asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make an official visit to Guyana.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make an official visit to Guyana.

Though I hope in due course to be able to visit a number of Commonwealth countries, I have no plans at present to visit Guyana.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the decision to warn the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics against any further act of aggression has been conveyed to the Government of that country; and what reply has been received.

I assume that my right hon. Friend is thinking of certain passages in the recent N.A.T.O. communiqué. The communiqué was, of course, published and the question of specific action to convey it to the Soviet Government does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further reports he has received from the international observer force in the Nigerian civil war; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary on 11th December.—[Vol. 775, c. 175.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is satisfied with the present scale of Government help towards the relief of suffering in Nigeria; and if he will make a statement.

Her Majesty's Government have agreed to provide £700,000 in response to the appeal by the International Committee of the Red Cross. This is in addition to the previous grant of £270,000 for food, drugs, transport equipment and medical teams. These represent a substantial contribution.Existing operations to take supplies into the area under Colonel Ojukwu's control will prove inadequate unless there is agreement on daylight flights and the movement of bulk supplies by land.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further representations he has made to the French Government about the supply of French arms to Biafra.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a further statement about his discussions with the French Government on the supply of French arms to Biafra.

We have had several discussions with the French about the problem of Nigeria, including the question of arms supplies. But the French Government denies that it is supplying arms to the Ibo secessionists.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the date at which majority government would be obtained in Rhodesia under the "Fearless" proposals.

I have been asked to reply.In my view, no reliable prediction can be made. There are too many unknown and undiscoverable factors such as the rates of educational and economic expansion. In addition, a great deal would depend on African readiness to register and the arrangements made for them to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether, in view of the growing danger of racial conflict in Rhodesia, he will provide facilities, including financial compensation, for British settlers in that country to emigrate to other parts of the Commonwealth.

I have been asked to reply.In relation to seeking a solution in Rhodesia I have nothing to add to what I said to the House on 18th November.—[Vol 773, c. 900.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent communication he has had with the Portuguese Government on the enforcement of sanctions against Rhodesia; and what action he has taken.

I have been asked to reply.I would refer my hon. Friend to the first part of the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd) on 18th November.—[Vol. 773, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his recent visit to India with particular reference to the discussions regarding strengthening sanctions against the illegal régime in Rhodesia.

My hon. Friend will not expect me to go into details of confidential discussions with the Government of India. In speaking to the Press, I re-affirmed that sanctions were taking effect and, even if they took some time, were a surer way to reach the objective than the use of force.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to improve consultation between the British Government and other European Free Trade Association countries.

Existing arrangements work well. In addition to normal diplomatic contacts, we maintain close consultation with our European Free Trade Association partners during the weekly meetings of the European Free Trade Association Council and the twice yearly meetings of the Ministerial Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is yet in a position to make a statement in the cases of those British subjects deported from Zambia without reasons being given by the Zambian Government.

The Zambian Government have indicated their willingness in principle to pay compensation for actual losses suffered and expenses incurred by eight United Kingdom citizens whose claims have been transmitted to them. Our High Commissioner in Lusaka is continuing to press for a satisfactory outcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the welfare of Mrs. Francis, a British subject living in Zambia, whose husband was unlawfully deported to South Africa by the illegal régime in Rhodesia.

Mrs. Francis, who is employed by the Zambian education authorities, is in good health and well housed. She is not in any financial difficulties. Our High Commissioner remains in regular touch with her and will continue to give her every possible help.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will cause the United States of America to withdraw their naval contingent from Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong, in view of the further contribution which this would make to the prospects of peace in Vietnam.

No. The only United States naval vessels in Victoria Harbour at any time are those visiting the Colony for short periods of rest and recreation. It is not considered that these visits have any connection with the prospects of peace in Vietnam.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will take steps to secure the appointment of an ombudsman in Hong Kong, in view of the fact that elected representatives are not allowed on the legislative and executive councils.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress is being made towards the appointment of an ombudsman for the Colony of Hong Kong.

No decision has yet been reached on whether an Ombudsman should be appointed in Hong Kong. The matter is still under examination.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what action he is now taking to secure the release of Anthony Grey from detention in Peking following the recent visit to him by our Chargé d'Affaires

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the remarks which I made during the Foreign Affairs Debate on 12th December.Since his recent visit to Mr. Grey, the Head of our Mission in Peking has protested in the strongest possible terms to the Chinese authorities about the conditions in which Mr. Grey is being kept, requested immediate improvements and asked for his speedy release.—[Vol. 775, c. 606–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further steps he is taking to obtain the release of Anthony Grey; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply earlier today to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Richmond, Surrey (Mr. A. Royle).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he proposes to grant a loan to cover the whole cost of extending the runway at Kai Tak Airport; and if he will make a statement.

The application for a loan is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons grants of public money are made to the following organisations, namely, Britain in Europe Limited, College of Europe, Bruges, European Schools Day, Committee of Student European Associations, and European Atlantic Movement.

The grants are made to assist these organisations in promoting a proper understanding of the British point of view on European affairs and in fostering closer relations between Britain and Europe. The European-Atlantic Movement is also concerned with enlarging understanding between Europe and North America.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what survey he has made during the past four years of the economic resources of the Falkland Islands.

An economic survey was carried out early last year at the request of the Governor by Mr. Guille-baud, the economist. Copies of his report have been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will invite a representative of the Falkland Islands to be present at any negotiations conducted with the Argentine on the subject of the future of the colony.

No. These talks are being held between Her Majesty's Government and the Argentine Government as a consequence of a dispute over sovereignty arising from an Argentine claim. The Governor of the Falkland Islands, and his Executive Council have been fully informed in confidence about the substance of these discussions; I shall continue to keep them informed in future.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response has been made by Her Majesty's Government to the representations of the inhabitants of the Falkland Islands that they do not wish to be transferred to Argentine sovereignty.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply earlier today to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter) and other hon. Members.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to remove the emergency regulations in Hong Kong which permit any person to be detained for up to a year without trial.

My right hon. Friend has discussed this matter with the Governor, who has under continuous review the need to retain these powers. They will not be retained longer than is essential in the interests of security.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will consult with the Government of Hong Kong, with a view to repealing Regulation 31 of the Emergency (Principal) Regulations which enables the Hong Kong Government through the Colonial Secretary to detain a person for a period of one year without trial and without giving a reason, and at the expiration of one year to renew the detention.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Preston, North (Mr. Ronald Atkins).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations were held prior to the promulgation of the emergency regulations, including the public ordinance, following the disturbances in Hong Kong in 1967; and if he will make copies of these instruments available to Members of this House.

My right hon. Friend the then Commonwealth Secretary was fully consulted before the promulgation of Emergency Regulations in connection with last year's disturbances in Hong Kong, and before the enactment of the Public Order Ordinance. Copies of the instruments in question are already available in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what conditions were attached to offers of shipping contracts for Great Britain from the Argentine Republic.

Some international invitations to tender for the supply of naval vessels have been issued by the Argentine Government. These tenders contain normal commercial conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the date when Her Majesty's Government informed the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Government that they intended to bring up again the question of Czarist debts to this country; and how long Her Majesty's Government intend to wait for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to reply to this note before sending them a reminder.

Her Majesty's Embassy in Moscow informed the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an aide-mémoire of 10th October that Her Majesty's Government hoped it would be possible to initiate discussion with the Soviet Government on pre-1939 Anglo-Soviet claims. I believe it is reasonable that we should allow the Soviet Government some further time to reflect on this long-outstanding and complex issue before pressing for a reply to this approach

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will introduce legislation to indemnify banks in this country against claims paid out to those registered as creditors against Czarist Russia, and to compel these banks to disclose what they possess.

I think we should see what the Soviet Government have to say on the question of pre-1939 Anglo-Soviet claims before considering what action might be taken in relation to the Czarist assets.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the position concerning the accumulation of interest for moneys held in this country against Czarist debts since 1917.

The precise amounts of any assets held by banks in this country to the account of the former Imperial Russian Government or of pre-revolutionary Russians firms or agencies (including any interest which may have accrued up to the present) and the manner in which such accounts are operated are confidential to the banks themselves. There is, however, no reason to believe that the amounts now held are at all substantial in relation to the size of British pre-1939 claims against the Soviet Government, or that they would suffice to pay our claimants more than a very modest dividend indeed if it were decided to take them over and distribute them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how often the register for claims for the Czarist debts has been revised since 1918; and what are the amounts at present claimed.

Records of claims are amended from time to time when information is received by the Department about changes of ownership. On the assumption that the surviving claimants and the legal successors of those who are deceased would all, if an opportunity were offered, formally present for compensation the claims registered since 1918, the capital amounts claimed would total approximately £360 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the British contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency during the current financial year; and how this compares with the contribution in 1967–68.

My right hon. and noble Friend the United Kingdom Permanent Representative at the United Nations announced at the U.N.R.W.A. Pledging Conference on 6th December that, subject to Parliamentary approval, we propose to contribute £1,875,000 to U.N.R.W.A's operational and administrative budgets for 1969. This sum is identical to the sum we contributed in 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether a date has been fixed for the trial in Bari of those five British citizens arrested on the m.v. "Conqueror" in June, 1968.

The investigations by the Italian authorities into this case have taken longer than was anticipated. I am informed, however, that they have now been completed and that the trial will probably take place early next year. Our Embassy in Rome have emphasised to the Italian authorities the desirability of holding an earlier trial.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it remains his policy to support the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation by maintaining British forces in Germany.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it remains his policy to support the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation by maintaining British forces in Germany.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to make an official visit to Japan.

I hope that the Japanese Foreign Minister will be coming here during 1969 for the next round of the Anglo-Japanese consultations. I look forward to visiting Japan when the consultations are next held in Tokyo, but I cannot say at this stage when that is likely to be.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the cost to public funds of the recent Royal visit to South America; and what were the main items and the cost of travel by air and sea, respectively.

The cost to the Department of the Royal Visit to South America is expected to be approximately £14,000. The two main items were expenses incurred by the Royal Households and additional representational expenses incurred by Her Majesty's Ambassadors at Rio de Janeiro and Santiago.The use of service aircraft for the visit involved the Ministry of Defence in additional costs amounting to £12,000: the cost of H.M.S. "Britannia" was given to my hon. Friend by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence on 13th November.—[Vol. 773, c. 95–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who represents British interests in St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla; and when he last visited the islands.

The British Government representative to the Associated States resident in Castries, St. Lucia, represents British interests in St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla.He visits the state frequently, the last occasion being on 13th September, 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has yet received any further communications from the Government of St. Kitts and the representatives of Anguilla with regard to the terms on which the interim solution of their dispute may be extended by mutual agreement, in order to allow further time in which a long-term solution can be negotiated.

Communications have now been received both from Mr. Webster, leader of the Anguillans and from Mr. Bradshaw, Premier of St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla. Mr. Webster's letter reaffirmed the position taken at the London talks. He made a number of proposals, concerning the establishment of an effective judicial system, including the appointment of a magistrate; and he also referred to various other matters which had been under discussion at the talks. Mr. Bradshaw's communication contained comments which he had addressed to Mr. Webster on his proposals; he also invited Her Majesty's Government to recruit a magistrate under the Overseas Service Aid Scheme for service in Nevis and Anguilla; requested an extension of the interim settlement for a further period of six months; and proposed further talks.A reply has been sent to Mr. Webster drawing his attention to Mr. Bradshaw's comments, expressing Her Majesty's Government's willingness in principle to recruit a magistrate as requested, and urging the desirability of constructive discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek a reduction of the numbers of staff in foreign missions in London for which immunity from traffic penalties is allowed, in view of the large number of offences committed, in particular by the missions of Poland, Nigeria and Ghana at a rate of four such offences each day in 1968 to date.

No. To reduce the levels of immunity in this way would be a breach of the United Kingdom Government's international obligations.The grant of immunities on the present scale to members of diplomatic missions in London is an obligation deriving from the United Kingdom Government's ratification of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Her Majesty's Government consider the Vienna Convention to be declaratory of international law in this field and its immunity provisions have been given statutory effect in the United Kingdom by the Diplomatic Privileges Act, 1964.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why he paid travelling expenses to certain hon. Members to go to a conference at The Hague on 9th-10th November; and what advice he sought from outside his Department on the list of Members to whom expenses should be paid.

Travelling expenses were paid in order to ensure that a British Parliamentary delegation of appropriate size took part in this important conference which met to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Congress of Europe and to consider how to continue progress towards European integration.The answer to the second part of the Question is none, since my right hon. Friend was not concerned in the selection of Parliamentarians for the British delegation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will propose to the Council of the North Atlantic Alliance that the North Atlantic Assembly should be made an officially recognised institution of the Alliance.

While we accept in principle the objective of an official North Atlantic Assembly, this would require the agreement of the whole alliance. Meanwhile we fully support the new arrangements made this year to achieve a closer relationship between the Assembly and the North Atlantic Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what he estimates to be the extra financial cost to the British Broadcasting Corporation of a normal foreign language service in Byelorussian.

The extra cost to the British Broadcasting Corporation of, for example, a daily half-hour broad- cast in Byelorussian would be of the order of £25,000 per annum on the assumption that suitable time could be found for it on an existing transmitter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons are being kept in prison in Hong Kong without trial; how long they have been interned; how many are Chinese and how many Hong Kong citizens; and if he will ask the Hong Kong Government either to release them or send them for trial.

Sixteen persons are at present held in Hong Kong under detention orders issued under Regulation 31 of the Emergency (Principal) Regulations. The orders have been in force for periods varying from six months to fifteen months in one case; this order having been renewed on its expiration. All the detainees are of Chinese race; six claim to have been born in Hong Kong. As regards the last part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary gave to the hon. Member for Richmond, Surrey (Mr. A. Royle) on 10th December, 1968.—[Vol. 775, c. 86–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will state the number of Chinese journalists at present imprisoned in Hong Kong, the charges against them and the periods of sentence in each case; and whether any journalists are among the 30 or more Chinese at present held under detention in Hong Kong without trial.

There are seven Chinese journalists now serving prison sentences in Hong Kong. Five of these were convicted on charges of uttering an inflammatory speech and of intimidating assembly. They each received a sentence of three years imprisonment. The sixth was convicted on charges of unlawful assembly; possession of an instrument fit for unlawful purposes; resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer. He received a sentence of five years imprisonment. The seventh journalist was convicted on charges involving interference in court proceedings and of obstructing the police in the performance of their duties. He received a sentence of two years imprisonment.Six other persons connected with the production and sale of newspapers are serving prison sentences. Five of these were convicted on various charges of sedition, attempting to cause disaffection and publishing false news. Each received a sentence of three years imprisonment. The sixth was convicted on a charge of possessing a simulated bomb and received a sentence of twenty-one months imprisonment.There are no journalists among the sixteen persons now being detained under Emergency Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, subject to consultation with the States concerned, and in view of his responsibility for the external affairs of these States, he will raise the status of the Commissioner for the Associated States of the Eastern Caribbean to that of High Commissioner.

The title High Commissioner is customarily used for the head of the diplomatic mission of an independent Commonwealth country. Since the Associated States are not independent the title of High Commissioner would not be appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the site, size and location of all interrogation centres operated by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

There are none.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who represents British interests in Antigua; and when he last visited the island.

The British Government Representative to the Associated States who is resident in Castries, St. Lucia, represents British interests in Antigua.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is aware of the concern in the Seychelles about their future links with the United Kingdom; why no opportunities were made for Mr. James Mancham to discuss with his Department the islands' constitutional future during his three recent visits to London; and whether it is Her Majesty's Government's policy to maintain a close and continuing relationship between the Seychelles and the United Kingdom.

I am not aware of any general concern on this subject.Mr. Mancham had informal discussions in the Commonwealth Office during each of his visits to London this year.Her Majesty's Government's policy regarding this country's future relationship with Seychelles, as with the other remaining British dependent territories, was set out in the reply my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary gave to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Dodds-Parker) on 9th December.—[Vol. 775, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will take steps to increase the proportion of time spent by the National Board for Prices and Incomes on price investigation as compared with wage and salary investigations, in view of the small number of price references to the Board.

There is a preponderance of wage and salary references with the Board at present, but over a period of time there has been no serious imbalance. The N.B.P.I. has published reports since its inception on 46 price references against 58 wages and salary references. Cases are referred to the Board on their merits.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will give an undertaking always to make a statement in the House before publishing a direction in the London and Edinburgh Gazettes imposing a wage standstill following the reference to a wage agreement to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

It would not always be possible or appropriate for me to make a statement to the House in these circumstances but I do, of course, try to keep the House in touch with actions taken in connection with major references to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many days work were lost in Scotland in each six-monthly period from January, 1960, to date, due to industrial strikes and to sickness, respectively.

Following is the information:

WORKING DAYS LOST IN SCOTLAND DUE TO STOPPAGES OF WORK ARISING FROM INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES JANUARY 1960-JUNE, 1968
			Working days lost
Year			January to June	July to December
1960	…	…	445,000	288,000
1961	…	…	208,000	124,000
1962	…	…	577,000	141,000
1963	…	…	153,000	102,000
1964	…	…	175,000	127,000
1965	…	…	287,000	157,000
1966	…	…	226,000	63,000
1967	…	…	164,000	238,000
1968*	…	…	432,000	—
* Provisional figures.

Information about absence due to sickness as notified for the purposes of National Insurance is only available for the complete years ending 4th June, 1966 and 3rd June, 1967 when the figures were approximately 38·7 million and 36·9 million days respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what steps she is taking to ensure that hotel keepers in areas quali- fying for 100 per cent. refund of Selective Employment Tax payments suffer no financial difficulties due to administrative failures in the supply of the necessary application forms.

Although there was some initial difficulty in letting these employers have claim forms promptly, this has now been overcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what percentage of the employees of the following companies at the most recent convenient date were registered disabled persons: J. and J. Dean Limited, Gilbert-Ash Limited, Walter Lawrence and Son Limited, Thos. McInerney and Sons Limited, F. G. Minter Limited, C. P. Roberts and Company Limited, T. R. Roberts (Builders) Limited, Roffe Limited, Bernard Sunley and Sons Limited, A. E. Symes Limited, Taylor Woodrow Anglian Limited, Turriff Construction Corporated Limited, Whyatt (Builders) Limited, and Yeomans and Partners Limited.

It has always been the practice to regard as confidential information supplied by particular undertakings about the number of registered disabled persons they employ.I am sure my hon. Friend can appreciate that opportunities for employing disabled people vary greatly from industry to industry and from firm to firm according to the nature of the work and the working conditions. Moreover it frequently happens that there are no registered disabled persons available locally who are suitable for the jobs on offer. This means that even firms with an excellent record of co-operation may from time to time find themselves below quota through circumstances outside their control.Therefore, it would be misleading and unfair to make public these confidential employment figures, and, because the success of the scheme depends largely on the good will of employers, against the interests of the disabled.I can assure the hon. Member that the position at the firms he mentions has been and will be kept under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many registered disabled persons in the area covered by the Stratford Disablement Advisory Committee were unemployed at the most recent convenient date; how many of these had been unemployed for more than 13, 26 and 52 weeks, respectively; and how these figures compare with those for approximately the same date in 1967.

On 11th November, 1968, 335 registered disabled persons were registered as unemployed at Employment Exchanges within the area covered by the Stratford Disablement Advisory Committee. The comparable figure for November 1967 was 289.On 8th July, 1968, when the number of registered disabled persons was last analysed by duration of unemployment, 213 registered disabled persons had been unemployed for more than 13 weeks, 162 for more than 26 weeks, and 86 for more than 52 weeks. On 10th July, 1967, 117 registered disabled persons had been unemployed for more than 13 weeks, 81 for more than 26 weeks, and 45 for more than 52 weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what arrangements are being made for the payment of redundancy pay to former employees of British Eagle.

1,550 applications for redundancy payments have been received from former British Eagle employees; 1,050 have already been paid. The remaining applications are being dealt with urgently and it is hoped that most payments will have been made by Christmas.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many salary settlements of executives and company directors in the higher income groups have been deferred when they have not clearly satisfied the incomes policy criteria.

As I told my hon. Friend on 25th November, no standstills in association with reference to the N.B.P.I. have been imposed in respect of such settlements.—[Vol. 774, c. 7–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity why, in view of the Government's policy on industrial pay increases, she will not freeze the salaries of all company directors and executives and take steps to reduce to 3½ per cent. all increases paid in the last 12 months, pending the report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

Because this is not the Government's policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what action she is taking to obtain compliance with the Government's prices and incomes policy in the building and civil engineering industries, with particular reference to the arbitration decision of the National Board for Prices and Incomes in relation to the recent interim pay settlement; and whether she will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the Statement made to the House by my right hon. Friend on 13th December.—[Vol. 775, c. 828–42.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will make a statement about the building unions' decision on 11th December against taking steps to effect a reduction of one penny an hour in rates of pay in accordance with their agreement with her.

I have nothing to add to the Statement made by my right hon. Friend last Friday.—[Vol. 775, c. 828–42.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what steps she is taking to provide alternative employment for the men made redundant by the complete closure of the Waverley railway route from Edinburgh to Carlisle to take effect in the spring of 1969.

British Rail are still discussing possible internal transfers with employees affected by this closure. When this process is complete every effort will be made by my local officers to find suitable employment and, where appropriate, training opportunities for those who may be made redundant.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will provide details of the number of unemployed men, women, boys and girls who have signed the register for employment at the St. Helens Employment Exchange in each of the last five

NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED AT ST. HELEN'S EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OFFICE
Quarter ended			Men	Boys	Women	Girls	Total
9th December, 1963	…	…	796	48	846	71	1,761
16th March, 1964	…	…	736	24	751	27	1,538
15th June, 1964	…	…	646	41	747	31	1,465
14th September, 1964	…	…	671	106	771	98	1,646
7th December, 1964	…	…	740	42	707	39	1,528
8th March, 1965	…	…	748	23	711	26	1,508
14th June, 1965	…	…	691	27	670	18	1,406
13th September, 1965	…	…	739	85	715	74	1,613
6th December, 1965	…	…	755	23	639	18	1,435
14th March, 1966	…	…	667	18	549	15	1,249
13th June, 1966	…	…	593	14	436	5	1,048
12th September, 1966	…	…	664	47	431	52	1,194
12th December, 1966	…	…	887	24	369	14	1,294
13th March, 1967	…	…	1,012	35	492	34	1,573
12th June, 1967	…	…	983	21	419	18	1,441
11th September, 1967	…	…	1,128	76	406	75	1,685
11th December, 1967	…	…	1,040	25	307	16	1,388
11th March, 1968	…	…	1,023	21	318	19	1,381
10th June, 1968	…	…	882	24	280	17	1,203
9th September, 1968	…	…	834	98	282	73	1,287

NUMBERS OF PLACINGS BY ST. HELEN'S EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OFFICE
				Women
Year			Men	Full-time	Part-time	Boys	Girls	Total
1964	…	…	2,535	1,435	192	769	784	5,715
1965	…	…	2,516	1,286	176	739	805	5,522
1966	…	…	2,456	1,353	175	608	747	5,339
1967	…	…	2,229	1,325	117	655	775	5,101
1968	…	…	4,028	1,678	242	685	843	7,476

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will give an assurance that alternative employment will be available in the Inverurie area for all the employees of the Inverurie Locomotive Works on redundancy.

No decision has been taken by the British Railways Board to close the Inverurie Railway Workshops, and they would consult the unions fully before taking such a decision.

I regret that information is not available in this form. The table shows the numbers registered as unemployed at the quarterly statistical dates in each of the last five years and the total number of placings made in each of the last five years; 143 persons from the St. Helen's area entered training under the Government's Vocational Training Scheme during the last five years.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what proportion of the 3·8 per cent. of the population in Wales registered as disabled are actually in employment.

This information is not available, but of the 41,313 registered disabled persons in Wales 6,005, or 14·5 per cent. were registered as unemployed on 11th November, 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the total number of persons employed and the number of such persons who are registered as disabled in the offices of the local authorities, the local offices of her Department, the offices of the hospital management committee, and the local offices of the General Post Office, respectively, in the Caerphilly constituency.

It is not the practice to make public information of this kind relating to employers who have an obligation to employ a quota of registered disabled persons under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944. I am, however, prepared to provide the information in respect of my own Department and the General Post Office. This is not readily available, but I am arranging for it to be collected, and I will write to my hon. Friend when it becomes available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the number of job vacancies for females in the Cowdenbeath and Dunfermline employment exchanges, respectively.

At 4th December, 1968, the numbers of notified vacancies remaining unfilled for females in the areas covered by the Cowdenbeath and Dunfermline Employment Exchanges were 103 and 209, respectively. These figures are provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what percentage of the unemployed females registered at the Cowdenbeath and Dunfermline employment exchanges, respectively, are married women.

Of all females registered as unemployed at 9th December, 1968, in the areas covered by the Cowdenbeath and Dunfermline Employment Exchanges, 64 and 54 per cent., respectively, were married. These figures are provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the estimated percentage increase in rates and earnings for male and female workers arising from the proposed settlement for employees of Imperial Tobacco; and what elements of productivity are included in the proposed settlement.

Any increases under this settlement would be linked with double day shift working, the extent of which is still under negotiation. It would increase rates for employees on double day shift by 10 per cent. from 1st January, 1969; 2·75 per cent. from 1st January, 1971 and 43 per cent. from 1st January, 1973 (or such earlier date as a new factory begins double day shift work). Their earnings would be raised by up to 3·3 per cent. from 1st January, 1969 with no further increases at the second and third stages.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what proposals she has to amend the Redundancy Payments Act in the light of experience gained since the enactment of this legislation.

The working of the Redundancy Payments Act is under review, but my right hon. Friend is not yet able to say what amendments to the Act may be required.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the estimated percentage increase in rates and earnings for male and female bakery workers deriving from the recent pay settlement; and what elements of productivity were contained in the settlement.

On rates the increases represent 5·3 per cent. for men and 6·9 per cent. for women; on earnings 5·87 per cent. for men and 6·67 per cent. for women. The settlement provides for full acceptance of new plant and techniques without further improvements in pay during the ensuing twelve months.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what was the Scottish proportion of total United Kingdom unemployment in 1951, 1961, 1964 and 1967, and at the latest available date for which statistics are available.

The proportions for 1951, 1961, 1964 and 1967 were 19·0, 18·1, 19·4 and 14·1 per cent., respectively, and the proportion for November, 1968, was 13· 3 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the fact that the voting age is to be reduced to 18 years, he proposes to reduce to the same age the family allowance that can at present be paid to children up to the age of 19 years.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Social Services what is the average number of items on each Form E.C.10 issued by National Health Service general practitioners since the re-introduction of prescription charges; and what was the corresponding figure during the most recent convenient period prior to the re-introduction of prescription charges.

The average number of items per National Health Service prescription form for prescriptions dispensed by chemists in England and Wales was 1·52 in the quarter beginning 1st July, 1968. The comparable figure for the two months beginning 1st April was 1·58.

asked the Secretary of State for the Social Services what is the average cost of each prescription issued by National Health Service general practitioners since the re-introduction of prescription charges; and what was the corresponding figure during the most recent convenient period prior to the re-introduction of charges.

Taking no account of income from prescription charges, the average total cost per prescription in the quarter beginning 1st July, 1968, was 12s. The comparable figure for the two months beginning 1st April was 11s. 2d.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will establish a section within his Department to specialise on the treatment of drug addiction and drug dependence.

There is already such a section within my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to stop the issue of methedrine in powder form.

I am not aware that it is issued in this form. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Home Affairs and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services would be glad to consider any relevant evidence which my hon. Friend may have.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of continuing danger of the use of methedrine for unauthorised purposes, he will now take steps to prevent its use.

The voluntary arrangements introduced two moths ago, initially for a period of a year, were designed to prevent the misuse of methedrine in injectable form. We have no reason to think that they are not proving generally effective.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the migration of United Kingdom doctors to the United States of America in each of the last 10 years from 1957; and how many of these have returned in that period to work here.

I regret that information is not available for periods before 1962 nor is it yet available for any period after 30th September, 1966. In each of the four years up to that date about 100 doctors born in the United Kingdom or Irish Republic emigrated to the United States of America and about 50 returned. Separate figures are not available for doctors born in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many doctors from India or Pakistan are now in the National Health Service; how many have joined the National Health Service in each of the years since 1960; and how many of the latter have left the National Health service for private practices here.

Of the doctors in the National Health Service hospital and general practitioner services in England and Wales whose countries of origin are known, there were at 30th September, 1967, 3,450 from India and 670 from Pakistan. The available information on the numbers of doctors from these countries who entered and left the National Health Service is as follows:

	India	Pakistan
Doctors in the Service at—30th September, 1967 but not at 30th September, 1966	960	250
Doctors in the Service at—30th September, 1966 but not at 30th September, 1967	630	180
Net increase 1966–67	330	70
Doctors in the Service at—30th September, 1966 but not at 30th September, 1965	870	240
Doctors in the Service at—30th September, 1965 but not at 30th September, 1966	600	110
Net increase 1965–66	270	130

Figures for earlier years are not available, nor is it known how many of the doctors who left the National Health Service entered private practice.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what communications he has had with the suppliers of the Mao influenza vaccine since 1st October 1968;(2) if he will make available in the OFFICIAL REPORT his correspondence with the suppliers of the Mao influenza vaccine in which he made requests to them about distribution.(3) if he will make a further statement on the manufacture and priorities in the distribution of the Mao flu vaccine.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will take steps to assume responsibility for the distribution of the Asian influenza vaccine; and if he will make a statement;(2) whether he will seek powers to prevent limited liability companies purchasing Asian influenza vaccine for their staffs until doctors have adequate supplies to treat elderly patients and poliomyelitis victims;(3) what was the first date when his Department was informed of a possible Asian influenza epidemic; what action was then taken to ensure adequate supplies of vaccine; and if he will make a statement;(4) in view of the increasing difficulty in obtaining supplies of Asian influenza vaccine, if he will now reconsider his decision not to extend the categories for distribution and give priority to heavily built-up industrial areas such as Manchester and the cotton textile districts of Lancashire;(5) if he will give the estimated quantities of Asian influenza vaccine distributed by counties or other convenient regional districts, together with the size of population in each district, indicating the numbers over the age of 65 years;(6) if he will make a statement on the discussions he has had with manufacturers about increasing the availability of Asian influenza vaccine; and if he will make a statement.

A new variant of influenza virus A2 (originally called Asian in 1957) was first isolated in Hong Kong in July, 1968. If an outbreak occurs this winter it is likely, but not certain, that the Hong Kong variant will be the cause. So far there has been no evidence of any general outbreak in this country of any type of influenza. However, information from other countries increases fear of an outbreak in Britain this winter.The Government have taken all appropriate steps to prepare for this eventuality. It is the Government's view, based on the specialist advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation of the Central and Scottish Health Services Councils, that the routine use of vaccines cannot be expected to make a significant contribution to the control of outbreaks of influenza, but may be desirable for certain categories of people. These include persons suffering from certain chronic diseases such as chronic heart disease, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic renal disease and diabetes, whose conditions may be aggravated by an attack of influenza. Other categories are children in residential establishments and those, such as doctors and nurses, at special risk because of contact with patients.It has been the Government's policy, in co-operation with the pharmaceutical industry, to seek to ensure the availability of suitable vaccine against this new strain of virus and its distribution to those who may require it in accordance with the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.As soon as the virus was isolated in July, the manufacturers began the production of a vaccine with all possible speed. Recent difficulties in meeting the stringent testing requirements have temporarily reduced production so that some 150,000 of the 900,000 doses expected to be distributed before the end of the year will not now be available until the New Year. Thereafter, however, it is hoped that substantial additional supplies, imported in bulk and now being tested, will become available to meet priority requirements.My Department has kept in touch with the manufacturers. After discussion with their representatives, the Department wrote on 27th November to all manufacturers and wholesalers seeking their co-operation—which has been given—in a scheme designed to ensure priority in supply to the groups suggested by the Joint Committee; the Department has also been in touch with the pharmaceutical profession. I do not think that publication of such correspondence as there has been would add anything to the information given above. Co-operation of the manufacturers has been greatly appreciated.Medical Officers of Health have been kept informed by my Department's Chief Medical Officer who has also written to all family doctors. I have no reason to depart from the advice of the Joint Committee or to intervene in the existing arrangements for supply and distribution.Information about the geographical distribution of vaccine is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish, in accordance with the undertaking given at the time, the results of the 10 years' fluoridation of water supplies in Anglesey and Watford; and when the report may be expected.

The report is being extended to cover 11 years of fluoridation and to include more information on the effects of fluoridation on the permanent teeth. It should be ready for publication early in 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average length of time which it takes for an appeal against insurance officers' decisions to be heard by the National Insurance Commissioners.

The time taken for appeals to be heard varies according to the complexity of the case, the need to obtain further evidence and the time taken to arrange oral hearings. The majority of appeals are dealt with in four to six months.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, when considering the proposed comprehensive scheme for social insurance, he will take into account the recommendations of the Beveridge Report 1942, Command Paper 6404, that married women, not gainfully employed, should become insured by virtue of their occupation.

I must ask my hon. Friend to await the publication of the Government's proposals which, as I said on 2nd December, 1968, in reply to the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen), will be later this winter.—[Vol. 774, c. 1003–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to make a statement about the proposed abatement of unemployment benefit for people who retire before the age of 65 years with occupational pensions.

My right hon. Friend is at present awaiting the report of the National Insurance Advisory Committee on draft Regulations which are now before them. I understand that the Committee are at the stage of considering evidence and I do not expect that they will be in a position to submit their report for some time yet.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to arrange that persons on welfare payments can post mail to statutory authorities and Government Departments without postage on presentation of such mail to a post office for franking on production of welfare pension books; and what he estimates to be the cost of such a scheme.

No. My Department already provides pre-paid addressed envelopes, labels and cards on a large scale to help pensioners and others who need to write to the Department in connection with the benefits it administers. This form of assistance with postal costs is available to and is used by other Government Departments and authorities. I am satisfied that it is an efficient way of dealing with the situation my hon. Friend has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give an assurance that when State retirement pensions are increased there will be a comparable increase in war disablement pensions.

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that any general uprating of social security benefits will extend to war disablement pensions.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claims for retirement pensions, sickness benefit, industrial injury benefit, maternity allowance, death benefit and family allowances, respectively, have been refused under the regulations because six months have expired, during each of the last five years; and what was the total value of such lapsed benefits in each category.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many appeals were entered during each of the last five years against refusal of retirement benefit, sickness benefit, industrial injury benefit, maternity allowance, death benefit and family allowance, respectively, on the grounds that six months had elapsed since the date of the benefit accruing; and how many such appeals were successful.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many units for severely disturbed adolescents there are at present; and what development has taken place over the last four years.

Thirteen. Since guidance was given to hospital authorities in 1964, six units have been provided and 30–35 more planned, of which five are due to open next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what offer was received by the Manchester Regional Hospitial Board to build an extension, and at what rent.

Between 1962 and 1965 the Board considered various proposals by a private developer to build and lease to them extra accommodation in Broughton Street at a rental estimated in 1962 to amount to a rate of about 10s. per square foot per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many square feet of accommodation was used by the Manchester Regional Hospital Board and the blood transfusion centre before, and how many after, the move to Gateway House; what were the terms of the lease of the former premises and of the lease of the new premises; what will be the total additional cost over the unexpired period of the lease of the old premises; and if he will make a statement.

94,000 square feet and 168,000 square feet, not all of which was or is in leased properties; on the terms of the leases I would refer my hon. Friend to my hon. Friend's reply to his Question on 25th November; the net extra cost cannot be estimated until we know the terms on which the old and part of the new premises can be sub-let.—[Vol. 774, c. 33.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much the nursing staff of St. Peter's Hospital, Chertsey, is below its authorised establishment; and how many wards at this hospital are currently closed because of lack of staff.

In November it was 61 below the figure approved by the hospital management committee; no wards have been closed.

The Welsh Hospital Board and the Board of Governors of the United Cardiff Hospitals will consult the local interests concerned about proposals for the reorganisation of hospital services in the Cardiff area. Full account will be taken of the needs of the area as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that the South View Nursing Home, Hextol, Hexham, is closing down, and that all the patients have been told they must find other accommodation by 31st December; and whether he will make a statement indicating the action he proposes to take and his estimate of the increased cost to, and effect on, hospitals in the area.

Yes. Satisfactory arrangements are being made, for the accommodation in local hospitals of residents who need constant nursing attention, and my right hon. Friend foresees no need for action on his part. Bed allocation in the area is adequate, and the cost to and effect on the hospital service will be marginal.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has received the report of the Committee appointed to inquire into the circumstances leading to a fire at Shelton Hospital, Shrewsbury, on the night of 25th-26th February, 1968, and to the deaths of 24 patients; and whether he will make a statement.

Yes. Copies of the report will be placed in the Library of the House and made available to the Press today.The principal conclusions of the report are that the origin of the fire was almost certainly a lighted cigarette end left in an easy chair in the day room of the ward concerned; that the hospital had a modern fire alarm system but it was not used properly; and that there was delay after smoke was first seen before the Fire Service was summonded. The failure of the night nurse in charge of the ward to give warning of the fire earlier was a vital factor in the disaster but there were other contributory factors for which she was not responsible. These factors were, first, the existence of orders requiring the night porter to obtain the authority of one of the hospital fire officers before calling the Fire Service, and, secondly, the failure of those in responsible positions to ensure that all nurses received training in fire procedure, including the evacuation of patients, as recommended in a report by the Shropshire Fire Service in 1963 and in the standing guidance on fire precautions issued to all hospitals by my Department in 1966.Copies of the report have been sent to the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board and the Shrewsbury Management Committee. My right hon. Friend has asked them to report to him urgently on the action already taken or still to be taken to remedy the deficiencies disclosed in it.My Department wrote to all hospital authorities in April this year asking them to examine their fire precautions in the light of the Department's standing guidance and drawing attention to the great

Name	Date of first appointment to the Board		Local authority area in which resident
Chairman appointed to 31st March, 1969
J. T. Lewis. Esq., O.B.E., J.P.	October, 1962	…	Wolverhampton C.B.
Other Members appointed to 31st March, 1969
J. P. Bull, Esq., M.D., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.	April, 1964	…	Birmingham C.B.
R. C. Hansen, Esq., J.P.	November, 1967	…	Hereford M.B.
G. C. Haynes, Esq.	April, 1957	…	Wolverhampton C.B.
Miss E. M. Powell, S.R.N.	April, 1966	…	Oswestry M.B.
L. G. Symour, Esq., J.P.	May, 1954	…	Solihull C.B.
Sir Arthur Thomson, M.C.. M.D., L.D., F.R.C.P.	April, 1951	…	Birmingham C.B.
R. D. Turner, Esq.	July, 1966	…	Kidderminster R.D.
Miss S. Wright (Mrs. Gregory)	April, 1966	…	Birmingham C.B.
Members appointed to 31st March, 1970
G. V. Grimshaw, Esq.	April, 1949	…	Rugby M.B.
J. C. Heather, Esq., M.D., F.R.C.P.	April, 1951	…	Solihull C.B.
Alderman Mrs. R. F. Ilsley, J.P.	April, 1966	…	Wolverhampton C.B.
B. C. Kirk, Esq., J.P.	November, 1967	…	Birmingham C.B.
A. J. McCall, Esq., M.D.. F.R.C.P., M.R.C.S., F.C.Fath.	April, 1967	…	Newcastle-under-Lyme M.B.
J. Glyn Picton, Esq	April, 1958	…	Birmingham C.B.
The Right Reverend the Bishop of Lichfield	July, 1954	…	Lichfield M.B.
Professor W. H. Trethowan, F.R.C.P., F.R.A.C.P., M.R.C.S., D.P.M.	April, 1964	…	Birmingham C.B.
S. R. Whittaker Esq., D.L.. M.D., F.R.C.P., M.R.C.S.	April, 1958	…	Warwick M.B.
Members appointed to 31st March, 1971
Mrs. V. E. d'Abreu, S.R.N.	April, 1962	…	Alcester R.D.
Mrs. J. Cole	April, 1965	…	Birmingham C.B.
Mrs. E. Emery, O.B.E., J.P.	June, 1958	…	Warwick M.B.
F. W. Leath, Esq., J.P.	April. 1968	…	Shrewsbury M.B.
T. C. McKenzie, Esq.. O.B.E., T.D., D.L., J.P., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.	April, 1959	…	Warley C.B.
Mrs. T. Stewart	April, 1968	…	Birmingham C.B.
R. A. B.Thomas, Esq.	April, 1962	…	Stafford R.D.
J. WrigM, Esq., C.B.E.	April, 1968	…	Meriden R.D.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the members of the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board, the date of their appointment and the local authority areas in which they reside.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will obtain from regional hospital boards the figures necessary to enable him to give national statistics showing the number of hospital beds which are closed through lack of staff or through inability to pay the necessary salaries.

Central collection of the number of beds unused for lack of staff was discontinued in 1962 because of the unreliability of the figures arising from difficulty of definition and we do not propose to re-introduce it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the minimum viable size unit for training schools for student and pupil nurses in the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board area.

This is a matter for the General Nursing Council for England and Wales, who have advised hospitals generally that a general training school catering for fewer than 100 student nurses is not satisfactory. The Council have not issued any general advice about the minimum size of training schools for psychiatric nurses, sick children's nurses or pupil nurses.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what will be annual intake at the Nuneaton training school for nurses in 1968 and 1969 for the training of pupil nurses and student nurses.

The following is the answer:

		1968 intake	1969 intake
Student nurses	…	36	36 (estimated)
Pupil nurses	…	Nil	24 (estimated)

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give a date for the installation of new twin operating theatres at the George Eliot Hospital, Nuneaton.