asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is still satisfied that the terms of the air service agreement with the United Arab Republic and other member states of the International Air Transport Association are being observed; and what steps he is taking to prevent the sale of tickets at fares lower than those internationally approved.

Following investigations, United Arab Airlines have been reminded of the provisions of the air services agreement and the matter has been brought to the attention of the Government of the U.A.R.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an undertaking that neither the hearing of the appeals by British Eagle and Caledonian airlines from the decision of the Air Transport Licensing Board nor his decision will be delayed pending the publication of the Edwards' Committee Report.

Any appeals lodged against this decision must be handled in accordance with the statutory procedures in force, to which the proceedings of the Edwards Committee are irrelevant.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, why he has decided not to hold a public inquiry into the British Overseas Airways Corporation Boeing crash at Heathrow Airport on 8th April.

It was because a normal investigation by the Chief Inspector of Accidents seemed to provide an efficient and speedy way of determining the cause of the accident. The Chief Inspector's report will be published in due course.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the continued nuisance which is caused by flying operations and aerobatics at Sywell Aerodrome during weekends, and that the complaints of residents and of the Mears Ashby Parish Council have not been satisfactorily met by the airport owners; and what action he will take.

I am aware that flying operations and aerobatics are continuing at Sywell during weekends but we have no power to control the manner in which aircraft are flown solely for the purpose of protecting amenities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking to ensure that British airlines do not sell air tickets at cut prices.

Watching the sale of air tickets by scheduled carriers on international routes is amongst the functions of the International Air Transport Association. In the event of British air service licences being involved we shall investigate any alleged breaches.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what requests he has received for sanction for capital expenditure on the development of hotels by British European Airways and the British Overseas Airways Corporation.

No specific proposals for the approval of capital investment are before my right hon. Friend at the moment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value cost, insurance and freight for each of the three latest years for which figures are available of exports of defoliant chemicals: and to which countries they were exported.

Separate figures for exports of these chemicals are not compiled.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress is being made by the Advisory Council of the Export Credits Guarantee Department in its review of the facilities for external trade in the light of the recommendations of the Committee on Invisible Exports; and if he will make a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will instruct the Export Credits Guarantee Department to give greater assistance to those United Kingdom firms which contribute to Great Britain's invisible earnings by handling trade that originates outside the United Kingdom and is destined for third countries.

The Council have completed their review and I have received their advice. The review shows that the cover on external trade has been running at a loss. I have decided that no improvement could at present be justified, and I have so informed the Committee on Invisible Exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the proposed legislation on the amended Merchant Shipping Acts will be introduced.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the proposed changes in the Merchant Shipping Acts; and when he now intends to introduce legislation to bring about such changes.

As soon as possible. The changes will generally follow the recommendations of the Pearson Report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek to require that the blood groups of all merchant seamen should be ascertained and recorded in each seaman's papers.

Arrangements exist for this information to be included in a seaman's documents if he so wishes, but I am not at present convinced that this further step should be taken.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what is the total paid to the latest convenient date by Her Majesty's Government in investment grants for the purchase of ships built in shipyards outside the United Kingdom; and what percentage of these grants were made to companies owned by foreign investors.

At 30th June, 1968, £12·6 million had been paid in investment grants to British shipping companies in respect of ships built in foreign yards; 22 per cent. of this amount was paid to companies controlled by interests resident outside the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many officers of Her Majesty's Forces have been dismissed following conviction in civil courts following a breathalyser test; what other administrative action the Army Board has taken in similar cases; and in how many cases.

Two officers of the R.A.F. have been called upon to resign. No Army officer has been reported to the Army Board as having been convicted by a civil court following a breathalyser test.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on projected British military commitments outside Europe after 1971.

I would ask my hon. Friend to await the publication tomorrow of the Supplementary Statement on Defence Policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he will take to promote the export of sales of nerve gas such as CS.

This country does not export nerve gases. CS is not a nerve gas.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the fee charged to civilians per day for treatment in the Royal Naval Hospital, Malta.

The fees are £10 5s. 0d. per day in the officers' wards and £9 5s. 0d. per day in the ratings wards. This is inclusive of all treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many beds were available for use in the Royal Naval Hospital, Malta, in the last convenient 12-month period; and what was the average percentage used per week by Service persons in the same period.

During 1967 166 beds were available in the Royal Naval Hospital, Bighi, and the maternity section at Imtarfa. The average usage, by Service personnel and civilians employed by the Service Departments and their dependants, was a little under 65 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many doctors are employed in the Royal Naval Hospital, Malta; and what are their ranks;(2) what administrative staff are employed in the Royal Naval Hospital, Malta; and what are their ranks;(3) what nursing staff are employed in the Royal Naval Hospital, Malta; and what are their ranks.

The present complements of medical and dental staff ashore in Malta are as follows. These complements cover the Royal Naval Hospital, Bighi; the maternity section at Imtarfa and the families clinics.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to dispose of the Territorial Army ground at Shawfield Camp, Rutherglen, to Rutherglen Town Council.

Surplus land at this camp has been offered to other Government Departments, which have a further month in which to bid for it. If no bids are received it will be offered for sale to the local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what decisions have been taken within the six months ended 30th June, 1968, to close or change the operational status of Royal Air Force aerodromes in the United Kingdom.

Since 1st January, 1968, we have decided to close R.A.F. Bovingdon, early in 1969, and R.A.F. Ouston as soon as a new home has been found for minor units located there.The following changes in operational status have also been decided.R.A.F. White Waltham—Headquarters, No. 25 Group, disbanded on 1st July, 1968. Headquarters, Air Cadets will move to Brampton by 1st October; the airfield and certain minor flying units will be retained.R.A.F. Wittering is to become the base for the United Kingdom Harrier force, following the disbandment of the Victor squadrons based there towards the end of 1968.R.A.F. Cottesmore—the two Vulcan squadrons now based there will move to a base overseas early in 1969; a decision on a new task for the station will be taken in the near future.All these decisions have been announced.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the official estimate that the rise in prices during the current year, resulting from devaluation and the increases in indirect taxation which is likely to be 44 per cent., will increase the estimated expenditure of £2,271 on defence during the current financial year.

The current year's Defence Budget estimate included provision for the immediate effects of devaluation. It is too early yet to say to what extent the effects of the increase in indirect taxation and the less immediate price rises resulting from devaluation can be absorbed within the estimate of £2,271 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is now in a position to make a statement on the findings of the Board of Inquiry into an accident to a Shackleton of the Royal Air Force on 19th April, 1968.

When I made a statement in the House on 23rd April on the findings of the boards of inquiry into three recent Shackleton accidents, I said that I would make a further statement as soon as possible about a fourth accident which occurred at the Southern tip of the Mull of Kintyre on 19th April.Inquiry proceedings on this accident are now complete. The aircraft, which was on an anti-submarine training exercise, struck rising ground at 415 feet about a quarter of a mile inland in cloud. After an exhaustive examination no evidence has been found that the accident was caused by any failure or malfunction of the engines, propellers, airframe or flying controls. There does not appear to have been a state of emergency in the aircraft before the accident and examination of the engines indicates that they were producing power consistent with cruising flight. In the circumstances it seems clear that the immediate cause of the accident was an error of navigation. The reason for this error cannot however be determined and a radar malfunction of some kind cannot be ruled out as a contributory factor.In my earlier statement I said that no common factor could be discovered in the first three accidents or in what we then knew of the fourth. I can now confirm that extremely thorough investigation of this fourth accident has not led to the identification of any common factor.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are his latest plans for the future of the Gurkha Brigade; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in his statement on public expenditure on 16th January, 1968.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the talks which his Department have had concerning possible extension at Blyth Harbour and the other centres concerned with the shipment of ore arising from the siting of an aluminium smelting plant in South-East Northumberland.

Last January we had informal consultations with the National Ports Council and the Blyth Harbour Commission to establish the practicable limits of development in the existing harbour at Blyth, and the cost of major extension for larger vessels. We have recently been in touch with Alcan, but they are not yet in a position to discuss plans for ore import facilities.

asked the Minister of Transport what further consideration has been given to the Bristol West Dock Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the speech of my right hon. Friend in the debate on the Second Reading of the Bristol Corporation Bill.—[Vol. 768, c. 121–78.]

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of the construction of the M4 motorway.

As regards the 71-mile length from Tormarton to Winnersh, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Aston) on 19th June. We hope to complete the remaining 6¼ miles from Winnersh to Holyport, on which a public inquiry was held between 30th April and 10th May this year, in the first half of 1972.—[Vol. 766, c. 1081–2.]

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that many direction signs on trunk roads are often obscured with mud and dirt; and what guidance he gives to county council authorities as to their cleaning and maintenance.

Guidance to county councils on the cleaning and maintenance of traffic signs is contained in Chapter 12 of the Traffic Signs Manual published in April this year. In particular the Manual emphasises that mud, road dirt and the like should not be allowed to obscure the faces of signs. Detailed guidance is also given on the manner in which signs may be cleaned. The frequency of cleaning depends on climatic conditions, siting and the material used for the sign face.

asked the Minister of Transport for what reason his Department no longer holds stocks of the necessary materials for erecting temporary footbridges over roads that are dangerous for children and pedestrians to cross.

It has never been our policy to hold stocks. Occasionally a bridge has become redundant at one site and been held for a short time pending transfer to another.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now approve the provision of a controlled pedestrian crossing at the junction of Hagley Road, West, and the Wolverhampton Road.

There is no evidence that the number of pedestrians would justify further controlled crossing facilities here. But we are aware that there is some difficulty for pedestrians and the position at this site is being kept under review by the Divisional Road Engineer and the local authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will extend the orange coloured reflective markings at the edge of the fast lane and the centre strip as on the M6 to other motorways at the earliest opportunity, in the interest of road safety.

The revised standard edge markings recommended last year by the Panel on Road Markings set up by the Road Research Board are to be provided on all future rural motorways and will be installed on existing motorways as soon as is practicable.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now consider issuing instructions to ensure that all signs on the motorways of this country are made in reflective material as an aid to motorists at night and in the general interest of road safety.

No. All motorway signs are illuminated either by external or internal lighting or by the use of reflecting material in accordance with Regulations 15 and 19 of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions, 1964.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give the figures of road accidents for the periods 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight for the most recent convenient month compared with 1966 and 1967, showing separately fatal and serious casualties.

The following table shows the number of fatal and serious casualties combined; separate fatal and serious casualty figures are not readily available.

Hour	1966	March 1967	1968
7 a.m.–9 a.m.	728	626	657
5 p.m.–7 p.m.	1,075	1,004	1,030
10 p.m.-midnight	1,340	1,397	1,101

asked the Minister of Transport if, in the interest of road safety, he will give an assurance that he will reject proposals to allow learner drivers to use the motorways.

No. I am now considering the comments of all the interested organisations consulted on these proposals.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that substantial quantities of liquid helium are being transported in the guard's van of passenger trains travelling from the West Country; whether he is satisfied that this practice is in accord with regulations of British Railways; and if he will make a statement.

The statutory responsibility for the transport by rail of dangerous goods rests with the British Railways Board who lay down regulations and conditions for their acceptance and carriage. The Railways Board assure us that liquid helium is only conveyed in approved packaging and that no undue risk is involved.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that, contrary to Government policy, food prices have risen by 3·5 per cent. since devaluation, and that many of these price increases are in no way connected directly or indirectly with devaluation; and whether he will have an investigation made into the reasons for these increases, and take action to have these prices reduced.

There is a normal seasonal increase in some food prices between autumn and mid-summer. This increase and the higher meat prices caused by reduced meat supplies following the epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease account almost entirely, apart from devaluation, for the higher level of food prices compared with November last year. I am satisfied that my Department's early warning and constant watch procedures under which all significant food prices increases are rigorously examined, are working well.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what reports he has received of the disease prevalent amongst salmon, trout and other fish in the rivers in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Ulcerative dermal necrosis has been confirmed in a number of rivers in the Dee and Clwyd, Gwynedd, South West Wales and Wye River Authority areas which have been designated Infected Areas under the Diseases of Fish Act, 1937. In most of the rivers affected the incidence of disease is reported to be lower than earlier in the year. There have, however, been reports of suspect fish in the Usk and the Severn. Our scientists are in close touch with the river authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what volume of home grown potatoes produced since September, 1967, has remained unsold; what loss has been sustained by the farming community; and what measures he intends to adopt in order to avoid loss of such foodstuffs in future.

The 1967 potato crop produced a surplus estimated at about 580,000 tons. The whole of this quantity was bought by the Potato Marketing Board under the market support arrangements financed jointly by the Government and the Board. 247,000 tons were sold for stockfeed and the rest remained on farms and attracted compensation. Payments to farmers will be nearly £8½ million; consequently no loss will be sustained by them. As the yield varies widely from year to year, whilst demand is inelastic, some waste of potatoes is inevitable in years of high yield.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of producing 160,000 extra tons of beef during the year 1967–68 at the average rate of subsidy paid;(2) what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of producing 135,000 extra tons of pork during the year 1967–68 at average rates of subsidy paid;(3) what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of producing an extra 170,000 tons of bacon during the year 1967–68 at average rates of subsidy paid;(4) what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of producing an extra 3½ million tons of cereals during the year 1967–68 at average rates of subsidy paid.

The average rates of deficiency payment during the fatstock year 1967–68 for cattle and pigs were 5·3569d. per 1b. deadweight and 3s. 0·757d. per score deadweight respectively. In addition there was an average payment of 35s. per cwt. for bacon under the bacon stabilisation arrangements. The average rates of subsidy for cereals payable for the year ended 30th June, 1968 are expected, on the basis of the returns at present available, to be of the order of 4s. 5d. per cwt. for wheat, 3s. 6d. per cwt. for barley and 7s. l1d. per cwt. for oats.To apply these rates to the additional quantities of beef, pork, bacon and cereals stipulated would give no meaningful indication of the cost to public funds of producing them. This is because the calculation would take no account of the effect of the extra supplies on market prices, nor of the additional incentives which might have been necessary to obtain the extra output.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has received the Report of the Committee on Herbage Seed Supplies; and what action he proposes to take on it.

My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for the Home Department and I have now received the Committee's Report and arrangements are being made for it to be printed and published as soon as possible. We are very grateful to Lord Donaldson and to the members of the Committee for their hard work in producing a thorough Report. We are considering the Committee's conclusions and we shall be asking interested persons and organisations for their comments on the recommendations as soon as the Report is published.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in view of the financial difficulties and unemployment now facing the British trawling industry because of the heavy imports of dumped and subsidised fresh and frozen fish, if he will now impose a quantitative quota and a minimum price in order to preserve the industry and its employment.

We have taken account of these difficulties in the new policy announced on 8th July when we also said that we had asked our principal E.F.T.A. suppliers to discuss the position with us.—[Vol. 768, c. 54–60.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what evidence he has received of the accumulation of small roundwood timber as a result of the January hurricane; and the transport cost difficulty of moving it to suitable markets.

The total quantity of small roundwood blown down in the storm is estimated to be about 640,000 tons. On the question of transport I would refer the noble Lord to the Written Answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for West Stirlingshire (Mr. W. Baxter) on 2nd July.—[Vol. 767, c. 219.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportions of fish landed in Scotland are consumed in Scotland and exported, respectively; and to which countries it is exported, indicating the approximate quantities in each case.

It is estimated that about one-third of the fish landed in Scotland is consumed there and that most of the rest goes to England. Available statistics of fish exports from the United Kingdom do not identify fish of Scottish origin.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what tests have been carried out on the type of system-built hostel projected for Kirkwall; and up to what wind speeds it is guaranteed.

Tests have been carried out by the CLASP Development Group and the Building Research Station on the standard CLASP system. Special tests have also been carried out on hostel mock-up assemblies and on two hostels under construction to check the resistance of joints to wind-driven rain. The hostel is designed in all respects to withstand the wind speeds which the Meteorological Office advise are to be expected in Orkney.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the amount of the architect's fees payable on the system-built hostel projected for children at Kirkwall.

The architects' fees are estimated to amount to £23,500.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the cost to date of the Scottish Economic Planning Council.

Since the inception of the Planning Council in 1965 Members have served without payment, but are reimbursed their travelling and other expenses. These have amounted so far to £1,738.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Lanarkshire County Council to limit the speed of traffic on the East Kilbride Road between Fishescoates Road and Cathkin Road end; and what reply he has given.

Lanark County Council wrote on 28th February, 1968, asking that its earlier proposal for a 40 m.p.h. speed limit on this road should be reconsidered. Subsequently the Council submitted for grant an improvement scheme affecting part of this section of road. The two applications are being considered together, and I hope to write to the Council soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the cost to date of the North-East Consultative Group and other bodies established in Scotland for similar purposes.

Since the inception of the Consultative Groups in 1966 Members have served without payment, but are reimbursed their travelling and other expenses. These have amounted so far to £265 for the North-East Group and a total of £1,198 for the other three Groups.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the change in the total number of prescriptions in the first month since the reintro-duction of prescription charges in Scotland.

This information is not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what improvement has occurred in the balance of payments during seven and a half months, post-devaluation to 30th June, 1968.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman 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 estimates he has made of investment in stocks in the first and second halves of 1968; and how these compare with forecasts published in the Financial Statement in March.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Answer on 25th June to my hon. Friend the Member for Ashton-under-Lyne (Mr. Sheldon).—[Vol. 767, c. 217–218.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the maximum total of Central Bank assistance received by the United Kingdom in 1963; and if he will make a statement.

£89 million, as was published in the Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin for June, 1963.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the maximum total of Central Bank assistance received by the United Kingdom in 1961; and if he will make a statement.

Approximately £325 million, as was published in the Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin for September, 1961.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the amounts borrowed and repaid to the Central Banks in each calendar quarter from the fourth quarter of 1964 to the first quarter in 1968 in the form in which they were published before October, 1964.

I cannot at this stage add to the information on this subject which has already been published in the quarterly articles in Economic Trends and in the Quarterly Bulletins of the Bank of England.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if in the interests of road safety he will exempt from Purchase Tax schoolchildren's satchels which are not fitted with a strap for carrying from the shoulder but which are made from a fluorescent material.

No. The question of Purchase Tax on articles specially designed for safety (including protective or safety clothing) is a general one, and it would be anomalous to deal with this particular item in isolation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the sum paid in Income Tax in Wales in 1967 or in the last year for which the figure is available.

Income tax collected in Wales amounted to £91 million in 1966–67. This figure is not an accurate measure of income tax borne by residents in Wales.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the net capital outflow of £148 million from the United Kingdom for the first quarter of the current year was attributable to private investment abroad and to the decline of the inflow of foreign capital, respec- tively; and what further steps he is taking to improve the position.

Following are the figures:

	£ million seasonally adjusted
	1968
	I
Private investment abroad (net)	-183
Private investment in United Kingdom (net)	-65
Total private investment	-118
Official capital (net)	-30
Balance of long-term capital	-148

NOTE.—A single large investment transaction accounted for rather more than £30 million of the total of net private investment abroad and reduced by about £50 million the total of net private investment in the United Kingdom.On the second part of my hon. Friend's Question, I have no present proposals for changing existing arrangements in this field.

asked the Minister of Technology, if he will make a statement on the imports of agricultural tractors from the Common Market in 1967 and 1968.

Imports of agricultural tractors from the Common Market in 1967 were £1,003,670 and for the first four months of 1968 £851,113. The high rate of imports in 1968 reflects the efforts of one E.E.C. manufacturer who is attempting to increase his share of the United Kingdom market. Otherwise imports from the Common Market have fallen during the period.

asked the Minister of Technology how many temporary secretarial staff are currently employed by his Department; what are their average weekly earnings; and how this compares with the position six months and 12 months ago, respectively.

Twenty-five temporary secretarial staff provided by employment agencies are currently employed by the Department at an average weekly cost of £23 12s. 0d. per head. Six months ago the figures were 34 and £22 17s. 0d. respectively; and 12 months ago 42 and £22 12s. 0d.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he has yet received a report from the National Board for Prices and Incomes on the proposed increase in rental charges for equipment hired from I.B.M. United Kingdom Limited; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. My right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State and I have received this report which is being published today.The principal recommendations of the Report are that the proposed increase for new rental contracts are justified under the Prices and Incomes policy but that smaller increases would be appropriate for rentals under existing contracts. Discussions with I.B.M. United Kingdom Ltd. on the Board's recommendations have already begun.

asked the Minister of Power whether he has now received an application from the National Coal Board for opencast mining in North Warwickshire; and what action he proposes to take.

No, my right hon. Friend has not received such an application.

asked the Minister of Power when he expects to reach a decision on the application by the Central Electricity Generating Board to convert Hams Hall C Power Station to natural gas as its fuel.

I cannot say yet when a decision will be reached.

asked the Minister of Power what further plans his Department is considering for the conversion of power stations in the West Midlands and East Midlands to natural gas.

The only conversion under consideration in these areas is for the remaining five boilers at Hams Hall C.

asked the Minister of Social Security, what estimate she has made of the number of children who will be below the poverty line after 31st October, 1968.

I regret that the information which would be needed for the production of such estimates is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the expense that is to be incurred in sending the Household Cavalry to Caernarvon for the investiture of the Prince of Wales; how many men and horses are to be sent there for the occasion; how they are to be transported; and if, in view of the need for reduction in national expenditure, he will reconsider this proposal.

No. The estimated cost of sending eight officers, 148 men and 170 horses of the Household Cavalry to Caernarvon for the Investiture of the Prince of Wales is £12,000. It

Department	Location		Approximate number of people employed or to be employed
Passport Office	Newport (already established)	…	90
Inland Revenue (Schedule E)	Cardiff	…	2,500
Investment Grants Office, Board of Trade	Cardiff (already established)	…	300
Land Commission	Cardiff (already established)	…	90
Inland Revenue (London Accounts Office)	Newport (already established)	…	90
Land Registry	Swansea	…	550
Ministry of Transport Licensing Computer Centre	Swansea	…	3,500
Heavy Goods Testing	Swansea	…	150
Ministry of Defence	Cardiff	…	1,500
Royal Mint	Llantrisant	…	1,500
Census Office, Board of Trade	Newport	…	1,200

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the Central Government expenditure during the year 1967–68 on roads in Wales; and what percentage this was of the total United Kingdom expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many troops will be employed at the investiture of the Prince of Wales; from what regiments they will be drawn; and what is his estimate of the total cost of their use.

Forces representation at the Investiture will amount to about 2,500 or a fifth of that in 1911. They will be drawn from the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, from Regular Army, Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve units with connections with Wales or the Prince of Wales and from Welsh Cadet Forces. Their transport and accommodation will cost £35,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the Government office dispersal projects for Wales since 1964, and the approximate number of people to be employed in each.

Since 1964 decisions have been taken to locate the following Government establishments in Wales:

The total expenditure by central Government on roads in Wales during 1967–68 was about £164 million. This was just under 5½ per cent. of the total central Government expenditure on roads in the United Kingdom.

asked the Postmaster General (1) what was the total sum new savings invested in the Ordinary Department and Special Department respectively, of the Post Office Savings Bank during the first three months of 1968; and what were the corresponding figures for the first three months of 1967;(2) what was the total sum of new savings invested in the Ordinary Department end Special Department, respectively, of the Post Office Savings Bank during the second quarter of 1968; and

				Ordinary Accounts		Investment Accounts
				Total Deposits (£m.)	Total Withdrawals (£m.)	Total Deposits (£m.)	Total Withdrawals (£m.)
1st quarter 1968	…	…	…	135·7	149·4	26·6	4·2
1st quarter 1967	…	…	…	133·8	154·8	22·8	1·2
2nd quarter 1968	…	…	…	117·5	153·0	17·8	5·1
2nd quarter 1967	…	…	…	129·8	161·1	15·9	2·0

NOTES:

(i) The figures for 1968 are provisional.

(ii) Transfers from ordinary to investment accounts cannot be accurately quantified. They are included in the withdrawal and deposit figures for these accounts respectively.

asked the Postmaster General whether he has yet reached a decision on the proposal to change the colour of telephone kiosks and telecommunications vehicles to yellow.

For reasons of road safety, I have decided to change the colour of telecommunications vehicles from the present dark green to golden yellow. Existing vehicles will be painted yellow only when they fall due for repainting in the normal course. I am today sending each Member of this House a copy of a Post Office publication which contains a feature article with full-colour photographs clearly illustrating the superior visibility of the yellow vehicles.I have no intention of changing the colour of telephone kiosks.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received about the

:organisation, accommodation, training and equipping in Tanzania and Zambia of terrorists who have been or are intended to be infiltrated into Rhodesia for the purpose of committing sabotage, murder or other acts of violence.

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave the right hon. Member on 2nd July.—[Vol. 767, c. 1275–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will state the reasons for the decision to deprive Mr. and Mrs. Jack Jenkins of their passports.

On their arrival in the United Kingdom, Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins were found to be travelling on invalid documents issued by the illegal regime in Rhodesia. These were impounded in accordance with the policy announced by my predecessor in the House on 25th January, 1966. Since their "registration" as Rhodesian citizens took place after the illegal declaration of independence, it was not valid and we could not therefore issue them with passports as British subjects. They have been issued with certificates of identity which should enable them to complete their journey.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make arrangements for the British Broadcasting Corporation monitoring reports of Biafran broadcasts to be made available in the Library of the House of Commons.

Yes. Monitoring reports of "Biafran" radio appear in the B.B.C. Summary of World Broadcasts, two copies of which are sent daily to the House of Commons Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, what was the gross national product per head of the population in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively, in the last year for which the figure is available.

There are no official estimates for the distribution of gross national product between England, Scotland and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will make a statement on the operation of the takeover code of conduct in relation to the work of the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation.

The Industrial Reorganisation Corporation naturally regards itself as bound by the Code.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, how many temporary secretarial staff are currently

NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED AT 10TH JUNE, 1968
					Men	Boys	Women	Girls	Total
Ardrossan	…	…	…	…	398	17	218	12	645
Largs	…	…	…	…	100	3	15	1	119
Rothesay	…	…	…	…	138	4	8	2	152
Stevenston	…	…	…	…	232	10	144	6	392

The National Economic Development Office obtains temporary secretarial staff through employment agencies. At present there are 19 such staff and the average weekly cost is approximately £26 per person. The comparable figures for a year ago were 19 and £24, and for six months ago 18 and £24.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps are being taken to replace St. James's Church of England School, Morpeth, Northumberland, in view of the substandard condition of the structure and the menace of rodents; and whether he will make a statement.

A new school intended both to replace St. James's and to serve a new housing estate was originally programmed for 1968-69. For various reasons, including delay in the development of the estate and difficulty over a site, it has been deferred. But I understand that the authority will now be submitting a case for a start on building the new school in 1969–70.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will give the unemployment figures in the areas covered by the employment exchanges at Ardrossan, Largs, Rothesay and Stevenston.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity, what are the numbers of men on waiting lists for admission to Government training centre courses at Birmingham, Long Eaton, Leicester and Coventry.

On 4th July, 1968, the waiting lists of accepted applicants were as follows:

Birmingham	…	…	97
Long Eaton	…	…	116
Leicester	…	…	104
Coventry	…	…	41

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what proportions of the British labour force employed in the vehicle, chemical, engineering and electrical industries are employed in Wales, Scotland and England.

Following is the information:

EMPLOYEES IN EMPLOYMENT IN WALES, SCOTLAND AND ENGLAND EXPRESSED AS PERCENTAGES OF THOSE IN GREAT BRITAIN AT JUNE, 1967
	Wales	Scotland	England
Chemicals and allied industries (Order IV of the Standard Industrial Classification)	5·0	6·3	88·7
Engineering and electrical goods (Order VI)	2·5	7·9	89·6
Vehicles (Order VIII)	2·4	4·9	92·7

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will consider raising the £1,500 per year earnings maximum limit for qualification under the Resettlement Transfer Scheme, in view of the fact that those earning greater incomes and seeking work elsewhere may experience more difficulty in obtaining employment in their home area than those receiving less.

This and other aspects of the Resettlement Transfer Scheme are under review. I must point out, however, that the limit was raised from £900 to £1,500 in February, 1965.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what plans her Department has for further Government training centres in the West Midlands; and whether she will make a Statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 25th March to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Christopher Price).—[Vol. 761, c. 891.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what were the increases in average weekly earnings of adult male manual and other workers in relation to the percentage rise in the official index of retail prices in the period from October, 1964 to the most recent date; and what was the consequent rise in real wages.

Following are the percentage increases requested for the period October, 1964 to October, 1967, the latest date available for earnings.

	Men manual workers (full-time)		Male administrative, technical and clerical employees
Retail Prices Index	Average weekly gross earnings*	Average weekly "real" gross earnings	Average weekly gross earnings†	Average weekly "real" gross earnings
10·9	18·0	6·4	18·6	6·9
* From the Department's half-yearly enquiries into earnings and hours of manual workers.
† From the Department's annual enquiries into the earnings of administrative, technical and clerical employees.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she is aware that, in two recent investigations by the National Board for Prices and Incomes concerning price increases, British subsidiaries of United States companies attempted to justify price increases here by citing the need for them to align United Kingdom prices with those of the United States parent company; and what action she proposes to take to limit this practice.

I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the references to the Board on the prices of mercury hearing-aid batteries and of butyl rubber, which are dealt with respectively in the Board's Reports Nos. 64 and 66.In the first case the argument in favour of price uniformity in various markets was the need to avoid the risk of the manufacturing company's price in export markets being undercut by merchants. Discussions are currently in progress with the United Kingdom company concerned in the light of the Board's comments on the discrepancy between the home and export price. In the second case the Board found that although the United Kingdom company had taken the opportunity offered by devaluation within the world price structure to increase their price on the home market, the increase made was nevertheless consistent with prices and incomes policy.The Board in Report No. 64 drew attention to the problem presented by pricing policies of internationally based companies. In accordance with their recommendation each such case will be looked at on its merits and, where appropriate, referred to the Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what information she has received on the cause of the increase of about £2,000,000 in the cost of the International Labour Organisation in 1968–69 compared with 1967–68; and if she will give details of the increases.

The budgets of the International Labour Organisation for the periods referred to are based on calendar years. The budget for 1969 adopted by the International Labour Conference in June of this year amounted to 27,500,689 United States dollars, which was an increase of 1,819,209 dollars (£758,004) or 7·08 per cent. over the budget for 1968. 4·81 per cent. is attributable to increases in prices and costs, and 4·31 per cent. to a net increase in programmes and activities. These increases are offset by a decrease of 2·04 per cent. in the provision for financial charges in 1969 as compared with the previous year.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she has now considered the Report of the Cost-of-Living Advisory Committee; and if she will make a statement.

Yes. The Cost-of-Living Advisory Committee has submitted a unanimous report, copies of which are now available to hon. Members in the Vote Office. The Committee were asked to re-examine the desirability of publishing retail prices indices for special social and income groups and by regions and to consider again the treatment of owner-occupiers' housing costs and the possibility of including meals bought and consumed outside the home among the price indicators used for the Index of Retail Prices.The main conclusions and recommendations are:First, two special retail prices indices should be computed and published for one-person and two-person "pensioner" households at present excluded from the weighting pattern of the Index of Retail Prices. These two indices should exclude housing costs and should be published as quarterly averages only.Second, there is no strong case at present for compiling indices for any other special social or income groups, though the possibility of compiling an index for low-income households with three or more children should be further considered after practical experience has been obtained of the working of the proposed new pensioner indices.Third, whether reliable retail price indices for regions can be compiled at reasonable cost requires a detailed study of the technical problems involved. The Committee recommends that the Department of Employment and Productivity should accept the responsibility for initiating such a detailed study as soon as possible, in consultation with other Government Departments concerned.Fourth, the Committee were not able to suggest any improvement, at present, in the existing methods of treating owner-occupiers housing costs and recommend that the existing methods should be continued.Fifth, meals bought and consumed outside the home should be included among the price indicators used in the index. This recommendation was submitted in an interim report, was accepted and has already been implemented.Sixth, the Committee examined a number of detailed criticisms of the method of compiling the index and has made: some suggestions for improvement. The Committee's general conclusion is that in its present form the index is working well and can be accepted with confidence as a satisfactory measure of changes in the average level of retail prices.The Government accept the Committee's, recommendations and steps will be taken to implement them as soon as this can be done. The detailed study of the technical problems of compiling reliable price indices for regions is beginning immediately.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement about the South Hampshire Study.

In their Study of South Hampshire, Messrs. Colin Buchanan and Partners concluded that the Southampton-Portsmouth area is physically suitable for large-scale development, and that it would be feasible to accommodate there a major growth in population, including not only natural growth but also a considerable intake of population.Since the Study was published in 1966, the three major local authorities concerned—Hampshire County Council, and Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils—have considered its findings and recommendations. They have agreed that, in the light of the Study, a master plan with more detailed local plans should be prepared for the area by a technical unit established jointly by the three authorities. The technical unit would operate under policy guidance from a Steering Committee comprising members and officers from the authorities, with a chairman nominated by the Minister of Housing and Local Government. There would also be a Consultative Committee for liaison with the district councils concerned.I accept the consultants' assessment of the feasibility of major growth in South Hampshire in the general area suggested in the Study, and also the view of the South East Economic Planning Council that with expansion South Hampshire could develop as one of a series of counter magnets to London near the edges of the region. I believe that joint local action is the right approach to the next stage in the planning of this very important area, where the main administrative task will be to shape and control the growth which is likely to occur in the normal course of events. It would not be appropriate in the circumstances to set up a new town development corporation and I therefore welcome the decision of the three authorities to establish the necessary joint machinery to plan the area comprehensively, and to study the possibility of a planned intake of population—a step which could make a valuable contribution to the relief of overcrowding in London. I have agreed to the appointment of one of the Ministry's senior officials as chairman of the Steering Committee.Under the new machinery it will be possible to ensure that particular attention is given not only to the pattern of future development but also to the conservation of agriculture, horticulture and the great natural features of South Hampshire, and to the enhancement of the area's recreational facilities.The growth of the South Hampshire area seems likely to take place largely on the basis of existing industry, or other industry tied to the South East, together with office development. It is not the Government's intention that the area should be allowed to attract industrial and office expansion which would otherwise be suitable for the development areas and arrangements will be made to ensure that the planning of the area is consistent with the Government's regional policies and also with the strategy for the South East region which is being studied by a team under Mr. Wilfred Burns.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what was the original contract price of the Government buildings now in course of construction at the Horseferry Road site; and what is the latest estimate of final cost.

I have been asked to reply.The estimated cost of this project, including site acquisition, before foundation work was resumed in 1963, was £7,350,000. It has not been necessary to revise this figure.