asked the Minister of Transport whether he is satisfied with the operation of the Travel Concessions Act, 1964; and if he will make a statement.

This Act released local authorities from the restrictions which had been imposed on their freedom to arrange travel concessions on municipal bus services. Provisions are included in the Transport Bill to enable them to arrange these concessions on non-municipal buses as well. We are satisfied that these measures fulfil the Government's purpose, which is to meet the expressed wishes of the local authorities for general discretionary powers to help old people and other qualified persons in this way.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will issue a regulation regarding the use of vehicle headlights as signals.

No. Drivers have been advised that the flashing of headlights should be regarded only as an indication of the presence of a vehicle on the road—nothing more.The revised Highway Code, which my right hon. Friend hopes to present to Parliament shortly, will reinforce this advice.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents occurred at the Chobham Road—Maultway crossroads, Camberley, in the period January to June, 1967 and January to June, 1968, respectively.

One and four injury accidents respectively.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he intends to take to prevent bunching and overtaking by heavy vehicles on hills and minor roads; and if he will make a statement.

It is largely a matter of better driving and attitude of drivers to other road users, although signs and road markings can help in some cases. I have written to the hon. Member on both points.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will list the products which the undertakings and their subsidiaries referred to in Clause 48 of the Transport Bill will be allowed by him to manufacture, sell or supply on the enactment of that Measure.

No. This would depend on my right hon. Friend's consideration of proposals submitted by the transport authorities for approval under subsection (4) of Clause 48.

asked the Minister of Transport how many representations his Department has received to date, objecting to the quantity licensing system proposed in the Transport Bill, from firms and trade associations.

We have received a great many letters about quantity licensing. Some have expressed approval, others have expressed vehement opposition. But much of the opposition can be attributed to the misrepresentations of the political campaign waged against the proposals. I therefore see no point in attempting an analysis of all letters received.

asked the Minister of Transport what factors will be taken into account by the new licensing authorities when considering the criteria of reliability under the proposed quantity licensing arrangements.

All the factors which have a bearing upon the relative reliability of road and rail services from the consignor's point of view.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will issue a general direction, in the public interest, to London Transport to allow Red Rover tickets to be available daily throughout the year for old age pensioners.

No. This is a management matter. But I understand that as an experiment London Transport are making Red Rover tickets available daily to all passengers for the rest of this year.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he will take steps to end the discrimination against motorists who are forbidden to use the transport cafes in the service areas of motorways where meals are served cheaper;(2) whether he will take steps to end the practice of cheaper meals being served to drivers of commercial vehicles in the restaurants of service areas on motorways when they are availing themselves of the same services as family motorists who are not allowed to enter the transport cafes on the same areas.

Transport cafés, whilst primarily intended to cater for the special requirements of drivers of commercial transport, are not reserved solely for them; but accommodation is limited, and they have priority.It is normal catering practice to charge different prices for different standards of service in the same catering establishment, but when the transport café is closed we do require the operator to provide elsewhere the type and standard of meals normally serviced in that café".

asked the Minister of Transport how many local authority and private passenger omnibus undertakings had reported reduced passenger services at the latest convenient date; what were the reasons given; and if he will make a statement.

We do not receive detailed reports of this nature. The passenger transport statistics published by the Department show that there has been a substantial fall over recent years in the numbers of passenger using the buses in both municipal and other bus undertakings. They also show a decline, but a much smaller one, in the number of vehicles miles run by buses. The principal reason for the reduction is no doubt the increasing use of private cars. My hon. Friend will be aware of the Government's comprehensive plans for strengthening public transport, for which we are legislating in the Transport Bill.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to make it obligatory for seat safety belts to be installed in long-distance coaches.

We have at present no evidence that this would be justified.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will arrange the production of an annual report concerning the income from parking meter schemes showing the amounts used to cover the administrative costs, the sums available for the provision and maintenance of off-street parking accommodation and the sums applied for this purpose.

The financial arrangements for parking meter schemes are a matter for the individual local authorities with parking responsibilities, but we will consider whether the advantages of collecting more information regularly would justify the cost and work involved.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what plans have been made for the provision of future trans-part facilities in the areas outwith the range of the recently announced passenger transport authorities;(2) what official discussions have taken place in regard to the integration of road and rail transport outwith the areas covered by the recently announced passenger transport authorities; and if he will make a statement.

Future public transport needs will be met by British Rail, the National Bus Company, the Scottish Transport Group, the municipalities and the private bus operators acting individually or in co-operation with each other as may be appropriate. The organisational and other changes which will be made by the Transport Bill and the wide variety of financial support which will become available will provide powerful stimulus to development and reorganisation and to the further extension of the co-ordination which has already been achieved by the operators and the Traffic Commissioners, and the Ministry will continue to do all they can to promote and encourage the efficient provision of the necessary facilities.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress he has made in his plans for reducing on public roads vehicular noise and smells, particularly the noise and smells made by motor cars and motorcycles; and when he intends to implement those plans.

These are two separate matters.New regulations governing the noise of vehicles on the road came into force on 1st July, 1968.We have no plans for reducing the smells made by motor cars and motorcycles.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals for the increase of railway commuter capacity in South-East London have been laid before him; and if he will make a statement.

Planning by British Railways and London Transport is not yet complete and the Boards have not put formal proposals to us.

asked the Minister of Transport when he now expects the report on the Hither Green railway disaster to be published.

The Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways hopes to complet his report this month and to arrange for it to be published before the end of August.

asked the Minister of Transport what estimate he has made of the capital expenditure to be incurred by British Railways in 1968 and 1969, respectively; and what were the actual figures of capital investment in 1967, 1966 and 1965, respectively.

About £100 million for 1968, The 1969 figure has not yet been settled. For 1967, 1966 and 1965 the figures were £96 million, £106 million, and £121 million, respectively.

asked the Minister of Transport what estimate he has made of the number of freightliner terminals at which demand for services exceeds the available supply, and of the capital investment needed to rectify this situation.

Three. The expenditure of about £1½ million is included in the investment proposals approved in April.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the proposal to close the Hull-Rowley-Bridlington-Scarborough railway line.

The next step is for the Yorkshire Transport Users Consultative Committee to consider objections made by or on behalf of users. They will then send their report to my right hon. Friend who will examine it carefully, together with the advice received on all the other social and economic factors involved, before taking a decision on the future of these passenger services.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will set up an inquiry into manpower in British Railways with particular reference to overmanning and productivity.

No. British Railways have already achieved considerable reductions in manpower. Moreover the Railways Board and the railway trade unions are engaged in extensive negotiations on pay and efficiency, involving far-reaching proposals for the more efficient use of manpower, in the meetings inaugurated by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister; these have now reached a very advanced stage, and we hope will soon be brought to a successful conclusion.

asked the Minister of Transport what estimate he has made of the cost per annum of keeping open at taxpayers' expense and by subvention to British Railways, uneconomic but socially desirable railway lines, including certain railway stations thereon; when a detailed statement of these railway lines and stations is to be published; and in what form.

On cost, I regret that I cannot yet add to the Answers given to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Hill-head (Mr. Galbraith) on 21st February and 8th May. We intend to publish a list of grant-aided services, and their respective costs, before the end of the year. Under the terms of the Transport Bill, derails will also be given in the Board's Annual Report.—[Vol. 759, c. 413; Vol. 764, c. 398.]

asked the Minister of Transport what consideration he has given to the proposal that the Blue Train Service should be extended from Airdrie to include Clarkson; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has had no such proposal put to him.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give a general direction to British Railways that they should not promulgate working rules the strict application of which has the effect of bringing the railway system to a near standstill.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the McKinsey Report on Irish freight services is now completed; and when it will be published.

This is a matter of management for the Railways Board.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give an assurance that the pensions of railway superannuitants will be protected in future railway legislation.

Clause 131 of the Transport Bill relating to pension does not disturb the existing responsibilities of the Railways Board towards its super-annuitants. No further provision is therefore necessary.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will issue a general direction, in the public interest, to the Railways Board, that in future private legislation introduced by the Board provision should be made for land to revert to the riparian landowners in the event of its being abandoned for the use of railways.

No. Such a direction would be inappropriate. The proposals in the current British Railways Bill can be considered in the usual way.

asked the Minister of Transport what estimate he has made of the loss of revenue suffered by British Railways in consequence of the recent industrial dispute.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today to the hon. Members for Walthamstow, West (Mr. Silvester) and Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro).

asked the Minister of Transport what is the total number of persons employed in the Headquarters of British Railways and the Headquarters of the Regions of British Railways.

I understand from the British Railways Board that they employ 5,062 persons in their headquarters. The figures for the regional headquarters are; Eastern 3,644, London Midland 4,656, Scottish 2,530, Southern 1,091 and Western 3,406.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what is his revised forecast for the current year of the total operating cost, the total receipts and the consequent operating surplus or deficit incurred from passenger traffic services only by British Railways, the number of passenger miles carried, and the costs, receipts and operating surplus or deficit expressed in terms of passenger miles, allowing for recent wage increases, and the loss of traffic due to the recent railway strike;(2) what is his revised forecast for the current year of the total operating cost, the total receipts, and the consequent operating surplus or deficit incurred from freight traffic services only, by British Railways, the number of ton miles carried, and the costs, receipts and

British Railways do not make an analysis of receipts and costs over their main groups of traffic until the end of each accounting year, so that the information requested is not at present available.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if he will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total operating cost, total receipts, and the consequent operating surplus or deficit incurred from passenger traffic services only by British Railways, the number of passenger miles carried, and the costs, receipts and operating surplus or deficit expressed in terms of passenger miles for each of the past five years, respectively.(2) if he will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total operating cost, the total receipts, and the consequent operating surplus or deficit incurred from freight traffic services only by British Railways, the number of ton miles carried and the costs, receipts and operating surplus or deficit expressed in terms of ton miles for each of the past five years, respectively.

Following is the information:

asked the Minister of Transport what is the present position with regard to the Basingstoke, East, to Hawley section of the M3 concerning which an official announcement was made in January, 1968 that work would start during 1968.

The contract is still expected to be let this year.

asked the Minister of Transport what he expects the effect of the completion of the Hawley—Lightwater section of the M3 will be on traffic conditions on the A321 and A325 in the Frimley/Camberley area; and when he expects a start to be made on construction of the Blackwater Valley Road and the Frimley by-pass.

Completion of M3 between Hawley and Lightwater is expected to reduce traffic on A325 in the Frimley and Camberley area and to have little effect on A321. But the load on these roads is expected to increase as a result of the normal growth of traffic and planned development, and that is what Surrey County Council, the responsible highway authority, plans to relieve by means of the Blackwater Valley Road and the Frimley by-pass. It is not yet possible to say when work on these schemes will start.

asked the Minister of Transport what consideration he has now given to the road needs of Yorkshire and Humberside; what representations have been made by the county councils and appropriate regional boards following their study of his survey on east-west road links across the Pennines; and if he will make a statement.

The road needs of the region are kept regularly under review and schemes worth about £110 million have been added to the programme or put in preparation since January, 1967.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will reconsider his decision to route the proposed M11 motorway on the eastern side of Harlow.

The route as a whole is still under consideration but there are compelling reasons for taking it to the east of Harlow.

asked the Minister of Transport what are his Department's plans to enable southbound traffic from Harlow to gain access to the proposed M11 motorway.

There will be access for this traffic via the existing A11 and a proposed interchange at South Harlow.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what steps are being taken to place traffic lights and other safety devices at the junction of the A41 and Woodmere Avenue and the Meriden Estate, Watford, in view of the serious accident, including fatalities which have occurred;(2) whether he will consider imposing a 40 miles per hour speed limit on vehicles coming off the M1 on to the A41 at Watford.

We intend to instal traffic lights at the junction with Wood-mere Avenue as soon as the equipment can be obtained and to extend the dual carriageway to the junction with Tudor Avenue. We shall also advertise a proposed 40 m.p.h. limit between the Dome roundabout and the river Colne. In addition, I understand that Watford Borough Council are planning to introduce traffic regulations to control use of the side and service roads at the Wood-mere Avenue junction.

asked the Minister of Transport in order to obviate coaches and other traffic entering towns that have been by-passed, if he will seek power to provide toilets on the A1 highway.

No. However, under a pilot scheme now being carried out we have made financial contributions to help the local health authorities, whose responsibility it is, to provide public toilets on trunk roads. This scheme includes two toilets on the A1 and in addition there are many available at restaurants and service stations.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has for improving the A452 trunk road between Stone-bridge and Kenilworth.

This principal road is the responsibility of the Warwickshire County Council as highway authority. The junction on this road at The Firs is being reconstructed and a diversionary route between this reconstructed junction and A41(T) is planned. An improvement south of the junction with B4102 is programmed for 1969–70 while improvement at Fieldgate Lane in Kenilworth is in the Preparation List.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will arrange for a double white line to be painted on the narrow twisty part of A659 as it wriggles its way through the villages of Arthington and Pool in Wharfedale; and what proposals have now been submitted to him by the highway authority to make this road safer, in view of the recent increase of heavy vehicles using it.

The West Riding County Council as highway authority are responsible for this road and for the provision of double white lines on it. They have submitted no proposals for its improvement.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the proposed closure of the Grimsby-Peterborough railway line, and the consequent increase in road transport, if he will now give consideration to authorising the Holton-le-Clay by-pass road.

A by-pass of Holton-le-Clay is not at present of sufficient priority to merit inclusion in the trunk road programme. Revised proposals for the withdrawal of rail passenger services between Grimsby and Peterborough are under consideration; even if approved, however, they are not thought likely to lead to any significant increase of traffic through the village.

asked the Minister of Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of the Rock Ferry By-pass in present day conditions; and what estimate he has made of the comparable present-day cost of the alternative route "D" in Birkenhead.

In 1966 it was estimated that the Rock Ferry By-pass would cost about £758,000 and the alternative route "D" about £990,000. No more recent estimate is available.

asked the Minister of Transport what effect the expected delays in the construction of the M56 motorway will have on that part of the road between Hapsford and Preston Brook which was due to start this year; how many months' delay will result; and for what reasons.

None. Main works on this section are expected to start in November of this year.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he has taken to ensure that the section of the Archway Road improvement scheme which is within the London Borough of Haringey complies with recognised planning and amenity standards.

This improvement is being designed in accordance with the Ministry's usual standards for urban highways. These take account of planning and amenity considerations.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will hold a public inquiry into the Archway Road widening scheme.

The proposals for this scheme will be advertised and will be open to objection in the usual way. My right hon. Friend will decide whether to arrange an inquiry after considering the objections.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if he is aware of the need for a decision on the line of the by-pass of Abingdon on A34; and whether he will instruct his Department to complete their survey before 1st September, 1968.(2) what are the latest figures for the cost of the proposed by-pass of Abingdon on A34; when the last estimate of traffic growth through Abingdon was made; what were the results; and what has been the percentage annual increase in such growth;(3) how many alternative schemes are under consideration by his Department for the bypass of Abingdon on A34; and whether there has been a change of policy as to which side of the town the proposed road should be built.

We are fully conscious of the need for an early decision on the line of the proposed by-pass but this depends on the analysis of additional information about possible alternatives. This information should be available during August. A decision will be taken as soon as possible thereafter.The last full census of traffic movements on the A34 to the south and north of Abingdon was taken in 1965. This indicated an average annual increase of about 6½ per cent. since 1961. This has been supplemented by an Origin and Destination survey north of Abingdon in 1966. At present, mechanical counts are being taken and comparative results will shortly be available.Two possible lines are under consideration, both to the west of the A34 though each of these is subject to further minor variation. A line to the east of the town was considered and rejected some time ago. This too is being looked at again following representations from the Council for the Preservation of Rural England. Detailed cost figures are not yet available but a westerly by-pass would probably cost at least £4 million and might cost considerably more.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to begin work upon that section of the Liverpool—Leeds Trans-Pennine motorway which begins east of Ferrybridge.

It is too early yet to say when construction is likely to begin.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will issue a clear definition of the restrictions imposed by signs for no loading and no waiting on public highways.

Loading and waiting prohibitions are imposed by Traffic Regulation Orders made by the appropriate traffic authority which give precise details of the restrictions. These may vary considerably.The meanings of the road markings and roadside signs which are provided to indicate the effect of these Orders, are given in "The New Traffic Signs", a booklet published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, priced 6d.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that traffic from the Sheffield area is still proceeding through Worksop to and from the east coast, in spite of the opening of a new section of the north ring road; why he has opposed the placing of advance direction signs on Hilton Hill and High Hoe Road in Worksop; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon Member to the detailed reply I gave him in my letter of 22nd July, 1968.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the import quotas of apples are not allowed to depress the price for homegrown apples in the spring.

The import quota for apples for the six-monthly period January to June, 1969 will not be determined until the autumn. The interests of growers, consumers and overseas suppliers will all be taken into account in arriving at a decision.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the wholesale prices for apples in March this year compared with prices for comparable weeks last year.

Compared with the corresponding weeks in 1967 the wholesale prices of Cox's Orange Pippin were higher in the first two weeks of March, 1968, about the same in the third week, and lower in the last week. On the same basis of comparison the prices of Bram-ley's Seedling were higher, and those of Laxton's Superb and of imported varieties were lower, throughout March, 1968.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average weekly wage in agriculture and forestry for Wales, Scotland and the United Kingdom, respectively.

Average weekly earnings (including overtime payments, bonuses, and other additions) of hired regular whole-time men in agriculture for the year ended 31st December, 1967, are estimated at £14 16s. 3d. in Wales, £14 13s. 4d. in Scotland and £15 0s. 5d. in Great Britain. Corresponding information relating to the whole of the United Kingdom and to the earnings of forestry workers is not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with which other Governments he has had consultations about legal tolerances for toxic residues in foodstuffs; and if he will publish a White Paper giving the tolerances laid down in other countries, and summarising the advice he has received from the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee, so that the problem can be studied before legislation is introduced.

The United Kingdom is represented on the Committee on Pesticide Residues of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which discusses the establishment of agreed legal residue limits for pesticides on foodstuffs moving in international trade. I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the 23 countries which sent delegates to the last session of the Committee held in September, 1967.The cost of preparing a comprehensive paper on national tolerances would be substantial and could not be justified, particularly as the information would be out of date before it was published. The advice so far received from the two Advisory Committees was published in full on the 26th January, 1967.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he takes to ensure that he is fully informed of the source of origin of the meat contained in canned meats imported into this country.

Canned meat imported into this country must originate from an establishment which complies with our health requirements and be accompanied by an official certificate from the competent authority of the country in question. The competent authority is responsible for ensuring that the meat derives from satisfactory sources, and periodic visits of inspection are made by officers of my Department.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation in the next Session to implement the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides.

We cannot promise legislation in the next Session. There must be thorough consultation, between Departments and with the many interests concerned, before it is possible to decide on the exact form legislation should take and to bring forward a Bill.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent the regulations and conditions applied to meat imported from the Argentine differ from those applied to imports from other countries; and whether he will make a statement giving the reasons for this different treatment.

Regulations governing the import of meat have to cover a wide variety of animal and

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will complete his consideration of the Worth Report on the

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce regulations to ensure a minimum bacteriological standard for liquid and clotted cream.

No. I have nothing to add to the statement which I made in reply to Questions on 15th May.—[Vol. 764, c. 1195–6.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of imported horticultural produce subject to statutory grading has been down-graded since the introduction of grading; if he is satisfied that imported produce is examined as rigorously as home grown produce; and if he will make a statement.

Information for England and Wales is given in the following table:Bacon Curing Industry; and if he will make a statement.

I cannot yet add to my reply to the hon. Member on 15th May. The new standards of bacon selection of which four months' experience will be one factor in our review of the stabilisation arrangements for the curing industry, have been operating for less than two months.—[Vol. 764, c.245.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he is making in the development of fish farming in the United Kingdom.

Sea fish have been successfully hatched and reared in the Government's fisheries laboratories and development work is being carried out by the White Fish Authority with assistance from my Department. So far the results have been encouraging, but much work remains to be done.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much retail food prices have increased during the past year.

Between June, 1967 and June, 1968 (the latest month for which figures are available) the retail food price index rose by 1·9 per cent. This is the smallest increase for some years past.The level of retail food prices has been helped by the recent very low prices for new potatoes; on the other hand in this period there were the effects of devaluation, of Purchase Tax increases in the Budget, and higher meat prices following the disruption of supplies due to the foot-and-mouth disease epidemic. The fact that the increase in prices has been so small indicates that the overwhelming majority of food manufacturers and distributors are co-operating with the Government in absorbing other cost increases as much as possible, and in trying to keep unavoidable price increases to a minimum.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements he has with Lantor Limited for the provision of material to Her Majesty's Prison, Perth, for the purpose of making anti-chemical and microbiological warfare suits.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the terms of the contract between Remploy, Cowdenbeath, and Jeltec, Cowdenbeath, and Her Majesty's Prison, Perth, in relation to the provision and packing of anti-chemical warfare suits.

My Department has no such contracts with these firms.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the 240,000 suits ordered by Her Majesty's Government on behalf of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, as protection against chemical or microbiological warfare, are being sewn by prisoners at Her Majesty's Prison, Perth.

28,000 suits (chemical and biological) are being made up by prison labour at Perth Prison under a contract between my Department and the Ministry of Defence.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what salary is to be paid to the Chairman of the Scottish Transport Group.

This has not yet been decided.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects work on the paraplegic unit at Philipshill Hospital, Glasgow, to begin.

The Western Regional Hospital Board plans to improve the facilities at Philipshill for 24 paraplegic patients by up-grading and conversion of existing accommodation at a cost of £42,000. It is planned to start this work in the current financial year. The Regional Board is not yet able, taking account of other urgent needs, to fix a starting date for the major purpose-built unit which it plans to provide later.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he intends to take to assist local authorities with the high rate of interest they are presently having to pay on money borrowed for approved projects.

The cost to local authorities of new borrowing is automatically reflected in the level of the rate support grants and the specific grants for housing and other services.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a further statement on the progress being made in clearing windblow timber in Scotland with special reference to its disposal in markets beyond the normal economic radius of the affected woodlands.

According to the latest report of the Action Group about 13 per cent. of the softwoods and 18 per cent of the hardwoods affected had been cleared by the end of June. In the same period the allowance for transport beyond the normal economic radius had been claimed for about 5,600 tons. The Action Group's conclusions are that progress has been slower than had been expected; but the period to the end of June included two to three months when production was mainly dependent on existing resources of men and machinery in the windblow area. Since then, with the introduction of additional resources, output has increased.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the water rate for each local authority in 1966–67, those so far announced for 1967–68, and the percentage increase or decrease.

I am writing to the hon. Gentleman giving such information as is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the number of teachers currently employed in primary schools and in secondary schools, respectively, who are qualified for registration with the General Teaching Council and who have failed to register.

The number of applications for registration received from certificated teachers—some 42,900—virtually equals the number of such teachers in service last December in the schools, in further education and in educational administration. On the information that is available from the Council, I estimate that about 4,500 of the applicants who were serving in schools at the end of the school session have not yet paid the registration fee. The payment of fees is continuing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what measures he is taking to ensure the maintenance of an efficient British coastal shipping fleet to meet United Kingdom transport needs.

I am not aware that any special action is needed to ensure that the fleet is sufficient to carry the traffic which is available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the progress which has been made in the Scottish aluminium smelter project.

I would refer the hon. Member to my statement in the House today.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now make a statement on the latest position concerning proposals to establish aluminium smelters in development areas, including Invergordon.

I would refer the hon. Member to my statement in the House today.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many assignments he has approved at the nearest convenient date, under the consultancy grants scheme for small firms, in Glasgow and Bristol; what were the total amounts involved for each city; and what are the respective values of the assignments still under consideration, and their number.

By 19th July, 30 assignments had been approved, 18 in Glasgow and 12 in Bristol worth about £55,000 and £35,000 respectively. 18 further assignments are under consideration in Glasgow and 20 in Bristol worth about £60,000 and £45,000 respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give details of the payments due to either the United States Government or United States manufacturers in respect of British purchases of aircraft or aircraft equipment during the month of June 1968 which were not included in the published trade figures for that month.

The full value of imports of aircraft and aircraft equipment from the United States in June was included in the trade figures.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what inquiries his Department are making into the conduct of American Tobacco Company Limited in buying shares in Gallaher Limited, on the London Stock Exchange on Tuesday, 16th July, following their bid to obtain a 50 per cent. interest in Gallahers;(2) whether he will set up an inquiry to consider the propriety of the practice of partial bidders obtaining controlling interests in public companies.

I do not consider that an inquiry by me into these matters at this juncture would be appropriate, but I shall consider them when preparing the further Companies Bill which the Government hope to introduce later in the present Parliament.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with Glasgow Corporation relating to noise from jet aircraft operating from Glasgow Airport; and if he will make a statement.

None. The problem of noise at Glasgow Airport is primarily a matter for the airport owners, Glasgow Corporation, although my Department is always prepared to give advice on methods of noise abatement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the outcome of the arrangements for voluntary restraint of export of eggs to the United Kingdom in the first half of 1968; and what action he proposes to take in respect of the second half of the year and the first half of next year.

It seems likely from the latest available figures that imports of shell eggs in the first half of this year will be appreciably below the level of the first half of 1967 and below the first half-year average for the five years preceding 1967. We are thanking the Governments concerned for the contribution which their co-operation made to this result and are informing them that, while we shall seek further bilateral discussions with them if necessary, we do not expect that special action will be needed during the second half of this year. It is too soon to form a view about prospects for the first half of 1969, but we shall keep the position under close review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the stage reached in the official inquiries into the trawler casualties which occurred earlier this year.

I have received the reports of the preliminary inquiries into the losses of the three Hull trawlers "St. Romanus", "Kingston Peridot" and "Ross Cleveland". As my hon. Friend announced at the time of their loss, there will be public formal investigations into the causes of these casualties. With the agreement of my right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor, the three investigations will be held consecutively under one Wreck Commissioner. The first of these hearings will begin at Kingston-upon-Hull on 9th October. I have also studied the reports of preliminary inquiries into the strandings, at about the same time as the loss of the "Ross Cleveland", of the three trawlers "Boston Typhoon", "Notts County" and "Kingston Andalu-site". I have decided not to order formal investigations into these three strandings.—[Vol. 758, c. 139.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will consider relinquishing Lindholme Royal Air Force station so that it may become the South Yorkshire Airport.

There is a continuing R.A.F. requirement for Lindholme. We have no intention on present plans of relinquishing it.The question of the provision of a civil airport for South Yorkshire is primarily a matter for the local authorities concerned in consultation with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence in view of the fact that many men joined Highland regiments as a career which has been terminated by regimental disbandment, what training for other remunerative careers:he Government plans to provide for such men.

At present, when a battalion disbands, the majority of soldiers in it normally transfer to other battalions in the same division. Such redundancy as occurs is spread throughout the division. All redundant soldiers are strongly advised to attend one of the resettlement courses which the Army provides.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the latest available details of average weekly earnings for all grades in Portsmouth Dockyard.

The latest available figures which are given below are based on the return rendered to the Department of Employment and Productivity for incorporation in national figures for occupational earnings during the week ended 14th June. The figures relate to male adult industrial employees in the ship repair and engineering departments who were at work during the week. Those employed in the Naval Store Depot and the Port Auxiliary Service are therefore excluded.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many general aviation movements have taken place at Royal Air Force airfields in the United Kingdom during each of the past three years.

The numbers of movements by civil aircraft at R.A.F. airfields during 1965, 1966 and 1967 were:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the source of supply of the 66,144 animals killed last year at the Porton Research Establishment for experimental purposes.

65,222 of the animals used for research at the Porton Research Establishments in 1967, and subsequently destroyed, were bred at Allington Farm, a Government establishment also situated at Porton. The remaining 922 animals, comprising chicks, pigs, frogs and monkeys, were purchased from farmers and other suppliers.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, what arrangements he has made to hold an open day at the Microbiological Research Establishment, Porton.

Open Days are to be held at the Microbiological Research Establishment on Wednesday, 23rd October, and the two succeeding days. I hope that Members will take advantage of this opportunity to visit the Establishment. Members who would like to receive invitations will find particulars of how to apply in the Whip. Invitations will also be issued to representatives of universities, learned societies, research associations, local authorities, industry, the Press and a number of organisations likely to be interested in the work of the Establishment.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average monthly total of flying hours of Royal Air Force pilots during each of the past three years.

I regret that it is not in the public interest to give these figures.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will state the number of recruits for each Scottish regiment between 1st January and 1st June, 1968, and the number of men in reinforcement drafts joining each Scottish regiment between 1st January and 1st June, 1968, respectively.

Between 1st January and 1st June, 1968, 50 men were recruited for the Lowland Brigade and 90 men for the Highland Brigade. Men are recruited into brigades and no figures are available of how many of these men themselves indicated upon applying for enlistment that they wished to serve in particular Scottish regiments. It is not the practice to give details of reinforcement drafts.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, to what percentage below establishment were the Lowland regiments recruited between January and March this year.

The strength of the Lowland Brigade was 92 per cent. of establishment on 1st January and 91 per cent. of establishment on 1st March. These figures should be interpreted with care because 1st Bn. The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) were running down during this period prior to disbandment on 14th May.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence to what percentage below establishment were the Highland regiments recruited between January and March this year.

The strength of the Highland Brigade was 98 per cent. of establishment on 1st January and 97 per cent. of establishment on 1st March.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now make a statement on the results of his inquiries into the conduct of Colonel Mitchell of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in Aden.

Yes. I must first remind the House of the situation in Aden in June/July, 1967. The garrison of some 15,000 men was responsible for maintaining law and order, evacuating our stores and assisting the High Commissioner in carrying out Her Majesty's Government's aim of leaving a stable administration after our withdrawal. There were also over 2,000 dependants still in Aden and British expatriates living throughout the Federation, many of whom could depend only on the Federal Army and Police for personal protection. Against the background of the tragic events of 20th June which led to our original withdrawal from Crater—namely the mutiny of elements of the South Arabian Police and the crisis of confidence between the South Arabian Armed Forces, the Federal Government and perforce the British authorities—the situation was such that a wrong or misunderstood move at even a comparatively low level could have led to a complete breakdown, a general mutiny of the South Arabian Forces, the massacre of British citizens up-country and a fighting withdrawal with many British and Arab casualties, with the possibility of repercussions elsewhere in the Middle East damaging to British interests. Thus for unassailable reasons the senior British civilian and military authorities were agreed on following the usual internal security doctrine of using the minimum force required to deal with a particular situation. I should like to emphasise that there was no question of political direction in London holding back the military authorities in Aden. The High Commissioner and Commander-in-Chief were in complete agreement throughout and the timing, method and every other aspect of the reoccupation of Crater were planned in Aden.

asked the Minister of Technology what has been the expense on research in controlling aircraft noise in each of the last five years; and what is projected for the future.

Government expenditure was £211,000 in 1963–64; £353,000 in 1964–65; £283,000 in 1965–66; £395,000 in 1966–67; and £546,000 in 1967–68. This year we are likely to spend £640,000. The future rate will depend on technical progress. In addition the aircraft industry has been spending about £100,000 a year and may spend more in future.

asked the Minister of Technology when he estimates the current negotiations relating to cancellation charges in respect of the Fl11 will be concluded; and if he will undertake to make a statement to the House as soon thereafter as possible.

I have nothing to add to the Answer given to similar questions by my predecessor on 24th June.—[Vol. 767, c.c. 12–13.]

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is now in a position to state what further improvements in the pay and conditions of the staff of the Refreshment Department of the House of Commons have been decided by the Catering Sub-Committee; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.The Catering Sub-Committee are con tinually seeking improvements in the terms and conditions of service of the catering staff. An increase of 10 per cent in wages was made last autumn; any further increase must largely depend on the profitability of the Refreshment Department. The recent report of the Services Committee shows that there is a good prospect of this.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many wives of a polygamous marriage qualify for married persons' tax allowance; and what would be the tax liability of a wife who receives such an allowance in the event of her widowhood.

The married man's tax allowance is the same whether the husband has one wife or more than one; it is an allowance to the husband, and not to the wife. The tax liability of a widow of a polygamous marriage will depend on her income and the tax reliefs and allowances due to her.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give details of the distribution of the size of individuals' holdings of National Savings certificates.

The latest figures available (August, 1965) are as follows: the total number of live holdings of all issues of National Savings Certificates at that time was 7·8 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of relief given from Income Tax and Surtax in the years 1965–66, 1966–67 and 1967–68 in respect of the additional personal allowance.

The estimated amounts are £1¾ million, £2 million and £4 million for the respective years.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of relief given from Income Tax and Surtax in the years 1965–66, 1966–67 and 1967–68 in respect of the housekeeper allowance.

The amount of relief given for the years 1965–66, 1966–67 and 1967–68 is now estimated at £3 million, £4 million and £4 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of relief given from Income Tax and Surtax in the years 1965–66, 1966–67, 1967–68, in respect of dependent relative allowance.

The estimated amount of relief given for the years 1965–66, 1966–67 and 1967–68 was £34 million, £34 million and £35 million respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of relief from Income Tax and Surtax in the years 1965–66, 1966–67 and 1967–68 in respect of the daughters' services reliefs.

Less than £¼ million each year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether, in considering the application for Treasury consent to the American Tobacco Company's bid for control of Gallaher Limited he will take into account the report of the City Takeover Panel, details of which have been sent to him, regarding the circumstances of the bid;(2) whether, in considering the application for Treasury consent to the American Tobacco Company's bid for control of Gallaher Limited, he will take into account the long-term effect of interest payment on such a direct investment by a United States firm on the United Kingdom balance of payments;(3) whether, in considering the application for Treasury consent to the American Tobacco Company's bid for control of Gallaher Limited, he will take into account the possible long-term effect of the passage of Gallaher Limited into United States control on the sources of tobacco supply for the United Kingdom market;(4) whether, in considering the application for Treasury consent to the American Tobacco Company's bid for control of Gallaher Limited, he will take into account the fact that the bid is not financed in dollars convertible into gold.