Written Answers To Questions
Thursday, 11th July, 1968
Education And Science
School Building Programme, Reading
22.
asked the Secretary of Stare for Education and Science, if he will reconsider the recent cuts in the capital building programme for schools in the borough of Reading; and if he will make a statement.
No such cuts have been made beyond the withdrawal of the allocation for raising the school leaving age.
Youth Service (Fairbairn And Milson Committees)
23.
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, when he expects to receive and publish the reports of the Fairbairn and Milson Committees on the Future of the Youth Service.
These are committees of the Youth Service Development Council. The Council have just received the Fairbairn Committee's report and expect to have that of the Milson Committee in the autumn. It will then be for the Council to consider how best to formulate the advice they will tender to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. I cannot at this stage give a date for the completion of this task.
Nursery School Places
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, what steps he is now taking to increase the number of places in nursery schools.
I would refer my hon. Friend to my Answers on 27th June to the hon. Members for Bristol, West (Mr. Robert Cooke) and Bristol, North-West (Mr. Ellis).—[Vol. 767; c. 785–6.]
Postgraduate Studentships (Rates Of Grant)
asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, if he has reached a decision on the rates of grant for postgraduate students; and if he will make a statement.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have decided that the rates of grant for postgraduate studentships awarded by the Education Departments and Research Councils shall be increased as follows:
| £ | ||||
| Spouse | … | … | … | 210 |
| 1st child | … | … | … | 90 |
| 2nd child | … | … | … | 50 |
| 3rd child | … | … | … | 45 |
Home Department
Laser Listener Devices (Security)
28.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the development of the laser listener devices which can pick up from windows at a considerable distance conversations which are taking place within the room concerned; and whether he will take steps to protect the security of Government offices against such devices.
I am aware of the development of these devices. My right hon. Friend has no general responsibility for the security of Government offices, but I can say that due account is taken of this technique where necessary.
Court Fines (Arrears)
29.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the growing practice of persons failing to pay their fines when found guilty in courts; what, at the latest convenient stated date, were the amount of fines outstanding; how long on average have these fines been outstanding; and whether he will give comparable figures in retrospect for the longest convenient period of time.
I regret that figures in the form requested by my hon. Friend are not available. At the end of the financial year 1967–68 the total "arrears" in magistrates' courts in England and Wales outside Inner London amounted to £2,968,000; but this figure includes many fines, or parts of fines, the time for payment of which had not expired. In the same year these courts collected £11,312,000 and about £172,000 was written off as irrecoverable. The corresponding figures for 1966–67 were £2,617,000, £9,763,000 and £137,000.
| Name of Force | Applications received | Certificates issued | Applications outstanding* | |||
| Barnsley | … | … | … | 257 | 255 | — |
| Barrow-in-Furness | … | … | … | 343 | 341 | — |
| Bedfordshire and Luton | … | … | … | 6,632 | 6,568 | — |
| Birmingham | … | … | … | 2,248 | 2,075 | 167 |
| Blackburn | … | … | … | 266 | 262 | — |
| Blackpool | … | … | … | 429 | 426 | — |
| Bolton | … | … | … | 335 | 331 | 4 |
| Bradford | … | … | … | 614 | 594 | 7 |
| Bristol | … | … | … | 1,277 | 1,244 | 26 |
| Burnley | … | … | … | 199 | 197 | — |
| Cardiff | … | … | … | 1,004 | 1,001 | — |
| Cheshire | … | … | … | 14,000 | 13,929 | 35 |
| Coventry | … | … | … | 1,267 | 964 | 302 |
| Cumbria | … | … | … | 8,701 | 8,682 | 14 |
| Derby | … | … | … | 9,603 | 8,421 | 1,156 |
| Devon and Cornwall | … | … | … | 36,500 | 21,000 | 15,476 |
| Dewsbury | … | … | … | 181 | 180 | — |
| Doncaster | … | … | … | 287 | 286 | 1 |
| Dorset and Bournemouth | … | … | … | 9,217 | 6,635 | 2,580 |
| Durham | … | … | … | 7,039 | 6,996 | — |
| Dyfed-Powys | … | … | … | 20,900 | 20,874 | 17 |
| Essex | … | … | … | 19,479 | 16,234 | 3,233 |
| Gateshead | … | … | … | 141 | 140 | 1 |
| Glamorgan | … | … | … | 8,151 | 8,124 | 4 |
| Gloucestershire | … | … | … | 12,850 | 11,261 | 1,585 |
| Gwent | … | … | … | 6,110 | 6,050 | 55 |
| Gwynedd | … | … | … | 14,071 | 13,925 | 139 |
| Halifax | … | … | … | 313 | 313 | — |
| Hampshire | … | … | … | 26,232 | 20,136 | 6,095 |
| Hertfordshire | … | … | … | 8,848 | 8,787 | 59 |
| Huddersfield | … | … | … | 467 | 462 | — |
| Kent | … | … | … | 20,537 | 20,264 | 261 |
| Kingston-upon-Hull | … | … | … | 738 | 731 | — |
| Lancashire | … | … | … | 17,353 | 15,534 | 1,789 |
| Leeds | … | … | … | 906 | 851 | 52 |
| Leicester and Rutland | … | … | … | 11,177 | 11,100 | 69 |
| Lincolnshire | … | … | … | 22,500 | 17,600 | 4,874 |
| Liverpool and Bootle | … | … | … | 772 | 764 | 4 |
| London: City of | … | … | … | 20 | 20 | — |
| London: Metropolitan | … | … | … | 23,000 | 22,706 | 190 |
| Manchester and Salford | … | … | … | 652 | 651 | — |
| Merthyr-Tydfil | … | … | … | 488 | 422 | 62 |
| Mid-Anglia | … | … | … | 17,027 | 5,000 | 12,021 |
| Newcastle-upon-Tyne | … | … | … | 416 | 415 | — |
| Norfolk | … | … | … | 22,545 | 13,800 | 8,740 |
| Northampton | … | … | … | 8,060 | 8,054 | — |
| Northumberland | … | … | … | 6,224 | 6,183 | 40 |
| Nottinghamshire | … | … | … | 9,737 | 9,167 | 541 |
| Oldham | … | … | … | 197 | 194 | — |
| Preston | … | … | … | 345 | 342 | — |
| Rochdale | … | … | … | 217 | 214 | — |
| St. Helens | … | … | … | 241 | 233 | 4 |
| Sheffield and Rotherham | … | … | … | 1,546 | 1,507 | 38 |
Shotgun Certificates
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain reports from chief constables, and publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of applications for shotgun certificates received by each police area, the number of certificates issued and the number of applications outstanding by the middle of June.
Following are the figures for 30th June.
Name of Force
| Applications received
| Certificates issued
| Applications outstanding*
| ||
| Somerset and Bath | … | … | 17,153 | 9,147 | 7,998 |
| Southend-on-Sea | … | … | 562 | 559 | — |
| Southport | … | … | 428 | 425 | — |
| South Shields | … | … | 85 | 85 | — |
| Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent | … | … | 11,784 | 9,350 | 2,429 |
| Suffolk | … | … | 19,000 | 9,250 | 9,743 |
| Surrey | … | … | 10,711 | 10,661 | 45 |
| Sussex | … | … | 19,000 | 12,240 | 6,751 |
| Swansea | … | … | 871 | 867 | — |
| Teeside | … | … | 762 | 760 | — |
| Thames Valley | … | … | 25,046 | 10,977 | 14,045 |
| Tynemouth | … | … | 128 | 128 | — |
| Wakefield | … | … | 196 | 195 | — |
| Warrington | … | … | 189 | 188 | — |
| Warwickshire | … | … | 10,500 | 7,705 | 2,786 |
| West Mercia | … | … | 28,000 | 5,000 | 22,988 |
| West Midlands | … | … | 2,538 | 2,023 | 510 |
| Wigan | … | … | 313 | 312 | — |
| Wiltshire | … | … | 9,825 | 9,815 | 5 |
| York | … | … | 435 | 429 | — |
| Yorkshirs: East Riding | … | … | 8,493 | 8,488 | — |
| Yorkshire: North Riding | … | … | 12,226 | 12,222 | — |
| Yorkshire: West Riding | … | … | 20,054 | 20,044 | — |
| Total | … | … | 580,958 | 453,315 | 126,941* |
* 702 applications have been refused. | |||||
Road Fund Licences
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give for the longest convenient stated period of time the number of vehicles notified to the Greater London Council by the Metropolitan Police as having no road fund licence; in how many of these cases the police were called to give evidence on prosecution; and how long either in actual cases or on average is the time lapse between notification and the time when evidence is called for on prosecution.
I am informed that between 1st April, 1965 and 31st March, 1968 the Metropolitan police reported some 445,000 cases of apparently unlicensed vehicles to the Great London Council. Information about the number of resulting prosecutions in which police officers gave evidence is not available. Court hearings generally occur between three and nine months after the initial report.
Ports
Bristol West Dock Scheme
30.
asked the Minister of Transport what advice he has received from outside bodies about the Bristol West Dock Scheme.
As is now well known, the National Ports Council and the South West Economic Planning Council advised that my right hon. Friend should authorise the project. The Chamber of Shipping and the leading container consortia held out no prospect of shipowners making substantial use of the new facilities, particularly for container traffic. Representations were also received for and against the project, from a number of hon. Members and various organisations.
Board Of Trade
Factories (Assistance)
32.
asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether it is the Government's policy to give financial assistance under the Local Employment Acts and the Industrial Development Act in order to prevent the closure of an existing factory.
Yes, subject to the terms of the legislation including the provision in Section 4 of the Local Employment Act, 1960, that in accordance with a recommendation of the Advisory Committee, the Board are satisfied that there are good prospects of the undertaking ultimately being able to be carried on successfully without further assistance.
Industrial Development, South Yorkshire Area
31.
asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he will now take in conjunction with local authorities including the Sheffield City Council, the Yorkshire and Humberside Planning Board and the East Midlands Planning Board, to attract large new industries into the South Yorkshire area.
The development areas must continue to have priority for large projects seeking new locations, but the needs of other areas are recognised and applications for industrial development certificates will be considered on their merits.
Special Development Areas (New Employment)
33.
asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is satisfied with the progress made in providing additional employment in those areas specially designated as priority areas consequent on pit closures, with specific reference to Scotland; and if he will make a statement on the overall improvement made in such areas.
The additional incentives in the Scottish and other special development areas have been available for less than eight months, and
| UNITED KINGDOM TRADE | |||||||
| United Kingdom exports (value) | Total imports (value) | Export unit value index | Imports unit value index | Terms of trade | Visible trade balance* | ||
| monthly averages seasonally adjusted | monthly averages | monthly averages seasonally adjusted | |||||
| Index numbers (October 1964=100) | |||||||
| £ million | |||||||
| Oct., 1964-Mar., 1965 | … | 104 | 96 | 100 | 100 | 100 | -27 |
| Apr., 1965-Sept., 1965 | … | 108 | 98 | 101 | 100 | 102 | -33 |
| Oct., 1965-Mar., 1966 | … | 113 | 101 | 103 | 101 | 102 | -18 |
| Apr., 1966-Sept., 1966 | … | 114 | 102 | 106 | 102 | 103 | -27 |
| Oct., 1966-Mar., 1967 | … | 124 | 101 | 106 | 102 | 105 | +17 |
| Apr., 1967-Sept., 1967 | … | 117 | 106 | 107 | 101 | 106 | -33 |
| Oct., 1967-Mar., 1968 | … | 120 | 124 | 111 | 109 | 102 | -88 |
| * Balance of payments basis - indicates a deficit + indicates a surplus. The deficit in October, 1964 was £50 million, seasonally adjusted. | |||||||
Peterlee (New Industry)
35.
asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has for increasing the number of industrial firms in the new town of Peterlee.
it is therefore too soon to assess their impact in full. I believe, however, that they are beginning to have a useful effect on attracting new employment.
Industrial Statistics (Government Departments)
34.
asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the steps that have been taken to rationalise the statistical demands made on British industry by Government Departments and other bodies such as industrial training boards.
The Government's plans for the development of industrial statistics were described in Statistical News for May, 1968. They include greater control and co-ordination by the Central Statistical Office through, inter alia, a survey control unit and the creation in the Board of Trade of the Business Statistics Office to serve all Departments.
Trade Statistics
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether taking October, 1964 as equalling 100, he will give the six-monthly rise or fall in exports, imports, prices, balance of payments figures, and the terms of trade, up until the latest convenient stated date.
The following is the information.
The full range of development area incentives is available to industrial firms in Peterlee, and the Board of Trade Regional Controller in Newcastle works closely with the General Manager of Peterlee to attract new industry to the town. Since January, 1966 industrial development certificates for nearly ½ million sq. ft. have been issued for Peterlee.
Industrial Development Certificates, Nelson And Colne
asked the President of the Board of Trade how many industrial development certificates have been applied for in the Nelson and Colne constituency since the introduction of investment grants and since the introduction of the regional employment premiums, respectively.
Since the introduction of investment grants on 19th August, 1966, five industrial development certificate applications have been approved in the Nelson and Colne employment exchange area. Of these, four were approved since the introduction of the Regional Employment Premium on 4th September, 1967. No applications were refused in these periods.
Aviation
Pilots' Log Books (Departure And Arrival Times)
asked the President of the Board of Trade for how long it has been a requirement for private pilots to record time up and time down in their log books; by what authority it is an offence not to record this information; how many prosecutions have been initiated by his Department for this offence during 1968; how many convictions have been recorded; and what has been the detailed cost to public funds of these proceedings.
Pilots were required by the Air Navigation Directions, 1936, made under the Air Navigation (Consolidation) Order, 1923, to maintain a log book in a standard form which included departure and arrival times. The current requirement is contained in Article 19(a) of the Air Navigation Order, 1966. One prosecution involving three charges of failure to record times of take-off and landing in a personal flying log book has been initiated in 1968 by the Director of Public Prosecutions and three convictions have been recorded. It is not possible to estimate the detailed cost to public funds.
Employment And Productivity
Equal Pay
36.
asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether, in view of the Government's undertaking to phase in equal pay over not longer than seven years, she will now arrange for United Kingdom ratification of the International Labour Office Convention No. 100.
International Labour Convention No. 100 requires Member States to promote and ensure the application of the principle of equal pay. Although my right hon. Friend is pressing forward with the necessary discussions, we are not yet in a position to ratify the Convention.
Commonwealth Affairs
Southern Rhodesia (United Nations Sanctions) Order, 1968
37.
asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether a person born in the United Kingdom is exempt from the provisions of Article 13(1,a) of the Southern Rhodesia (United Nations Sanctions) No. 2 Order, 1968.
Yes. Article 13(1,a) applies only to Commonwealth citizens who are subject to Immigration Control under Part I of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1962. Part I of the Act does not apply to Commonwealth citizens born in the United Kingdom.
38.
asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs how far the statement made by his predecessor on 25th January, 1966, about Rhodesian passport facilities still represents Government policy; and to what extent it has been superseded by the two Southern Rhodesia (United Nations Sanctions) Orders, 1968.
The Southern Rhodesia (United Nations Sanctions) (No. 2) Order, 1968, deals with entry into this country and does not supersede the statement of the Commonwealth Secretary on 25th January, 1966, which dealt with passport facilities.Paragraph 1 of the then Commonwealth Secretary's Statement still represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government. The term "active supporters of the regime" will now be regarded as applying to person defined in the terms of reference of the Advisory Committee on Rhodesian Travel Restrictions circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT on 27th June [Vol. 767, c. 126–30]. Under the Southern Rhodesia (United Nations Sanctions) (No. 2) Order, 1968, such persons will normally be denied entry to this country, unless they are ordinarily resident outside Rhodesia.Paragraphs 2 and 3 of the statement have been superseded by the arrangements for the invalidation of Rhodesian Passports, and for the issue in certain cases of United Kingdom passports, announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General in the debate on 17th June [Vol. 766, c. 738–9]. Dual citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies and of Rhodesia may apply for United Kingdom passports of unrestricted validity and will no longer be required to sign declarations of the kind described in the statement of 25th January, 1966.
Gibraltar (Manpower Mission)
asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he is yet in a position to announce the membership of the Gibraltar manpower mission.
Yes. I am very glad to inform the House that Lord Beeching, who is at present serving as Chairman of the Royal Commission on Assizes and Quarter Sessions, has accepted my invitation to lead the Mission on this important inquiry; and Lord Delacourt-Smith has agreed to be the other member.The terms of reference will be as already announced, namely:
"To review Gibraltar's manpower requirements taking into account future developments."
Technology
Sonic Bang Tests
39.
asked the Minister of Technology what were the results of the sonic bang tests held over Bristol and other areas in 1967; and how much compensation was paid out in the various areas as a result of those tests.
I shall report on the tests shortly.Just under £4,000 has been paid against claims for damages, £3,200 in the London area, £700 in the Bristol Channel area, and the remainder in Dorset.
Departmental Responsibilities
40.
asked the Minister of Technology which Minister in the Department of Technology is now immediately responsible for the technological aspects of aviation.
The integration of the various responsibilities brought together under the Ministry of Technology has been developing steadily over the last 18 months.My hon. Friend the Minister of State will act generally as my deputy. He will have special responsibilities for the aviation work of the Department, for nuclear energy and for Western European technological collaboration.Broadly, my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough, West (Dr. Bray) is concerned with the electronics, telecommunications, computer, machine tools and electrical and chemical plant industries, while my hon. Friend the Member for The Wrekin (Mr. Fowler) is concerned with research policy and establishments, the motor vehicles, shipbuilding and general engineering industries, and aviation exports.
Northern Ireland (Parliamentary Questions)
Q6.
asked the Prime Minister what Northern Irish matters for which Her Majesty's Government are responsible he will not answer Questions about.
Those which should more properly be answered by one of my right hon. Friends.
North-East Region (Departmental Activities)
Q7.
asked the Prime Minister in view of the continuing high level of unemployment in the North-East Region, what steps he is taking to coordinate the activities of the Board of Trade, the Department of Employment and Productivity, the Ministry of Technology and the Ministry of Power, with a view to establishing new industries in the Region.
My right hon. Friends already work very closely together on all matters affecting the North East and no new measures of co-ordination are needed.
Development Areas (New Employment)
Q8.
asked the Prime Minister if he will take steps to set up an organisation similar in principle to Rem-ploy Limited to provide employment in the mining areas of Great Britain affected by pit closures.
No. I think we should gain more experience of the working of the massive steps which have already been taken to help development areas, and in particular the special steps to help areas affected by colliery closures announced by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 14th November last, before considering the setting up of any new organisation. The reports I have seen of the effectiveness of the latest measures are encouraging.
Equal Pay (Discussions)
Q9.
asked the Prime Minister which Government Departments will be involved in the discussions with the Trades Union Congress and the Confederation of British Industry on the proposals for the implementation of equal pay put forward on 26th June; and when these will begin.
My right hon. Friend the First Secretary will be undertaking these discussions, and will consult other Departments as necessary. My right hon. Friend will be meeting repre- sentatives of the Confederation of British Industry on 22nd July, and representatives of the Trades Union Congress as soon as a convenient date can be arranged.
Nuclear Weapons (Non-Proliferation Treaty)
Q10.
asked the Prime Minister whether he will propose a meeting with President Johnson about matters of mutual concern following the signature of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
President Johnson and I are in frequent touch but have no plans for an early meeting.
Q12.
asked the Prime Minister, having regard to the special position of West Germany in connection with nuclear devices, apparatus and weapons, what consultations he is having with the West German Chancellor and other interested heads of Government regarding the extension of non-proliferation to West Germany.
We maintain close and continuing contact with the Government of the Federal Republic and, of course, with many other countries on all matters connected with the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Ministers' Overseas Visits
Q11.
asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement giving details of the action he has taken to enforce economy on Ministerial overseas visits, how many such visits he has stopped and for what reasons, and the amounts of money saved, since the date on which he introduced his policy of vetting all such visits.
As my hon. Friend knows, all such visits require my prior personal authorisation. As to the other information for which my hon. Friend asks, not only am I not convinced that it would be worth the expenditure necessary to obtain it, but, as my hon. Friend will realise, publication of such information might well cause unnecessary offence overseas.
Economic Affairs
Nationalised Industries (Pricing Policies)
asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will set up a committee to inquire into the effect which the pricing policies of nationalised industries have on regional development.
No.
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Ministerial Meeting)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will set out in the OFFICIAL REPORT the declaration on mutual force reductions referred to in the communiqué issued after the recent Council meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun) and the hon. Gentleman the Member for Leicester, South-East (Mr. Peel) on 8th July.—[Vol. 768, c. 33–6.]
Ministry Of Defence
Defence Expenditure
asked the Secretary of State for Defence why, in view of the Government's policy on defence expenditure, defence costs have risen from £1,898 million in 1964–65 to an estimated £2,271 million in the current year; and when he expects to be able to reduce this expenditure below the 1964–65 figure.
The Government's first task on assuming office was to arrest a rising trend in defence expenditure. This purpose has been achieved, and our initial decisions themselves contributed to the 1964–65 outturn figure which my hon. Friend quotes. At constant prices the 1968–69 Estimate is within about 1 per cer cent. of the 1964–65 outturn, and expressed as a percentage of G.N.P. the same figures represent a fall from about 6½ per cent. to about 6 per cent. Thus we expect to achieve a year earlier than planned the target set in Cmnd. 2901 Chapter I.
On the second part of the Question, I cannot add to the information given in the Supplementary Statement on Defence Policy published today.
Joint Anti-Submarine School (Location)
asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement about the future location of the Joint Anti-Submarine School, soon to be moved from Londonderry.
Yes. It was originally our intention that the Joint Anti-Submarine School should move to Plymouth but further consideration has shown that it will be very much more economic to base the School at Southwick Park, near Portsmouth, where it will be able to share staff and facilities with the Royal Naval Navigational School and the Royal Naval Tactical School. There will be no change in the date of the move which, as the employees have already been informed, is not scheduled to take place before 1971.
National Finance
Social Security Benefits (Expenditure)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the central government expenditure in social security in 1967 in Wales, Scotland and England, respectively; and what were the sums contributed by employers and insured workers in the three countries.
Identifiable public expenditure in Scotland on social security benefits was £265·3 million in 1966–67. Separate expenditure figures for England and Wales are not available; I am, however, arranging for these figures to be available for 1968–69 and future financial years. Separate figures for contributions in the three countries are not available.
National Savings
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the total sum of new savings invested in National Savings during the first three months of 1968; and what was the corresponding figure for the first three months of 1967;(2) what was the total sum of new savings invested in National Savings during the second quarter of 1968; and what was the corresponding figure for the second quarter of 1967;(3) what was the total sum of withdrawals from National Savings during the second quarter of 1968; and what was the corresponding figure for the second quarter of 1967;(4) what was the total sum of withdrawals from National Savings during the first three months of 1968; and what was the corresponding figure for the first three months of 1967.
| (£ million) | |||
| New Savings | Withdrawals | ||
| 1st Quarter 1967 | … | 697·6 | 691·7 |
| 1st Quarter 1968 | … | 706·9 | 671·9 |
| 2nd Quarter 1967 | … | 738·4 | 695·8 |
| 2nd Quarter 1968 | … | 729·7 | 754·8 |
| (provisional) | (provisional) | ||
Trustee Savings
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the total sum of withdrawals from Trustee Savings during the second quarter of 1968; and what was the corresponding figure for the second quarter of 1967;(2) what was the total sum of new savings invested in Trustee Savings during the first three months of 1968; and what was the corresponding figure for the first three months of 1967;(3) what was the total sum of new savings invested in Trustee Savings during the second quarter of 1968; and what was the corresponding figure for the second quarter of 1967;(4) what was the total sum of withdrawals from Trustee Savings during the first three months of 1968; and what was the corresponding figure for the first three months of 1967.
| (£ million) | |||
| New Savings | Withdrawals | ||
| 1st Quarter 1967 | … | 421·4 | 393·5 |
| 1st Quarter 1968 | … | 447·6 | 422·4 |
| 2nd Quarter 1967 | … | 422·4 | 414·4 |
| 2nd Quarter 1968 | … | 452·9 | 453·0 |
| (provisional) | (provisional) | ||
Cinemas (Selective Employment Tax)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated yield of the Selective Employment Tax from the films exhibition industry for the latest available period.
I estimate that the yield from cinemas is at present of the order of £1 million a year.
Unilever (Dividends)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the special circumstances which led him to authorise Unilever to increase its dividends for 1968 by 8⅓ per cent.
The total dividends of Unilever Limited for 1968 will be the same in Florin terms as the Unilever NV total for last year as a consequence of the legal obligation subsisting between the two companies.
British International Airports (Alcoholic Liquor)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will allow duty-free liquor to be sold on the air side of arrival buildings at British international airports to save aircraft carrying liquor for sale on board.
No.
Local Government
Greater London Council (Travel Expense Mileage Allowance)
asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government on what date he received an application from the Greater London Council to increase the travel expense mileage allowance of 7¾d. per mile for cars up to 1,200 cubic centimetres and 9¼d. for those above in compensation for the doubling of the road-tax fund, increases of 1s. 7d. per gallon on petrol, 1s. per pint on oil and other increases since the allowance was fixed in 1954; and what was the nature of his reply.
These rates, which apply to all local authorities in England and Wales, were fixed in 1962. The Greater London Council wrote to the Department seeking an increase on 29th March, 1968 and were told that, while the economic climate was unfavourable, the question would be considered if general representations were made putting forward a substantial case. This is still the position.
Housing
Housing Cost Criteria
asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement about the review of housing cost criteria.
I am reviewing the housing cost yardsticks but I am not yet ready to make a statement.
Coal
Opencast Mining, North Warwickshire
asked the Minister of Power whether, in considering the National Coal Board's application for opencast mining in North Warwickshire, he will take into account the proven reserves of water found in the Warwickshire coalfield strata, which represents an adequate water supply.
| Pensions paid to former British officials and their widows | British Government Bilateral Economic Aid (Provisional) | |||
| £ thousand | Grants £ thousands | Loans £ thousands | ||
| Barbados | … | 19 | 146 | — |
| Botswana | … | 46 | 4,744 | 87 |
| Ceylon | … | 211 | 236 | 4,540 |
| Cyprus | … | 73 | 103 | — |
| East African Community | … | 175 | 2,366 | 1,775 |
| East African Posts and Telegraphs | … | 184 | — | — |
| East African Railways and Harbours | … | 452 | — | — |
| Gambia | … | 57 | 362 | 374 |
| Ghana | … | 588 | 457 | 2,831 |
| Guyana | … | 64 | 660 | 442 |
| Jamaica | … | 47 | 224 | — |
| Kenya | … | 1,520 | 4,109 | 5,049 |
| Lesotho | … | 55 | 3,919 | 119 |
| Malaysia including Sarawak and Sabah | … | 1,482 | 3,795 | — |
| Malta | … | 6 | 4,562 | 1,750 |
| Malawi | … | 359 | 5,334 | 2,940 |
| Mauritius | … | 49 | 2,071 | 950 |
| Nigeria | … | 1,864 | 2,115 | 2,209 |
| Sierra Leone | … | 193 | 260 | 731 |
| Singapore | … | 376 | 163 | — |
| Tanzania | … | 1,277 | 1,245 | 173 |
| Trinidad | … | 73 | 127 | 254 |
| Uganda | … | 754 | 1,927 | 1,330 |
| Zambia | … | 828 | 3,584 | 652 |
As I stated yesterday [Vol. 768, c. 97] in my reply to my hon. Friend, no such application has been received. If the Board were to submit one, all relevant factors would be taken into account before a decision was reached.
Overseas Development
Ex-Colonial Commonwealth Countries (Pensions, Grants And Loans)
asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will publish in tabular form the amounts of grants and loans given to each of the ex-colonial Commonwealth countries in the last convenient 12-month period compared with the cost of pensions paid by each of those countries to ex-members of Her Majesty's Colonial Service and Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service and their widows.
The amounts of the pensions, grants and loans in respect of the year ending on the 31st March, 1968, are shown below.The table does not show the amounts paid by the British Government under the Pensions (Increase) Acts, 1962 and 1965. The total amount payable as pension supplements under these arrangements is just over £2 million.
Public Building And Works
Departmental Ministers (Overseas Visits)
asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will publish in Hansard details of overseas Ministerial visits made by his Depart-
| VISITS ABROAD BY M.P.B.W. MINISTERS SINCE JANUARY, 1967 | ||||
| Dates | Name of Minister | Countries Visited | Purpose | Cost £ |
| 22. 1.67–27. 1.67 | The Lord Winterbottom and one official | Germany | To attend British Day at Hanover Trade Fair and visit M.P.B.W. and Defence establishments. | 73 |
| 6. 3.67–8. 3.67 | The Lord Winterbottom | Netherlands | To attend British Day at Utrecht Spring Fair. | 40 |
| 27. 6.67– 3. 7.67 | *Rt. Hon. Reg Prentice, officials | Italy and Cyprus | To investigate problems in connection with the pro-vision of works services for the Diplomatic Service and Armed Forces. | 542 |
| 18.9.67–19. 9.67 | The Lord Winterbottom and one official | Belgium | To attend a Heating, Ventila- ting and Air Conditioning Exhibition. | 54 |
| 12.10.67–13.10.67 | The Lord Winterbottom and one official | Sweden | To attend Stockholm Techni- cal Fair. | 275 |
| 29.1.68 | The Lord Winterbottom | Belgium | To attend the Brussels Trade Fair. | 29 |
| 19. 2.68–22. 2.68 | *The Lord Winterbottom | Germany | To attend International Building Trade Exhibition Munich and to visit H.M. Minister Bonn and M.P.B.W. regional offices for discussion. | 154 |
| 27. 5.68– 1. 6.68 | *The Lord Winterbottom and one official | Cyprus | To visit Military Establish- ments and M.P.B.W. Regional Office and Depots. | 554 |
| 7.7.68–12.7.68 | *Rt. Hon. R. Mellish, M.P., and one official (to Malta only) | Italy and Malta | To visit site of new Embassy and discuss works services for the Armed Forces. | 300 |
| * Accompanied by Private Secretary. | †Estimated cost. | |||
35.]
Telephone Service
Redesigned Directories (Explanatory Leaflet)
asked the Postmaster General what was the cost of printing and distributing the leaflet telling subscribers how to use the re-designed telephone directories.
About £75,000 over the last two years, for 15 directories.
Scotland
Prescription Charges
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received from chemists and dispensers about complications in the
ment since October, 1964, by whom they were made, for what purposes and at what costs.
I have been asked to reply.I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 31st October, 1966. Details since then are as follows:procedure of exemptions arising from the reintroduction of prescription charges, relating in particular to prescriptions for aged and infirm persons; and what reply he has sent.
During consultations of the Government's proposals for prescription charges the representatives of the Scottish chemists were critical of the arrangements proposed for exemptions. Since the scheme was introduced I have received, through hon. Members, two representations from individual chemists about difficulties in operating it.
Temporary Education Building Work
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds of temporary educational building work in Scotland in 1968 and in 1969, respectively, necessitated by deferments and reductions in previously planned programmes of expenditure.
The programme adjustments are not expected to affect the total need for temporary places.
Wales
Economic Growth
asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the annual rate of economic growth in Wales in the years 1956 to 1967.
Separate figures of the annual growth of output up to 1967 are not available for Wales.
Ministerial Appointments
asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will give a list of the organisations, authorities, councils and committees in Wales and Monmouthshire to which he makes appointments; and if he will also list those bodies which cover Wales and Monmouthshire about which he is consulted before appointments are made by other Ministers.
The information is given in the following lists:(
a) Bodies in Wales and Monmouthshire to which some or all appointments are made by the Secretary of State for Wales:
- Cwmbran Development Corporation.
- Historic Buildings Council for Wales.
- Mid-Wales Development Corporation.
- Rent Assessment Panels for Wales.
- River Authorities in Wales.
- Sports Council for Wales.
- Wales Rural Development Board✶.
- Wales Tourist Board.
- Welsh Council.
- Welsh Language Advisory Translation Panel.
✶ Appointments made by the Secretary of State for Wales and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
( b) Bodies covering Wales and Monmouthshire to which appointments are made by other Ministers after consultation with the Secretary of State for Wales:
- Agricultural Research Council.
- Ancient Monuments Board for Wales.
- Arts Council of Great Britain.
- Board of Governors, United Cardiff Hospitals.
- Boundary Commission for Wales.
- British Council, Welsh Advisory Committee.
- Broadcasting Council for Wales.
- Clean Air Council.
- Council on Tribunals.
- County Health Executive Committees in Wales.
- Forestry Commission.
- Forestry Commission, National Committee for Wales.
- Forestry Commission Regional Advisory Committees (North and South Wales).
- Independent Television Authority.
- Industrial Estates Management Corporation (Wales).
- Industrial Injuries Advisory Committee.
- Land Commission.
- Library Advisory Council for Wales.
- Merseyside and North Wales Electricity Board.
- Merseyside and North Wales Electricity Consultative Council.
- Ministry of Social Security (Supplementary Benefits) Committee.
- National Insurance Advisory Council.
- National Library of Wales (Court and Council).
- National Museum of Wales (Court and Council).
- National Park Planning and Joint Advisory Councils in Wales.
- Nature Conservancy Sub-Committee for Wales.
- Passenger Transport Co-ordinating Committee for Wales.
- South Wales Electricity Board.
- South Wales Electricity Consultative Council.
- Sports Council.
- Transport Users' Consultative Committee for Wales.
- University of Wales (Court and Council).
- University Colleges in Wales (Courts and Councils).
- University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology (Court and Council).
- Wales Gas Board.
- Wales Gas Consultative Council.
- Water Resources Board.
- Welsh Advisory Committee for Civil Aviation.
- Welsh Arts Council.
- Welsh Hospital Board.