on capital invested in power stations under construction.

I am advised by the Board that the costs per unit were for coal-fired stations 1·177d., for oil-fired stations 1·122d., for nuclear stations 1·011d., and for gas turbine stations 2·715d. These figures, unlike those given on page 20 of the Board's Annual Report for 1967–68, include depreciation and also interest on capital invested in power stations at present under construction, but make no allowance for subsidy paid towards the cost of substituting coal for oil.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is now the expected total capital cost of the Hunter-ston B nuclear power station, including the initial fuel charge; and how the cost per kilowatt will compare with the existing Kincardine coal-fired station, and the station, also coal-fired, now being built at Longannet.

The estimated capital cost of Hunterston "B" is £87·5 million, or £70 per kilowatt sent out, and the initial fuel charge is estimated to cost a further £15·7 million, or £12·6 per kilowatt. Kincardine generating station cost £50 per kilowatt and Longannet is expected to cost £45 per kilowatt.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he accepts the Grant Committee recommendation that the required legislation to give effect to the Committee's report should be in two stages; and when his proposals for the immediate matters for the effective direction of court business will be available.

Yes. I hope to be in a position to lay before the House, in the course of next session, a Bill which will cover the direction of sheriff court business.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many people are now working in agriculture in Scotland; and how this compares with 10 years ago.

The number of farm workers (excluding occupiers) is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has yet completed his study of the rating burden on commercial premises in Scottish cities; and what conclusions he has arrived at.

My examination of this complicated matter is nearing completion now.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the advice he has given to Scottish local authorities regarding the appropriate payments to be made to fully qualified teachers who fail to register with the General Teaching Council.

I have issued no guidance in this matter. The Scottish Teachers' Salaries Memorandum, 1968 does not apply to unregistered teachers in primary or secondary schools, and the education authority may remunerate such teachers as it thinks fit.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has received from the Corporation of Glasgow on the question of the reform of the rating system; and what reply he has sent.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many remand home places for boys and girls, respectively, are available in Scotland; and what was the number of boys and girls, respectively, staying at remand

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the amount which will be made available to Glasgow by way of rate support grant in the current year; and what was the total amount distributed to Glasgow in each of the three previous years.

The information is as follows:homes in Scotland on the latest date for which figures are available;(2) what plans he has for building more remand homes in Scotland, or for otherwise alleviating the pressure on such homes;(3) how many young persons committed to remand homes in 1967 were found accommodation in remand homes outwith Scotland; what were the comparable figures for 1966 and 1965, respectively; and what was the cost to public funds in each of these years.

Local authorities have remand home accommodation for 214 boys and 33 girls, but more may be taken in exceptional circumstances. On 17th June, 1968, 173 boys and 21 girls were in residence. New building under construction or planned in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Lanarkshire will provide about 60 additional places and further building is being considered by Ayrshire.The approved school building programme will also help by reducing the period in remand homes for children awaiting vacancies in such schools. I have no knowledge of children or young persons from Scottish courts being accommodated in remand homes outwith Scotland in recent years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list the further representations he has received against the introduction of British Standard Time since 29th April.

Fifteen local authorities and other representative organisations have written. A list of these is set out below. In addition, I have received one representation from a private individual and three hon. Members have sent me petitions signed by their constituents and others.The list is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the additional cost to public funds of providing temporary school accommodation made necessary by cuts and deferments in the school building programme.

None. The revised school building programmes of education authorities for 1968–69 and 1969–70 should enable them to provide the essential accommodation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what further proposals he has to assist the development of the tourist industry in the North-East of England.

I am not yet able to add to the statement in paragraph 44 of the White Paper on Hotel Development Incentives (Cmnd. 3633) presented to Parliament on 21st May.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, how much additional employment it is estimated will be created in the Hartlepool and Tees-side area during the next 12 months arising from the measures taken by the Government, and from the firm inquiries for development which are at present under consideration.

Jobs in prospect expected to arise during the next four years in authorised new industrial developments and in existing premises taken over by manufacturing industry in the Hartlepool and Tees-side area total 7,900 of which 5,000 are for males. I regret that no satisfactory estimate can be made for a 12-month period, or for projects under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, how much additional employment, direct and indirect, he estimates will be brought to the development areas concerned by the location decisions on the aluminium smelters.

The aluminium smelter and associated power station near Blyth, for which planning permission has now been sought, is expected to employ approximately 550 men in the early 1970's, with possible expansion to about 900 at a later date. Employment in the smelters projected at Holyhead and Invergordon would be rather more than 700 and 600 respectively. It is not possible to say what indirect employment would be created.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, how much Government financial assistance, both in terms of the normal regional incentives and otherwise, will be given to the new aluminium smelter projects.

As my hon. Friend will know, a statement will be made at the appropriate time. I must ask him to await this.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what reply he has given to the Norwegian Government as a result of Her Majesty's Government's discussion of the alleged breach of the European Free Trade Association Treaty by subsidising aluminium smelting in this country.

I have explained to the Norwegian Government that no breach of E.F.T.A. obligations is involved but I am not yet ready to reply to them finally on other points which they have raised.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, by what statutory authority he refuses to pay investment grants upon the construction of privately-owned power stations in the United Kingdom.

Power stations as such are not eligible for investment grants under the Industrial Development Act. Machinery or plant for such stations is eligible. Each application is considered on its merits. If we were to refuse, it would be in the exercise of the discretion given by the Act and in the light of the implications for the statutory bodies responsible for the generation and distribution of electricity.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, why he will not take legislative power to vary the date of the tariffs on imported early potatoes in relation to the availability of supplies from home producers.

The tariff on early potatoes imported from countries outside the Commonwealth Preference Area is already set at different rates for different periods, and legislative power exists, subject to the requirements of the Import Duties Act, 1958, for these rates or periods to be varied.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the annual running costs of the Royal United Service Institution, arising out of his Department's discussions with the Institution; and what tangible Government support, financial or otherwise, has been given or promised to enable the Institution to meet the need for an independent national institute to examine Great Britain's defence and overseas problems, as proposed in paragraph 8 on page 23 of Command Paper No. 3540.

About £85,000 if the Institution is to be fully redeveloped along the lines indicated in paragraph 8 on page 23 of Command Paper 3540. A Government contribution of up to £20,000 per annum has been promised, dependent upon, and proportionate to, the success of the Institution's current public appeal, which has a target of £50,000 per annum. I take this opportunity of commending the appeal to hon. Members on all sides of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from apprentices at Portsmouth Royal Naval Dockyard about their new pay structure; and what reply he has sent.

None. There has, however, been some difficulty over the introduction of pay scales for four year apprentices which, age for age, are higher than those for existing five year apprentices. Authority has now been given for the improved rates to be applied to all apprentices subject to certain conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the British or foreign service aircraft which have flown at supersonic speeds in the Land's End area within the past 10 days.

Supersonic flying by Service aircraft for training purposes is normally carried out over the sea in such a way that no disturbance is caused on land.During the last 10 days 12 flights at supersonic speed were made by Royal Naval aircraft over the sea in the Land's End area. On about three of these occasions the aircraft were inadvertently flown too close to the coast and I greatly regret any disturbance caused. We have taken action which should prevent a repetition of these incidents.No foreign Service aircraft have been authorised to fly at supersonic speed in the Land's End area.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that the agricultural tractor licence as set out in form VEIA is £5, he will make it permissible to obtain a four-monthly licence instead of only a 12-monthly licence.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport when he intends to publish his proposals for the future organisation of London Transport.

We hope to publish a White Paper very shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the fact that all 1966 cars have to be fitted with safety seat belts by the end of this month, and that because of overwhelming demand manufacturers cannot give delivery, he will introduce amending regulations to postpone the date by which car owners are obliged to have belts fitted.

No. My contacts with the manufacturers indicate that in general the supply of seat belts is adequate. Particular local difficulties should be capable of resolution with the exercise of flexibility by suppliers.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the present position with regard to the Birmingham-Preston Skelmersdale slip road section of the M6, which it was officially announced in January last would start during 1968.

Construction of the slip roads should start, as part of the contract for the Skelmersdale-Up Holland Bypass, during July this year.

asked the Minister of Transport, what is the present position with regard to the construction of the Fiveways Corner flyover which it was officially announced in January last would start during 1968.

The contract has now been awarded.

asked the Minister of Transport when work will commence on the Carnforth to Farleton section of the M6; and if he will make a statement.

A contract has been let and work should start next month.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will state the number of persons trained in Government training centres in Wales in 1964 and 1967 and the number expected to be trained in 1970.

The number of men who completed such courses rose from 176 in 1964 to 874 in 1967. In 1970 it is expected to exceed, 1,600.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has yet reappointed the Public Schools Commission to consider day, independent and direct grant schools.

I announced in April the appointment of Professor D. V. Donnison as Chairman of the Commission. Lord Annan has since accepted my invitation to be Vice-Chairman, and the full list of members is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the United Kingdom contribution to the temporary international loan made to the United Arab Republic in February; and what was the total amount of the loan.

We understood from the United Arab Republic Government that their outstanding obligations to the International Monetary Fund amounted to some $49 million. The Bank of England contributed $20 million towards the facility, which was repaid in full following fresh drawings from the International Monetary Fund by the United Arab Republic.

asked the Minister of Health what estimate he has made of the number of widows under 50 years of age in Great Britain.

According to the latest estimates of the Registrars General, the number was 141,000 at mid-1967.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what study he has made of the difficulties experienced by widows in acquiring house mortgages; and if he will make a statement on the results.

My right hon. Friend has made no such study; but if my hon. Friend has any particular difficulties in mind I should be grateful to know of them.

asked the Minister of Power how many meter readers are employed by the gas and electricity boards, respectively, in England, Scotland, and in Wales.

The numbers of meter readers, including reader/collectors for prepayment meters, at 31st March, 1968 (19th April for Electricity Boards in England and Wales) was as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has made for tax changes to assist widows.

The position of widows will have to be reviewed along with that of other taxpayers when tax changes are under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the age limit on the employment of widows in grades of the Civil Service.

Age limits for recruitment and retirement are the same for widows as for other people.