asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers in Derbyshire are in receipt of hill cow subsidy; and how many applications he has refused in the last calendar year.

324 claims for the 1968 subsidy have been approved, seven have been rejected and a further six are still being examined.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, during the current Price Review negotiations, he will provide against the results of a fall in the value of the £ sterling between February, 1969, and February, 1970, in order to ensure that such fall is not borne by farmers.

No. Changes in costs cannot be dealt with on a separate footing from other changes and considerations that affect the economic condition and prospects of the industry. Full account of all these factors is taken at each successive Annual Review.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what commodities imported into the United Kingdom have been reported to him as having been subsidised; and from what countries they are imported.

It is generally known that the subsidisation of agricultural exports is widespread, though it would be impracticable to give a comprehensive and detailed reply. The main protection for our producers lies in the system of agricultural guarantees but supplementary action on imports is considered where necessary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received expressing the concern of angling associations at the adverse effect which drift-net fishing for salmon off Greenland has on game fishing in British waters, including the Severn; and what reply he has sent.

My right hon. Friend has received representations from a number of bodies interested in angling, including the Montgomeryshire Federation of Angling Associations. In reply the Federation have been given an assurance that the Government will continue its efforts to seek international agreement to restrict the high seas salmon fishery.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of hill farmers in Wales has limed the land farmed by them or part of the land farmed by them in the course of the last five years.

This information cannot be obtained from available records, but over the last five years an average of about 105,000 acres a year have been limed in Wales.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why farmers who were unable to harvest the whole or parts of their potato crops during the present season are required under the Scheme approved by him to make acreage payments to the Potato Marketing Board in respect of the whole of the crop instead of confining such payments to those acres which could be harvested.

The Potato Marketing Scheme, 1955, as amended to 1st May, 1962, requires the Marketing Board to determine liability for the ordinary annual contribution of £3 per acre by reference to the acreage planted and not to the acreage harvested. The Board do, however, seek to mitigate hardship by allowing settlement of the amount due to be deferred until the following year's contribution becomes payable; in exceptional cases they have allowed even longer. Drafts of the Scheme and of its amendment in 1962 were laid before each House of Parliament and approved, as required by the Agricultural Marketing Acts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the Report of the Committee of Investigation on the complaint of the south-eastern milk producers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to implement the recommendations of the Committee of Investigation into the Milk Marketing Board's methods and charges for dealing with milk produced in South-East England, including East Anglia.

I received this report on 7th January and published the Committes's conclusion on 10th January. Copies of a Press notice issued by my Department are available in the Library of the House. I am considering the report and will make a further statement as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average rent per acre paid by smallholders in England and Wales.

The information which I have relates only to statutory smallholdings for which the average rent per acre in England and Wales was

			Regular Whole time Workers		Regular Part time Workers		Seasonal and Temporary Workers		Total
Year			Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	All Workers
1958	…	…	25,560	1,121	2,202	1,559	3,050	3,368	36,860
1959	…	…	25,365	1,189	1,943	1,626	2,845	3,062	36,030
1960	…	…	24,742	1,044	1,877	1,782	2,925	3,258	35,628
1961	…	…	23,689	1,216	1,596	1,292	3,157	2,857	33,807
1962	…	…	22,394	1,049	1,515	1,331	3,093	2,765	32,147
1963	…	…	21,575	997	1,696	1,344	2,904	2,809	31,325
1964	…	…	20,359	1,018	1,650	1,407	2,851	3,258	30,543
1965	…	…	19,026	1,001	1,620	1,297	2,653	2,881	28,478
1966	…	…	17,396	1,023	1,479	1,142	2,718	2,988	26,746
1967	…	…	16,597	892	1,224	1,063	2,128	3,052	24,956
1968	…	…	15,522	847	1,153	1,214	1,648	2,615	22,999
*From 1958 to 1967, June returns were completed by occupiers of more than an acre of land used for agriculture. From June, 1968, some 47,000 holdings in England and Wales, of which rather less than 1,700 are in Norfolk, have been excluded from the census on the ground that their output is negligible, but this does not materially affect comparison with earlier years.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take further steps to encourage farmers to enter the brucellosis scheme; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply of 19th December, 1968 to my hon. Friend the Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Dr. John Dunwoody). I see no need for any further changes in the Scheme or in the overall approach to the eradication of brucellosis outlined by my right hon. Friend's predecessor in November, 1966.—[Vol. 775, c. 463 and Vol. 735, c. 96.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number of full-time male and female agricultural workers employed in the county of Norfolk in each of the years from 1958 to 1968; what was the number of part-time male and female workers over same period; and what was the number of casual workers, male and female, for the years 1958 to 1968.

The following numbers of workers employed on agricultural holdings in the county of Norfolk were returned in the June agricultural census^* in each of the years 1958 to 1968:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when it is proposed to announce the findings of the Northumberland Committee's interim report.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I have today given to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (Mr. Stodart).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that interference with the seabed by dredging operations off Hastings as proposed by the Crown Estate Commissioners, will adversely affect the fishing grounds and consequently the economy of the Hastings fishing fleet; and whether he will refuse the Commissioners' application.

The decision whether to issue a licence for dredging is the responsibility of the Crown Estate Commissioners but my right hon. Friend has been asked to advise on the effect on the local fishing industry. After careful consideration he has informed the Commissioners that the industry will not be seriously affected if dredging is allowed on an area strictly confined to the smallest of the three covered by the application but refused on the other two areas.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the 5 per cent. increase in the retail price of agricultural tractors, he will abolish the 5 per cent. reduction in grant operating from 1st January, 1969.

No. There has not been a 5 per cent. increase in price since the rate of grant reverted to 10 per cent. on 1st January this year. But, in any event, since grant is paid on a percentage basis it automatically reflects any increase in retail prices which occurs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of his Department's request to farmers to improve beef production at the expense of dairy produce, he will increase the subsidy for beef production in the Annual Price Review.

The resources required by the industry for a continued expansion in beef production will be considered along with all other relevant factors at the forthcoming Annual Review.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will increase the quota of home-produced potatoes.

The potato acreage quota is fixed not by my right hon. Friend but by the Potato Marketing Board and, to comply with the Potato Marketing Scheme, must be determined by 31st December before the year of planting. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Westmorland (Mr. Jopling).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now make a statement about his negotiations with overseas suppliers of dairy products.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply earlier today to the hon. Member for Torrington (Mr. Peter Mills).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received from the agriculture industry regarding British Standard Time; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) and others.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will announce his conclusions about the Report of the Reorganisation Commission on the egg industry; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir G. Nabarro) and others.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many calves were exported from 1st September to 31st December, 1968; and how this compares with the same period the previous year.

According to figures collected by my Department's port veterinary officers, the number of calves exported from 1st September to 31st December, 1968, was 18,500. During the same period in 1967 the number was 7,700; but no really valid comparison is possible as no calves were exported at all between 8th November and 31st December, 1967, because of the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to expand hill sheep farming; and if he will make a statement.

We are encouraging hill sheep production in two main ways. First, the Hill Land Improvement Scheme aims to raise the carrying capacity of the grazings, as to both the number and quality of stock that can be kept. Second, the hill sheep subsidy has been extended to the wider area of upland eligible for the hill cattle subsidy and where the possibility of growth is greatest. Moreover the increase in the price guarantee for fat sheep at the last Review greatly helped the store markets.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for discussions with overseas suppliers with a view to limiting imports of early potatoes into the United Kingdom.

My right hon. Friend has at present no such plans. However, the leaders of the Farmers' Unions and the Potato Marketing Board have asked to see him about the possibility of restraining imports of new potatoes, and he will be meeting them shortly. My right hon. Friend will, of course, consider any suggestions they may put to him.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the development costs of the Concorde and the latest assessment of its ability to compete for air passenger traffic without public subsidy.

As I told the House on 20th November, the estimate of £500 million announced in 1966 at price levels then prevailing had been affected by various factors.The latest reports indicate that the estimate of development costs has risen substantially and, depending upon the experience with the flight trials, could rise further.We are, of course, in close touch with the French Government on the cost estimates and their implications. It is not possible to give a firm assessment of Concorde's prospects but if it can be produced at the right price, and retain its lead over the Boeing SST, it should be commercially successful for airlines and bring in valuable foreign exchange.—[Vol. 773, c.

asked the Minister of Technology on what date the development of the Concorde aeroplane was commenced; and what was the original estimate of its cost and the amount of money expended by Her Majesty's Government to date.

The Concorde project stems from an agreement concluded between Her Majesty's Government and the French Government on 29th November, 1962. At that date it was estimated that the share of the development work to be carried out by the British contractors would cost Her Majesty's Government between £75 million and £85 million, at the price levels then prevailing. Since that date about £155 million has been expended by Her Majesty's Government, at the prices prevailing at the time the expenditure was incurred.

asked the Minister of Technology what representations he has received from firms engaged in the shipbuilding industry about the effect of increased steel prices on their competitive position; and what reply he has sent.

The Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing Council as well as representatives of both sides of the industry have expressed their concern to me about the effect of future steel prices on their competitive position. I have discussed the problem with representatives from the industry and have noted their views.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will set up an inquiry into the delay in the building and completion of the "Queen Elizabeth 2".

No. I do not believe that a formal inquiry into this matter would serve any useful purpose, but I am keeping in close touch with the situation.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will appoint a Committee of Inquiry with full powers to investigate the cause or causes of the mishaps to the "Queen Elizabeth 2" while undergoing her trials, and to make recommendations.

No. I do not think this would be useful.

asked the Minister of Technology how many credit guarantees have been given under Clause 7 of the Shipbuilding Act, 1967; how many have been refused; and on what grounds.

Fifty-two guarantees have been given to date, involving a liability of £86 million. Forty-eight guarantees which will bring the outstanding liability up to £200 million are either under negotiations or approved in principle. No guarantee has been refused.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the progress of discussions with the shipping industry for the building of a nuclear-powered merchant ship.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will state the nature and result of his recent discussions with the shipping industry about the provision and building of nuclear power ships.

Recent discussions have been with shipbuilders, who are themselves collaborating with the shipowners. Within the last few days we have received further information from shipbuilders which is being examined and will be discussed with them.

asked the Minister of Technology what progress he has made in applying technology to increased and improved communications between Aberdeen and Northern Europe in the respective fields of modernised methods of information and of commercial transport of goods for export.

The Ministry of Technology is playing its part with other Government Departments in measures which will promote the development and adoption of improved methods of communication for the country as a whole, including commercial transport of goods for all purposes.

asked the Minister of Technology what is his policy on the relationship between obligations under Anglo-American defence agreements about the exchange of nuclear weapons information and plans for European collaboration in developing the cheap gas-centrifuge route to high-grade nuclear fuel.

There is no direct relationship. The United Kingdom-American defence agreement on atomic cooperation is principally concerned with the exchange of weapons information which is quite a different matter from either the technology of centrifuges or plans for collaboration in the development of centrifuges.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on his negotiations with the United States Atomic Energy Commission in relation to the cheap gas-centrifuge route to high-grade nuclear fuel.

Informal consultations with the United States authorities on matters within the ambit of the bilateral Agreement for co-operation on the civil uses of atomic energy take place from time to time on a confidential basis.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on his negotiations with the Dutch and German Governments in relation to the cheap gas-centrifuge route to high-grade nuclear fuel.

These discussions are proceeding satisfactorily, but further work has to be done before any definite scheme can emerge for Ministerial consideration.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the future of Capenhurst in relation to the development of high-grade nuclear fuel.

The re-equipment of part of the Capenhurst diffusion plant for the production of slightly enriched uranium for the civil nuclear power programme is now virtually complete. Plans are now being made for the further expansion of enrichment capacity.

asked the Minister of Technology on what date the development of the Blue Streak missile was commenced; what was the original estimate of its cost; and what was the amount of money expended at its cancellation.

The first contracts with industry to develop Blue Streak were placed in November, 1955, and the estimate for a 10-year period of work was £50·75 million. £65 million had been expended to April, 1960, when the project was cancelled and a further £19 million rundown costs were incurred making a total of £84 million.

asked the Minister of Technology on what date the development of the T.S.R.2 was commenced; what was the original estimate of its cost; and what was the amount of money expended at its cancellation.

A contract for a design study was placed in June, 1959, and the contract for full development was placed in October, 1960. At this time, the estimate of the development costs was £90 million. On cancellation of the project on 6th April, 1965, £125 million had been paid and since then a further sum of approximate £53 million has been paid in cancellation costs making a total of £178 million.

asked the Minister of Technology whether assessment of the 1,000 M.W.(e) commercial fast reactor design has now been completed; and if he has yet decided whether to proceed with this design or to choose a smaller output as the basis of the first commercial fast reactor to be built in the United Kingdom.

The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority is still assessing alternative designs for large commercial fast reactors with a view to producing, in co-operation with the United Kingdom nuclear industry, a specification acceptable to the Central Electricity Generating Board. This assessment will be available for consideration with C.E.G.B. in the third quarter of this year so that a decision can be taken on the details of the next stage of this work. The size ultimately chosen is a matter for decision by the C.E.G.B. and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Power.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will list the Royal Ordnance Factories administered by his Department, showing the items made, the numbers of men employed, the total value of output in each, together with their acreage and estimated asset value, during the most recent year for which figures are available.

The Department administers two R.O.F.s—R.O.F. Burghfield covers 220 acres; its work is concerned with atomic weapons. R.O.F. Cardiff covers 7 acres; it works on a variety of classified weapons components and instruments. It would not be in the public interest to give details or the other information for which the hon. Member asks.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the state of sprat fishing on the East coast and West coast of Scotland; what is his estimate of future trends; and if he will make a statement.

There are wide annual fluctuations both in recruitment to the stocks of sprats and in their distribution and consequently in the number of boats engaged. I cannot therefore predict trends in catches, but I see no reason to expect that sprat fishing will not continue to provide a useful seasonal alternative to other types of fishing. Catches on the East Coast have been below average this winter but on the West Coast they have been higher than previously recorded.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will reply to the letters from Glasgow Corporation on the matter of developing the waste land at the west end of Abbotsinch Airport.

Very soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many persons were killed and injured in road accidents in Scotland during the New Year holiday period in 1969, 1968 and 1967, respectively;(2) whether he will invite all chief constables in Scotland to send him a report concerning the level of road accidents during the New Year holiday period and make a statement thereon.

The total number of those killed and injured on 31st December, 1968, 1st and 2nd January, 1969, was 241. The comparable figure for the previous New Year was 230; for the New Year before that it was 344.The most regrettable figure was seven deaths on 31st December, but after considering reports from Chief Constables on these accidents I am satisfied that they present no features calling for special action.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in the studies relating to the proposed new steelworks, power station and ore terminal complex on Clydeside; and if he will make a statement.

The report of the study commissioned by the Clyde Estuary Development Group was published yesterday, and will require study by all those concerned. I expect to arrange a public local inquiry soon into the only planning application at present before me.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the cost to public funds of each job created in Scotland in 1963–64 and 1967–68.

The only cost per job estimate which it is practicable to make is in respect of assistance under the Local Employment Acts which alone is tied specifically to the creation of new jobs. Assistance offered in Scotland by the Board of Trade under the Local Employment Acts in 1964–65 involved an average commitment of £709 for each job expected to be created, compared to £695 in 1967–68.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the cost of educating a child in local authority schools in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Inverness, respectively, in the present year.

The information needed for a reliable estimate is not readily available, but I will write to the hon. Member giving him the most recent figures as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state how many lawyers received sums in criminal and civil legal aid over £25,000, £20,000–£25,000, £15,000–£20,000. £10,000–£15,000, and £5,000–£10,000, respectively, for a 12-month period at any convenient dates in the past year.

I regret that this information is not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost and effort.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT figures showing the number of certificated teachers as compared with the approved total; to what extent he estimates this figure will be increased when certificated teachers are dismissed for not registering with the General Teaching Council; and how many uncertificated teachers are employed at the present time in Scottish schools.

In December, 1967, the latest date for which figures are available, 39,692 certificated teachers were employed in public and grant-aided schools and the shortage of teachers was estimated by the education authority and other managers to be 3,868. I am unable to estimate how the second figure will be affected by the refusal of certificated teachers to register. One thousand one hundred and seventy-five unqualified teachers, whose appointments are subject to the approval of the reference panel, are at present in service.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the effects of the delay in the building of the present nuclear building programme in Scotland on Scotland's industrial prospects; and how far it is behind schedule.

The present nuclear building programme of the Scottish Electricity Boards consists of Hunterston "B" generating station, which has been under construction since October, 1967, and which is on schedule.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the local authorities which have direct labour departments, giving the known period of their existence.

I regret that I do not have this information.Most Scottish local authorities directly employ some labour for work such as the repair and maintenance of their buildings. Whether there is a separate "department" is a matter of organisation which is entirely within the local authority's discretion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further progress he has made in his talks with local authorities regarding the use of Leconfield Airfield for civil air services.

Discussions about the future use of Leconfield are still taking place and the local authorities will be informed when the position is clearer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure the early resumption of normal services at Edinburgh Airport, in view of the disruption to passengers and urgent freight from South-East Scotland.

I have nothing at present to add to my statement on 20th January in response to a Private Notice Question by the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (Mr. Stodart).—[Vol. 776, c. 48–51.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the loss of revenue to the British Overseas Airways Corporation and British European Airways, resulting from the International Air Transport Association's restrictive trade policy; and what action he is taking to overcome this loss of trade.

I am not aware that the Air Corporations have lost any revenue as a result of the policies of the International Air Transport Association. If my hon. Friend will let me know what he has in mind, I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make regulations for closing United Kingdom airports when the weather conditions are below specified minima.

No. It is important that airports should remain open even in adverse weather conditions in case an emergency should necessitate a decision to land.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give a general direction to the British Overseas Airways Corporation not to spend money on advertising in the journal, a copy of which has been sent to him by the hon. Member for Coatbridge and Airdrie; and if he will make a statement.

No. This is for B.O.A.C.'s commercial judgment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if Aberdeen Airport is to be downgraded; and if he will make a statement.

No. There is no intention of taking any action which would result in any reduction in the standard of facilities at this aerodromenor, when the present industrial dispute has been settled, in the hours of the watch.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in which month's trade figures, dollar income from the sale of the "Queen Mary" and "Queen Elizabeth" appeared; and what was the amount.

It is not the practice to disclose information about individual transactions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what date the Government agreed to support the building of the "Queen Elizabeth 2"; and what is the amount of loans or grants committed to the Cunard company for its construction.

The original offer of a loan exceeding £17·6 million was made on 17th October, 1963. A revised offer of loans not exceeding £24 million was made on 15th September, 1967. No grant has been offered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make an interim statement upon the work done by the stern trawler "Orsino" in weather advisory service for British trawlers off Iceland this winter; and whether he will consider making this service permanent throughout the year.

During her first 45 days on station off Iceland "Orsino" issued 12 "gale" warnings and 7 "storm" warnings; 15 of these were also "icing" warnings. On 11 of these occasions trawlers were advised to leave or stay out of particular sea areas. In general the warnings and advice have been heeded by the vessels affected. In the same period "Orsino's" doctor dealt with 8 cases requiring either a visit to another trawler or the transfer of the patient at sea to "Orsino".The present experiment will end on 30th April. We shall consider whether a permanent weather advisory service is needed when we receive the Final Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Trawler Safety.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT those manufactured and semi-manufactured products falling within chapters 25 to 99 of the Brussels Nomenclature on which the United Kingdom is not prepared to grant preferences to developing countries;(2) if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT those products falling with the first 24 chapters of the Brussels Nomenclature on which the United Kingdom is prepared to grant preferences to developing countries

International discussions on this subject are continuing and meanwhile I am not in a position to publish a list.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on advance factories.

Since October 1964, we have authorised the construction of 141 advance factories in the Development Areas. Of these, 60 are in England, 47 in Scotland, and 34 in Wales. They have an area of about 3·3 million sq. ft. in all and, even without extensions which have already been authorised for some of them, may be expected to provide employment for perhaps 10/12,000 people. Included in the factories so far authorised are 13 under the arrangements of which I informed the House on the 14th November, 1967, whereby in the Special Development Areas advance factories which are let are replaced, provided letting prospects remain reasonable. Also included are 2 factories at Barrow and I at Millom which I authorised to meet the special needs of the areas, together with 1 in Glasgow which was decided upon in order to provide initial space on the new Board of Trade industrial estate at Cowlairs.—[Vol. 754, c. 84–86.]Of the 141 factories so far authorised, 103 have been completed and of these 83 have been allocated: and we have enquiries for 10 of the rest.There is no doubt that the Government's provision of advance factories is a most valuable means of attracting industry to the Development Areas. Having regard to our successes so far, and to the needs of the various parts of the Development Areas, I have decided to authorise the construction of a further 29 advance factories, details of which are given below:—

	Location	Size sq.ft.
ENGLAND
Northern Region	Cramlington	15,000
	Bishop Auckland	25,000
	Bishop Auckland	10,000
	Consett	15,000
	Workington	10,000
	Crook	10,000
	Brandon	10,000
	Alnwick	5,000
	Aycliffe	15,000
	Jarrow	15,000
	Whitby	10,000
	Sunderland	25,000
	Sunderland	15,000
	Team Valley	25,000
	Teesside	15,000
		220,000
South West Region	West Penwith	5,000
	West Penwith	5,000
	Camborne-Redruth	10,000
	Newquay	10,000
		30,000
WALES	abercarn	25,000
	Aberdulais	25,000
	Aberdare	25,000
	Bridgend	25,000
	Llanelli	25,000
	Pontardulais (Hendy)	25,000
		150,000
Scotland	Springburn (Cowlairs)	100,000
	Coatbridge	45,000
	Dundee	20,000
	Stranraer	20,000
		185,000

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total expenditure on the Polaris submarine programme up to 31st December 1968; how much on the base at Faslane; how much on the missile depot at Coulport; and how much further expenditure he estimates will be spent on the four submarines and depot and base in Faslane in 1969.

The answers to the first three parts of the Question are £280 million; £30 million; and £11 million. As regards the last part of the Question, it is not the practice to give detailed forecasts of expenditure beyond the current financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total expenditure on aircraft, naval and military equipment in the United States of America in 1968; and if he will state the main items of this expenditure.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Worcestershire, South (Sir Gerald Nabarro) on 18th December, 1968. The main items in the total are payments for Polaris, Phantom and Hercules, and Fill cancellation costs.—[Vol. 775, c. 1364.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of loan facilities agreed with the United States of America in respect of defence equipment, including cancellation charges, since October 1964, the sum already borrowed, the amount by which the outstanding debt was increased by devaluation, the total interest payments due over the period of the loans, and the amount by which they were increased by devaluation; and what further borrowing is anticipated under these arrangements;(2) what is the total debt outstanding to the United States of America for defence equipment and cancellation charges, shown separately; what are the total interest payments remaining due on this debt; and what proportion of the capital and interest payments relate to equipment ordered before and after October 1964, respectively.

The only loan facilities agreed with the United States of America in respect of defence equipment are those for the purchase of military aircraft. Details of the latest position of these arrangements were given in reply to a Question from the hon. Member for Luton (Mr. Howie) on 18th July, 1968.The sum borrowed up to 31st December, 1968, was $615 million which is equivalent to £256 million at the devalued rate of exchange. Of this amount £36 million is the additional sterling cost resulting from devaluation. The total interest payable on the amount so far borrowed is £48 million of which £6½ million arises from devaluation.The amount still outstanding on the sum borrowed up to 31st December, 1968, is £202 million, and the amount of interest payable on this is £33 million.The money borrowed includes £20 million for progress payments on the F111 aircraft, the order for which was subsequently cancelled. This borrowing has now been repaid. It is expected that this payment will in fact exceed our total liability for cancellation charges.About one sixth of the amount borrowed to date is for equipment ordered before October 1964.—[Vol. 768, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the review of the local overseas allowance for those members of Her Majesty's forces serving in the British Army of the Rhine has been completed; and if he will make a statement.

As my hon. Friend informed the hon. and gallant Member for Arundel and Shoreham (Captain Kerby) on 5th July, 1968, a full review of the local overseas allowances for officers and men serving with the British Army of the Rhine took place in May last year, and the Headquarters, B.A.O.R. were told of the new rates resulting from the review at the end of June. The rates for some ranks, mainly officers, showed slight decreases on the interim rates in force following devaluation while the rates for other ranks, mainly the married accompanied soldiers, showed slight increases. The increases were retrospective to the beginning of March 1968.—[Vol. 767, c. 280.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made for a further conference of Commonwealth Governments concerned, on the future defence of British, Commonwealth and Allied territories and interests in South-East Asia.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement issued on Friday, 17th January, by the Australian Delegation to the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference. The following is the text:

"The Prime Ministers of Malaysia (Tunku Abdul Rahman), Singapore (Mr. Lee Kuan Yew), New Zealand (Mr. Keith Holyoake) and Australia (Mr. John Gorton) and the British Defence Minister (Mr. Denis Healey) held an informal meeting in London this morning. The Australian Minister for External Affairs (Mr. Paul Hasluck) also attended.

The Prime Ministers had decided to take this opportunity of their presence together in London to discuss the time and place for a Five Power Conference later in the year.

Following the meeting, which was held in the Australian Prime Minister's suite at the Savoy Hotel, Mr. Gorton announced that it had been decided to hold the second Five Power Conference in Canberra on the 12th May. The first such conference took place in Kuala Lumpur last June.

Mr. Gorton said that today's meeting was primarily concerned with the arrangements for the new conference. There was no substantive discussion of questions arising from Britain's withdrawal from South East Asia."

asked the Secretary of State for Defence in view of the fact that girls are being allowed to take up apprenticeships at Her Majesty's Naval Dockyard, Portsmouth, if he will grant the same facilities at Her Majesty's Naval Dockyard, Devonport.

We are arranging to provide facilities to enable girls to work in H.M. Dockyard, Devonport, and they will be offered apprenticeships when these facilities are available, which will be during 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what savings he estimates will be made by the closing down of the Royal Air Force Station at Acklington.

Closure of the station is expected to save about £1 million in capital expenditure over the next three years and about £300,000 a year in running costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much has been spent on maintenance and improvement of Acklington Royal Air Force Station in the last five years;(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that the rescue services are not weakened by his decision to close down the Acklington Royal Air Force Station.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to the hon. Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward) on 20th and 21st January, 1969.—[Vol. 776, c. 36, Vol. 776, c. 88.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what alternative uses have been considered for Acklington Royal Air Force Station.

The decision to close Acklington as an R.A.F. Station was reached only after exhaustive examination of alternative non-flying as well as flying tasks consistent with operational and support deployment needs. The possibility of some other use of the station is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what amount of operational costs will be saved by transferring the 18th Helicopter Squadron from Acklington.

Transfer of No. 18 Squadron is an integral part of the operational re-grouping of the United Kingdom helicopter force in support of the Army. Saving of operational costs of this squadron is not the prime consideration, although concentration of similar operational aircraft together with their Operational Conversion Unit on one base will inevitably produce worthwhile logistic and financial advantages.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what sum is now drawn by long-service pensioners who drew £2 in 1950; and what the present figure is worth in comparison with £2 in 1950.

A Service pensioner awarded £2 a week in 1950 would now draw £3 4s. a week if aged 60 or over; the comparative value to take account of the increase in the cost of living since 1950 would be £3 17s. However, if the Pensions (Increase) Bill presented to the House yesterday is passed in its present form, pensioners on the 1950 code will receive a further 18 per cent. increase with effect from 1st April, 1969. This will bring an award of £2 in 1950 up to £3 15s. 6d. per week for a pensioner over 60.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Royal Naval dockyards, showing the items made, the numbers of men employed and the total value of output in each during the most recent year for which figures are available, and the total investment made in the dockyards since 1945 and their estimated asset valuation.

The number of men employed in and the value of work undertaken by the General Managers' Department of H.M. Dockyards during the financial year 1967–68 were as follows:—

H.M. Dockyard			Average number of personnel employed	Total value of work done (excluding sub-contract equipment)
				£
Portsmouth	…	…	11,100	20,878,629
Devonport	…	…	13,400	24,165,274
Chatham	…	…	7,550	13,871,201
Rosyth	…	…	5,200	8,821,748
Gibraltar	…	…	1,875	2,180,414
Singapore	…	…	5,375	5,692,260

The figures quoted include productive work, particularly on the refit, conversion, modernisation and repair of ships and craft: the building of new vessels: the maintenance and repair of the yard machinery and plant: and items made to facilitate the above and other naval requirements.Expenditure on machinery and plant in the financial years 1947–48 (the first post-war year in which detailed accounting was resumed) to 1967–68 totalled approximately £60 million.Expenditure on the new buildings and works structures is the responsibility of the Minister of Public Building and Works. In the financial years 1965–66 and 1967–68 their expenditure in this respect totalled £4·6 million. Figures for similar expenditure in earlier years are not readily available.The depreciated book value of fixed assets on 31st March, 1968, was:

		£ million
Land	…	5
Buildings	…	17·24
Plant and machinery	…	30·05
Total	…	52·29

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many widows of regular officers are receiving widows' ordinary pensions under each of the 10 retired pay codes; and, in each case, how many are over 70 years of age and, of the latter, how many are over 80 years of age.

The figures are as follows:

Officers' Widows receiving ordinary pensions
Code
1919	…	…	…	4,266
1919	…	…	…	1,647
(re-assessed for War Service)
1945	…	…	…	3,042
1950	…	…	…	992
1956	…	…	…	800
1960	…	…	…	209
1962	…	…	…	162
1964	…	…	…	131
1966	…	…	…	84

The total number of widows over 70 years of age is 5,984 and of these the number over 80 years of age is 3,023. These totals cannot be separately attributed to the individual codes without disproportionate effort.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many retired officers of the three armed services, including Indian armed services, are in receipt of retired pay under each of the 10 retired pay codes; how many of those officers retired under the 1919 code had their retired pay reassessed because of war service; and, in each case, how many are over 60 years of age and, of the latter, how many are over 70 years of age.

The figures are as follows:

	Officers on retired pay	Those over 60 years of age included in Col. A
	A	B
Code
1919	3,228	2,938
1919	3,451	3,424
(re-assessed for War Service)
1945	13,859	10,573
1950	6,125	4,356
1956	10,580	3,285
1960	4,986	954
1962	4,207	563
1964	3,717	241
1966	4,205	170
1968	2,791	65
The number of officers on each code who are over 70 years of age cannot be provided without disproportionate effort.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what help he has given to farmers who suffered damage exceeding £6,000 when the River Dee aqueduct carrying water to Liverpool was blown up by saboteurs at Hapsford in Cheshire on 28th June, 1968.

None. My right hon. Friend has no power to do so, nor is there any general legislative principle that the taxpayer should make good losses to property caused by crimes.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, since Her Majesty's Government are prepared to help farmers who suffer loss from flood due to abnormal weather conditions, he will introduce legislation to enable him to compensate those who suffer loss by the action of extremists and saboteurs.

I would refer the hon. Member to my Answer to his Oral Question today. I would add that farmers do not in fact receive Exchequer payments to make good losses caused by the weather.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many of the 1,896 copies of the Classified Index of Local Authorities and New Towns, made available for sale to the public through Her Majesty's Stationery Office, have now been sold.

1,085 copies have now been sold to the public, and a further 84 issued to other Government Departments.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what have been the results of his discussions with the President of the National Farmers' Union over the concern felt by farmers at the trend of recent judicial interpretations of the definition of farm buildings in rating legislation; and whether he will make a statement clarifying his policy in this matter.

The President of the National Farmers' Union has written to my right hon. Friend about this matter, and I have arranged to discuss it with him on 30th January. I have no statement to make at present.

asked the Minister of Transport what assessment he has made of the new port and terminal facilities which will be required to accommodate the new generation of ore carriers in excess of 100,000 gross tons; and what sites are being considered for the construction of such deep water terminal facilities.

There is no lack of existing and potential port facilities to accommodate iron-ore carriers. Studies have confirmed the feasibility of providing them at a number of ports for the larger vessels when industrial demand justifies it.

asked the Minister of Transport what has been the result of his consideration of the Transportation Study in the context of the provision of the Hoddesdon-Ware by-pass; and whether, having regard to the increase of traffic congestion in Hoddesdon and Ware and the delays and inconvenience suffered, he will accelerate this project.

A Preliminary Report on the Hoddesdon-Ware By-pass scheme, which utilised information in the Hertford-Ware-Hoddesdon Transportation Study, is being considered. I hope to publish details of a preferred route in the early autumn and that construction can start in 1971.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will detail the criteria for placing crash barriers along the centre reservations of motorways.

We are now developing the criteria to indicate more precisely those lengths where barriers might be justified.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state the number of people killed and seriously injured for the years 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, and 1968 in accidents on the M1 motorway.

Annual casualty figures for the complete length of the motorway would not be comparable as extensions totalling more than 100 miles were completed during the period.Following, therefore, are the figures for the original 73 miles; comparable

asked the Minister of Transport if he will cause warning signs to be displayed where the M1 motorway becomes a two-lane highway.

The directional signs on the approaches to interchanges where the motorway becomes a two-lane highway already give warning of the reduction in the number of lanes available to traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport how any deficits on the London Transport Board's revenue account arising between 1st January, 1969, and vesting date under the Transport (London) Bill, will be met.

Powers are being taken in the Transport (London) Bill for me to meet any deficit arising between 1st January, 1969, and vesting date. Provision for meeting these deficits will be made in the Civil Estimates for 1969–70, which will be presented to the House next month. In the meantime, any necessary payments will be financed from the Civil Contingencies Fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will consider the stationing of H.M.S. "Belfast" at Devonport as a permanent floating museum for the historic treasures of the Royal Navy.

I am considering a proposal for converting H.M.S. "Belfast" when it is decommissioned into a floating extension of the National Maritime and Imperial War Museums. Portsmouth has already been suggested as a location but, if it is decided to proceed with the proposal, I will certainly bear in mind the claims of Devonport and other places.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what expenses have been claimed from public funds during the last four years by those trustees of the Imperial War Museum who are appointed by British Government Departments, excluding the Royal President and the one ex-officio member; and if he will list the sums claimed by individual members.

The only expenses claimed in the calendar years 1965–68 have been for travelling to meetings and for subsistence. The total amount paid to trustees appointed by Government Departments was £333 2s. 10d. The following are the amounts paid to individual trustees, some of whom served for only part of the period:

	£	s	d
Admiral of the Fleet Sir Algernon Willis. G.C.B., K.B.E., D.S.O.	31	7	6
Admiral Sir Deric Holland-Martin G.C.B., D.S.O., D.S.C.	105	7	0
Sir Arthur Hutchinson, K.B.E., C.B., C.V.O.	4	9	0
Lt.-General Sir Ian Jacob, G.B.E., C.B., D.L., J.P.	33	16	3
Lt.-Commander P. K. Kemp, O.B.E., R.N. (Retd.)	1	10	4
Major General R. F. Johnstone, C.B., C.B.E.	45	2	7
Sir George Seel, K.C.M.G.	10	17	9
Mr. R. J. Stopford	95	4	2
Mr. James Quinn	5	8	4

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the British Government Departments which are responsible for the appointments of the British members of the Imperial War Museum Board of Trustees, excluding the Royal President and the one ex-officio member; and if he will give the date of each appointment, as well as the name of the trustee in question.

The appointments to the Board of Trustees of the Imperial War Museum made by British Government Departments and the date of appointment are as follows:—

Treasury
Admiral Sir Deric Holland-Martin, G.C.B., D.S.O., D.S.C., (Chairman)	1966
Mr. Peter G. Masefield	1964
Sir John Wheeler-Bennett, K.C.V.O. C.M.G., O.B.E.	1961
Dame Felicity Peake, D.B.E., J.P.	1963
Air Chief Marshal Sir George Mills, G.C.B., D.F.C.	1963
Mr. T. E. B. Howarth, M.C.	1964
Lt.-General Sir Ian Jacob, G.B.E., C.B., D.L., J.P.	1966
Professor M. E. Howard, M.C.	1967
Mr. Frederick J. P. Gore, A.R.A.	1967
Ministry of Defence (Navy)
Rear-Admiral Sir P. N. Buckley, C.B., D.S.O.	1969
Ministry of Defence (Army)
Major-General R. F. Johnstone, C.B., C.B.E.	1959

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many new Her Majesty's inspectors have been appointed since 3rd November, 1967; how many of the additional inspectors have had previous experience of independent education; and whether since that date he has amended the instructions to the inspectorate.

Fifty-five new appointments have been made since November, 1967, to fill vacancies caused by normal wastage; 18 of these new inspectors have had previous experience of independent education. There has been no change in the instructions to the Inspectorate since that date.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names and qualifications of the members of the Independent Schools Tribunal to which appeals from complains under Section 71 of the Education Act, 1944, are referred.

Under the Sixth Schedule to the Education Act, 1944, an Independent School Tribunal must consist of a chairman who is a member of a legal panel appointed by the Lord Chancellor and two members who are members of an educational panel appointed by the Lord President of the Council.Persons appointed to the legal panel must have such legal qualifications as the Lord Chancellor considers suitable and persons appointed to the educational panel must have had such experience in teaching or in the conduct, management or administration of schools as the Lord President of the Council considers suitable.The present members of the two panels are as follows:Legal Panel

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will give an undertaking not to delay the repayment of selective employment tax to those eligible for refunds beyond the statutory period of three months.

There is no statutory period for the repayment of Selective Employment Tax. Since the inception of the S.E.T. scheme, the Department of Employment and Productivity has invited employers to claim repayments at quarterly intervals. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for North Angus and Mearns (Mr. Buchanan-Smith) on Tues-day, 17th December.—[Vol. 775, c. 359.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether, in drafting legislation based on Command Paper No. 3888, In Place of Strife, she will allow the Commission for Industrial Relations to examine and decide on cases in which employees are permanently blacklisted by employers.

I do not envisage that cases concerning individuals will be referred to the Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will introduce legislation to provide that where a man has been punished by the courts, his employer or employers' federation shall not be entitled to refuse him employment for other than a specified period.

Such legislation would not be practicable. My Department's Employment Services are always ready to help men and women in this position.

asked the Minister of Power what proportion of the total output of pulverised fuel ash from all coal-burning power stations was disposed of commercially for construction or other projects in 1968; and what proportion of such ash it is hoped to dispose of in this way from the Drax power station, when in operation.

The latest figures available are for the year ended 31st March, 1968, during which 3·7 million tons of pulverised fuel ash representing 42 per cent. of the total output was sold (see paragraph 51 of the Central Electricity Generating Board Annual Report 1967–68).The Board forecasts sales of about 4 million tons of ash from Drax power station over the 30-year life of the station. It estimates total ash output over that period to be 32 million tons from a 4,000 MW station or 16 million tons from a 2,000 MW station. It is not possible to give an estimated annual breakdown.

asked the Minister of Power what estimate he has made of the manpower requirements of the British Steel Corporation by 1975 resulting from the implementation of the Corporation's expansion programme; and how this compares with the present manpower position.

The Corporation intends, with the support of the Government, to increase substantially the productivity of the industry's manpower. I am informed that the number of men in iron and steel manufacturing activities possibly affected by the development programme and productivity bargains during the period to the middle 1970's is likely to be at least 50,000. Of this, about 40,000 would be affected by a plant closure and rationalisation, though some 12,000 might be re-employed in new jobs in parallel developments; the rest of this reduction in manpower would follow from the productivity programmes on which negotiations with the unions have started. Normal wastage, retirement and controlled recruitment should provide for a high proportion of the rundown. The Corporation has highly developed arrangements for consultation with unions and others about plant closures and the loss of job opportunities; it is the general practice to give six months' notice of intended closures, and as much as two or three years' notice in the case of major closures, and full consultations will follow before the intention is confirmed. In carrying out its programme for increased productivity, which will benefit both the country and the industry, the Corporation will have fully in mind the social and regional aspects of all its manpower plans. I shall keep in close touch with the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs and my other colleagues concerned about the regional implications.

asked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement on the organisation of the British Steel Corporation.