asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs to what extent the Regional Employment Premium is being used by firms in order to purchase labour-saving machinery.

I am not aware of any evidence that the Regional Employment Premium is being so used, although the White Paper on the R.E.P. envisaged that Development Area firms might become more competitive through the application of the premium in a number of different ways.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what estimates he has made of the effect of the Regional Employment Premium on employment in the development area; and what he expects the cost of the premium to be in the current year.

It is estimated that about 100,000 new jobs should arise in the Development Areas over a period of years. The premium is expected to cost about £100 million this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will make a statement on his official visit to Bathgate, East Lothian.

During his visit to Scotland on 7th and 8th November, my right hon. Friend was able to visit the factory of Leyland (Scotland) at Bathgate and to have an interesting discussion with the management about the outlook for the enterprise.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, what study he is making of the economic effects of tolls on roads on the pattern of the location of industry.

None. I do not think there is a prima facie case for launching a general study of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, what estimates he has made of the cost to public funds of providing additional employment in development areas over the past year; and if he will initiate a cost-benefit study to assess the advantages of development area public expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, what is his estimate of the cost to public funds of providing additional employment in the development areas during a twelve months' period to the latest convenient date.

Expenditure on promoting development in these areas, including the provision of additional employment, for the current financial year is estimated at about £255 million. The effectiveness of this programme in relation to the cost is kept under constant review.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, what is the cost of Government aid to the development districts.

About £255 million for the current financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, how expenditure on public investment in the North-West per head of population in 1966 and 1967, respectively, compared with the national average; and what are the results of his discussions on the matter with the North-West Economic Planning Council.

The figures available relate to public investment in new construction and are by financial years. For 1966–67, England £32· 2, North-West Region £28· 5; for 1967–68 the provisional figures are England £38 and North-West Region £31· 7. The amount per head is, however, not a sufficient criterion for comparison between national and regional investment.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, what progress has been made in his special study of the redeployment of labour from the aircraft industry.

The information collected in connection with this study has been used inter-departmentally. The preparation of a full report was held up by staffing difficulties, but is now underway again.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will initiate special discussions with the Yorkshire and Humberside Planning Council about the provision of employment in the South Yorkshire coalfield area.

This matter is the subject of a special report published by the Economic Planning Council earlier this year and my right hon. Friend has already discussed it with the Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what progress has been made in the economy of the North-East during 1968; what are the prospects for 1969; and whether he will make a statement.

Progress is being made, particularly in attracting new industry to the Region to offset the decline of employment in older industries. Approvals of new factory space so far this year are nearly 4 million square feet more than in the whole of 1967. There has also been encouraging progress in improving the infrastructure of the Region.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what is the cost of his Department in 1968–69; having regard to the reduction in his responsibilities, how much he proposes to achieve in economies in the current financial year; and whether he will expedite the run-down of economists and other officials in his Department.

The cost of the Department in 1968–69 is estimated as £1,354,000. This represents a reduction of £102,000 on the original estimate to take account of the transfer of responsibility for prices and incomes policy to the Department of Employment and Productivity. No further reductions in staff or costs are foreseen.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will give details of the employment generated in the Northern Region by payment of the Regional Employment Premium.

It is too early to assess the effect of the premium, which has only been in operation for just over a year.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, what report he has received from the Northern Economic Planning Council on employment prospects in the Region; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend and I are regularly in consultation with the Chairman of the Planning Council regarding employment prospects in the Region.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will place a copy of the document, Economic Assessment to 1972, prepared by his Department, in the Library.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave today to other Questions on the planning document.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether it was with his approval that the document, Economic Assessment in 1972, was given to the Press.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, if he will state the relative change in the level of public expenditure on new building and construction in East Anglia between 1964–65 and 1967–68.

In the light of the provisional out-turn figures for 1967–68, on a constant price basis, there has been an increase in East Anglia of about 29 per cent. over the four years since 1964–65 in public expenditure (excluding nationalised industries) on new building and construction. During these four years, expenditure upon hospitals and local authority health and welfare services rose by 75 per cent. and expenditure upon roads in the region within the same period multiplied sevenfold.

asked the Postmaster-General if, in addition to the Burns stamp already issued, he will now issue a series of stamps portraying other Scottish literary celebrities.

I have no plans for such an issue at present; but I have no doubt that we shall find it possible to celebrate British, including Scottish, literary celebrities in future programmes.

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent the reliability of first-class mail is affected by manpower availability and the need for economy; and whether, under his regulations, if first-class mail is not delivered within 24 hours, the sender is allowed to reclaim the 1d. surcharge.

Occasionally deliveries may be later than normal because of staff shortages or unforeseen absences. We do not guarantee to deliver first-class mail within 24 hours, and the question of refundment of any part of the postage paid does not therefore arise.

asked the Postmaster-General what improvement has taken place in the delivery speed of first-class mail since the introduction of the two-tier system of postal charges.

94 per cent. of first-class mail is now delivered by the next weekday after posting. In the last full year before two tier, when the quantity of first class mail was, of course, higher the percentage was 92 per cent.

asked the Postmaster-General how many man hours are currently being spent each week in sorting out the first-class and second-class mail; how much has been spent to date on overtime on this sorting since the introduction of the scheme; and what is the total cost of publicising the scheme on television, the national Press and circulars issued from his Department.

The separation of first-class mail from second-class mail is but one operation in a number in the handling of the total correspondence, and I cannot give this information without detailed enquiry at some hundreds of offices which would involve considerable expense. The cost of publicising the scheme was about £275,000.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider, in view of the increased charges for parcel post, taking steps to introduce specially reduced rates for registered charitable purposes.

Parcel post charges have not been increased since 1966. I have every sympathy with charities, but concessionary charges, the cost of which would have to be borne by other users, are not appropriate.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a letter posted first a.m. on 6th December, Victoria Street, London, S.W.I, and addressed to London, N.14, did not reach the hon. Member for West Ham, North, until 9th December; and what action he is taking.

If my hon. Friend will send me the envelope of this letter I will gladly look into the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General why letters sent to the hon. Member for West Ham, North, in London N.13 take three and four days to reach him when posted in London regions only a short distance away; and whether he will restore the postal services to the same degree of speed and efficiency as that in operation prior to the introduction of the two-tier system of postal charges.

Speed and efficiency have not deteriorated. I know of no reason why letters sent to my hon. Friend should take so much longer than the vast majority, but if he will let me have details I will look into the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General what plans he has for extending the hours of opening and improving the service of the post office in Chelmsley Wood.

The present level of business at this office does not justify an extension of the service given there but the matter is being closely watched and an improvement will be made as soon as it is warranted.

asked the Postmaster-General what plans he has for the adequate provision of letter boxes in areas 3 to 13 inclusive of Chelmsley Wood.

We shall continue to provide posting boxes to meet the needs of this community as buildings become occupied.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the average waiting time from the point of application in the Northern Region for a telephone to be installed; how many telephone units are under production and how many stocked; and what is the rate of installation a year in the United Kingdom.

90 per cent. of the orders for telephones in the Northern Region are met on demand: the average waiting time of the remainder—1,975 people—is 5½ months.We have placed orders with manufacturers for 845,000 telephone instruments this year: in addition, we shall get 250,000 from our own repair factories. Current Post Office stocks are about 826,000. We shall use about 2,000,000 telephone instruments this year. The waiting list is not caused by shortage of telephone instruments, but by shortage of exchange equipment, and, in some areas, cables.

asked the Postmaster-General how many country satellite telephones have been provided in Scotland; how many are in the Highlands; how many are in the Outer Hebrides; and if he will state his plans regarding extension of this service in the Highlands and Islands.

The information is as follows:—

		Country Satellite Exchanges	Working Lines
Outer Hebrides	…	6	86
Mull	…	4	48
Highlands	…	11	114
Total	…	21	248

We do not plan to provide any more of these exchanges, and they will all be replaced or absorbed by automatic exchanges by 1971. By providing additional units on the existing exchanges as they are required, we expect to have sufficient equipment to meet all the additional demands for service that are likely to arise before conversion is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will set up a Welsh Water Resources Board in the near future.

I have nothing to add to the Answer given to the hon. and learned Member on 15th May, 1968.—[Vol. 764, c. 258.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will state the designed traffic capacity of the A48 road between Cardiff and Cowbridge.

The design capacity for free flow conditions is 11,000 passenger car units per 16 hour day except for short sections through St. Nicholas and Bonvilston where it is 6,000 passenger car units per 16 hour day.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will state the designed traffic capacity of the main Cardiff to Barry Road.

The design capacity for free flow conditions is 11,000 passenger car units per 16 hour day where the road has three lanes and 6,000 passenger car units per 16 hour day where it has two lanes.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what plans exist for the removal of the Naval Tip complex from Tonypandy;(2) if he is satisfied that there is no danger arising from the state of the Naval Tip complex at Tonypandy; and if he will make a statement.

A scheme for the removal of the Naval Colliery tip at Penygraig in conjunction with a coal recovery operation is being considered and I have every hope that it will proceed soon. I have no reason to believe that meanwhile the tip constitutes a danger.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many additional children will be entering school during each of the next five years; and what will be the additional finance required to deal with this increase whilst maintaining standards.

In each of the next five years I expect numbers in maintained primary and secondary schools to rise by about 200,000 or nearly 3 per cent. An annual increase in expenditure in real terms of this order will be needed to maintain existing standards.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many additional school places will be needed by the Lowestoft Education Authority by 1971–72; and what financial provision will be made to enable these to be provided.

East Suffolk, the Local Education Authority for Lowestoft, have asked me to include in the school building programme two Lowestoft projects which together would provide 780 extra places. I am considering these proposals: my decision will depend on their merits within the limit of the programme. The cost of the projects, if approved, will be borne by the East Suffolk Authority in the normal way.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when the National Board for Prices and Incomes' Report on University Teachers' salaries will be available.

The Report was laid before the House yesterday when my right hon. Friend made a first statement of the Government's attitude to it in a written answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston-upon-Hull, North (Mr. McNamara).—[Vol. 775, c. 416–17.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will approve the first instalment of an improvement scheme involving £25,000 in the minor capital works, aided schools, programme 1968–69 at St. Elizabeth's Roman Catholic Primary School, Coventry.

Not until the Managers can find a suitable alternative site or can enlarge the present one to a satisfactory size and shape.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to ensure that in schools under his authority pupils are not debarred from instruction in swimming because for economic or other reasons their particular school has no swimming pool, and also to ensure that children in such schools are given facilities to visit swimming pools in their localities and practise swimming.

This concerns expenditure on the school curriculum, for which local education authorities are responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he plans to take regarding the scheme put to him by the Swimming Teachers Association in Great Britain and the Commonwealth in their letter sent to him by the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North, in view of the need to make regulations for the coming school and swimming season.

I was most interested to learn of the "Swim for Health" Campaign which the Swimming Teachers Association of Great Britain and the Commonwealth is proposing to conduct from 1st January, 1969 and I hope that it will be successful in encouraging many more people to swim.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will circularise local authorities directing their attention to the need for economies of scale in the purchase of educational equipment and materials; and what steps are currently being taken to co-ordinate the requirements of local educational authorities and institutions in the higher education sector for such equipment and materials.

The Government will consider this matter in the light of the Report of the Joint Review Body on Local Authority Purchasing, which is expected to be published in January.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals have been submitted to him for the building of a new infants school at Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire; when these proposals will be approved; and what action is being taken in the meantime to improve the present facilities.

The Authority wish to replace and enlarge the existing infants school, but I cannot forecast when this proposal might find a place in a major building programme. Meanwhile a 3 class instalment of the new building is under consideration as a minor work for next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the discussions he has had with the Lord Provost of Edinburgh and with members of the Arts Council; and what plans he has for grant-aiding the purchase of the Kings Theatre, Edinburgh, in order that performances by Scottish Opera and other companies may continue to take place in Edinburgh, both during the Festival and at other times of the year, until a more suitable opera house is built.

The discussions centred on the proposal for a new opera house but both the Arts Council and the Scottish Arts Council shared the concern of the Edinburgh Corporation that the King's Theatre should continue to be available.The question of financial assistance is a matter for the Arts Council, who are in close touch with the Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has received the report on the initial teaching alphabet commissioned by the Schools Council; and when it will be published.

I have seen the report, which was made to the Schools Council and not to me. The Council hopes to publish it next spring.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the result of his consideration of proposals for the development of the use of the School Meals Service, staff and premises to provide hot meals for the elderly outside the school dinner hour.

The Joint Working Party of the School Meals Service, comprising representatives of the Department and the local authorities' associations, will be discussing this at their next meeting early in the New Year.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local authorities are taking the following special steps to protect children when travelling between school and home, namely the introduction of reflectors or fluorescent treated clothing, crossing supervision, preparation of safe pedestrian routes, warnings to motorists and the use of voluntary and paid assistance.

Detailed information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what plans he has to provide more units and places for autistic children who do not live in the South-East of England; (2) how many autistic children are being taught in schools or institutions for handicapped or educationally sub-normal children.

Autism is not a defined handicap and my Department does not collect separate information on the numbers of children in England and Wales who may be autistic or on provision specifically made or planned for them. Local education authorities are responsible for providing special education for children found to require it and in the case of children with autistic symptoms this may be in a special school for the educationally subnormal or maladjusted, in a unit attached to a school, in a hospital special school or an independent school, or by arrangements for tuition at home or in hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what research and training projects are being under- taken by his department in relation to the teaching of autistic children.

Jointly with the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation my Department is financing a comparative study undertaken by Dr. Rutter of the Maudsley Hospital Institute of Psychiatry into the effects of different forms of special educational treatment for autistic children.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the allocation of the children of immigrant families to various schools in Ilford; whether he is satisfied that the arrangements proposed by the education authority are in accordance with the guidance given by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

General arrangements for the admission of pupils is a matter for the local education authority and the managers or governors of schools. The guidance given by my Department to authorities in Circular 7/65 is still appropriate and I hope they will continue to have regard to it.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the estimated number of additional immigrant children for whom provision of primary and secondary school places, shown separately, is required within the city of Leicester in each of the next three years.

The Leicester Authority estimate that, if immigrant children continue to arrive in the City at the same rate as in the first nine months of 1968, 770 children of primary school age and 430 of secondary school age will arrive each year. There is no means of telling whether immigrant children will continue to arrive in Leicester at such a rate and until there is evidence of the exact rate of arrivals in future, which can be measured against the availability of places in existing schools, I cannot say how many additional school places might be needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in how many primary schools in the city of Leicester is the percentage of immigrant children in excess of the figure of 33 per cent.; and what is the highest percentage in any class in such schools.

The percentage of 33 is exceeded in 11 primary schools in Leicester. The answer to the second part of the Question is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the total expenditure for computer installations in schools for which he is responsible, showing a breakdown for the source of expenditure between public and other funds.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the expenditure on education for the years 1963, 1964, 1966 and 1967; what representations he has received concerning the level of public expenditure on education: and what reply he has sent.

The Answer to the first part of the Question contains a number of figures which, with permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT. To the many representations that I have received from Members of Parliament and others about expenditure by local authorities on education I have replied that the Rate Support Grant Order, 1968, approved by the House on 9th December provides for an increase in real terms of £55 million or 3¾ per cent. between this year and next.Following is the information:

PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON EDUCATION (INCLUDING SCHOOL MEALS AND MILK) IN GREAT BRITAIN
£ million
Out-turn prices 1967–68
1963–64	1964–65	1965–66	1966–67	(provisional)
1,402· 7	1,533· 8	1,736· 6	1,915· 4	2,137· 3

The figures relate to expenditure by the central government and local authorities in Great Britain. They include current expenditure, capital expenditure from revenue and loans, and loan charges.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the effect on the number of school meals served arising from his decision to save £4 million on school meals.

None. This decision will not take effect until April, 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement about the Youth Service building programme for 1969–70.

Letters announcing the contents of this programme are about to issue. The total value of the projects in the programme is £4· 5 million, compared to £3· 8 million in the 1968–69 programme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, following his review of British Standard Time, he will consider introducing legislation to return to Greenwich Mean Time next winter.

I have no reason at present to believe that it will be necessary to consider reverting to Greenwich Mean Time before the end of the statutory experimental period.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he has refused to grant visas to the three students from the South Vietnamese Liberation Students Union who have been invited to this country by the Radical Students Alliance, the Union of Liberal Students and five university students' unions.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told the House on 30th April that anyone who was prepared to come here to make a positive contribution to peace in Vietnam would be encouraged, but not those who wished to make propaganda. My refusal of the visas referred to in the Question was based on these considerations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals the Government have for reducing the present delays between committal for trial and trials in the higher courts in England and Wales.

The steps which can be taken to minimise these delays are under consideration by the Royal Commission on Assizes and Quarter Sessions, who are at an advanced stage of their inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average delay between committal to the Old Bailey for trial and the hearing of the trial at the present time; and whether the average delay differs for persons on bail from those who are in custody.

The latest available figures are for trials completed in October when the average was 93 days. For those defendants in custody the average time spent awaiting trial was 81 days and for those granted bail 105 days.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many suicides there have been in each year since 1960, in Wormwood Scrubs and in Brixton prisons; in how many of these cases the instrument of suicide was a belt or tie; and in how many the prisoner concerned was known to have a history of mental disturbance.

The figures are as follows:

Year		Wormwood Scrubs	Brixton
1960	…	—	—
1961	…	2	3
1962	…	—	2
1963	…	1	2
1964	…	—	3
1965	…	1	4
1966	…	4	—
1967	…	1	2
1968	…	1	4

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many suicides there have been in Wormwood Scrubs since the suicide of Richard Holmes; how many of these occurred in cells on the observation landing; in how many of these cases the instrument used was a belt or tie; and what steps have been taken to implement the recommendations of the coroner's jury at the inquest on Richard Holmes, and the assurances on security against suicide subsequently given to the hon. Members for Edmonton and Barking.

One young man hanged himself with his belt. He was not on the observation landing. The system of observation in the hospital at Wormwood Scrubs has been reviewed in accordance with the recommendation of the Coroner's jury, and patients are observed at regular intervals as directed by the medical officer. Details of the measures being taken to reduce the risk of suicides in prison service establishments generally were given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State in the Adjournment debate on 4th July last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in view of the growing effect of immigration one the difficulties of housing, schooling and finding jobs, and the fact that 6,243 immigrants arrived from India in the month of October, 1968, if he will now impose a complete ban for 12 months on further immigration.

No. As the hon. Member has been informed on previous occasions, the figures of monthly arrivals from India include students, visitors, and returning residents, as well as voucher holders and dependants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of suspended sentences given in cases dealt with by Brighton Magistrates' Court during the past year.

Up to 30th September, 1968 (the latest date for which information is available) suspended sentences of imprisonment were passed by the Brighton magistrates' court on 134 offenders. This figure, which is provisional, excludes sentences passed in respect of offences originally dealt with by a probation order or an order for conditional discharge.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to improve the status and pay of industrial civil servants who are estate hands employed by the Prisons Commissioners on agricultural duties in Her Majesty's Borstals.

I shall shortly be replying to my hon. Friend's recent letter on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many murders are known to the police in 1968 to the latest convenient date, and for the same period for the year prior to the death penalty being abolished, taking the same definition of murder for both years.

It is the established practice to adjust the statistics of offences of murder known to the police to exclude offences initially recorded as murder but later found not to be murder, and these figures are compiled for complete years only. My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to give the 1968 figures next May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now received the report of the inquiry into the case of the Hugman brothers and Detective Inspector Warwicker; when he will publish the report; and whether he will make a statement.

I have received a detailed report from the Commissioner of Police for the City of London on the investigation into this case, but there are points which I must consider further. I shall write to my hon. Friend as soon as I can.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the complete report of the inquiry on the proposed compulsory amalgamation of police forces in Cardiff, Swansea, Glamorgan and Merthyr Tydfil was republished, in view of the fact that the original report contained only two mistakes on its final page; and if he will state the cost of such re-publication.

This course was followed on the advice of H.M. Stationery Office and the authorities of the House of Commons. The cost was about £80.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the present economic situation and the capacity of West Germany to meet the cost, he will now formally notify the West German Government that unless the full costs of stationing British forces in West Germany is met, these forces will be withdrawn.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the Government's policy in regard to the care of war graves, by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, who are responsible for more than one million war graves in 23,714 cemeteries and for memorials to thousands of dead whose graves are unknown.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Prime Minister's reply of 11th May, 1967, to the hon. Members for Dorset, North (Sir Richard Glyn) and Rother Valley (Mr. David Griffiths) on the occasion of the Commission's completion of 50 years work of commemorating the Commonwealth dead of the two world wars.It continues to be the policy of the United Kingdom Government to support the devoted and humanitarian work done by the Commission.—[Vol. 746, c. 1700–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the seven per cent. of United Kingdom defence expenditure incurred within Scotland in 1967–68.

Of the 6¾ per cent. of the total 1967–68 defence budget which was spent in Scotland, about ⅖ was spent on personnel; ⅖ on research, development and production; ⅛ on works and lands and the small residue on miscellaneous other items.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why he does not now publish figures concerning manpower overstretch in the forces, in view of the fact that these figures were published in detail in the Government's Defence Review.

I am prepared on request to make information of this kind available provided that there are no overriding security objections.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the former commander of the 16th Parachute Brigade was posted to academic duties.

On 26th October this year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the internal purchasing power of the £ sterling has fallen since devaluation; and by how much more he estimates it will fall in 1969.

The internal purchasing power of the £, as measured by the retail price index, fell by just over a shilling between November, 1967 and November, 1968. Of that figure probably about four pence or five pence was the result of devaluation. By contrast the external purchasing power of the £, as measured by the sterling price of the dollar, fell on devaluation by just over 14 per cent. or nearly three shillings in the pound.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to call a conference similar to Bretton Woods to examine the problems of world currency and finance.

I have nothing to add to previous answers on this subject, including the reply by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) on 17th December.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consult with the National Savings Committee with a view to devising new methods of saving which will encourage more people to save, especially on a long-term basis.

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the amount of new savings in the St. Helens National Savings Committee area for the years 1960 to 1967, respectively, and to the latest convenient date in 1968; and how this figure compares with those for the rest of the country per head of the population.

I am afraid that figures of net additional savings for individual areas are not available.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether, following publication of the report, Transport in the Borders, a copy of which has been sent to him, he will make a statement on his policy on these matters;(2) what revenue figure he assumed when calculating that a social grant of £250,000 would be needed to retain a Hawick-Edinburgh passenger rail service; on how many trains each way per day the figure was calculated; and on how many passengers per day;(3) to what extent interest charges on past investment were included in his cost figure when calculating the social grant needed to retain all or part of the Waverley Line;(4) whether he will indicate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the nature of the representations he received about the future of the Waverley Line from the Scottish Transport Users Consultative Committee, the Scottish Council (Development and Industry) and the Church and Nation Committee of the Church of Scotland, respectively;(5) in considering the closure of the Edinburgh-Hawick-Carlisle railway line, what study was made of the possibility of re-routing all Edinburgh-London, Euston, traffic on to this line; and by how much it was estimated such a step would reduce the annual deficit on the operation of the line;(6) whether he will have immediate discussions with British Railways about the findings and recommendations concerning the relations between his department and the Railways Board in the report, Transport in the Borders, a copy of which has been sent to him;(7) what recommendations were made to him by the Borders Economic Consultative Group about the closure of the Edinburgh-Hawick-Carlisle railway;(8) what information he obtained, before approving the closure of the line, as to the annual revenue from freight carried on the Edinburgh-Hawick-Carlisle railway line to and from places on the route, and through this route, respectively, in each of the last five years;(9) before coming to a decision to approve closure of the line, what information he obtained as to how many days in each of the last five years the Edinburgh-Hawick-Carlisle railway line was used as a relief route for traffic diverted from other normal routes: and what revenue to the Waverley line was attributed therefrom;(10) whether, following publication of the report, Transport in the Borders, a copy of which has been sent to him, he will take action on the criticisms contained therein on the failure in his conditions of closure of the Waverley line to stipulate an adequate bus service through Newcastleton and adequate bus/rail connections at Carlisle;(11) at what level of social grant he was prepared to assist the running of a Hawick-Edinburgh rail service;(12) why, in view of the representations made to him, he did not make a grant to enable the Waverley line to be kept open for passenger services.

The report by Mr. John Hibbs, Transport in the Borders, which was published on 13th December, recognises that there is no case for retaining the rail passenger service on the whole of the line from Edinburgh to Carlisle via Hawick. It does suggest that a service between Edinburgh and Hawick only might be run at the expense of the local authorities concerned. It also suggests that pending a decision by the local authorities, the Minister should grant aid the line for three months. I am unable to accept this proposal. There is nothing in the report to persuade me that the figure of about £250,000 a year for a grant for a radically reduced service between Edinburgh and Hawick was exaggerated and I do not consider that this would represent value for money. The hourly service proposed by Mr. Hibbs would cost more and would not, in my view, attract a sufficient number of extra passengers to offset the very heavy deficit particularly in view of the substantial decline in passenger carryings over the last few years. But since I have asked the Railways Board to retain the route formation between Edinburgh and Hawick for at least two years, the local authorities will have ample opportunity to consider Mr. Hibb's suggestion if they wish to do so.The estimated annual grant of £250,000 assumed an annual revenue of between £50,000 and £70,000. The service was based on 5/6 trains each way per day and on about 660 single journeys per day.

asked the Minister of Transport what estimate he has made of the time to be taken to effect a channel crossing by car through the proposed tunnel, including delays at both ends for peak and off-peak periods.

A little more than an hour, on average, including passage through both terminals.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will publish current estimates of traffic through the proposed Channel Tunnel and across a Channel Bridge.

No, for the reasons I gave in answer to supplementary questions on 9th December.—[Vol. 775, c. 13–14.]

asked the Minister of Transport what estimate he has made of the amount of steel required for a Channel Bridge.

The amount of steel required would depend upon the type of construction. I understand that the bridge proposed by the Channel Bridge Study Group would require about 800.000 tons.

asked the Minister of Transport when he will now make a statement outlining his proposals for reducing the maximum permitted hours for driving goods vehicles; and from what date they will take effect.

I have nothing to add yet to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Eldon Griffiths) on 22nd November.—[Vol. 773. c. 357.]

asked the Minister of Transport on what date the embargo on new applications for garages to join the car-testing scheme, announced on 20th December, 1967, will be removed.

Considerable progress has been made in clearing the backlog of applications, but there is still a residue remaining to be dealt with and a considerable amount of work remains to be done to bring into full effect the measures announced on 20th December, 1967. I propose to review the position at the end of next March, and I will make a further statement at that time.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the number of British ships at sea on any one day of the year, including the number of ships that round the Cape of Good Hope daily.

On 14th December, 1968, there were 934 British ships on ocean passage of which 120 were on voyages which had either already taken or would take them round the Cape of Good Hope. While the numbers of British ships at sea and voyaging round the Cape of Good Hope change from day to day the numbers at any one time are unlikely to differ very much from those quoted.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the number of British ships in South African ports in any one day in 1964 and 1968, respectively.

There were 13 British ships in South African ports on 14th December, 1964 and 19 on 14th December, 1968. Although the number of British ships in these ports varies from day to day the figures given are probably fairly representative of the present position and as it was towards the end of 1964.

asked the Minister of Transport how many persons have been convicted for train damage in connection with the recent offences in trains carrying fans to and from the inter-club football match at Ipswich, and with what result; and if he will state the names and addresses of the persons convicted.

I understand from the British Transport Police, who are responsible for police matters on British Railways, that, because of lack of evidence against individuals, they have not prosecuted anyone in connection with damage caused to trains between Ipswich and Liverpool Street on Saturday, 23rd November.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works on what authority the Mall has been closed to other than pedestrian traffic on Sundays; how far in mid-winter advantage is being taken of this closure; and why it is marked as being closed until 8 p.m. when vehicular traffic is allowed through after dark.

I authorised the closing of the Mall under my powers of management of the Royal Parks conferred by the Crown Lands Act, 1851. Pedestrians are taking less advantage of the closure during the winter, but continuity causes less confusion. Throughout the winter, the closing is in force during daylight hours only, and the notices will be amended

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what action he proposes for the effective culling of seals.

Sea Fisheries Committees are aware that they may apply to my right hon. Friend for authority to carry out culls if damage is being caused to local fisheries by seals. We are in touch with the National Trust about the possibility of carrying out culling on the Fame Islands.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now make a statement following his consideration of the Report of the Reorganisation Commission for Eggs.

The Government have been studying with great care the Report of the Reorganisation Commission for Eggs in the light of the comments received from the industry. It has not yet been possible to resolve all the issues which arise from the Commission's proposals for the phasing out of the subsidy and the establishment of a basically free market for eggs. These raise complex questions and it is important to get the right answers. I shall be making a further statement as soon as possible. Pending this the British Egg Marketing Board, at our request, are proceeding with their arrangements for next year.There is, however, one important aspect of the present marketing arrangements on which a decision is needed. We have decided that the obligation to stamp subsidised eggs should be ended forthwith. My colleagues and I are laying before Parliament today a statutory order to remove the obligation to stamp with effect from 23rd December. To provide a method of identifying eggs eligible for subsidy at the packing stations the obligation to stamp the shell will be replaced by a requirement that the bulk containers into which the eggs are packed are to be marked with the weight grade and the packing station code number. The British Egg Marketing Board have been pressing strongly for the removal of the statutory stamping requirement and will no doubt be taking parallel action on their side immediately. Since the removal of the stamp on the eggs themselves is likely to lead to an increase in the quantities passing through packing stations the Government intend at the 1969 Annual Review to set a limit to the total number of eggs in respect of which subsidy will be payable in 1969–70.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made on the Brucellosis (Accredited Herds) Scheme.

Since the Scheme began in April, 1967 and up to the end of November we had received some 11,900 applications. Of these about 3,000 were rejected or withdrawn; 6,300 herds were still passnig through the testing process; and 2,570 herds had been entered on the Register. In view of the set-back resulting from foot-and-mouth epidemic, the other heavy demands on veterinary staff and the difficulties of dealing with this disease, we regard this as a good measure of progress.I have now decided to waive the charge for work carried out at my Ministry's laboratories in connection with tests undertaken as from 15th January, 1969 by an owner's private veterinary surgeon when a herd fails the qualifying test under the Scheme. My right hon. Friend is making similar arrangements for Scotland. This would relieve the burden at present falling upon herd owners when reactors occur during the Scheme's qualifying stages. It should encourage them to persevere with their applications.We shall continue to keep the Scheme under review to ensure that a satisfactory rate of progress is maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity (1) how many persons are employed in development districts at the latest date compared with the same areas in the last 10 years; and how this compares in percentage terms with the total working population;(2) how many new jobs have been created in the development districts in each of the last 10 years.