asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest estimate of the number of coloured persons resident in Great Britain; by what criteria of definition is this calculation made; and what is the latest estimate of the numbers of such persons likely to be resident in this country in 1971 and 1981, respectively.

It is estimated that at mid-1968 there were rather over 1 million persons of New Commonwealth origin resident in this country This figure includes immigrants themselves and estimates of the children born to them here The future size of this population depends on a number of unknown factors including in particular the future rate of entry from the New Commonwealth.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he proposes to take to give the necessary assistance to parents of handicapped children in view of the extra expense usually involved in their maintenance.

The statutory health and welfare services can often help and where the father is not working, social security benefits are available. From age 16 the child is entitled to supplementary benefit himself. While these handicapped children are under 16 and the father is working, the provision of cash benefits beyond the normal family allowances presents considerable difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will exempt people doing voluntarily service overseas from insurance contributions during the time of their service overseas.

Such people are excepted from liability to pay National In- surance Contributions, but ordinarily they can pay contributions if they wish, so as to keep up their insurance record.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps have been taken to assess the conditions of the disabled Servicemen and war widows; and if he will make a statement.

Ministers and officials of the Department of Health and Social Security are in close and frequent contact with the ex-Service Associations and with local voluntary war pensions committees Moreover, a special War Pensioners Welfare Service makes regular visits to the most severely disabled and to elderly widows and is on call to all other beneficiaries. I do not consider a statement is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will include improved provision for chronic disability in the new Earnings-Related Pensions Scheme.

I must ask the hon. Gentleman to await the publication of the Government's proposals later this winter.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the White Paper on the new Earnings-Related Pensions Scheme is to be published.

Details of the new scheme will be given in the Government's White Paper which will be available this winter.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has for improving the aids and appliances available for the disabled.

Improvements are constantly being sought by professional advisers both inside and outside the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why he is requiring general practitioners to attend a minimum number of post graduate sessions per annum before they are entitled to seniority payments.

This was agreed in principle with the representatives of the profession during the discussions on the new system of remuneration. Despite recent doubts expressed on behalf of the profession, I am convinced that implementation of the original agreement will be to the advantage of general practitioners and patients alike.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total sum paid by his Department to assist pensioners and others to supplement domestic heating.

This information is not available. The long-term addition which is allowed in assessing the requirements of supplementary pensioners and other long-term beneficiaries takes account of special expenses including extra fuel. This addition was increased from 9s. to 10s. a week on 7th October when the basic scales were increased Where it is not allowed, or where special needs, including special heating requirements, exceed 10s. a week, provision can be made by way of an exceptional circumstances addition.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the number of additional pensioners in Scotland, England and Wales on the basis that the retirement age is reduced to 60 years of age for men; and what this would cost, respectively for 1969 at the present level of pension provision.

The numbers of men between the ages of 60 and 65 according to estimates by the Registrars-General are 1,206,000 in England 130,000 in Scotland and 77,000 in Wales Assuming the pattern of retirement among men aged 60 to 65 followed the present pattern of retirement among men aged 65 to 70, the cost of reducing to 60 years of age the minimum pension age for men could be up to £450 million a year. To divide this figure between the three countries would entail further assumptions and this might be misleading.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he intends to take to increase the anti-cigarette smoking, campaign, in view of the latest statistics on deaths from lung cancer.

The Health Education Council are now responsible for the central direction of the smoking and health campaign in England and Wales. I understand they are at present considering its future shape. The anti-smoking campaign in Scotland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the nutrition survey being carried out by his Department; and when the survey will be published.

I assume the hon. Member has in mind the nutrition survey of the elderly This is being carried out under the guidance of an expert panel set up by the Department's Chief Medical Officer's Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy. It should be completed by the end of this year; the results must then be analysed in detail and publication is likely to be in the summer of 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated cost of exempting from prescription charges men under 65 years of age who are in receipt of 100 per cent war disability pension and the wives and dependants of such pensioners.

Information for a close estimate is not available but the amount would be small.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the suffering and loss of earnings that has been inflicted on Mr. Robert Brewis, as a result of contracting foot-and-mouth disease, he will introduce legislation to enable men or women who suffered from foot-and-mouth disease to be entitled to compensation.

A detailed examination of the history of Mr. Brewis' claims under the Industrial Injuries Act in respect of disability due to foot-and-mouth disease is being made. When this is completed I shall write to the noble Lord.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence he has of increases in sickness benefit claims at Christmas, Easter, Bank Holiday and summer holiday periods; and what physical conditions are associated with such increases.

The total of new claims for sickness benefit received by my Department tends to decrease rather than increase at times of public holiday. The figures for the period around Christmas may, of course, be affected by seasonal influenza and related complaints. Claims for minor illneses or injuries from those known to be on annual holiday are subject to special scrutiny.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what total sums were paid in sickness benefit in 1965, 1966 and 1967 to employed and self-employed men, respectively; and what relation these sums bear to the number of men in each category.

The estimated amounts are as follows:

SICKNESS BENEFIT
£ million
Year	Employed men	Self-employed men	Total
1965–66	197	13	210
1966–67	212*	13	225
1967–68	266*	15	281
*Including earnings related supplement of £16 million in 1966–67 and £44 million in 1967–68. During this period the estimated average numbers of employed men and self-employed men were about 15 million and about 1⅓ million respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services which local health authorities have set up domiciliary family planning services; and how many persons were given advice by each of these domiciliary services in the 12 months which followed the passing of the Family Planning Act.

The authorities listed below have reported establishment of a domiciliary service which may be confined to certain categories of persons or be otherwise limited in scope. Information is not available about numbers of persons receiving a service.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many men and women died during the last convenient 12-month period from cancer of the lung and in road accidents; and what were the comparable figures for ten and 20 years previously.

Following are the figures for 1949, 1957 and 1967. Comparable figures for 1947 are not available.

DEATHS ATTRIBUTED TO CANCER OF THE LUNG AND ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, ENGLAND AND WALES 1949 1957 AND 1967
	1949	1957	1967
Cancer of Lung
Male deaths	9,130	16,358	23,548
Rate (per million)	434	756	999
Female deaths	1,845	2,670	4,704
Rate (per million)	82	115	189
Road Traffic Accidents
Male deaths	3,092	3,778	4,917
Rate (per million)	147	175	209
Female deaths	1,011	1,269	2,241
Rate (per million)	45	55	90

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, how many people in the West Midlands area are receiving treatment for rheumatoid-arthritis and kindred ailments.

I regret this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give details of the constitution and functions of the area health boards in the new structure of the National Health Service outlined in the Green Paper, including the method by which the members will be chosen.

I have nothing to add at this stage to what is said in the Green Paper about these matters. Aspects of membership, if area health boards were set up, are among the points on which comments have been particularly invited.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the numbers of persons now addicted to the drug methedrine; and what investigations he is carrying out to check on the efficacy of the existing controls upon the use of this drug.

No such estimate is possible. It is too early to judge the effect of the voluntary restrictions on supply of the drug in its injectable form which have been in operation for the past five weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average waiting time at the St. Peter's and Woking Victoria hospitals for non-urgent gynaecological operations; what it was in 1964; and how many such operations were performed at these hospitals in each of the years mentioned.

24 months compared with 15 months in 1964. In the first nine months of 1968 a total of 1,045 gynaecological operations were performed compared with 923 in the corresponding period in 1964. Urgent and non-urgent operations are not separately recorded.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many urgent gynaecological operations have been carried out at the St. Peter's and Woking Victoria hopitals during each of the past 10 years.

I regret this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy with regard to the recommendation of the Central Health Services Council that an occupational health service should be established for all people who work in the hospital services; and what plans he has for establishing such a service.

Views on the detailed recommendations have been sought from all the major interests concerned, including hospital authorities and staff associations. Policy decisions will be reached when these have been received and considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give an assurance that the date of the beginning of work on the new hospital for Weston-super-Mare will not in any way be deferred.

The Regional Hospital Board envisages a start on this hospital before the end of the financial year 1971–72.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why in many hospitals the buying of food is in the hands of a steward and not in the hands of a qualified catering officer.

Purchasing requires specialist experience and food is generally purchased by officers with such experience and with the full advice of catering officers.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many abortions have been performed in National Health Service hospitals since the passing of the Abortion Act; and what percentage increase this represents over the corresponding period 12 months before the Act.

To date notifications of abortion in National Health Service hospitals under the Abortion Act total 9,329; estimates for earlier periods are not yet available beyond those given in answer to the hon. Member for Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (Mr. David Steel) on 17th October.—[Vol. 770, c. 171.]

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give greater priority to the Cabourne, Lincolnshire, by-pass on the A46 and allow its inclusion by the Lindsey County Council in the next three-year programme.

Early last month the Lindsey County Council, which is the local highway authority responsible for the A46, were invited by my Divisional Road Engineer to propose schemes on principal roads which they recommend for inclusion in the divisional programme during the next two or three years. It is too early to say whether any particular proposal will be included.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will reconsider his decision to restrict waiting on both sides of Bath Road, Cheltenham; and if he will allow it on one side for an interim period of one year.

No. Restrictions on both sides give the best chance of reducing the serious number of accidents on this road. I have promised to review the situation after one year.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to appoint landscape architects at an earlier stage in the planning of motorways.

Professionally qualified landscaping and horticultural staff are employed in the Ministry. Motorway and trunk road schemes in England and Wales are considered at an early stage by my Landscape Advisory Committee.

asked the Minister of Transport which major bridges in England are subject to toll charges; and whether he will take steps to abolish such charges.

In England the Severn and Tamar bridges are subject to toll charges and it is not intended to abolish these charges.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will include in the new Highway Code a clause giving positive advice on the conditions in which it is dangerous to drive on sidelights only.

The new Highway Code has now been presented to Parliament. It states that headlamps must be used where there is no street lighting, and urges the use of headlamps in built-up areas without good street lighting, in daytime mist or fog, or if the light is bad.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will publicise on television the results of the Birmingham dipped headlights experiment.

The Road Research Laboratory has published reports on the campaigns conducted in 1962–63 and 1963–64. They have recently extended the analyses of the results of these campaigns to include later years and a report is to be published tomorrow. In these circumstances I do not think that television publicity is necessary.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now accelerate the provision and introduction of illuminated flashing school crossing patrol signs.

Experiments have shown that flashing illumination would not be effective either for the signs carried by patrolmen or for warning signs on approaches to school crossings. But I shall shortly be making new Regulations permitting the signs carried by patrolmen to be illuminated by a continuous light where the authority decides that this is necessary. Also flashing amber lights are being tried in conjunction with some approach warning signs and I am prepared to extend these trials to other suitable sites.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many United States warships are presently in Victoria Harbour; what reason has been given to the Hong Kong authorities for their visit; for how long they have been there; and when they are expected to leave.

On the 2nd November there were seven United States warships in Victoria Harbour, six of which were visiting Hong Kong only for rest and recreation. The other one carries out the attendant co-ordination and administration duties. They arrived at Hong Kong between the 29th October and the 2nd November inclusive and the first six were all expected to have completed their period of rest within three or four days.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the recent talks with the Premier of St. Kitts and Mr. Ronald Webster of Anguilla.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) on the 24th October, to which I have nothing to add.—[Vol. 770, c. 355–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what date he has asked the Committee sitting under the chairmanship of Sir Val Duncan to complete its review of British diplomatic representation abroad.

The Committee has been asked to report within about six months.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent talks with representatives of the Portuguese and South African Governments on the situation in Rhodesia.

We have had contacts recently with representatives of a large number of interested governments about the situation in Rhodesia. These exchanges are confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in view of the fact that factory workers in Hong Kong earn £4 10s. per week of 48 hours, what consultations he plans to have with the Governor in order to improve these low standards of payment.

None I do not know the source of my hon. Friend's information but in fact even the average unskilled industrial worker earns £5 5s. for a 48 hour week. These may seem low standards but they are among the highest in Asia and improving all the time, as a comparison between the wages and cost of living indices would show.

asked the Minister of Employment and Productivity if she will review her decision of 21st October, not to increase the number of representatives from the footwear industry on the Industrial Training Board, and to provide an additional seat for a representative from the Midlands section of the industry.

No. After full consideration and consultation with interested organisations, my right hon. Friend has decided to appoint three members to the Footwear. Leather and Fur Skin Industry Training Board to reflect the interests of footwear manufacturers. One of these will come from the Midlands section of the industry and I consider that no useful purpose would be served by the appointment of an additional member from this area.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity (1) whether she will increase the number of representatives of the footwear industry from three to four of the employer seats on the Industrial Training Board;(2) whether she is aware that there are 46,000 workers in the footwear industry in the Midlands, compared with 17,000 in the North and 16,000 in the South; and, in view of the representations by the British Footwear Manufacturers' Federation, whether she will arrange for the Midland employers to have an additional seat on the Industrial Training Board.

In determining the composition of the Footwear, Leather and Fur Skin Industry Training Board, my right hon. Friend has been concerned to secure a fair balance of the varied industrial interests rather than to appoint members strictly according to the size of an industry's labour forces in particular areas. After full consideration and consultation with interested organisations, my right hon. Friend has decided to appoint three members to reflect the interests of footwear manufacturers. One of these will come from the Midlands section of the industry and I consider no useful purpose would be served by the appointment of an additional member from this area.

Miss Herbison asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many of the men employed in Kingshill Number One Colliery before its closure have continued in the mining industry; how many have been placed in other employment; and how many are still without work.

101 of the men who were employed at the Kingshill No. One Colliery when it closed on 19th October, 1968 have continued in the mining industry; four are known to have found or been placed in other employment; and 87 are registered as unemployed.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity (1) if the wage increases to which she gave clearance on 25th September to the cast stone and concrete industry of a 16 per cent. rise in basic pay were in line with Government policy;(2) if she will refer the wage increases in the cast stone and concrete industry to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

The settlement reached by the N.J.C. for the cast stone and cast concrete products industry was implemented from the first full pay period after 14th September. The new basic rate of 6s. per hour represented an increase of 2·8 per cent. on a per annum basis from the date of the last increase, and so falls within the 3½ per cent. Ceiling. The overall effect on the wage bill of the industry was 2·6 per cent. I am satisfied that the settlement was justified under the incomes policy criteria, and that a reference to the N.B.P.I. was not warranted.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will give the registered unemployment figures for the various exchanges in Pembrokeshire, and the percentage of the insured population that each represents, for the latest convenient date and for the comparable date in 1967.

Following is the information:

TOTAL NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED AND PERCENTAGE
Rates of Unemployment in Employment Exchange Areas in Pembrokeshire
	Registered Unemployed		Percentage Rate
	14th October 1968	9th October 1967	14th October 1968	9th October 1967
Fishguard	151	99	5·2	3·4
Haverfordwest	338	175	4·4	2·3
Milford Haven	677	373	9·4	5·2
Pembroke Dock	304	202	5·2	3·5
Tenby	144	134	*5·4	*4·7
Narberth	90	68
*Percentage rates of unemployment can be calculated for the whole of the travel-to-work area which comprises Tenby and Narberth but not separately for its constituent parts

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will make a statement on the rise in the rate of industrial accidents.

I share the widespread concern over the rise in industrial accidents reported under the Factories Act from a total of 296,610 in 1966 to 304,016 in 1967. The figures must however be viewed in perspective and I would refer the hon. Member to the analysis of the problem in the letter of presentation to the Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories for 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the expected increase in earnings and rates arising from the recent settlement between the Draughtsmen and Allied Technicians Association and the Upper Clyde shipbuilders in respect of draughtsmen; what other settlements have been concluded giving similar increases to draughtsmen; and if such terms fall withing the Government's incomes policy.

The average increase in rates will be just over £2 per week and it is expected that the average increase in earnings will be about the same. While we have received details of other local settlements giving increases to draughtsmen, it is difficult to make valid comparisons with the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders settlement which is a scheme to rationalise the wages structure of five shipyards in return for productivity concessions. This settlement is now being considered against the criteria for prices and incomes policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the estimated increase in earnings and rates arising from the current claim of tally clerks involved in the industrial dispute at the London Royal group of docks.

The current claim submitted by the unions last March on behalf of all ship's clerks in the Port of London (formerly known as tally clerks), is for an increase in the weekly rate from £21 1s. 8d. to £29 10s. 0d., in return for increased productivity. This would represent an increase in rates of nearly 40 per cent. and the employers estimate that the effect on earnings would be of the same order. Negotiations on this claim, including the possibility of an interim settlement, are continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the number of training places in Government training centres in Scotland to date; and what number is projected for 1969.

The present number is 1,322. There will be about 1,450 by the end of 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the number of in-service places for training in industry in Scotland to date; and what is the number projected for in 1969.

Information about the total number of in-firm training places in industry in Scotland is not available. The Industrial Training Boards are, however, promoting training at all levels in Scottish firms as in other parts of Great Britain.The training of workers for new jobs in development areas is also helped by the direct Government grants which are available under the Development Areas

TOTAL NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED AND PERCENTAGE RATES OF UNEMPLOYEMNT
	Registered unemployed					Percentage rate†
	Sept., 1964	Sept., 1965	Sept., 1966	Sept., 1967	Sept., 1968	Sept., 1964	Sept., 1965	Sept., 1966	Sept., 1967	Sept., 1968
Great Britain	341,669	315,328	340,202	555,379	547,383	1·5	1·4	1·5	2·4	2·3
Yorkshire coal field	5,845	5,140	6,776	9,569	13,581	2·0	1·8	2·3	3·3	4·6
Barnsley*	890	794	1,059	1,528	2,171	1·7	1·6	2·0	30	4·4
Hemsworth*	262	172	199	355	451	3·8	2·8	3·7	6·2	8·0
South Kirkby*	82	165	247	337	538
Dinnington*	61	56	100	245	291	1·1	10	17	4·2	51
Knottingley*	77	59	43	115	193	0·8	0·5	0·3	0·8	3·8
Castleford*	372	378	375	592	960	1·5	1·6	1·6	2·4
Normanton*	89	80	63	169	321	1·5	1·5	1·2	3·3
Pontefract*	323	295	303	528	788	2·0	1·8	1·9	3·2
Doncaster*	1,615	1,335	2,366	2,460	3,419	1·9	1·6	2·8	2·8	44
Askern*	47	55	55	56	144	1·4	1·6	1·5	1·6
Thorne*	374	353	467	825	926	4·5	4·2	5·5	9·7
Maltby*	145	125	133	369	511	1·9	1·6	1·7	4·6	6·1
Mexborough*	813	637	663	899	1,175	3·0	2·6	2·9	4·0	5·8
Goldthorpe*	219	249	279	367	647
Rothwell	53	42	61	87	188	0·4	0·3	0·4	0·6	2·3
*These Employment Exchange areas together with Hoyland Royston and Wombwell comprise the Yorkshire Coalfield
†The percentage rates shown for Barnsley relate to the travel-to-work area comprising Barnsley Hoyland Royston and Wombwell Employment Exchange areas Following a recent review of travel-to-work areas September 1968 percentage rates can be calculated only collectively for (a) Castleford Knottingley Normanton and Pontefract (b) Doncaster Askern and Thome and (c) Rothwell Leeds Horsforth Morley Seacroft and Stanningley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what are the number of building firms in Scotland; how many of these are single manned; and how many of these employ less than seven men.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what percentage unemployment figures, and what actual numbers unemployed, were registered for Great Britain, for the Yorkshire coalfield and for the employment exchange areas of Barnsley, Hemsworth, South Kirby, Dinnington, Knottingley, Doncaster, Maltby, Askern, Mexborough, Goldthorpe, Castleford, Normanton, Pontefract, Thorne and Rothwell, respectively in September for each of the years 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1968.

Following is the information:

I have been asked to reply.The number of building firms in Scotland (shown on the M.P.B.W. statistical register) in April, 1968 was 5,803, of which 3,425 employ between 1 and 7 persons. An accurate assessment of the number of firms comprising one man only is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what was the level of unemployment in the construction industry in each of the development areas at the last convenient date, 12 months previously, and in January, 1968, respectively,

Following is the information:

TOTAL NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED WHO LAST WORKED IN CONSTRUCTION (MINIMUM LIST HEADING 500 OF THE STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION)
Development Area	14th October 1968	8th January 1968	9th October 1967
South Western	730	951	727
Merseyside	4,947	4,873	4,457
Northern	12,627	14,576	10,625
Scottish	12,937	16,913	12,954
Welsh	6,389	7,502	6,341

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the action he plans to take following the investigation of the staffing position at the Royal Naval Hospital, Malta.

Following a review of the staffing position at the Royal Naval Hospital, Malta, a revised complement will be brought into effect in April 1969 and this will be progressively reduced by further stages in April 1971 and April 1973. The planned medical and nursing staffs compared with the present complement are as follows:—

	Present	April, 1969	April, 1971	April, 1973
Medical Officer in Charge	1	1	1	1
Medical Officers	19	13	9	6
Dental Officers	2	1	1	1
Staff for nursing duties comprising nursing sisters nurses and male medical assistants	124½	101	68	59
Other medically trained ratings	31	18	14	11

The civilian ancillary and domestic staffs will be adjusted to match.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT figures showing the strength, recruiting and wastage of the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve, Categories I, II and III, shown separately, for each month since January, 1968 to the latest available date.

Yes The information is as follows:

	Intake	Outflow	Strength at end of Month
T & AVR I
January 1968	60	69	1,078
February 1968	49	43	1,084
March 1968	65	35	1,114
April 1968	137	215	1,036
May 1968	53	61	1,028
June 1968	78	62	1,044
July 1968	43	49	1,038
August 1968	53	40	1,051
T & AVR II
January 1968	960	1,347	36,590
February 1968	957	1,239	36,308
March 1968	1,027	1,300	36,035
April 1968	970	1,235	35,770
May 1968	1,063	1,188	35,645
June 1968	908	745	35,808
July 1968	807	960	35,655
August 1968	538	737	35,456
T & AVR III
January 1968	235	304	14,575
February 1968	179	412	14,342
March 1968	118	451	14,009
April 1968	83	431	13,661
May 1968	106	526	13,241
June 1968	121	612	12,750
July 1968	116	616	12,250
August 1968	54	304	12,000

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is aware of the manning situation in the Armed Forces Medical Services, due to poor recruiting, and premature retirements; and if he will make a statement on the future of these Services.

I am fully aware of the present serious situation I appreciate that the Medical Branches of the Armed Forces play, and must continue to play, an essential rêle in the efficiency and well being of the Services. I have just recently had full and helpful talks with the three Medical Directors General, and am well aware of the anxiety and uncertainties of Service doctors.

As my hon. Friend is aware, at the request of the Government the National Board for Prices and Incomes is engaged as a matter of urgency on a thorough review of the pay of Service doctors and dentists along with the other members of the Forces. I trust that my answer will give Service doctors confidence in their future and serve to reassure them, and potential recruits, that a really worthwhile career is still open to them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, whether a departmental study of all aspects of disinfectants used to combat foot-and-mouth disease has been carried out since the close of the epidemic of 1967–68 and what are his intentions regarding fresh advice to farmers and alterations to existing regulations.

These questions have been studied and my Department is currently having discussions with representatives of the manufacturers and others concerned on proposed new arrangements for approving disinfectants under the Diseases of Animals Act, 1950. The discussions include consideration of new tests that have been devised for checking efficacy.We shall, when these discussions are completed, be making a new Order and appropriate advice will be given to farmers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what instructions he has issued within his Department and in conjunction with other departments for improved liaison of public authorities and a better system of communications in the field in the event of another outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, pending the publication of the full report from the Committee of Inquiry under the chairmanship of the Duke of Northumberland.

The history of the epidemic has been studied and pending the report of the Northumberland Committee some revisions in the instructions to our field staff have been made. Dis- cussions have been held with the Milk Marketing Board and others about liaison and communications in the event of another outbreak.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the number and capacity of approved calf lairages for the export of calves at 24th August, 1968; and what are the changes in these figures since that date.

By 24th August two lairages with accommodation for 248 calves had been approved Approvals are now operative for 12 lairages with accommodation for 2,864 calves although not all of these have been occupied. The premises approved include a number used last year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to reach a decision on the proposals for redevelopment of the Woking town centre which have been submitted to his Department.

I hope that the proposed modifications to the development plan proposals for Woking will be advertised soon. Before reaching a final decision any objections to the modifications as advertised will need to be considered.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to lay an order authorising Telford New Town; and what effects he estimates it will have on the local government financing of services in the remainder of Shropshire.

An order will be made shortly. My right hon. Friend and I will be meeting representatives of Salop County Council this month to discuss the effects on county finances.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government in what capacity Mr. I. H. G Calcutt is employed at the Southern Regional Office of the Land Commission; and at what salary.

Mr. I. H. G. Calcutt is a Main Grade Estate Officer, on a salary scale of £1,989–£2,636.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to announce a decision as to the future use of the Pinewood Hospital buildings, near Wokingham

The decision will be issued as soon as possible, but, as I informed the hon. Member previously, difficult issues are involved.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has now received the report of the Housing Management Sub-Committee of the Central Housing Advisory Committee which amongst other matters, is considering the practice of some local authorities in reducing the sum payable to owner-occupiers upon the compulsory acquisition of their property when they are rehoused in council accommodation; and what action he now proposes to take in this connection.

The Housing Management Sub-Committee are still taking evidence and it will be some time before they can make their report, but I understand that they have received evidence on the practice mentioned by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he has taken under his powers under the Prices and Incomes Act 1968, with regard to the rent increases by the London Borough of Lambeth.

My right hon. Friend gave his consent on 29th August to the Council's proposals for rent increases to come into effect on 1st December 1968. These are for increases in standard rents averaging 7s. 6d. a week, with a maxi- mum for any individual house of 10s. a week He did not approve the Council's proposals for further increases to come into effect on 1st October 1969.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review the present controls on hire purchase.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on Friday, 1st November.—[Vol. 772, c. 345.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to offset the effective reduction in the period of appeal against Income Tax assessments caused by the use of second-class mail for their outward distribution and first-class mail for their return to the Inland Revenue.

No such steps are necessary in relation to a period of 30 days.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now take steps to restrict portfolio investments from the United Kingdom to advanced countries in the sterling area.

The matter is being kept under close review, but the Government have at present no proposals for modifying existing arrangements in this field.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the net value of United Kingdom gold and currency reserves, including International Monetary Fund gold tranche, after deducting liabilities to foreign central banks and international institutions denominated in gold.

The gold and convertible currency reserves stood at £1,128 million at the end of October.The United Kingdom has no gold tranche position in the I.M.F. at present. The United Kingdom's repayment obligation to the I.M.F. (which has a gold-value guarantee, though it is not actually denominated in gold) is £1,176 million, of which £254 million represents drawings within the United Kingdom's gold tranche. In addition, the United Kingdom had outstanding obligations of £62 million in respect of charges paid to the I.M.F., for which there is no fixed date for repayment. The United Kingdom also has a gold liability of £17 million on account of gold deposited by the I.M.F. to alleviate the impact of gold purchases from the United Kingdom by other Fund members in order to pay the increase in their gold subscriptions.It is not customary to disclose details of short-term borrowing from overseas central banks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost to the social services, including education, of the dependent immigrants that have entered the United Kingdom in the last five years.

Such evidence as is available suggests that the average immigrant draws rather less upon social security benefits and services than the average member of the population as a whole.

asked the Prime Minister what is the aggregate cost to public funds of salaries of members of Her Majesty's Government on 1st November 1968; and what is the percentage change since 1st October, 1964.

£600,475. The percentage change is 78 per cent. of which as I explained in my Answer to a similar Question by the hon. Member on the 24th of October, at least 60 per cent is accounted for by the increases in Ministerial salaries implemented on the 1st of April, 1965, following—though in the case of Ministers, halving—the recommendations of the Committee on the Remuneration of Ministers and Members of Parliament.—[Vol. 770, c. 365.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what changes he has to propose in the charges for school meals; and if he will make a statement.

I refer my hon. Friend to my statement in the House today.

asked the Minister of Power what estimate he has made of the increase in rates and earnings which will arise from the recent settlement concluded by the British Steel Corporation for 3,000 labourers and craftsmen's labourers; and what productivity conditions were attached to the settlement.

This settlement arises out of an offer by the British Steel Corporation to unions representing workers employed under heavy steel conditions of an increase in the national minimum rate for a 40 hour week from £12 to £13 1s. 6d., with increases on a reducing scale for those at present earning up to £13 15s. per week; 22,500 men in all are affected. Their average earnings are not expected to rise by more than four per cent.; this represents an annual increase of 2·2 per cent. since their last general wage increase.The Government accepted this settlement as the first stage in a reorganisation of the wages structure in the industry, designed to increase efficiency and productivity.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will arrange to have the Cenotaph renovated, and in particular have improved the legibility of the words on the memorial.

The base and steps are washed fortnightly, the flags are changed every three weeks, and the whole Cenotaph is washed annually, prior to Remembrance Day.Arrangements were recently made for the renovation of the Cenotaph, starting next January.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many election polling cards in Scotland will be scrapped, and at what cost, in order that cards conforming to the new Post Office regulations can be introduced.

Instructions were issued in February, 1966, that new printings of poll cards should be to a new specification within the preferred range. I have no information about the number of poll cards conforming to the old specification which are still held by returning officers These may still be used pending the introduction of the higher tariffs for postal matter outside the preferred range.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many copies of "Britain in Figures" have been produced and at what cost to public funds.

135,000 copies of the card were printed at a cost of £1,274.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that nearly all telephones in possession of householders are owned by the Post Office, and that many cars, television sets and other consumer durables are owned by finance or rental companies, what steps he is taking to correct the statements contained in the Standard of Living table published in "Britain in Figures".

The wording on the card should be generally understood. Never- theless I will bear the hon. Member's point in mind in relation to any future issues.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what criteria he adopted in selecting the years 1961, 1966, and 1967 for inclusion for publication in "Britain in Figures".

1966 and 1967 were the two most recent years for which the information was generally available when the cards were prepared Figures for 1961 allow longer term comparisons to be made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what market research was done in advance of the publication of "Britain in Figures"; and what main types of people were identified as needing such a publication.

Market research would have appreciably increased the relatively small cost of this project which was designed as a simple work of reference for a wide range of people concerned with Britain's interests, especially businessmen export organisations and officials overseas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many Scottish firms have accepted Governmental financial assistance and inducement this year; and what is the total financial sum involved to date.

This information is not available. But the total value of financial assistance in Scotland paid by the Board of Trade in the year ended 31st March, 1968, was £16·2 million under the Local Employment Acts, 1960–66, and £43·8 million in the form of investment grants (excluding investment grants on ships) The corresponding figures for the six months ended 30th September, 1968, were £6·6 million and £25·9 million, respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why Greece, which is an associate member of the European Economic Community, has not been accorded the same terms on cotton quotas as has been granted to other European Economic Community countries by Her Majesty's Government.

We are entitled under our international obligations to impose restrictions on imports of low-cost cotton textiles which are causing or threatening market disruption Imports from Greece were causing such disruption; those from the E.E.C. were not.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what criteria he applies in deciding whether or not to approve applications for grants and loans for sewage disposal schemes in rural areas, where the schemes are technically acceptable and socially desirable.

Because of the continuing need to moderate the growth of capital expenditure by local authorities, I am unable to allow all sewerage schemes to proceed without delay. Priority is given to schemes, whether in rural areas or not which are essential for public health or for industrial or substantial housing development.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many authorities in Wales have asked for approval for sewage disposal works during the coming financial year; and to how many such schemes he has given his approval.

96 local authorities have applied to me for consent to carry out 206 sewerage schemes, which would call for expenditure during the next financial year; 97 of these schemes have so far been approved.