asked the Minister of Technology what assistance is being given by his Department to V/STOL aircraft manufacturing projects.

Manufacture of the Harrier is in progress for the R.A.F.; this will be the world's first operational V/STOL aircraft. The Department is supporting a number of lift engine programmes, and, in consultation with other interested bodies, is carrying out exploratory studies and research into problems of inter-city VTOL aircraft.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the latest position in regard to the agreement with other countries on the European Launcher Development Organisation projects; and if he will make a statement.

In Paris on 11th-12th July, 1968, Ministers of European Launcher Development Organisation Member States considered future technical plans of the Organisation for completing the current programme. The financial implications of the proposals

Approximate Date Started		Description		Expenditure to 31st March, 1968	Estimated Expenditure 1968–69
				£'000	£'000
April, 1963	…	Space Technology	…	305	250
October, 1966	…	A.P.A.C.E	…	133	185
April, 1963	…	M.O.H. Medical Engineering and Services	…	139	180
April, 1963	…	The Home Office—various forensic science projects	…	186	55
October, 1966	…	Mintech—Advanced Computer Interconnections	…	76	65
August, 1967	…	M.P.B.W.—Glass Fibre Reinforced Plaster	…	14	25
October, 1966	…	M.O.H.—R & D on Dental Materials	…	24	20
April, 1963	…	Other Civil Work for Government Department*	…	463	180
April, 1963	…	Minor Works for Universities, Industry, etc.†	…	94	40
		Total‡	…	1,434	1,000
* Includes 8 contracts in hand over £5,000 each.
† Includes 2 contracts in hand over £5,000 each.
None of the above projects forms part of any international project.
‡ Figures of expenditure cover full cost, including depreciations and similar notional overheads. Full cost is recovered from all customers.

The other data given in my Written answers to the hon. Member on 13th May

asked the Minister of Technology, what discussions are in progress with the Australian Government, with a view to collaboration on aircraft manufacturing projects.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) on 17th July.— [Vol. 768, c.251.]

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a further statement on the figures relating to rechargeable and non-rechargeable projects undertaken by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and the Atomic Weapon Research Establishment under Section 4 of the Science and Technology Act, 1965, including those conducted under special Ministerial approval.

The following table gives revised figures relating to expenditure or rechargeable work at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment:—remains unchanged.—[Vol. 764, c.

asked the Minister of Technology which of the TSR2 prototypes have been preserved; and where these are located.

There were five prototypes. One is in R.A.F. Museum at Henlow and one at the College of Aeronautics, Cranfield: three others are to be used by the Royal Aircraft Establishment for tests.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting with his counterparts in France and Germany about the future of the A300 Airbus.

The meeting to which the hon. Member refers has not yet taken place.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will now make a statement on the progress of his discussions on the setting up of a Metrication Board to supervise the changeover to metric measurements in the construction and other industries.

A Report by my Standing Joint Committee on Metrication, which makes recommendations about the machinery needed to co-ordinate programmes for the changeover to the use of the metric system, will be published this week. There will at the same time be a Statement of Government policy on its recommendations.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will now seek to make provision for legal aid to leaseholders applying to the Lands Tribunal to fix a fair price for freeholds under the Leasehold Reform Act.

This will be considered in the light of the forthcoming Report of the Legal Aid Advisory Committee which has been asked to advise to which Tribunals legal aid should be made available when financial circumstances permit and what the priorities should be, both as between Tribunals, and in relation to other possible improvements to the Legal Aid and Advice Schemes.

asked the Attorney-General (1) in how many cases in the last five years the Public Trustee has reduced his acceptance and withdrawal fees below the levels authorised by the Public Trustee Fees Order, 1957;(2) in how many of the cases in the last five years where the Public Trustee has reduced his acceptance and withdrawal fees below the levels authorised by the Public Trustee Fees Order, 1957, these reductions were made before the receipt of representations that reductions should be made.

Since 1st April, 1963 the Public Trustee has reduced one or other or both of these fees on 70 occasions. On 47 of these occasions the reductions were made before receipt of representations to reduce them.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will make a statement on the discussions she has held with the Chairman of the National Board for Prices and Incomes regarding the reference to the Board of the wage structure of the building and civil engineering industries, and on the need for a rapidly produced report.

These references were made on 30th May. I can assure the hon. Member that the N.B.P.I. are fully aware of the need for speed as well as thoroughness in reporting on them.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will arrange for the enlargement of the National Board for Prices and Incomes to secure a more speedy examination of a wider range of retail prices.

My hon. Friend will recall paragraph 65 of the White Paper on Productivity, Prices and Incomes Policy in 1968 and 1969 (Cmnd. 3590) which said that the Board would be further strengthened if necessary. The Board has, in fact, recently been strengthened. This will enable it to handle an increased workload. The numbers and types of references are kept under constant review.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will refer the proposed increase in the salary of the Secretary of the Labour Party to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will make a statement on her decision to freeze for a third time a freely negotiated salary increase to municipal busmen.

On 11th July I published notice of a proposal to extend until 26th December, 1968 the present standstill on the municipal bus settlement. The period during which representations may be made expires on 25th July. The employers and the unions know that the Government would agree to an immedi

NUMBERS WHOLLY UNEMPLOYED ON THE REGISTERS OF THE BEXHILL, HAILSHAM AND RYE EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES AT 8TH JULY, 1968
			Aged 18 to 54	Men Aged 55 and over	Total	Aged 18 to 54	Women Aged 55 and over	Total
Bexhill	…	…	65	217	282	15	5	20
Hailsham	…	…	41	112	153	7	6	13
Rye	…	…	35	41	76	8	1	9

In addition, there were six boys and two girls under 18 years of age registered at the Bexhill Youth Employment Office, which also covers the Rye, Hailsham and Battle areas. One boy was a school leaver registered for first employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity, in view of the policy of balancing Great Britain's trading account by the end of the year, whether she will end the wage freeze, which was introduced as part of that policy, during the current year.

The Government's policy for productivity, prices and incomes in 1968 and 1969 is set out in Cmnd. 3590. There is no wage freeze under this policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many males and females were registered as unemployed at the Bexhill, Hailsham and Rye employment exchanges on 17th July, 1968; and how many of them were over 55 years of age, under 18 years of age and school leavers, respectively.

The following table gives, by age groups, the numbers registered as wholly unemployed at 8th July, 1968:if she will give an assurance that the Prices and Incomes legislation will not be used to impose detailed control of all wages and salaries freely negotiated by trades unions and employers.

Yes. All the powers will be held in reserve and will be used only to the extent necessary where the voluntary arrangements are not being properly observed.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many copies of the pamphlet "Dealing with Redundancies" have been distributed to employers and on what basis; how many have been distributed to trade unions and at what levels of trade union organisation; and whether shop stewards will be provided with this document.

An initial distribution of 70,000 copies has been made, covering managements of firms with over 250 employees, regional and similar offices of unions, and employer and worker members of my Department's Local Employment Committees. Supplies have been provided for circulation by the C.B.I, and T.U.C. for circulation to their member organisations, and my Department will be glad to meet requests from individual unions or employers' organisations for distribution through their channels. Copies of the booklet are also available on request at local offices of my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will give details of the persons allowed to use rooms, offices and other facilities within her Department for private cocktail parties when supplying their own beverages; what charge is made for these facilities; to what extent members of the general public can hire such rooms for defined private purposes; and on how many occasions during the past year such hirings have taken place.

The use of rooms, offices and other facilities within the Department by non-official bodies or members of the general public for social purposes of any kind is not permitted.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity (1) whether she has now received the information from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, giving details of a 20 per cent. salary increase to a company chairman and a 33⅓ per cent. increase to each of his three fellow directors; and whether she will refer these details to the National Board for Prices and Incomes;(2) whether she is aware that the Chairman of the Industrial and Commercial Finance Corporation Limited has increased his salary by £557 during last year, and that the total directors' emoluments rose from £40,000 to £47,000; and whether she intends to refer this to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

I have received the information mentioned by my hon. Friend. I do not propose to answer questions about the salaries of individuals. The general question of higher salaries is under examination by the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity, if she will state the present number of males and females registered as unemployed at the Mexborough Employment Exchange; what measures she intends to take to find employment for these people; and if she will make a statement.

On 8th July, 1968, 837 males and 198 females were registered as unemployed in the area covered by Mexborough Employment Exchange. My officers will continue to take all possible steps to find them work.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if he will publish a list of the members appointed to serve on the Food, Drink and Tobacco Industry Training Board within the terms of the Industrial Training Act 1964.

I will do so in about two weeks' time.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity when she proposes to publish her revised regulations for those working in the asbestos industry.

My right hon. Friend intends to publish the Statutory Draft next month.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make special representations to the Soviet authorities in connection with the case of Mr. S. Galamaga of Warwick, details of which have been supplied to him.

No. There are a great many outstanding cases of a similar nature, and it would be invidious to single out particular cases for special mention.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proposals he is putting to the 18-Nation Disarmament Conference in Geneva, studying the threat of an arms race spreading to the sea bed.

In my speech in Geneva I confirmed Her Majesty's Government's view that this should be considered by the Eighteen Nation Disarmament Committee, as proposed also by the United States and the Soviet Union. The Eighteen Nation Disarmament Committee has just reconvened and detailed proposals on this matter would not, therefore, be appropriate at this stage as I am seeking priority for consideration of other matters.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who will represent Her Majesty's Government at the unveiling of the memorial at Dachau concentration camp on 8th September; and why he has refused a financial contribution to the Dachau International Committee which has received support from the Federal German Government and the Governments of other European countries.

By Her Majesty's Ambassador at Bonn.Her Majesty's Government, whilst sympathising with the aims of the Dachau Memorial Appeal Fund, have felt unable to subscribe because, owing to the very large number of appeals received for deserving causes, it is necessary as a rule to confine Government aid to those more directly linked with the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the talks at the current 18-National Disarmament Conference in relation to chemical and microbiological warfare.

I would refer my hon. Friend to what I said in the Foreign Affairs Debate on 18th July and in my speech at the opening session of the Eighteen Nation Disarmament Committee on 16th July, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.—[Vol. 768, c. 1804.]

asked the Minister for Social Security, if, in view of increasing dissatisfaction with the decisions of the Medical Appeal Tribunals, she will immediately review the administration of the Industrial Injuries Act.

I am not aware of increasing dissatisfaction with Medical Appeal Tribunal decisions. If my hon. Friend has any case in mind I will gladly look into it.

asked the Minister of Social Security (1) how many ex-public school boys have been prosecuted in each of the last five years for abusing payment of social security benefits; and what was this figure as a proportion of total prosecutions;(2) if she will give a breakdown of the 451 men prosecuted in the last three years for remaining deliberately unemployed when they could have obtained work; in particular identifying such men by region and stating whether educated at a private, fee-paying school.

Prosecutions of unemployed persons for failure to maintain themselves or their dependants in the three years 1965–67 were distributed by region as follows:

Region
Northern	29
Yorkshire and Humberside	39
East Midlands and East Anglia	66
London (three regions)	101
South Western	9
West Midlands	44
North Western	76
Wales	14
Scotland	35
Vagrants (not included above)	38
Total	451

Our records do not show the schools attended by the people prosecuted.

asked the Minister of Social Security what number of men and of women are contracted out of, and are contracted into, the State graduated pension scheme; what is now

Gross annual earnings				Equivalent average weekly earnings			Number of persons*
							Men	Women
Upto£500	…	…	…	Up to £9 12s.	…	…	240,000	1,990,000
£500—£750	…	…	…	£9 12s.—£14 8s	…	…	1,310,000	1,430,000
£750—£1,000	…	…	…	£14 8s.—£19 5s	…	…	2,460,000	320,000
£1,000—£1,500	…	…	…	£19 5s.—£28 17s.	…	…	2,970,000	80,000
£l,500—£2,000	…	…	…	£28 17s.—£38 9s	…	…	510,000	20,000
Over£2,000	…	…	…	Over £38 9s	…	…	260,000
							7,750,000	3,840,000
* Including persons who paid some contributions at the participating rate and some at the contracted out rate.

asked the Minister of Social Security whether, in view of the fact that wage levels are low in Norfolk, she will now take steps to initiate a survey to determine how many families are living there below supplementary benefit level.

No. I fear that there would be considerable difficulties, involving disproportionate expense, in undertaking purely local surveys of this kind.

asked the Minister of Social Security how many retirement pensioners are resident in Birkenhead and Bebington, respectively; and what proportion of such pensioners were in

The number of employed adults not contracted out of the graduated pensions scheme is estimated to be about 9¾ million men and 6½ million women; about 4½ million men and ¾ million women are contracted out of it.The total sum which the National Insurance Fund is liable to pay in graduated pension benefits by virtue of graduated contributions paid so far is estimated at about £2,600 million.The following table gives the available information about earnings in the 1966–67 Income Tax year of persons not contracted out who paid at least 48 Class 1 contributions.receipt of supplementary benefits in the mid-summer of each year since 1964 inclusive.

I regret that the information requested is not available. This is because the Ministry's records of retirement pensioners are filed centrally at Newcastle-upon-Tyne for Great Britain as a whole and not for localities.

asked the Minister of Social Security whether she will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of persons in Birkenhead and Bebington, respectively, who are in receipt of supplementary benefits at the present time compared with four years ago; and if she will classify such recipients, both for 1964 and 1968, into their respective categories.

Birkenhead and Bebington are almost wholly covered by the Ministry's two offices in Birkenhead which also cover other areas of Cheshire. It is not possible to analyse numbers in parts of a local office area but figures of supplementary benefit recipients for the two offices together are as follows:

	June,1964	May, 1968
Retirement pensioners	6,000	7,500
Widows over 60	300	350
Other persons over pension age	1,150	950
Total supplementary pensioners	7,450	8,800
Widows under 60	400	350
Persons in receipt of sickness and industrial injury benefit	1,000	950
Other persons sick or disabled	750	750
Women under 60 with dependent children	550	800
Unemployed	1,300	800
Miscellaneous (mainly persons at home looking after aged or sick relatives)	100	100
Total supplementary allowance recipients	4,100	3,750
Total supplementary benefit recipients	11,550	12,550

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make an estimate of the value of exports likely to be lost as a result of industrial unrest during the current financial year, so as to ensure that future forecasts of balance of payments are realistic.

I do not wish to add to the forecast information given in the Financial Statement. Exports are growing at least as well as was forecast.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total number of salaries of directors of public companies disclosed as a result of the Companies Act 1967; how many cases there are of salaries exceeding £30,000 per annum, and how many cases of salaries ranging between £20,000 and £30,000 per annum; and in how many cases have such salaries been the subject of an increase during the current financial year.

An analysis by the Board of Trade of the accounts for years ending on or after 27th January, 1968 of 155 large companies shows that, of their 1,075 directors, one had emoluments exceeding £30,000 and fifteen were in the range £20,000 to £30,000. The last part of the Question cannot be answered from the information now published under the Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to make a statement on the outcome of the Government's consultations regarding the introduction of a quota system for import of jute manufactures.

Not, I am afraid, before the House adjourns for the summer recess.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reply he gave to the official Libyan Trade delegation's representations to him, that the price of British goods had been reduced by no more than 7 per cent. since the November devaluation of sterling; and what action he proposes to take regarding their consequential refusal to buy British goods, despite the fact that imports of Libyan oil on which a 15 per cent. increase has had to be paid since devaluation has given Libya a substantial credit balance of payments.

My noble Friend the Minister of State, who received the delegation, made it clear that he did not accept this suggestion and explained in detail his reasons for saying so. I know of no consequential refusal by the delegation to buy British goods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he intends to continue the higher rates of investment grant after the end of 1968.

No. As my predecessor made clear when announcing the temporary increase, the rates will revert to 40 per cent.-20 per cent. on 1st January, 1969.—[Vol. 737, c. 637–641.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade by what authority the air corporations own or operate hotels.

Both Air Corporations have interests in hotels under the provisions of Section 3(2) and (4) of the Air Corporations Act 1967.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent in current and future negotiations on the Special Drawing Rights Scheme of the International Monetary Fund it is Her Majesty's Government's policy to negotiate for a higher share of the special drawing rights to go to the less developed countries.

I sympathise with my hon. Friend's objective, but I see little hope of any progress in this direction in the near future. The benefits derived from the S.D.R. scheme by the less developed countries will of course not be confined to allocations of S.D.R.s made directly to them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to make it a criminal offence to send money abroad to persons convicted of serious crimes as payment for autobiographical material related to their crimes.

No. Legislation of the kind suggested would be very difficult to enforce, and would be an interference with the freedom of the Press.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps have so far been taken regarding the effect of the Finance Act 1968 on participants in the Government's Option Mortgage Scheme; and whether he will make a statement before the summer adjournment.

No change such as the hon. Member envisages has been made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what effect the recent fall in industrial production will have on exports and on the standard of living, respectively.

Since the industrial production index was steady both in April and May, I assume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the one-point fall in the manufacturing component of the index in May. He should know by now that no special significance attaches to small movements in the index or its components in an individual month.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date he received the Greater London Council's application for an improvement in the travel expense mileage allowance of 7¾d. per mile for cars up to 1200 c.c. and 9¼d. for those above, now allowed to all councillors, based upon a doubling of the road tax fund, 1s. 7d. per gallon on petrol, 1s. per pint on oil, and other increased prices since 1962.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given him on 11th July by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government. The Greater London Council's application was properly addressed to his Department: no application has been made to the Treasury.—[Vol. 768, c.130.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much it will cost to service United Kingdom borrowing from the International Monetary Fund, the Bank of International Settlements, the Swiss National Bank, the Swiss Bank Consortium, the Deutsche Bundesbank, and the United States Export-Import Bank in 1968–69.

Interest charges due in 1968–69 are estimated to be:

	£ million
International Monetary Fund	23·2†
Bank for International Settlements	3·7
Swiss bank consortium	2·4
Deutsche Bundesbank Bond	0·6
United States Export-Import Bank	8·8*
* Interest due on drawings to date.
† Payable in sterling.

It is not customary to disclose details of arrangements made with overseas central banks, including the Swiss National Bank.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of contracts for imported goods of all kinds and the combined value of these placed by Government Departments during 1967, and the estimated number and total value of all such contracts likely to be placed during 1968; and if he will make a statement on their composition.

About 3,000 contracts, to a total value of approximately £184 million, were let by Government Departments during 1966–67. They may be analysed by value as follows:—

	£ million
Aircraft, guided weapons and associated equipment	83·4
Purchases in aid of the Polaris programme	6·7
Other major defence purchases	18·8
Other defence purchases	2·3
Medical equipment	1·2
Computers	0·7
Part-manufactured items for processing and re-export	0·7
Oil (inclusive of duty and United Kingdom processing)	60·0
Miscellaneous, about	10·0
	183·8

Estimated figures for 1968–69 are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now desist from supporting the United States of America in its opposition to the purchase of gold by the International Monetary Fund from South Africa, in view of the fact that such opposition is in contravention of Article V, Section 6, of the articles of the Fund.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on 15th July.—[Vol. 768, c.174.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that his practice of giving information asked in Parliamentary Questions by referring to various old publications is overburdening the Library Research Unit, which is less well equipped to give the information than his own Department; and if he will now cease this practice.

I will bear the hon. Member's point in mind, but there are many occasions on which this is a reasonable, convenient and well-established practice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he exempted certain national concerns from operating under the Government's Contracts Preference Scheme for development areas so far as the choice of building material is concerned.

National concerns such as the hon. Member has in mind are fully alive to the interests of the Development Areas, but the choice of building materials to meet particular requirements is a matter for their judgment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of relief given in respect of child allowances against Income Tax and Surtax in the years 1965–66, 1966–67 and 1967–68.

The estimates are as follows:

• £500 million for 1965–66
• £580 million for 1966–67 and
• £630 million for 1967–68.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of relief given in respect of wife's earned income allowance against Income Tax and Surtax in the years 1965–66, 1966–67, and 1967–68.

The estimates for Income Tax are as follows: £232 million for 1965–66, £238 million for 1966–67 and £250 million for 1967–68. The allowance does not apply for Surtax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what approximate amount of the yield of Surtax in the years 1965–66, 1966–67 and 1967–68 arose from the assessment of husband and wife as a unit instead of as wholly separate persons.

The information on which to base these estimates is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost to the Exchequer of the investment allowances granted to private industry in 1954–55, 1955–56, in 1959–60 and 'in each subsequent year until they ceased to be available.

Estimates are not available in this form. Those given below relate to expenditure in accounts ending in the relevant years:

Year				Estimated at £ million
1954–55	…	…	…	48
1955–56	…	…	…	106
1959–60	…	…	…	111
1960–61	…	…	…	169
1961–62	…	…	…	205
1962–63	…	…	…	203
1963–64	…	…	…	264
1964–65	…	…	…	323
1965–66	…	…	…	252
1966–67	…	…	…	139
1967–68	…	…	…	28

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total loss of revenue to local authorities and his Department occasioned by the charitable status of the public schools.

The information on which to base an estimate is not available.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will move to amend Standing Orders to provide for the tabling and answering of Written Parliamentary Questions during all or part of the Summer Recess.

No.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will arrange for quarto size writing paper to be provided in the secretaries' rooms, now that the House of Commons (Services) Committee has decided to retain this size paper.

Yes.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if, in view of the decision of the House of Commons (Services) Committee that writing paper supplied to the secretaries' rooms shall be restricted to sizes A.4 and A.5, he will take steps to ensure that the existing stationery racks will be replaced with ones designed to support the larger-sized paper.

As the stationery racks need to be replaced, redesigned ones to support the larger sized paper will be provided. It should be pointed out, however, that in accordance with my answer to the Question by the hon. Member for Dorset, West (Mr. Wingfield Digby) quarto size writing paper will continue to be placed in the secretaries' rooms, in addition to sizes A.4 and A.5.

asked the Lord Privy Seal in view of the decision of the House of Commons (Services) Committee that quarto size writing paper will be available only on demand from the Serjeant at Arms Stores, whether supplies obtained in this way will be deducted from the annual allowance for stationery.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many magistrates' courts sit regularly in the evenings for the benefit of witnesses, accused persons and justices who might otherwise suffer loss of income through their absence from work.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average rate burden per head of population in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen, respectively, in the latest annual period for which figures are available.

Approximate figures for 1967–68 were in Glasgow £38 10s., in Edinburgh £31 3s., in Dundee £29 16s. and in Aberdeen £30 17s. After deducting rates paid in respect of industrial and commercial properties, the average rate burden per head of population was in Glasgow £14 9s.. in Edinburgh £15, in Dundee £14 and in Aberdeen £13 15s.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has yet completed his inquiry into the rating burden of commercial properties; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Gorbals (Mrs. Cullen) on 18th July.—[Vol. 768, c.279.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will initiate discussions with the General Teaching Council in order to ensure that teachers of Scottish origin who complete a teacher training course with the assistance of a grant from his Department, and who are qualified to teach in England, are not debarred from teaching in Scotland.

In terms of the Teaching Council (Scotland) Act, 1965 exceptional admission to the register of teachers is a matter for the General Teaching Council, and I have no power to intervene.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the approved schools in Scotland together with their management bodies.

The information is—

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children were in approved schools in Scotland at the latest convenient date; how many were there as a consequence of persistent absenteeism from school; and how many as a result of conviction for a sexual offence.

At 31st March, 1968 there were 1,663 children in approved schools, of whom 43 had been committed for truancy and seven for sexual offences

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the 1,820 places presently available in approved schools in Scotland are reserved far Roman Catholics; and how many peaces are available for children of any denomination.

595 places are provided in schools for Roman Catholic children; the remaining places are available for children of any denomination.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total teaching staff presently attached to approved schools in Scotland; how many of these are certificated; and how many are graduates.

At 31st March, 1968 there were 110 teachers, of whom 80 were

School				1964–65	1965–66	1966–67	1967–68
				£	£	£	£
Springboig St. John's, Glasgow	…	…	…	36,000	65,000	25,000	24,500
Kenmure St. Mary's, Bishopbriggs		…	…	6,000	32,000	—	—
St. Andrew's, Shandon	…	…	…	92,000	80,000	110,000	27,000
St. Ninian's, Gartmore	…	…	…	28,000	12,000	3,000	6,000
Loaningdale, Biggar	…	…	…	10,000	75,000	42,000	11,200
Geilsland, Beith	…	…	…	—	140,000	10,000	12,000
Oakbank, Aberdeen	…	…	…	—	10,000	25,000	27,000
Dr. Guthrie's Boys', Edinburgh	…	…	…	—	—	5,000	57,000
Ballikinrain, Balfron	Schools being established			—	—	85,000	15,400
St. Philip's, Airdrie				—	—	—	14,400
Totals	…	…	…	172,000	414,000	305,000	194,500

The loans raised by Managers amounted to:—
1964–65	1965–66	1966–67	1967–68
£	£	£	£
173,000	124,000	15,000	63,000

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the 1,820 approved school places presently available in Scotland are reserved for girls.

290.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the children presently in approved schools in Scotland are permitted to attend normal local schools; and how many candidates from approved schools have been presented and have passed, respectively, the "O" level examination of the Scottish Certificate of Education in each of the last three years.

At 31st March, 1968, 65 approved, school pupils were attending normal local schools; of these, 58 were from four small junior approved schools which do not provide education. Partici-

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total value of capital expenditure authorised in Scottish approved sohools in the years 1964–65, 1965–66, 1966–67 and 1967–68, respectively, and met by direct Exchequer grant; if he will list the schools involved and the sums made available; and if he will estimate what was the total sum raised by approved school managers for capital development privately in these years.

Exchequer capital grants were made as follows:pation at Ordinary level in the Scottish Certificate of Education examinations has been as follows:

			Candidates presented	Passes obtained
1966	…	…	3	10
1967	…	…	4	8
1968	…	…	1	3

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average weekly cost of maintaining a child in an approved school in Scotland.

£20 approximately.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of children leaving Scottish approved schools in each of the last ten years have subsequently been sentenced to terms in Borstal or prison.

Percentages established from records provided by schools are:

			Percentage of pupils recommitted to approved school or committed to Borstal or other penal establishments in three years following release
Year of release to 31st March			Boys Per Cent.	Girls Per Cent.
1955	…	…	29	10
1956	…	…	34	8
1957	…	…	36	17
1958	…	…	32	8
1959	…	…	33	2

			Percentage of pupils committed to Borstal or other penal establishments in three years following release
			Boys Per cent.	Girls Per cent.
1960	…	…	28	8
1961	…	…	31	3
1962	…	…	27	6
1963	…	…	27	7
1964	…	…	23	1

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the total number of children in approved schools in Scotland is accommodated in single rooms, in dormitories holding up to six children and dormitories holding over 20 children, respectively.

Precise details are not readily available. In girls' schools, accommodation is provided mainly in single or small rooms or cubicles; there are two dormitories which can accommodate up to 12 girls each and two for up to 8 girls each. In boys' schools, where there are few single rooms, a growing number of pupils are accommodated in 3- to 6-bedded rooms or cubicles, but there are several dormitories with over 20 beds.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average length of stay in an approved school in Scotland during the last three years.

The average period of detention in Scottish approved schools for the last three years is as follows:

Year to 31st March				Months
				Boys	Girls
1966	…	…	…	17	18
1967	…	…	…	16	14
1968	…	…	…	16	15

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total contributed by parents of children towards the upkeep of children in approved schools in Scotland in the last financial year; and what percentage this is of the total running costs.

£12,100 approximately, in 1967–68, representing about 0·7 per cent. of total recurrent expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the contribution of local and central government, respectively, to the running costs of approved schools in Scotland; and what proportion of the total cost this represents.

The estimated out-turn expenditure for 1967–68 is £785,000 by education authorities and £834,000 by the Exchequer, being approximately 46 per cent. and 49 per cent. respectively, of estimated total recurrent expenditure. The remaining 5 per cent. is made up of parental contributions and other receipts.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many residential places for maladjusted children are presently available in Scotland.

217 places are provided in residential schools for maladjusted children managed by education authorities and grant-aided voluntary bodies. A further 45 places will be available next session.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent he now estimates the introduction of the metric system will affect the cost of housing; and if he will make a statement.

No useful estimate can be made at this stage, but the initial cost of changing over to the metric system is expected to be more than offset by the economies in design and production which it will make possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many police officers were recruited by Scottish

			January	February	March	April	May	June	Totals
Recruitment	…	…	99	95	90	102	72	51	509
Losses	…	…	86	45	70	76	81	80	438

I regret an error in the Oral Answer given to the hon. Member on 3rd July. The figures for total recruitment and total losses contained therein related to the first five months of 1968, not to the first six months as stated in the answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he recently advised certain Scottish police authorities to curtail the recruitment of police officers; and how long the restrictions will last.

Because there has been, in the first six months of 1968, a marked change in the trend of police recruitment with a consequent rise in police strength from which is appeared that, unless steps were taken to limit recruitment, the expenditure target for 1968–69 would be exceeded.Movements in recruitment and losses will be kept under constant review and the restrictions will be lifted as soon as it is possible to do so without endangering the expenditure target.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what study he has made of the extent to which potential police officers who are denied admission to Scottish police forces on account of the recent restrictions on recruitment will seek to join forces where there is a severe shortage.

Since the restrictions on recruitment were introduced as recently as 10th July, there has been no opportunity to assess their effect on redeploying manpower to the forces in greatest need. I have, however, suggested to police authorities and chief constables that where inquiries about recruitment to the police service are received by forces which, for the time being, are unable to accept recruits, applicants should be advised to seek appointment in those forces which are seriously under strength and that the names of such forces should be given to applicants.

The following figures include men and women:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Scottish police forces are eligible to apply for the undermanning allowance; and how many such applications have been made.

Any Scottish police authority is entitled to ask the Police Council for Great Britain to consider the payment of under-manning allowance in its force. It would be for the Police Council to decide whether the application should be submitted to me for approval. I am not aware that any Scottish authority has applied to the Police Council for consideration of payment of undermanning allowance.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether it is his intention to introduce measures covering Scotland similar to those contained in the White Paper, Command Paper No. 3602, entitled Old Houses into New Homes.

I expect shortly to announce measures appropriate to Scottish conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) in what financial year funds will be allocated for the Gala-foot Bridge over the River Tweed; what will be its cost; and when he estimates the bridge will be open to traffic;(2) in what financial year he has allocated funds for the reconstruction of the A6091 road between the A7 and A68; what will be the cost; and when he estimates work will be completed, in view of the recommendation of the Johnson-Marshall Plan that it should be as soon as possible.

Funds are now available to grant-aid the building of the bridge at Galafoot. This will be the first part of a new road link between A7 and A68, to replace the present A6091 as a principal road, and the timing of the construction of this road will be related to the programming of broader developments in the area. The new bridge is expected to cost about £·25 million, out of a total cost of some £1·5 million for the link road.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the future improvements he plans to make to the A68 trunk road following the recommendations of the Johnson-Marshall Plan for the Borders; and what the cost of such improvements will be.

I accept the recommendation in the Central Borders Plan that major improvements should be made to the A68. Some works are already in progress and others are being planned, but I cannot yet make a comprehensive statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what assistance he plans to give to Roxburgh County Council to improve the Hawick-New-castleton road, in view of the findings of the Scottish Transport Users' Consultative Committee.

This is a non-principal road and responsibility for improving it rests with Roxburgh County Council, as highway authority, aided by rate support grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what estimate he has made of the increase of traffic on the A7 between Carlisle and Hawick after the M6 motorway reaches Carlisle.(2) what proposals he has, and in what financial year, for improvements to the A7 trunk road between Hawick and Carlisle; and what their total cost will be.

The most recent traffic census figures indicate that this length of road has considerable spare capacity, and expenditure on improving it would not be justified at present. However, I will keep the volume and composition of traffic along it under careful review.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has, and in what financial years, for improving the A72 trunk road from Galashiels to Glasgow, as recommended in the Johnson-Marshall Plan for the Borders; and what their cost will be.

As a principal road A72 is the responsibility of the highway authorities, the county councils of Selkirk, Peebles and Lanark, through whose areas it runs. In the current financial year I have allocated grant for improvements on this road estimated to cost £27,000; and I am considering proposals estimated to cost £153,000 for the years 1969–71.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in what financial year he plans to include provision for improvements to the A698 road between Hawick and the A68; and what the estimated cost of these will be.

The improvement of A698 is primarily the responsibility of Roxburgh County Council as the highway authority. I have no proposal before me relating to the section west of the junction with A68, but I expect to approve later this year a £110,000 scheme at Jedfoot Bridge just east of the junction.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the bodies which made representations to him about the need to retain railway services on the Edinburgh-Hawick-Carlisle route.

I have received representations on this subject from the following bodies:

• Economic Development Consultative Group for the Borders.
• Hawick Chamber of Trade.
• Scottish Railway Development Association.
• Peebles, Roxburgh and Selkirk Joint Planning Advisory Committee.
• The Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles Liberal Association.
• Roxburgh County Council.
• Borders Burghs' Convention.
• Hawick Town Council.
• Dalkeith Town Council.
• Galashiels Town Council.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will provide a list of the buildings in Northumberland which have been paid grants under the Historic Buildings Act during the past three years.

Capheaton Hall, Capheaton; Callaly Castle, Whittingham; Craster Tower, Alnwick; Town Hall, Berwick-on-Tweed; Cottages in Blanch-land Village; and Moot Hall, Hexham.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many acres of common land were registered in each of the counties of England and Wales, up to and including 30th June, 1968; of this acreage, how many were of common land proper, and how many were of village greens or of rights in common; how many individual or separate registrations of common land were registered; and if he will make a statement.

Information about progress up to 30th June is being obtained from the registration authorities. When this has been collated, I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a further extra-statutory concession to alleviate hardship caused by betterment levy to people of modest means who bought land between 22nd September, 1965, and 6th April, 1967, for purposes other than the building of single houses.

On the advice of the Land Commission, the Government have decided that where levy is assessed on a chargeable act or event affecting land bought during this period for any purpose other than building a single house, the purchase price may be taken into account as base value up to a maximum of £2,500. Where the purchase price is higher a base value of £2,500 will be allowed.The Land Commission will review assessments already made to take account of this concession, which is at present extra-statutory but will be covered by legislation as soon as practicable. The concession already announced on 10th April last will continue to apply unchanged to plots bought for single houses.

asked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement on the outcome of the consideration by his Department of the recent report emanating from United States sources, details of which are in his possession, on the extraction of oil and petrol from coal, and on the extent to which this report can be fitted into the requirements of the coal industry and the nation's economy.

Reports on research and development work now in progress in the United States of America on processes to manufacture liquid fuels and motor spirit have been studied but the relative costs of coal and oil in this country are such that there is little prospect of such processes being employed economically here.

asked the Minister of Power if he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the maximum demand on the Central Electricity Generating Board system in megawatts sent out, actual for the years 1950 to 1968, inclusive, and estimated for the years 1970 to 1975, inclusive; and if for the latter years he will give the estimated capacity of new plant to be commissioned and old plant taken out of service, respectively.

The actual simultaneous maximum demands met by the C.EG.B. system (or its equivalent) in winters from 1950–51 to 1967–68 were as follows:

Winter			Megawatts
1950–51	…	…	10,630
1951–52	…	…	11,590
1952–53	…	…	12,601
1953–54	…	…	14,282
1954–55	…	…	15,370
1955–56	…	…	16,703
1956–57	…	…	17,668
1957–58	…	…	19,311
1958–59	…	…	20,899
1959–60	…	…	23,089
1960–61	…	…	24,445
1961–62	…	…	27,020
1962–63	…	…	29,520
1963–64	…	…	29,937
1964–65	…	…	31,328
1965–66	…	…	33,358
1966–67	…	…	33,973
1967–68	…	…	35,818

The Electricity Council's latest forecast of the simultaneous maximum demand in the winter of 1973–74 is 54,000 megawatts; the Council do not publish forecasts for intervening or later years.The C.E.G.B.'s programmes for commissioning of new plant in the years 1970 to 1972 are as follows:

Calendar year				Megawatts sent out
1970	…	…	…	3,100
1971	…	…	…	2,260
1972	…	…	…	2,320

Programmes beyond 1972 have not yet been settled and will depend on decisions yet to be taken about new power station orders. The amount of old plant to be taken out of service will depend on prospective margins of plant capacity over demand: decisions are taken only a year or two in advance.

asked the Minister of Power when he estimates North Sea gas will be available to the South Wales area of the Wales Gas Board.