asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who imported the day-old turkey poults of the Williams strain from the United States of America; how many were imported, and under what regulations his Department allowed the importation; after quarantine in Wales, to how many farmers, and where, the turkey poults were sent; and how many developed Arizona paracolon.

Day-old turkey poults of this strain were imported from the United States under the Poultry and Hatching Eggs (Importation) (Amendment) Order, 1963, to quarantine at private premises in Wales. No cases of Arizona infection have been reported from any other premises to which birds from this importation were distributed. This importation and the transactions relating to it were private and it would be wrong of me to disclose information given in confidence.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to check the hatch of turkey poults due to start in November, from eggs, produced by turkeys imported from the United States of America which were in contact with the disease Arizona paracolon; and how many other breeding turkeys, and where, have been in contact with infected stock.

I understand that all the turkeys from the importation to which the hon. Member refers have now been slaughtered and that none of their eggs are now being incubated. Arizona infection is not a notifiable disease under the Diseases of Animals Act and I cannot therefore answer the last part of the Question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the purpose of the inquiries referred to in the letter of 6th June, 1967, from his predecessor to the hon. Member for North Cornwall regarding allegations of the export of ponies for slaughter.

The inquiries were made to fulfil an undertaking given in response to a Question by the hon. Member on 12th May, 1967, to obtain information about a consignment of ponies exported to Belgium.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set up an inquiry into the marketing arrangements for the Cornish pilchard industry.

During recent years there have been several inquiries into the supply and marketing of Cornish pilchards including very extensive experimental fishing which failed to resolve the basic problem of irregularity of supplies. I can see no justification for a further inquiry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what study he has made of the report by angling experts, details of which have been sent to him, concerning the disappearance of roach; whether he is aware that information about fish management and disease is not exchanged between his Department and river authorities; and if he will remedy this.

The Ministry's fisheries scientists have studied the report and are in close touch with the Trent River Authority who prepared it.So far as the other parts of the Question are concerned, there is a constant exchange of information between our laboratory, the River Authorities and others concerned with freshwater fisheries. If my hon. Friend has particulars of any difficulties I shall gladly look into them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give an assurance that the latest shipments of beef from the Argentine and Uruguay are completely free from foot-and-mouth disease.

These shipments are governed by the safeguards laid down in agreements with the countries concerned. My right hon. Friend announced a number of improvements to these arrangements in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby (Mr. William Price) on 22nd October. It would be unreasonable to expect my right hon. Friend to give an assurance in the sweeping terms suggested whether in relation to supplies from the countries mentioned or, indeed, in supplies from any country in which the disease has appeared.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tons of South American meat have been imported into the United Kingdom since the lifting of the ban on imported meat from that area.

The total quantity of carcase meat and offal imported from South America from the lifting of the ban on imported meat until the end of October was 49,378 tons.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tons of Argentine meat have been imported into the United Kingdom since the lifting of the ban on imported meat from that source.

The total quantity of carcase meat and offal imported from Argentina from the lifting of the ban on imported meat until the end of October was 23,604 tons.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated cost in a full year to agriculture of the recent increase in duty on petrol and autodiesel.

I estimate that the increase of 4·70d. per gallon in duty on petrol and autodiesel announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 22nd November is likely to add about £2 million to costs in a full year for agriculture (including horticulture) in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now take steps to ban the import of meat from countries where foot-and-mouth disease is endemic.

My predecessor informed the House on 4th March, 1968 that the Government proposes to review the whole of our foot-and-mouth disease policy, including the present import arrangements, after the Northumberland Committee has reported. I cannot therefore anticipate this review.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he is reducing the allocation of sugar beet acreage to East Anglia by 10,000 acres.

The national acreage to which the guaranteed price for sugar beet applies is determined at the annual review. The allocation of this acreage locally in accordance with the processing capacity of the factories is a matter for the British Sugar Corporation.In recent years the acreages contracted for in the factory areas of Allscott, Kidderminster, Nottingham and Cupar have not provided sufficient beet for the economic working of these factories. The acreage not taken up was accordingly made available by the Corporation to growers in East Anglia and Yorkshire and the additional beet grown there was transported back, so far as practicable, to these factories so as to maintain their throughput at an economic level.There is now a welcome revival of interest in sugar beet in the west and in Scotland. The Corporation is accordingly transferring some 10,000 acres back to the factory areas where they properly belong.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in what form statutory permitted lists of food additives are published; and whether these lists are available to the public.

Permitted lists of food additives are contained in Regulations governing particular classes of additives, or particular types of food. The Regulations at present in force are:

• The Antioxidant in Food Regulations, 1958 (S.I. 1958, No. 1454).
• The Artificial Sweeteners in Food Regulations, 1965 (S.I. 1967, No. 1119).
• The Bread and Flour Regulations, 1963 (S.I. 1963, No. 1435).
• The Colouring Matter in Food Regulations, 1966 (S.I. 1966, No. 1203).
• The Emulsifiers and Stabilisers in Food Regulations, 1962 (S.I. 1962, No. 720).
• The Meat (Treatment) Regulations, 1964 (S.I. 1964. No. 19).
• The Mineral Hydrocarbons in Food Regulations, 1966 (S.I. 1966, No. 1073).
• The Preservatives in Food Regulations, 1962 (S.I. 1962, No. 1532).
• The Soft Drinks Regulations, 1964 (S.I. 1964, No. 760).

There are also The Solvents in Food Regulations, 1967 (S.I. 1967, No. 1582) as amended by The Solvents in Food (Amendment) Regulations, 1967 (S.I. 1967, No. 1939), which come into operation on 3rd November, 1969.Copies of all these Regulations are available from Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement about the joint exercises with Ghanaian parachute units in the United Kingdom and Ghana; and what similar intra-Commonwealth training arrangements have been made and are planned.

A rifle company from the 3rd Ghana Infantry Battalion and a Ghanaian parachute company trained with our troops in the United Kingdom this autumn whilst some 280 men of the 1st Battalion, the Welch Regiment, trained in Ghana with local forces. After individual and sub unit training the visiting Ghanaian troops, including the parachute company, took part with British troops in an exercise on Salisbury Plain.This exchange was highly successful. We are grateful for the co-operation shown by the Ghanaian authorities which we are confident will continue.By agreement with the Governments concerned, our troops train in a total of 15 Commonwealth countries. We shall continue to develop mutually beneficial training arrangements with countries within the Commonwealth.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Government's latest plans in regard to the Royal Dockyards with particular reference to Scotland.

The review of the future of the Royal Dockyards is not yet complete and I therefore cannot make a statement at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity, whether the court of inquiry set up to investigate the present dispute at Girlings, Bromborough, will be empowered to examine the history of recent disputes at the factory; whether it will take evidence locally as well as in London; and when it is expected to report.

The Court's terms of reference are to inquire into the causes and circumstances of the dispute. It is for the Court, which begins its hearings in London today, to determine its own procedure. The Chairman has assured me that the Court will report as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what was the average number of new persons registering each week as wholly unemployed in each year from 1950 to 1967, inclusive.

The annual average numbers of wholly unemployed persons who had been on the unemployment register for one week or less at the dates of the monthly unemployment counts for the years 1962 to 1967 inclusive, are given below. I regret that comparable figures are not available for earlier years.

			Thousands
1962	…	…	50·6	(1 week or less-averages of 12 months counts. excluding casuals
1963	…	…	50·5
1964	…	…	41·2
1965	…	…	41·6
1966	…	…	45·1
1967	…	…	53·1

Persons with more than one unemployment spell during the year are included in the above figures on each occasion when, at the date of the monthly count, they had been registered as wholly unemployed for one week or less.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity by how much the Retail Price Index in Scotland rose between devaluation and September, 1968.

My Department does not compile a separate retail prices index for Scotland. On the advice of the Cost of Living Advisory Committee, I have referred the technical problems involved in the calculation of regional prices indices to an inter-departmental Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many working days lost due to stoppages of work arising from industrial disputes in the first nine months of 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1968, respectively, were applicable to Scotland.

The numbers of working days lost due to stoppages of work arising from industrial disputes in Scotland during the first nine months of 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1968 were 384,000, 246,000, 270,000 and 550,000 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity in what regions and localities she plans to assess short term manpower prospects.

My Department is continuously engaged in the assessment of short-term manpower prospects in various parts of Great Britain through my offices in Scotland, Wales and the regions and the supporting network of local employment exchanges. These assessments are based primarily on unemployment and vacancy figures and information about forthcoming redundancies and expansions known to the Department supplemented by information supplied by the Board of Trade on jobs in prospect.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the number of redundant Scottish miners currently being retrained in Government training centres in Scotland.

On 27th November, 1968, 35 redundant miners and 19 other ex-miners were in training in Government Training Centres in Scotland.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the dollar premium has risen from 17 per cent. to which it fell from 55 per cent immediately after the last devaluation to the present rate of 48 per cent.; and what steps he is taking to reduce it to its normal level.

I have no measures to propose on this front. The level of premium has fluctuated between 55 per cent. and 37 per cent. (not 17 per cent.) since it touched the highest level this summer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement as to the extent to which the recent restrictions on bank lending apply to Northern Ireland.

As on earlier occasions, the Northern Ireland banks are not expected to regard themselves as bound by a ceiling on their lending; but they have been asked to observe closely the Bank of England's latest guidance on the direction of lending, in particular as it relates to the financing of import deposits and the curtailment of lending for personal consumption.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what further restrictions there will be on bank advances to agriculture as a result of the economic measures announced on 22nd November; and if he will give an assurance that agriculture will have the credit facilities to fulfil its import-saving rôle.

Notwithstanding the recent intensification of the restrictions on bank lending, agriculture remains a priority category of credit within the ceiling, in recognition of its import-saving rôle. The necessary credit should thus be available for the further expansion programme announced in the House on 12th November by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what arrangements have been made for further visits of inspection to London by the team from the International Monetary Fund under the leadership of Mr. Goode.

No final arrangements have yet been made, but both I and the I.M.F. Staff are thinking in terms of two visits next year, one of which would be the normal annual Article VIII Consultation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total of the loans made to the nationalised industries and other public bodies from the National Loans Fund during the last convenient accounting period of 12 months; and what proportions of this amount have been used by the recipients for financing losses, meeting current expenditure of a non-capital kind and for capital expenditure, respectively.

Gross issues from the National Loans Fund to nationalised industries and other public bodies (excluding local authorities and the Northern Ireland Exchequer) for the year ending 31st March, 1968 amounted to £2,052 million. (Finance Accounts of the United Kingdom 1967–68, House of Commons Paper No. 268, 12th June, 1968 pps. 26–29.) Of this total about 89·6 per cent. was provided for meeting capital expenditure and about 1·9 per cent. for meeting current expenditure and shortfalls on current account. The balance is represented by £175 million borrowed by the British Steel Corporation, which was partly used to refinance maturing debt.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the yield expected from Selective Employment Tax in Scotland in the current financial year, taking into account the rebate on hotels in rural parts of the development areas starting in September.

Approximately £44 million. It should also be mentioned that payments of Regional Employment Premium in Scotland amount to £50 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the 500 civil servants engaged on the Social Survey work in Scotland.

All of the 208 civil servants employed by the Government Social Survey Department are based on London and to split them up into different areas would cause substantial loss of effectiveness and economy. Field work is done by fee-paid interviewers, at present numbering 334, of whom 27 are working in Scotland.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the official estimate of the rise in the cost of living of just over 11 per cent. between 1st January, 1963 and 1st January, 1966 applies to both Scotland and England.

The figures relate to the United Kingdom as a whole.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the cost-of-living indices for November, 1965 of 113·6 per cent. and for April, 1968 of 1248 per cent. apply to both Scotland and England.

The figures relate to the United Kingdom as a whole.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present gap in the sum of average weekly income per head in Scotland as compared with England at the last most convenient date.

The latest available estimates, derived from the results of the 1965–66 Incomes Survey published in the 110th Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, are as follows:

		Population	Total income	Average per head per week
		000	£m.	£	s.	d.
Scotland	…	5,204	1,833	6	15	6
England	…	45,070	20,266	8	12	6

The figures exclude the incomes of persons with less than £275 a year. Total income is computed as for Income Tax and excludes income which is exempt from tax (e.g. National Insurance sickness and unemployment benefit). The population figures relate to mid-1965.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list the political factors which will make the time appropriate for the re-negotiation of the Nassau Agreement;(2) if he will list the strategic factors which will make the time appropriate for the re-negotiation of the Nassau Agreement.

The relevant factors would be largely conditioned by the circumstances of the time, and any attempts at comprehensive tabulation are, therefore, unlikely to be fruitful.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of the United Kingdom's allies have so far agreed to the renegotiation of the Nassau Agreement and which have not.

The Nassau Agreement was concluded with the United States of America. The Agreement would not, therefore, fall to be re-negotiated with our other allies, although they would of course have an interest in the outcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about the constitutional future of Nauru, with particular reference to its relationship with the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

My right hon. Friend the then Commonwealth Secretary informed the hon. Gentleman on 30th January, 1968 that the Republic of Nauru would become independent on 31st January, 1968. Her Majesty's Government, therefore, no longer bear any responsibility for the constitutional future of the Republic.The hon. Member will recall that on the attainment of independence my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister associated the whole House in a congratulatory message to the Republic together with our best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of the people of the Island and it is our desire and expectation that our friendly relationship with Nauru will continue in keeping with the terms of that message.—[Vol. 757, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why his Department stipulated in its advertisement for an experienced writer, in The Times of 22nd November, that applicants should be under the age of 50 years; and whether he will seek to recruit staff for such posts on the basis of merit rather than age.

The Department advertised for candidates under 50 in order to complement available talent among their older staff. The prime consideration, however, in recruiting staff for this and other posts is always merit.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to those embassies in London whose staff have frequently ignored the traffic laws; and what replies he has received.

By arrangement with the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassadors and High Commissioners are provided at intervals with lists of the Fixed Penalty Notices issued to members of their staffs for parking in unauthorised places and in respect of which no payment has been made. Heads of Mission are thereby enabled to call to account those members of their staff whose names appear on the lists. We would expect that the Head of Mission would be guided by the principle (enshrined in the Vienna Convention) that the diplomat should respect the laws and regulations of this country, and would instruct his staff accordingly. No reply, to our communication of lists is therefore called for. Nevertheless, Heads of Mission frequently offer their comments and, from the detailed observations they make, it is evident that they look into these matters with great care.Contraventions of the traffic laws, other than Fixed Penalty Notices, alleged against members of the staffs of diplomatic missions are reported through the usual channels to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and, when appropriate, are brought to the attention of the Head of Mission concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, why Great Britain did not vote for the resolution of Italy concerning the admission of China to the United Nations.

We suport the immediate seating of the Chinese People's Republic in the United Nations. We did not believe that the establishment of a study group, as was proposed in the Italian Resolution, would have advanced this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement about the efforts made by Her Majesty's Government to seek to end the war and starvation in Biafra; and what information he has obtained about the children in Biafra whose mothers are resident in this country.

Her Majesty's Government have repeatedly tried to open a way for peace in Nigeria and remain ready to seize any promising opportunity. At present the Organisation of African Unity is seeking a reconciliation and we support its efforts. Relief work is being co-ordinated by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Nigerian Red Cross Society. Her Majesty's Government have so far spent or committed £270,000 towards the relief effort. This has been devoted to purposes in line with the recommendations of Lord Hunt and his colleagues and in consultation with the International Red Cross.I have little information about children in the area of Nigeria held by the secessionists whose mothers are in this country, but I will gladly consider whether I can assist in any cases on which the hon. Lady has information.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now seek to renegotiate the agreement on off-set costs to ensure that the Western German Government pays the full costs of all British forces in Germany.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Preston, North (Mr. Ronald Atkins) on 26th November.—[Vol. 774, c. 92.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number of police man hours spent in giving evidence and standing by to prevent breaches of the peace in respect of unauthorised gypsy encampments, for the latest convenient period, in the Metropolitan Police area; and what was the approximate cost in that period.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police that 1,829 man hours were spent in this way by the Metropolitan police during the 12 months up to 31st October, 1968. No additional expenditure was incurred as the officers would have been on duty in any event.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what sum has been paid to Sir Harold Samuel for his services as a part-time member of the Land Commission from 5th April, 1968 to the nearest date; and whether this payment was made under deduction of tax.

Nil.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government upon what date Mr. C. Beardsmore assumed the position of Controller of the Southern Region of the Central Land Board; and what appointment he held immediately before doing so.

It is not the practice to give detailed information about individual civil servants.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what provisions there are for the declaration of a personal interest by members of the Land Commission in relation to the property transactions of the Commission; and how often within the past year these have operated in relation to each member of the Commission.

Members of the Commission are required in this respect to comply with Schedule 1 of the Land Commission Act, 1967; the second part of the Question is a matter of detailed administration of the Commission, on which I do not have and do not propose to seek information.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many visits the alkali inspector has made to the premises of Rugby Portland Cement Company, Rugby, during the past 12 months.

The Alkali Inspectorate have visited the premises on 22 occasions.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will give details of the distribution of money which has been made available for flood relief in the South-West.

The Government's contribution was distributed as follows:

Flood Relief Fund				Grant
				£
Somerset C.C.	…	…	…	790
North Somerset	…	…	…	32,300
East Devon	…	…	…	30,160
Bath C.B.	…	…	…	3,700
Bristol (Bedminster)	…	…	…	65,400
Chippenham B.	…	…	…	375
Frome U.	…	…	…	80
Melksham U.	…	…	…	280
Sidmouth U.	…	…	…	3,450
Axbridgc R.	…	…	…	23,575
Chard R.	…	…	…	720
East Dean R.	…	…	…	480
Frome R.	…	…	…	365
Long Ashton R.	…	…	…	2,500
Lydney R.	…	…	…	220
Sodbury R.	…	…	…	2,420
Taunton R.	…	…	…	1,425
Warmley R.	…	…	…	1,750
Wells R.	…	…	…	1,850
Williton R.	…	…	…	680
Wincanton R.	…	…	…	30
				172,550
Leicester CB.	…	…	…	2,450
				175,000

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will study the feasibility of a computerised register to facilitate moves between local authorities' housing.

Studies have shown that the use of a computer to facilitate such moves would be technically feasible, but it would involve heavy expenditure which is not possible in present circumstances.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will take steps to provide for the televising of the proceedings in Parliament during the current session.

Any question of televising our proceedings is a matter which must await a decision of the House.

asked the Paymaster-General if she will make a statement on her special duties in connection with her responsibility for devolution.

I have nothing to add to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Perth and East Perthshire (Mr. MacArthur) on 7th November, 1968.—Vol. 772, c. 160.]

asked the Postmaster-General why directory enquiries will not answer queries relating to the address of telephone subscribers.

Directory enquiry operators give address information, without charge, if the caller supplies the name and sufficient detail to enable the information to be found readily in directory enquiry records. Directory enquiry operators cannot obtain address information from their records if the caller knows only the telephone number. These enquiries require reference to other records, and should be made to "general enquiries", which is normally obtained by dialling "191". A charge of 1s., plus the cost of any necessary trunk calls, is made for supplying the information.

asked the Postmaster General if he is aware of the public concern about the lack of privacy for customers at the counters in post offices, especially the smaller units; and whether he will issue guidance to those concerned.

I am not aware that there is any general public concern about lack of privacy at Post Office counters but I should be glad to look into any point that is causing particular difficulty if my hon. Friend will let me have details.

asked the Postmaster General what is the machinery whereby it is decided that commemorative stamps should be issued and when they should be issued.

I decide the programme and issue dates as the Minister in charge of the Post Office.

asked the Minister of Power what estimate he has made of the effect on fuel consumption of the adoption of British Standard Time.

I do not expect it to have a significant effect on the level of fuel consumption.

asked the Minister of Power what percentage of the £4·2 million spent on research and development in 1966–67 in the gas industry's laboratories was spent in Scotland.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the same Question on 29th April this year.—[Vol. 763, c. 139.]

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what steps he is taking to improve the growth of the young elms planted alongside the old avenue of elms and planes to the south of Rotten Row.

The new young elms are being deprived of light by the large old trees and as a result their growth is being stunted. To remedy this and also to correct a tendency for them to lean outwards, I have decided on the advice of my Advisory Committee on Forestry to remove each alternate tree in what remains of the old avenue, where the trees are in any case approaching the end of their life.Because of the public interest in this matter I am arranging for members of my Advisory Committee to meet representatives of the Press, to explain and demonstrate my proposals on the spot.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what in his estimate of the approximate area of the parts of the Palace of Westminster at present occupied by the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the Lord Chancellor's Department, respectively.

About 170,000, 68,000 and 9,000 sq. ft. respectively.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many floors there will be, and what will be the height of the office block now under construction for the Inland Revenue in Tyglas Road, Cardiff; and what the distance of this block is from the nearest residential property.

The office block will have 11 floors to a height of 115 feet with some plant rooms rising a further 20 feet. The building is 180 feet from the nearest residential property.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether the plans for the office block now under construction at Tyglas Road, Cardiff, for the Inland Revenue were made available for inspection to residents of Cardiff; and whether the proposals for phase II and III of the development at Llanishen, Cardiff, are now available for inspection by residents in Cardiff.

Generally this was left to the local planning authority who had been consulted under the Circular 100 procedure. Plans relating to Phases I and II were however shown to an individual resident who approached the Ministry direct. Plans can be made available for inspection if necessary.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what will be the height, and how many floors there will be, of office blocks proposed in the future development of the Inland Revenue office accommodation at Tyglas Road, Llanishen, Cardiff.

Future development will comprise an 18 storey tower block of 190 feet (with plant rooms rising a further 22 feet) surrounded by a 2 storey podium of 42 feet, and possibly another block of about 5 storeys.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what sums have been spent on renovating and furnishing Number 10, Downing Street and 6 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, respectively, during the last three years.

Repairs, decorations and furnishings at No. 10, Downing Street have cost £36,000 over the last three years; very little of this was in the residential accommodation. No. 6 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, is not a Government building and I have not spent public funds on it.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will take steps to improve the ventilation in the lavatory accommodation leading out of the lobby at the main entrance to the Library in the House of Commons; and if he will make a statement.

I am having this matter looked into and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Law Society of Scotland's proposals to him on the question of who should certify entitlements for additional solicitors' fees under legal aid schemes have been accepted and if he will make a statement.

After consultations with the Law Society of Scotland, I have submitted to the High Court of Justiciary proposals for amending the Act of Adjournal (Criminal Legal Aid Fees), 1964. These proposals are aimed at containing the cost of the criminal legal aid scheme, which has risen considerably since it was introduced in its present form in 1964. With one exception, these proposals have been agreed between the Law Society and my Department.The exception concerns the discretion at present exercised by the Law Society —subject to appeal to the auditor of court—to permit solicitors to be paid fees in excess of the maxima prescribed by the Act of Adjournal, if it appears that for any reason, including the exceptional length, complexity or difficulty of the case, these maxima would not give them fair remuneration. I am concerned that, although this provision was designed to deal with exceptional cases only, in practice it has operated in such a way as to provide solicitors in an excessively large proportion of cases with payments above the maxima prescribed.The Law Society believe that if—as proposed—the present Act of Adjournal is amended to enable the Society to state objections to the court on a determination by the auditor, this should in itself be sufficient to guard against unnecessary use of the so-called "escape clause". In their view, the responsibility for determining whether a case has necessarily been one "of exceptional length, complexity or difficulty" should remain with the Law Society subject, possibly, to a right of appeal to the Auditor of the Court of Session.On the other hand, while agreeing with the Law Society that they should be enabled to raise objection to the taxation by the Auditor of Court, I take the view that, if a solicitor considers at the conclusion of a trial that the prescribed fees are insufficient to provide him with "fair remuneration for the work actually and reasonably done", it should be for the judge who has just tried the case to determine whether in fact it has been one "of exceptional length, complexity or difficulty". If the judge certified to this effect, it would still be, as at present, for the Law Society (subject to appeal to the auditor and, if necessary, to the court) to decide what the actual payment should be. The procedure which I favour was first proposed to me by the Law Society in a memorandum dated 24th June, 1968, and, although they subsequently withdrew the proposal, I am still of the opinion that it offers the most effective means of remedying the present situation.I am informed that an amending Act of Adjournal is being made in the sense which I have suggested and will come into operation on 1st January, 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many fire prevention officers are employed by Glasgow Corporation.

There are 19 fire prevention officers employed full-time in the Glasgow Corporation Fire Brigade, and five officers in the Corporation's Office of Public Works whose duties include fire prevention work relating to means of escape under the Factories Act, 1961, and the Offices, Shops and Railway premises Act, 1963.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the report on the structural appraisal of high flats in Scotland.

I am sending the hon. Gentleman a copy of a circular I have sent to local authorities advising them to have certain existing high blocks appraised and to submit to my Department proposals for any necessary strengthening of them. A time limit has not been set, but I am confident that authorities will take action without delay.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the nature of the representations made by the representatives of the gypsies to the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland during their recent talks; and what were the terms of his reply.

The representatives are concerned about the problem of finding suitable sites on which the travellers can have security of tenure, particularly during the winter months. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland met them for a second time on 25th November and assured them that we are seeking to alleviate the present difficulties in co-operation with the local authorities concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, whether he will undertake to collect information on the extent to which medical staff exercise their rights of withdrawal under Section 4, subsection (1) of the Abortion Act, 1967.

No, the collection of such information would serve no useful purpose. I would, however, expect my Department to be informed by any Hospital Board which, because of withdrawals from participation under Section 4, subsection (1), experienced difficulty in providing a service to meet all reasonable requirements under the Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation to enact that any unsolicited goods sent shall be deemed to be an unconditional gift to the recipient who may dispose of them as he wishes.

Under the law as it stands, the recipient of unsolicited goods is under no obligation either to pay for them or to return them. I am considering whether there are any additional safeguards which would be practicable and which would not cause injustice, for example to traders who misdirect goods in error.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking, in co-operation with other Governments, with a view to safeguarding international copyrights; and if he will make a statement.

As I made clear in my Answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, North-West (Mr. Ellis) on 12th November, we have no present intention of accepting the Protocol to the Berne Convention as revised in Stockholm last year. This Protocol allows such developing countries as are members of the Convention to grant a much lower standard of copyright protection than is demanded by the Convention itself.We are taking part in international discussions aimed at clarifying the position as it now stands. This position is somewhat confused partly because of this Protocol and partly because there are now two separate international Conventions, the Berne and Universal Conventions. These have different but overlapping membership, different Secretariats and widely different standards.—[Vol. 773, c. 81–2.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to prevent clauses in contracts between suppliers and citizens by which the protections in the Sale of Goods Act, 1893, are excluded.

The Law Commissions are considering the question of exclusion clauses, and we intend to await the interim report which they hope to submit during the first half of next year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to be able to answer the letter dated Monday, 25th November, from the Leather Importers, Factors and Merchants Association, concerning the problems raised for the industry by the 50 per cent. prior import deposit.

The Association have been told that their representations are receiving careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the postponement of the launching of the Europa F7 at Woomera.

This launching is the eighth in the series so far. In the first five firings only the British first stage (Blue Streak) was live and all were successful. The next two firings had live (French) second stages but on both occasions they failed to ignite, Blue Streak having operated successfully each time. The present launch (F7) incorporates a live (German) third stage and is the first to attempt to put a satellite into orbit.For many months it was planned to launch the F7 on 18th November. Several days before this date, difficulties with the French second stage caused the schedule to be put back and launching to be rearranged for 22nd November. This was quickly followed by a further postponement of the launch to 23rd November due mainly to continuing trouble with the second stage.The first attempt at launching (on 23rd November) was abandoned about three hours before lift-off because of the premature ejection of the umbilical plug from the German third stage. The second attempt was made on 25th November. This was abandoned at 35 seconds before lift-off owing to a fault in the arming of the separation motor of the French second stage.The third attempt on 27th November was abandoned at one hour before liftoff when a fault developed in the pressurisation of the second stage.A further attempt at launching was made on 28th November. Some delay was experienced due to a failure of electrical power in the range area, and a further short delay was caused by minor faults in the ground support equipment. The attempt was finally abandoned shortly before lift-off due to a false indication of an engine fault in one of the first stage engines.The next attempt is expected to be made on 30th November and we all hope it will be successful.

asked the Minister of Technology whether the French Government consulted Her Majesty's Government before announcing a cut of £5 million in the planned expenditure for 1969 on Concorde; and what will be the effect of this unilateral economy upon the British Government's expenditure under the terms of the joint sharing agreement.

The French Government did not consult Her Majesty's Government before announcing this cut, but our understanding is that it is essentially a rephasing of payments and is not intended to reduce or slow-down programme of work next year.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the growing practice of new entrants into the taxi-service to use an external roof light, which causes confusion with ambulances, fire vehicles and police cars which are so equipped; and whether he will consider urgently steps to control this practice.

I do not know of this practice. If the hon. Member will send me details of any case I will consider it.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the average number of letters he receives each day giving proposals for improvements in traffic management.

Letters on this subject are received in several branches of my Department throughout the country. I regret that I cannot give the information without disproportionate expense of time and money.

asked the Minister of Transport when he proposes to introduce the concessionary fares provisions of the Transport Act.

Section 138 of the Act has been in force since 18th November.

asked the Minister of Transport when he proposes to introduce the rural bus service subsidies provisions of the Transport Act.

Section 34 of the Act will come into force on 1st January, 1969.

asked the Minister of Transport when he proposes to introduce the quantity licensing provisions of the Transport Act.

Not before 1970. As I have said before, the date will depend upon the satisfactory development of the freightliner service.

asked the Minister of Transport when he proposes to introduce the quality licensing provisions of the Transport Act.

I expect to bring in operators' licensing towards the end of 1969. Transport managers' licensing will be introduced later; the exact date will depend upon the progress of the extensive consultations I expect to have with industry about the details of the scheme.

asked the Minister of Transport how many copies of the revised Highway Code have been printed; and at what cost.

2,435 copies, at a cost £950.

asked the Minister of Transport when he consider whether cer-

	July, 1964		September, 1964		February, 1968		July, 1968
	Mon.-Fri. daily average	Sat.	Mon.-Fri. daily average	Sat.	Wed.	Sat.	Mon.-Fri. daily average	Sat.
Towards Upminster	805	701	786	618	842	663	741	439
Towards Romford	839	795	848	716	832	678	782	522
Total	1,644	1,496	1,634	1,334	1,674	1,341	1,523	961

The effect of this road on Levens Park was taken into consideration in establishing the line of the road. The true nature of the archaeological site affected by it has still to be determined and I am awaiting advice from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works on this point.

asked the Minister of Transport when he proposes to introduce the provisions of the Transport Act for the rationalisation of railway track capacity.

I did so 11 days ago.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on how many passenger surveys have been undertaken on the Upminster, Emerson Park to Romford line and with what result since 1964.

A survey was carried out in September, 1965, for the purpose of reviewing the timetable, but this information is no longer available.Surveys were carried out on 14th February, 1968 (Wednesday), and 17th February, 1968 (Saturday), and during the week beginning 29th July, 1968. The user figures compared with those for 1964 are: