asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now announce the outcome of the examination of the horticultural industry undertaken during 1967 in consultation with the farmers' unions.

A summary record of the examination is being published today and I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library of the House, The examination was a factual study of the present structure and workings of the United Kingdom horticultural industry and of the developments which have occurred since the first examination was conducted in 1965. We have discussed the outcome of the examination with the farmers' unions, and I wish to record the Government's appreciation of their valuable and objective collaboration. It is intended to conduct a further examination in 1970.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the Government's policy on increases in confectionery retail prices in relation to the incidence of Selective Employment Tax; and whether he will make a statement.

The Government's policy is set out in the White Paper on Productivity, Prices and Incomes Policy in 1968 and 1969 (Cmnd. 3590). This recognises that there may be some increases in prices as a result of increased taxation and other factors, but that these should do no more than cover the overall increases in costs. This policy applies to retail confectionery prices as to all others.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations he has had with confectionery and chocolate manufacturers following the Report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on confectionery prices; and whether he will make a statement.

Discussions are proceeding between my Department and representatives of the chocolate and sugar confectionery industry on the implications of the Report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on the costs and prices of that industry.

asked the Attorney General (1) on how many days during the period 1st October, 1967 to 25th July, 1968, have the House of Lords and the Privy Council, respectively, sat judicially;(2) on how many days between 1st October, 1967 and 25th July, 1968, have the House of Lords and the Privy Council, respectively, sat with one member of the House or Board who was not an appointed Lord of Appeal in Ordinary and with two members of the House or Board who were not an appointed Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, respectively.

In this period the House of Lords sat on 123 days to dispose of appeals, including four days on which the Appellate Committee sat in two Divisions. In addition, the Appeal Committee sat on 12 days to dispose of petitions for leave to appeal. During the same period the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council sat of 98 days.The House of Lords sat on 24 days with one member who was not a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary and on five days with two such members, while the Judicial Committee sat on 13 days with one such member and on 34 days with two such members.

asked the Attorney General how many causes have been heard and determined by the House of Lords and the Privy Council, respectively, in the period 1st October, 1967 to 25th July, 1968.

In this period the House of Lords heard 30 appeals, and gave judgment in 32. In addition, the Appeal Committee disposed of 45 petitions for leave to appeal. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council heard 24 appeals and determined 19, and disposed of 56 petitions for leave.

asked the Attorney General how many causes are outstanding in the House of Lords and the Privy Council, respectively.

In the House of Lords six appeals have been registered but not yet set down, and 18 have been set down but not yet heard. In five appeals judgment is awaited. In the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council 29 appeals have been registered but not yet set down, and six have been set down but not yet heard. In six appeals judgment is awaited; 14 petitions for leave are awaiting hearing before the Appeal Committee of the House of Lords and nine before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

asked the Attorney-General what is the present number of Lords of Appeal in Ordinary; and how far they are short of the maximum at present permitted by statute.

The present number of Lords of Appeal in Ordinary is nine, which is two less than the maximum of 11 fixed by the Administration of Justice Act, 1968. However, the appointment of another Lord of Appeal has been announced, and is expected to take place shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs when he will lay the Order in Council declaring that Her Majesty's Government will never hand over the people of Gibraltar to another State against their freely and democratically expressed wishes.

The Order in Council will be made by Her Majesty in Council under the Royal Prerogative. It will therefore not be laid before Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether a verbatim account of the proceedings in the Legislature of British Honduras is made available for the general public.

No. But meetings of the Legislature are covered by the Government Information Service and a full report of each day's proceedings is given over Radio Belize.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs how long those of Her Majesty's loyal Rhodesian subjects held in prison without trial by the Smithrégime have been so held; and, in view of the fact that the Government's earlier estimate concerning the fall of the illegal régime was not fulfilled, what estimate he has now made of the time this illegal imprisonment will last.

Those held in prisons without trial have been detained for varying periods. It is not possible to say how long this illegal imprisonment will last but it is Her Majesty's Government's policy to work for an early return to legality in the interest of the people of Rhodesia as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will place in the Library copies of the report on relief measures in Nigeria which he has received from Lord Hunt.

Copies of Lord Hunt's report are being placed in the Library today.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs how many naval vessels have been sold to the Federal Nigerian Forces since 1966; and how many British naval officers are serving as advisers to the Federal Nigerian Navy.

It is not the practice of Her Majesty's Government to disclose information about sales of defence equipment to other countries. There are no serving British Naval Officers acting as advisers to the Federal Nigerian Navy.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what assistance has been given by the High Commissioner's Office in New Zealand to Mr. John Johnson, a United Kingdom subject, who is in danger of losing his sight and is without adequate funds to return home.

I am already making urgent enquiries into this case as a result of the representations which the hon. Member has been making to me. I will inform him of the results as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about his conversations in London with the Prime Minister of Swaziland.

At his request, the Prime Minister of Swaziland and I met at the Commonwealth Office on 25th July to discuss the question of land shortage and land use in Swaziland. I was accompanied by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Overseas Development and the Prime Minister by his Minister of Health, and officials on both sides. At the meeting the Prime Minister presented detailed proposals in this regard. We will now consider proposals put forward by the Prime Minister and to this end we have agreed to send a team of experts to examine the question with the Swaziland Government. The matter is likely to be further discussed at the talks on future aid which will be held with the Government of Swaziland later in the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many qualified scientists and engineers have transferred from civil work in the United Kingdom to defence research during 1967.

27 have joined Ministry of Defence Research Establishments.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will now give revised figures for the complements of medical and dental staff ashore at Malta.

The medical and dental staff employed at the Royal Naval Hospitals Bighi and Imtarfa total:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the medical services of the armed forces care for geriatric and young chronic sick patients and treat the illnesses of late middle-age.

As stated in the reply to my hon. Friend's Question on 23rd July, the medical services of the Armed Forces provide a complete spectrum of medical care for Service personnel, for a large number of Service dependants and, abroad, also for civilians. Within the age groups covered, there are relatively few geriatric patients, although Service hospitals at home do cater for a certain number of N.H.S. patients in this category as well as for other N.H.S. patients, retired Service personnel and pensioners in late middle-age. In addition, the medical services provide cover for the children of Service personnel. Service Medical Officers are actively encouraged to broaden their professional education by refresher courses and by attending clinics and symposia.—[Vol. 769, c.94.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for continuation of training facilities at H.M.S. "Condor", Arbroath; and how many persons are employed there at the most convenient date.

No decisions have yet been taken about the future roles of R.N. Air Stations. In May 1968 a total of 267 civilians were employed at H.M.S. "Condor", Arbroath.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the most recent examination was carried out of the present degree of danger in Gruinard Island to human beings and animals, respectively, as a result of the wartime use of the island by his Department; and when the next examination will take place.

The most recent examination took place on 4th September 1967. The next examination will take place later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has now decided where in South Wales to locate the office for the 1,500 Ministry of Defence jobs to be dispersed from London.

Yes The office will be located in Cardiff. A site has been selected and planning is proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when his review of the arrangements for the commutation of service pensions for non-commissioned ranks will be completed; and whether service personnel due for discharge during the currency of the review will be enabled to participate in any new arrangements that may be made.

I am not yet able to say when the review of these matters will be completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what proportion of the public expenditure on the National Economic Development Office and its Council is expended in Scotland; and what proportion of the 23 per cent. increased expenditure during the current year is to be spent in Scotland.

It is not possible to give figures, but the proportions are small, since the National Economic Development Office is located in London and the Council and most of the Economic Development Committees normally meet there.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of the distress which the proposal to close the Royal School for the Blind, Bristol, in September, is causing to a number of blind children and their parents in Bridgwater and the West Country generally, why notice of the closure was so short and the alternative schools so distant; and whether he will arrange educational facilities for blind children in the West Country at some more convenient centre to allow weekend visits to or by parents.

The Governors of the Bristol Royal School for the Blind gave notice in June of their intention to close the school in December, 1968. The local education authorities responsible are making alternative arrangements for pupils to continue to receive special educational treatment at other schools from that date. I regret the closure of the school but there are however only about 1,000 blind children at school throughout the country and it is unavoidable that many have to attend schools at some distance from their homes. There are not enough blind children in the South-West to justify the building of a local authority school in view of the places available at existing schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of 18-year-olds in relation to total population in England went to university as at 1st November in each year from 1960 to 1968.

The position in England and Wales is set out in the Table below.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) which school building projects, included in the original approval programme for Hampshire for the year 1968–69, have been cut by his Department; and how many school places required by the Hampshire Education Authority in the spring of 1969 will not now be available;(2) which proposed school projects in Basingstoke, Whitchurch and Tadley have been cut on the instructions of his Department from the Hampshire school building programme for 1968–69; how many school places will not be available at the termination of this period, as a result of these cuts; and how many children will be without school places as a result.

The first part of the table below sets out the particulars of projects which were included in the original 1968–69 programme approved for Hampshire but have been deferred following the review announced in Circular 6/68: the second part of the table shows projects which have been added as a result of the review. Projects in the localities named in the second question are marked^*. I do not expect that the recasting of the programme will cause children to be out of school.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will refer to the Medical Research Council for their examination the evidence of the researches of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, details of which have been sent to him, that loss of hair and premature baldness can be attributed to the habitual taking of aspirins.

This investigation, which suggested an association, though not necessarily a casual relationship, between the habitual taking of aspirin and hair loss, has been reported in a widely read medical journal and will be followed up by research workers as necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to raise the Welsh percentage of the total expenditure on primary and secondary education from 4·9 per cent. to the level of the percentage in Wales of the total population.

In June, 1967 the population of Wales was 4·9 per cent. of the population of the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many colleges of education now include in their curriculum specific courses in teacher training of Commonwealth children; and how many include specific courses on teaching against race prejudice among British children;(2) whether he is satisfied with the speed and effectiveness of teachers and lecturers at colleges of education in dealing with the problem of educating British children not to be racially prejudiced; and what further action he proposes to take;(3) what proportion of teachers and lecturers at colleges of education have attended conferences and courses on the educating of Commonwealth children;(4) what proportion of teachers and lecturers at colleges of education have attended at courses and conferences on the educating of British children against race prejudice.

About one-third of the Colleges of Education are known to be relating problems of immigrant children to the broader issues of living in a multiracial society, usually as part of education courses. A survey at the end of 1966 showed that about 15 per cent. were organising specific courses. Exact statistics are not available but it was estimated that in 1966–67 over 2,500 teachers and lecturers in colleges of education attended conferences or courses dealing with the problems of immigrant children and racial issues. Two national conferences have been held on "Immigration and the Education of Teachers" and a third is planned for January 1969 which will review the progress made. The problem needs the continuing energetic attention of all concerned with the education and employment of teachers and I will, in the light of the findings of the conference next year, consider further what additional steps are needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the result so far of the work of the education panel of the National Committee for Commonwealth Immigrants.

The Committee is an independent body. The work of the education panel is described in the Committee's annual report for 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will make a practice of reporting to the House or issuing an appropriate statement when an industrial dispute, such as that involving provincial busmen, reaches deadlock, setting out what the Government require in increased productivity before the wage application can be allowed under the criteria laid down by the Prices and Incomes Act.

The general requirements of the criteria are fully set out in the White Paper "Productivity, Prices and Incomes Policy in 1968 and 1969", and have been amplified both generally, and in relation to particular issues, in the reports of the N.B.P.I. I do not think the procedure suggested by my hon. Friend would generally be practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity since Selective Employment Tax was introduced, what has been the total number of jobs in the production industries in the United Kingdom as against the period prior to introduction of Selective Employment Tax.

The estimated numbers of employees in employment in the production industries (Orders II to XVIII of the Standard Industrial Classification) in the United Kingdom at June, 1966 and June, 1967, were 11,852,000 and 11,455,000, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what further additions have been made to the goods and services for which manufacturers give early warning of proposed price increases.

After consultations with the interests concerned, the following goods have now been added to the list:

• Black and white photographic film.
• Synthetic rubber.
• Electric irons.
• Electric spaceheaters.
• Electric blankets.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will now publish the Report of the Phelps Brown Inquiry.

The Report will be published on Thursday, 1st August, 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what were the total numbers of miners and mining apprentices, respectively, in employment in Lanarkshire in 1947 and at the last most convenient date.

There were 20,859 males employed at collieries in Lanarkshire in December, 1947. There was no formal apprenticeship scheme at this time and I regret that the number of youths employed is not available.On 6th July, 1968 there were 4,253 males employed at collieries in Lanarkshire; 150 youths under 21 years of age were employed at the end of December, 1967, the most recent date for which the age distribution is available. Nearly all of theese youths were serving, or had served, either a mining or craft apprenticeship.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether, in the light of the report of her advisory committee on the index of retail prices, she will now give further consideration to the setting up of a separate prices board for Scotland.

I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's reply on 13th May to the hon. Member for Halifax (Dr. Summerskill) on the subject of separate prices boards.As the hon. Member will know, we are, in accordance with the recommendation of the Cost of Living Advisory Committee, published earlier this month, putting in hand immediately a detailed study of the technical problems of compiling reliable price indices for regions. —[Vol. 764, c. 842–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity, if she will appoint a committee to consider means of increasing the prospects of employment of unemployed persons over 45 years of age.

It is the Government's policy to encourage the employment of older workers for as long as they are able and willing to work. Current arrangements provide for frequent review of older workers' problems. In 1966, the National Joint Advisory Council approved a number of proposals designed to promote their employment, including efforts to influence industrial attitudes, building up more specialised knowledge within the employment services, training and job redesign. Some of the measures have already been brought into effect and the others will be implemented as soon as opportunity permits. I do not think a special committee would serve a useful purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many unemployed persons in Scotland are 45 years of age or over; and what steps she proposes to take to reduce this number.

Age analyses of the registered wholly unemployed are provided for January and July each year. The figures for July, 1968 will become available during the next few days and I will write to the hon. Member again.The following are the latest available figures:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity when she will announce the membership of the industrial training board for the distributive trade.

In about 10 days' time.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity when she will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Belfast, North, concerning the increase in the selling price of houses by the Irish Soldiers' and Sailors' Land Trust.

I have now written to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity when she expects to receive the decision of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on the application of the National Union of Tailors and Garment Workers for increased rates of pay; and if she will make a statement.

None of the pay settlements recently negotiated by this union in the clothing trades has been referred to the National Board for Prices and Incomes. My right hon. Friend, after considering them collectively in consultation with colleagues, has decided not to intervene further. The organisations concerned have been advised of this decision today.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will provide extended facilities for the retraining of mineworkers made redundant by pit closures and for others now unemployed in the Caerphilly constituency.

Most of the retraining required is likely to be at operator level and can best be given by employers with the help of the Industrial Training Boards and of the Government grants which are available to assist such training in Development Areas. Mineworkers and others in the Caerphilly area who want and are suitable for the accelerated training for skill given by Government training centres can obtain it at the Cardiff centre, which is within daily travelling distance, or at any of the other 38 centres where the trade of their choice is taught. Another centre within daily travel of Caerphilly is to be opened in West Monmouthshire in 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity, what action her Department has taken in the present dispute involving provincial busmen, in view of the fact that many local branches have already agreed to one-man bus operators.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Statement I made to the House this morning.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will list those embassy churches, giving their addresses, which are maintained or partially maintained by Her Majesty's Government, stating in each case the denomination of the church.

No Embassy Churches are maintained or partially maintained by Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the large scale movements of Soviet military forces in the neighbourhood of the Czechoslovakian border; and if he will raise the matter in the Security Council of the United Nations as a threat to international peace.

We have seen official announcements by the Soviet Union on 23rd and 25th July of military and air defence exercises in Western Russia. The answer to the second part of the Question is No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has concerning Mr. Gordon, a British subject, and his family in China.

On 1st February Mr. Gordon's relatives in England informed us that the family had been due to leave China in early November but that no news of them had been received since then. On 3rd February the British Mission in Peking were instructed to ask the Chinese authorities for assistance in discovering the family's whereabouts; this request has since been repeated at frequent intervals but no reply has been received. As enquiries in Hong Kong and elsewhere have revealed no trace of the family, we are obliged to conclude that they have been detained in China. The British Charge d'Affaires in Peking will continue his efforts to obtain information from the Chinese authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will initiate discussions with the Governments which distinguish for purposes of visa-free entry between United Kingdom passports issued in London and those issued else- where, with a view to securing the abolition of such distinctions.

When negotiating visa abolition agreements with other Governments, Her Majesty's Government aim at obtaining visa-free entry for as many United Kingdom nationals as possible. It is, however, only to be expected that other Governments will be reluctant to grant visa-free entry to United Kingdom nationals who have no guarantee of admission to the United Kingdom itself. The ability of Her Majesty's Government to secure the abolition of distinctions of the kind referred to is clearly restricted by the terms of the Commonwealth Immigrants Acts of 1962 and 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will establish a committee to review the exercise by the Passport Office of its discretion concerning the issue of passports in London to citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies.

In so far as applications to the Passport Office by active supporters of the illegal régime in Rhodesia are concerned, the matter is already covered by the arrangements outlined in the statement circulated on 27th June by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs. Consideration is being given to the extension of the review procedure to the refusal of passports to citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies unconnected with Rhodesia. The result of this consideration will be announced in due course.—[Vol. 767, c.126–130.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the future of the British Broadcasting Corporation Hebrew Service.

A careful review has recently been made of the Hebrew Service in the light of the need to ensure that, in existing circumstances, the funds available for information work are spent with maximum effectiveness. The conclusion reached is that our links with Israel can more suitably be maintained in other ways and the B.B.C., whose views have been taken into account in this review, are accordingly being asked to discontinue the Hebrew Service. The B.B.C.'s World Service in English has a much larger audience in Israel than the Hebrew Service and will, of course, continue. We are, in addition, expecting that the redeployment of funds will enable us to step up our activity in the cultural field in Israel.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the recorded illegitimacy rate as a proportion of total births in each of the 20 largest cities of England and Wales in each of the past five years.

asked the Minister of Health if he will simplify the four-page leaflet he has issued on prescription charges, in view of the fact that most people do not know the meaning of such words as caecostomy, hypo-parathyroidism, hypopituitarism or myasthenia gravis.

The list of medical conditions giving entitlement to exemption could not be accurately expressed in non-technical terms; patients suffering from these conditions will usually know them by the names appearing on the application form, which in any event has to be submitted through a doctor.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the shortage of dentists in the town of Andover and of the long waiting period experienced by those requiring examination and treatment; and what steps he proposes to take to improve the situation.

Though I am aware that some patients may have to wait longer for an appointment than is generally desirable, the proportion of dentists to population in Andover is similar to that for England and Wales as a whole. The Hampshire Executive Council are seeking to attract more dentists to the area, but there is no power to compel a dentist to practise in a particular place. The only practical remedy for the overall shortage of dentists is to recruit and train more; and some years ago the Government therefore embarked on a programme of expanding the capacity of dental teaching schools.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider making adapted small cars available for use by invalids instead of specialist motorised invalid tricycles, at least in the case of all married drivers eligible for invalid motorised transport.

A considerable proportion of three-wheeler users are mar-riend and I cannot promise a development along the lines proposed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that the cost of purchasing and maintaining single person motorised invalid tricycles is less than the cost of purchasing, adapting and maintaining the least expensive mass-produced motor car; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the Member for Uxbridge on 20th June.— [Vol. 766, c.173.]

asked the Minister of Health what decision he has reached concerning the provision of four-wheeled vehicles for haemophiliacs as a result of his recent inquiry.

My inquiries into the medical effects upon haemophiliacs of driving invalid tricycles are not yet complete.

asked the Minister of Health (1) what grants are given to Cumberland County Council to enable them to provide assistance to social service organisations; and what amount was made available for 1968–69 and 1969–70;(2) what grants are given to Cumberland County Council to enable them to provide chiropody service to the old people; and how much will be available for the years 1968–69 and 1969–70.

Such expenditure by local authorities is taken into account in determining the aggregate of Rate Support Grant payable to local authorities under the Local Government Act, 1966.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to obtain from the narcotics division of the Criminal Investigation Department a list of the thefts of amphetamine or similar drugs reported to Scotland Yard other than the 900,000 dexamphetamine sulphate tablets recently reported stolen from Inter-Alia Pharmaceutical Services Limited.

I am writing to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give, for the period from October, 1964 to date, or any convenient period within those years, the total amount of free legal aid granted to persons charged with fraud or conspiracy to defraud, where such persons were found guilty, and the names of such persons together with the legal aid granted in each instance.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he is aware that, for many months past a commercial van, 642 TMV, has between the hours of 12 noon and 2 p.m. been parked in Great Cross Street, E.C.1, on a yellow barred area, that this vehicle has no current licence exhibited, but postal order counterfoils, that both police and traffic wardens have passed by this vehicle without taking action; and whether he will cause an investigation to be made;(2) whether he is aware that, between the hours of 12 noon and 2 p.m. on Thursday, 18th July, a number of vans and vehicles were parked on yellow barred areas in the area of Leather Lane, E.C.1., Postpool Lane, E.C.1, Great Cross Street, E.C.1, Baldwin Gardens, Beauchamp Street, and Greville Street, that this happens every weekday and that the police have been informed but no action taken; and whether he will investigate these matters and inform the hon. Member for West Ham, North, of the result;(3) in view of the fact that the local police, traffic wardens and his office have been given details of vehicles, some of which are unlicensed, which are allowed to park for as much as two hours on banned areas in a number of roads and streets in and around the area of Leather Lane, when he will ensure that the law is properly enforced by the traffic wardens and the police.

I am making enquiries of the Commissioner of Police and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the principal recorded statistics concerning levels of drug addiction in each of the 20 largest cities in England and Wales in each of the past five years.

I regret that information is not available for the years 1963–66 or, in the form requested, for 1967. I am, however, writing to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the principal details of the recorded adult and juvenile crime rate in each of the 20 largest cities of England and Wales in each of the past five years.

I am obtaining as much of this information as possible and shall write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the numbers of children in care as a proportion of the total child population in each of the 20 largest cities of England and Wales in each of the past five years.

I will obtain the information and forward it to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department who decides when prisoners convicted of a crime of violence may be included in an outside working party; and what grounds are required for such a decision.

Other than for a prisoner who is in security Category A, the top security classification, it is not an inflexible rule that a man convicted of an offence of violence should in no circumstances be allowed to work outside a prison, and prison Governors have discretion to allocate prisoners, other than those in Category A, to outside working parties. The nature of a prisoner's current and previous convictions are given great weight in considering his suitability for an outside working party, but other factors are his general history; his conduct, attitude and response to training during his sentence; and the stage of his sentence which has been reached.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young people have been known to have committed suicide whilst on remand at the Risley Remand Centre since the centre was opened; and if he will make a statement.

The Risley Re mand Centre was opened in April, 1965. Since then 7 male inmates have committed suicide there, of which 3 were under the age of 21 years. Some 29,000 persons have been received at the centre since it was opened.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will investigate the circumstances which led up to the death of 17-year-old John Leckie Urbanowski, at the Risley Remand Centre; what steps he has taken to ensure that proper treatment and observation is given to young people whilst on remand at the centre; if he is satisfied that every possible measure is now taken to ensure that there will not be a similar occurrence; and if he will make a statement.

I have investigated this sad case. Whenever prison medical officers suspect the possibility of suicide special precautions are taken. These were fully explained in my speech in the Adjournment debate on 4th July in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton. I am satisfied that these preparations are the best that can be devised. They are kept under constant review in the light of experience and modern knowledge and they were fully observed in this case. I greatly regret that the close observation of this young man while in the prison hospital, the special watch kept on his discharge from the hospital, and attempts at resuscitation failed to prevent his tragic death. I am writing to my hon. Friend in greater detail.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost to ratepayers and taxpayers of the overtime wages paid to the police for duty in connection with the meeting and march in the West End of London last Sunday, 21st July; and if he will make a statement.

373 of the police on duty in connection with the meeting and march in the West End on 21st July had their rest days postponed; under the provisions of the Police Regulations, if they cannot be given time off in lieu within three months they will be compensated by payment at the rate of time and one half. It would not be possible, without a disproportionate expenditure of time and effort, and extensive research, to establish the exact cost. Expenditure from the Metropolitan Police Fund is borne as; to one half by the Metropolitan ratepayers and as to the other half by the central Government, except for £500,000 paid by special central Government grant designed to meetinter alia the cost of protecting foreign embassies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give an assurance that he will introduce legislation to implement the Little-wood Report in the next session of Parliament.

I have nothing to add to the Answer which I gave to a Question on this subject by the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward M. Taylor) on 4th July.—[Vol. 767, c. 261.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will complete the arrangements for compensation of Civil Defence staff made redundant as a result of the decision to disband that service.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Shrewsbury (Sir J. Langford-Holt) yesterday. The regulations will apply to Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has considered the communication from the honourable Member for West Ham, North, enclosing a circular from the Secretary of the London Labour Party to the effect that the Greater Lon- don Council have, by passing on costs of internal repairs and decorations to their tenants, exceeded the maximum rent increases permitted by his Department; what action he will take to deal with this and the other matters for which he is responsible in the circular; and whether he will make a statement.

I have considered the circular from the Secretary of the London Labour Party on the Greater London Council's revised rent scheme. I was aware of the proposed increases in lodger charges and changes in responsibility for internal decorations when, following my intervention, the Greater London Council reduced the average weekly increase in standard rents to 7s. 6d. I decided not to intervene as regards these alterations as they appeared to be one way of avoiding a further increase in standard rents.Increased payments for services such as central heating, and for additional facilities not automatically included in the letting of a dwelling are outside the scope of the rent increase limitation powers in the Prices and Incomes Act, 1968. Since the passing of the Act I now have powers to determine by direction the amount of rent that shall be regarded as representing payment for services and I shall be making directions to cover cases where the amount payable for services is not separately specified.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the total number of families on the house waiting lists of local authorities in the area covered by the Greater London Council.

No more up-to-date figure is available than that which was given in answer to my hon. Friend's Question on 3rd May, 1967.—[Vol. 746, c.88.]

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the Exchequer grants to the Greater London Council for housing subsidies since 1965, and the estimated amount for 1968–69.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many houses and flats built under housing society schemes with the approval of the housing corporation remain empty and have remained empty for three months or longer.

I regret that this information is not readily available, but the number is known to be small.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will introduce amendments to the Land Commission Act in order that the Land Commission may play a greater rôle in recovering and preparing derelict land for industrial purposes.

The Commission's powers are adequate for this purpose. They are prepared to acquire derelict land on behalf of local authorities, but the work of reclamation is best carried out by the local authorities, who are eligible for grant.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will list the historic buildings for which he made a grant last year; and how often each is open to members of the public.

The following is a list of the historic buildings for which a grant was made and accepted in 1967 and details of access to them:OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON REGULAR DAYSAntony House, Cornwall—April to September; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Bank Holiday Mondays.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a grant to the appropriate local authorities to pay for the replacement of the pedestrian footbridge over the River Culin at Uffculme, which was swept away in the recent floods.

The cost of replacing the bridge will be taken into account, together with the rest of the local authority's expenditure on the repair of public services, for the purpose of determining the question of special Exchequer grant.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will publish the evidence and information submitted to his Department, upon which the detailed provisions of Section 9 of the Leasehold Reform Act were drawn up.

This Section was fully debated in Parliament and I do not feel that I can usefully add to the explanations then given of these legislative proposals which have now become law.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, whether he will issue an official leaflet giving guidance as to the proper basis of making a valuation under Section 9 of the Leasehold Reform Act 1967.

My right hon. Friend has no authority to interpret an Act of Parliament; only the courts can do this. The Leasehold Reform Act makes provision for arbitration by the Lands Tribunal in the event of disputes over valuation.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will give the area of unoccupied new offices in Greater London and the amount of office space under construction at 31st March, 1968; and whether he will give comparable figures for earlier years.

The information requested is set out in the table below:

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many television sets are installed in Ministers' rooms within the Houses of Parliament; and who is responsible for paying the licence fees for such sets.

Four sets are installed in Ministers' rooms at public expense. No licence fee is payable in respect of sets provided for Ministers in connection with their official duties.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what arrangements are being made for watching the River Pageant on Friday 2nd August from the Terrace of the House of Commons.

Parties of visitors not exceeding six in number and personally escorted by a Member may visit the Terrace after 6 p.m. on Friday, 2nd August, to watch the Thames Pageant. Entrance will be via New Palace Yard and the Terrace Entrance. The Refreshment Department will be closed at this time.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will list the total aid given to each overseas country since October, 1964, or any convenient date about that time, and indicate what percentage of such aid was tied to the purchase of United Kingdom goods or services.

The total aid given by the United Kingdom to each overseas country in 1965 and 1966 are shown in the June, 1967, edition of "British Aid: Statistics of Official Economic Aid to Developing Countries", which is deposited in the Library of the House. The equivalent figures for 1967 will shortly appear in the 1968 edition.The approximate proportions of our bilateral financial aid tied to British goods and services amounted in 1965 to 56 per cent., in 1966 to 59 per cent., and in 1967 to 60 per cent. Because of the special nature of the payments, expenditure on technical assistance, pensions and compensation, refinancing and other compensatory payments has been left out of account in calculating these percentages. Approximately two-thirds of the total programme is spent on goods or services from this country.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what overseas aid has been granted, or authorised to be granted, to Nepal since October, 1964; and for what special project grants have been made.

Grant aid disbursed since October, 1964, amounts to about £434,000: it has been used for a broadcasting transmitter, printing machinery, electricity and water supply projects and other development purposes. A loan for a further £249,000 has been made available for electrification. Technical assistance in various fields has been given to the value of about £430,000. These figures include estimated amounts for 1967–68. As I explained in my reply of the 20th June to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead (Mr. Whitaker) we envisage additional grant and loan aid for road construction.— [Vol. 766, c. 174.]

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what sums are being granted to Singapore arising directly from the withdrawal from the base there.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead (Mr. Whitaker) on 30th May.—[Vol. 765, c. 2115–16.]

asked the Postmaster-General if he has now approved the programme of postage stamps for 1969; and if he will state the occasions for which stamps will be released, as well as their values, in 1969.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will now announce his programme of postage stamps for 1969.

I have decided on the following general programme of special stamps in 1969:January: A pictorial issue on British ships.April: Stamps to mark notable anniversaries.May: A pictorial issue on British architecture. This is the first of what we intend to be an annual series continuing for a number of years and illustrating architecture typical of various parts of Britain at various periods.July: An issue to celebrate the investiture of the Prince of Wales.

asked the Postmaster-General if, when the two-tier letter post is introduced on 16th September, he will ensure that letters from hon. Members to Ministers, chief officers of local authorities and heads of nationalised industries are delivered by first class mail; and if he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT an up-to-date list of addresses for whom official paid envelopes may be used.

Provided these letters bear an indication that first class service is required they will be given it.I am unable to give a complete list of addresses for which the hon. Gentleman asks. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has authorised the use of official paid envelopes for letters sent, on matters arising out of the discharge of an hon. Member's Parliamentary duties to:

asked the Postmaster-General what is the cost involved in transferring to the new postal letter charges, and in supplying each household in the country with a circular to explain the service.

Just under £400,000 will be spent on publicity, training and additional equipment in launching the new services. It will cost about £50,000 to deliver the household leaflet.

asked the Postmaster-General what payments are made into public funds by private firms which have access to the techniques and expertise acquired by his Department's research team.

The techniques and expertise, to which I referred in my Answer to a Question from my hon. Friend on 19th July, consist of the standard of cleanliness required during manufacture of the transistors, the methods of handling the raw materials and of detecting hidden blemishes in the finished product, and the standards for acceptance or rejection.It is our normal practice to charge industry suitable fees for the use in their commercial business of patents and designs which result from our research. We have about 200 of these agreements, including one for a bonding machine used in the manufacture of transistors. We have not charged industry a fee for looking at our transistor laboratories because many of the transistors which industry makes will be used in our submarine cable systems and it is in our interests, as well as in the interests of exports, for them to acquire similar manufacturing expertise.—[Vol. 768, c. 287.]

asked the Postmaster-General why he refuses to establish a new sub-office in Rowner, Gosport, in view of the fact that there are no post offices within half to one mile of this new and busy community composed largely of pensioners.

There are already four post offices within a mile of the shops on Peel Common Estate, Rowner, and I would not be justified in opening a further one in this area.

asked the Postmaster General what progress he has made with his consideration of the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation Report on the telecommunications industry; and if he will make a statement.

The Post Office is mainly concerned with those part of the I.R.C. Report dealing with procurement policy, R. & D. and Post Office manufacturing policy. As a result of discussions with the telecommunications industry, I am now able to say how I propose to proceed.now able to say how I propose to proceed.So far as procurement is concerned, the primary Post Office objectives are to obtain what is needed at the right time and in such a way as to secure the best value for money spent; to do so in conformity with the principles of the White Paper on Public Purchasing and Industrial Efficiency (Cmnd. 3291) and in this way to help promote a British telecommunications industry which is strong and efficient at home and abroad. These objectives are entirely consistent with the I.R.C. view that the purchase of exchange equipment should:

asked the Postmaster-General what arrangements he proposes to make to ensure consultation between the proposed Post Office Corporation and the users of its services throughout the United Kingdom.

In addition to the national Users' Council proposed in the White Paper on the Reorganisation of the Post Office (Cmnd. 3233), the Post Office Bill to be introduced next Session will propose the establishment of three statutory Country Councils to represent the interests of users of Post Office services in Scotland, Wales and Monmouthshire, and Northern Ireland, respec- tively. The Bill will provide for these Country Councils to be appointed by the Minister sponsoring the Post Office Corporation.

asked the Postmaster-General how much money he plans to spend in advertising during the current financial year; and what percentage this is of the total Post Office sales turnover.

About £3 million; almost £1 million of this will be on advertising for staff.It will be 0·3 per cent. of our estimated total income for 1968–69.