asked the Minister of Power when he estimates that North Sea gas will be available in the Bristol area for the consumers.

Supplies of North Sea gas are expected to reach the South Western Board in 1969 and will be used initially in the Seabank Works to enrich reformed town gas.

asked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement on his plans for prospecting for natural gas in the Bristol Channel.

A further part of the Continental Shelf, including virtually the whole of the Bristol Channel, has recently been designated by Order in Council made on 7th June 1968 under Section 1(7) of the Continental Shelf Act, 1964. This will enable me to be kept fully informed on the progress of any operations in the area conducted by holders of exploration licences.

asked the Minister of Power if he will direct the North Thames Gas Board under the Gas Act, 1948 to institute a system of accounting which will allow consumers of gas and renters of cookers in the area to receive gas bills with reasonable promptitude.

No. The Board informs us that there is no general delay in rendering accounts, but my right hon. Friend has asked the Chairman to write to the hon. Member about the local reasons for particular delays in the Slough area.

asked the Minister of Power if he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board to halt all pit closures for a period of three to five years, in order to consolidate the measures being taken to attract new industries and provide new jobs in the mining areas of Great Britain.

No.

asked the Minister of Power whether, in view of the increasing demand for electricity, he will now appoint a committee to advise him in cases where a conflict arises between the provision of electricity and the preservation of the countryside.

No. A committee is not necessary. Statutory procedures—to be extended under the Town and Country Planning Bill before Parliament—enable all factors to be considered before decisions are made.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will make a further statement on the series of studies regarding the proposed power station at Seaton Carew.

I am not yet ready to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Health, what advice he is giving to dispensing chemists on the way in which they should treat National Health Service prescriptions for items which would normally cost less than 2s. 6d.

I do not at present propose to add to the advice on this subject which has already been given to pharmacists in contract with Executive Councils in England and Wales by their representative body.

asked the Minister of Health if he will issue prescription forms of different colours for those exempted from payment and those who have to pay, so as to ease the work in chemists' shops, which under existing circumstances is onerous and unprofitable.

I am at present considering what should be the long-term arrangements for the establishment of a patient's entitlement to exemption from prescription charges. The use of different coloured forms was discussed with representatives of the medical profession but was unacceptable to them.

asked the Minister of Health what representations he has had from dispensing chemists in general on the problems arising for them on the restoration of prescription charges, as outlined in the letter sent by the hon. Member for Tynemouth; and if he will make a statement.

The chemists' representative body has recently written to my Department making representations on a number of points, and their letter is receiving urgent consideration.

asked the Minister of Health what addition has been given to dispensing chemists to recompense them for the additional labour in collecting the prescription levy; and what is his estimate of the cost of this increase during the current year and for the next full year.

A special temporary addition of 1d. per prescription was agreed with the chemists' representatives for prescriptions dispensed between 10th June and 31st August. From 1st September, 1968, the percentatge on cost paid to chemists as part of their remuneration will be raised by ½ per cent., i.e. from 10½ per cent. of ingredient costs to 11 per cent. The cost is likely to be about £450,000 in the current financial year, and £500,000 next year. Remuneration as a whole is expected to be reviewed in 1969 in the light of the next regular inquiry into chemists' expenses, which will show the current level of their labour and overhead costs including those caused by the task of collecting the charges.

asked the Minister of Health if he will seek to take the necessary steps to make it illegal to prescribe drugs of addiction or dependence other than through the National Health Service.

I will examine the suggestion made by my hon. Friend in the light of the advice which I await from the Advisory Committee on Drug Dependence and to which I referred in answer to his Question on 2nd July.— [Vol. 767, c. 1295–6.]

asked the Minister of Health what increase there has been in the cost of silver alloy for use by the dental profession since devaluation; and what arrangements he is making to compensate dentists for the extra costs to them.

Silver alloy used in dentistry is marketed under a variety of brand names. Since 1st November, 1967, the prices of two of the more popular brands have increased from 26s. 0d. to 32s. 8d. and from 27s. 9d. to 30s. l0d. an ounce, no doubt largely on account of increases in the world price of silver. Substantial discounts are available to those who purchase larger quantities.Variations in dentists' expenses is one of the factors taken into account by the Dental Rates Study Group in fixing a scale of fees which will yield, on average, the target net income recommended by the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration.

asked the Minister of Health if he will alter the printing of E.C.10 prescription forms to include the words, to be completed before taking the prescription to the chemist if you claim exemption.

Words to this effect are already included; but my Department is considering possible improvements in the design of this form, including suggestions made by the Chemist Contractors Committee.

asked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take against those dispensing chemists who have decided to dispense medicines free of charge for a month as a protest against the imposition of prescription charges.

I see no reason to take any special action against any such chemists. The National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Regulations, 1968 provide that chemists' remuneration shall be abated by the amount of the charges payable to them by the patient.

asked the Minister of Health why the school for pupil nurses at the St. Thomas's Hospital, Stockport, has placed an embargo on further recruitment of state enrolled nurses.

To contain expenditure within their 1968–69 financial allocation, the Hospital Management Committee have limited this year's intake of pupil nurses at this hospital's training school to 10.

asked the Minister of Health (1) if he is now in a position to provide details of the defined area which he has had under consideration for the provision in this country of a coronary care service to include a mobile intensive care unit;(2) in view of the demand for adequate coronary care among all sections of the community and the proliferation of understaffed and ineffective coronary units in small hospitals, if he will advise hospital boards to set up in district general hospitals cardiological departments provided with intensive care units and equipment for specialised care and investigation.

Intensive coronary care is already provided in some district general hospitals in special units or in intensive care or intensive therapy units, and more such units are planned. The location of the trial of the mobile intensive care team will be announced locally in the near future.

asked the Minister of Health how many agencies for the supply of nurses are registered under the Nurses Agencies Act, 1957; which local authori- ties have registered these agencies; and what are the appropriate numbers in each case.

One hundred and ten at the beginning of 1968. The analysis by local authority is as follows:

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will take steps to amend the rates rebate scheme so that an aged or infirm person, who has someone living in his home in order to look after him, will not thereby suffer a reduction in the amount of any rate rebate payable to him under the Rating Act, 1966.

The General Rate Act already contains such a provision for the case where the person living in gets no income except from the householder; and in other cases it does not seem unreasonable to take account of the fact that there are two or more incomes going into the household.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government by how much the officially estimated 4½ per cent. rise in prices during the current year as a result of devaluation and indirect taxation increases will increase the cost of a three-bedroom council house.

I cannot give a figure. House prices do not necessarily move with costs. At least part of the increase —which I estimate at about 3 per cent. not 4½ per cent.—may be absorbed by builders or offset by the use of more economic designs.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has come to a decision on the line of the Rock Ferry by-pass in Birkenhead.

My right hon. Friend has now issued a decision approving the

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will announce the level of the rate support grant towards the domestic element for 1969–70.

My right hon. Friend will do so after the negotiations with the associations of local authorities in the autumn.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the amount of housing subsidy paid to the city of Liverpool in 1961–62 to 1967– 68, inclusive.

The figures are as follows:line of the Rock Ferry by-pass as submitted by the Birkenhead Council. I have sent to my hon. Friend a copy of the decision letter and of the Inspector's report.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) if he will include in legislation arising from the White Paper, Old Houses into New Homes, fair compensation for small shopkeepers who lose the tenancy of their business due to clearance schemes;(2) if he will seek to amend section 37 of the Landlord and Tenant Act, 1954 to provide further compensation to small shopkeepers whose tenancies are determined.(3) if he will introduce legislation to make the payment of compensation for goodwill of small businesses by local authorities, which is at present a discretionary power, a compulsory obligation.

As I told my hon. Friend in reply to a Question on 7th May, representations on these matters are being studied.—[Vol. 764, c. 49–50.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to set up, under the control of a Government Department, an office-cleaning organisation responsible for the care and maintenance of Government offices both in Whitehall and throughout the various regions of the country.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Brentford and Chiswick (Mr. Barnes) on 25th June.—[Vol. 767, c. 44.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give a detailed explanation of how he arrived at his estimate of a 4½ per cent. rise in prices during the current year, as a result of devaluation and the increases in indirect taxation; and whether he will break down this estimate to show anticipated rises in food, rents,

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his preliminary constitutional and economic talks with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar.

My noble Friend the Minister of State and I held useful discussions on 5th July with the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Gibraltar, who were accompanied by the Permanent Secretary to the Government of Gibraltar. Our talks were in preparation for the constitutional dis-

No. It has never been customary to disclose detailed forecasts of price movements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a further statement on his expectation of achieving a surplus on United Kingdom balance of payment accounts by the end of the year, using as the basis the figures available to him for the first six months of 1968.

I would refer my hon. Friend to what I said during the Third Reading of the Finance Bill, on 4th July.—[Vol. 767, c. 1790–92.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the assets of the banks in Northern Ireland are lent or invested in London or elsewhere in Great Britain.

The only available information, published in the Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin, concerns the combined assets of banks operating in Northern Ireland, including branches of Eire banks. The following is a partial breakdown of those assets:cussions which my noble Friend will be holding in Gibraltar next week. We also reviewed progress on the proposals for the strengthening of Gibraltar's economy which were raised with me in Gibraltar in May.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he is aware of the threat to world peace involved in the dispute between India and the Naga peoples; and if he will raise this matter at the Security Council of the United Nations.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what changes are now contemplated in the structure and organisation of the Government of the Falkland Islands; and if he will make a statement.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will prevent, on security grounds, the entry into the United Kingdom of those known to advocate the overthrow of constitutional institutions by violence.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave on 4th July to Questions by the hon. and learned Member for Antrim, South (Sir Knox Cunningham) and the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall).—[Vol. 767, c. 1680–1.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from Northern Ireland regarding the introduction of British Standard Time; and what replies he has given.

None. The British Standard Time Bill applies to Northern Ireland, but safeguards the power of the Northern Ireland Parliament to enact legislation in the future about time in Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she is aware of the serious repercussions that are likely to arise in Scotland as a result of the refusal of the British Steel Corporation to allow members of their stafl to be presented by a trade union of their own choice; and what steps she is taking to resolve the dispute.

Following discussions with representatives of the parties concerned, my right hon. Friend has set up a court of inquiry into the dispute between the British Steel Corporation and the Clerical and Administrative Workers' Union and the Association of Technical Supervisory and Managerial Staffs. I understand that normal working has today been resumed pending the outcome of the inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many manual workers in the steel industry in Scotland have withdrawn their labour in support of the claim of staff members to be represented by a trade union of their own choice.

I understand that in Scotland 280 manual workers withdrew their labour in protest against the suspension by management of clerical workers who staged a one-day strike.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity, in view of the successful experiments in Wales with the mentally handicapped, what are her plans for setting up sheltered workshops for them on the lines of those established for the physically handicapped.

I think that in general sheltered workshops should cater as Remploy does, for both the mentally and physically handicapped, but I am ready to consider any application for grant-aid on its merits.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development (1) if he will list the sums paid since 1957 by each Commonwealth country in the form of pensions or compensation to former employees of the Colonial Office or Commonwealth Relations Office;(2) which Commonwealth countries pay pensions, or have paid compensation, to former employees of the British Colonial Office or Commonwealth Relations Office.

Very few of the persons who receive pensions and have received compensation from overseas Commonwealth countries were former employees of the Colonial Office or Commonwealth Relations Office and separate information relating to these persons is not available.I will write to the hon. Gentleman giving him such information as I can relating to pensions and compensation paid by overseas Commonwealth countries to former members of Her Majesty's Oversea Civil Service and comparable services.

asked the Minister of Technology if he is satisfied that supplies of uranium will be adequate for the present nuclear power station programme; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. The uranium supplies on hand or under contract will meet requirements in full until well into the 1970's and part of requirements up to 1980. The growth of exploration in many parts of the world should result in sufficient uranium being forthcoming at reasonable prices to meet nuclear power programmes and the Atomic Energy Authority assure me that they foresee no difficulty in making additional contracts when this seems desirable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of Great Britain's canned meat imports is known to have been exported to the canning country from the United Kingdom in corned beef form initially.

The available statistics do not show to what extent canned meat imports contain meat in specific forms from specific sources, but our requirements ensure that the source must in all cases be one from which the meat could, under our public health regulations, have come directly to the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will advance the date up to which Cyprus potatoes may enter Great Britain, or otherwise further restrict their entry, in order to avoid a repetition of the difficulties experienced this year over supplies and prices of new potatoes.

No. As I explained in my reply of 26th June to the hon. Member for North Angus and Mearns (Mr. Buchanan-Smith), imports have not been the main cause of the difficulties of early potato growers this year.—[Vol. 767, c. 80.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied with the winter equipment at present supplied to personnel serving with the British Army of the Rhine; whether it is comparable to other clothing and equipment supplied to other forces in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; and if he will make a statement.

I am generally satisfied with the standard of winter clothing and personal equipment supplied to personnel serving with the British Army of the Rhine, but of course improved garments are continually being developed, e.g. trials are to be carried out next year on a newly designed combat boot and a new heavy wool jersey is shortly to be introduced.The present British Army clothing compares favourably with that of other N.A.T.O. countries and through our membership of the N.A.T.O. Working Party on combat clothing and equipment we are in touch with what other N.A.T.O. Armies are wearing and with any new development that they have in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recommendations have been made to him by the sub-committee of the Schools Council regarding reforms in the curricula of primary schols to assist in the eradication of colour prejudice among children.

I would refer the hon. Member to my Answer on 20th June to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Blackley (Mr. Rose). The subcommittee reports to the Schools Council, not to me.—[Vol. 766, c. 164.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science on what criteria his Department classify Scottish students attending further education establishments in England and Wales as overseas students in relation to charges for accommodation in residential hostels and halls of residence; and whether the special arrangements to alleviate hardship among the existing overseas students will apply to students from Scotland.

To ensure the cost of providing this accommodation does not fall on local authorities in England and Wales, I have repeated the advice given to them by my predecessors since 1955 that they should charge the full economic cost to students from Scotland as well as to those from overseas. I am considering with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland arrangements for dealing with any cases of hardship among Scottish students.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how much school-building work was in progress on 1st January, 1968, compared with 1st January, 1964, 1965, 1966 and 1967;(2) how much school-building work was in progress on 1st July, 1968 or the latest available date.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total amount of money spent on education, excluding universities, in Wales during the year 1967–68; and what percentage this represents of total United Kingdom expenditure on this subject.

About £86 million and 4·9 per cent. respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total amount spent on universities and colleges of advanced technology in Wales during the year 1967–68; and what percentage of the total United Kingdom expenditure on these subjects this represents.

Grants paid on the advice of the University Grants Committee and the Computer Board to university institutions in Wales for the financial year 1967–68 totalled nearly £14 million. This represents about 6 per cent. of the total paid to university institutions in Great Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress he has made on the plans for the new building for the engineering faculty of the City University; and when the starting date is likely to be.

I understand that the University Grants Committee approved a grant of £2·39 million in July, 1966 for major extensions at this University, including approximately £1 million for engineering building, and work is now proceeding on these projects.There is a provisional allocation of a further £1·4 million for the period 1970 to 1972, most of which is intended for major mechanical and civil engineering extensions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the value of school building under construction in the Inner London Education Authority's area on 1st July, 1968; and what were the comparable figures for 1st July, 1967, 1st July, 1966, 1st July, 1965 and 1st July, 1964.

The figures available relating to 31st March of each year are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, why, in rejecting the plans of the County Borough of Reading for secondary reorganisation, he sent a copy of his confidential letter doing so to the leader of the minority group on that council.

The official letter conveying my decision was not sent to the local education authority under confidential cover. Subsequently, I sent a copy to the leader of the minority group because he had written to me asking what progress had been made.

asked the Postmaster General, whether he is aware of the disproportionately adverse effects of the new two-tier postal charges on posters of books, periodicals and other printed paper items weighing between one-and-a-half pounds and two pounds; and what plans he has to give any relief to those affected by the new second-class weight limit.

Yes. I propose to give those affected more time in which to adjust to the new inland postal service by continuing a concessionary printed paper post for a further two years. This will be confined to items weighing between 1½ lbs. and 2 lbs. The charge will be 2s. and posters will be eligible for the usual bulk postal rebates.

asked the Postmaster General whether he is aware that, in spite of his undertaking that new telephone equipment was being installed which would enable applicants in the Calne area to be given service by mid-summer, a number of people are still waiting for a telephone and hardship is now being caused; and what action he now proposes to take in this matter.

The additional equipment has been installed and most of the applicants have already been given service. The remainder will have it within the next few days.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what total sum will be granted in 1968–69 to local authorities in Scotland for fulfilling their civil defence duties; and what further sum they will be allowed to spend out of their rate income for this purpose.

I expect that in respect of civil defence measures taken by local authorities in Scotland this year specific grants of the order of £320,000 may be payable, and that the expenditure on account of rates and rate support grant may amount to approximately £80,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has given to local authorities regarding the charges to be made for boarding at residential hostels and halls of residence to English and Welsh students attending Scottish further education and similar colleges under the jurisdiction of local authorities.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reduction there has been since last January in the period for which patients are required to wait after applying for a hearing aid to the Ayrshire Hearing Aid Clinic.

The time has now been reduced to four weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of patients on the present geriatric waiting list for Ayrshire; and how long on an average such patients have to wait for admission.

On 30th June 219 persons were waiting for geriatric beds in Ayrshire. The average waiting time for admission is between one and two months.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a list of the official bodies and representative groups which have now made representations to him about the proposal to introduce British Standard Time, indicating whether these representations supported or opposed the proposal; and if he will give the number of representations from individuals supporting or opposing the proposal.

Since the answer given to the hon. Member on 3rd July I have received representations against the proposal from the Town Council of John-stone and from one private individual.— [Vol. 767, c. 1493–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he will now announce his decision as to the supply of disposable syringes and needles for dental practitioners in Scotland.

I cannot go beyond the reply I gave the hon. Member on 30th April.—[Vol. 763, c. 181–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many local authorities in Scotland have had to alter their rent schemes as a result of the Government's endorsement of the recent recommendation of the National Board for Prices and Incomes;(2) how many local authorites in Scotland are likely to lose a part of the resources element of the rate support grant because they have had to alter their rent schemes as a result of the Government's endorsement of the recent recommendation of the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

So far three local authorities have notified me of schemes involving increases exceeding the upper limits already announced and I am considering whether any of them need be asked to moderate the increases. In none of these cases would there be any resulting loss of the resources element of rate support grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to promote understanding of the countryside in Scottish schools and other centres of education following the establishment of the Council for Environmental Education.

I have appointed a Committee on Education and the Countryside under the chairmanship of Mr. L. B. Young, Director of Education for Perth and Kinross, which will work in association with the Council and be represented on it.

asked the Minister of Social Security how much money was spent on social security in Wales, including Monmouthshire, during the year 1967– 68; and what percentage this expenditure represents of the total expenditure on this matter in the United Kingdom.

I regret that this information is not available for the year 1967–68. I have, however, made arrangements for it to be available for the current and future years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the importance of good industrial design to aid exports, he will increase the annual grant made to the Council of Industrial Design.

The annual grant to the Council of Industrial Design has more than doubled over the last five years. The Council have thereby been able to give greater encouragement to good modern design generally, and are currently undertaking a major "Design for Export" campaign.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet received the Report of the Monopolies Commission into the proposed mergers of Barclays, Lloyds and Martins Banks.

I received the Report of the Monopolies Commission on the proposed mergers of Barclays, Lloyds and Martins banks on 8th July. The Report, which will be published as soon as posible, recommends against a merger of the three banks, or of Barclays and Lloyds together, by a majority of six to four. This does not constitute the two-thirds majority which is required under the Monopolies and Mergers Act to enable me to exercise my statutory powers to prevent a merger.The Government, however, note the fact that a majority of the Commission was opposed to the merger and they will study the Report in order to reach their own conclusion and decide what action is needed. Account will be taken of comment on the Report and of any representations made by the banks. I cannot anticipate the decision of the Government on the issue, but I realise that a prolonged period of uncertainty would be undesirable and I shall make an announcement as soon as possible after publication of the Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what contributions have been paid by local authorities in each of the counties of Wales, including Monmouthshire, under the 1967 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Act for the current year.

Contributions by local authorities to the Llangollen Eisteddfod fund do not require my approval and I regret that I am unable to provide the information. It will, no doubt, be made available by the organisers in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total expenditure by the Central Government on housing in Wales during the year 1967–68; and what percentage this was of the total spent in the United Kingdom as a whole.

The total expenditure by the Central Government on housing in Wales during 1967–68 was about £6,500,000. This was 4½ per cent. of the total Central Government expenditure on housing in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the present position with regard to the commencement of work on the construction of the first section of the Cardiff—Merthyr trunk road.

The preparation of the contract documents is in its final stages and I hope to invite tenders before the end of this month. Tenders will be received by September and the contract will be let as soon as possible thereafter.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the work of his Department in regard to its regional development policy and, in particular, in the provision of new jobs to counteract the present and future contraction of the mining industry.

Expenditure on regional policy is currently running at nearly £300 million a year. As the pace of the economy quickens with the expansion of exports the existing measures should have increasing effect. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade announced on 14th November last year new measures to help the areas that would be particularly adversely affected by the rundown in the coal industry. These need to be given time in which to operate, but the results so far are encouraging.