asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from Wales in regard to the Report of the Committee of Investigation referring to a complaint by the South-Eastern Milk Producers; and what replies he has sent.

My right hon. Friend has received representations from farmers' organisations and individual fanners. He has explained that he is considering the matter in the light of the Committee's report and, in reply to those who have asked him to receive deputations, has pointed out that it would not be appropriate at this stage to discuss the report with interested parties.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which local authorities are currently employing fewer than their quota of teachers.

Information relating to a current date will be available in a few weeks. I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the yearly totals of newly-trained teachers in each of the years since 1960; and, of each total, approximately how many are still teaching in the United Kingdom, giving separately the number teaching part-time.

The numbers of students successfully completing courses of initial training up to and including 1965–66 are published in Table 9 of Statistics of Education Vol. 4, 1966. Twenty-seven thousand eight hundred and fourteen successfully completed initial training in 1966–67 and an estimated 32,000 in 1967–8. The information asked for in the second part of the Question is not available but some statistics of wastage rates by age groups are in Table 24 of the same volume.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many trained former teachers have returned to teaching during each of the years since 1960.

The following numbers of qualified non-graduate and trained graduate teachers returned to full-time service in maintain primary and secondary schools in the years shown:—

Year ended 31st March	Qualified Non-graduates	Trained Graduates
1963	6,815	1,229
1964	5,966	1,035
1965	7,242	1,187
1966	8,040	1,478
1967 (provisional)	7,348	1,281

No complete figures are available for earlier years and figures for 1968 are not yet available. The figures for non-graduates include a small number of untrained teachers: separate figures of those trained are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has yet designated the schools of exceptional difficulty for the purpose of the payment of additional salaries; and which schools have been so designated.

Yes. Early this month I notified local education authorities of the names of the schools in their areas which I have recognised, on the basis of their recommended order of priority as schools of exceptional difficulty, with effect from 1st April last. I have recognised 572 schools in all. It is for each authority to decide what publicity it wishes to give to the schools in its areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of the £882·9 million spent on scientific research and development in 1967–68 is identifiable as being spent in Scotland; and what percentage of this was Government expenditure.

This information is not available, since questionnaires were not designed on a geographical basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the latest available unemployment rate amongst registered disabled persons in Scotland.

NUMBERS WHOLLY UNEMPLOYED ON THE REGISTERS OF THE BEXHILL, HAILSHAM AND RYE EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES AT 13TH JANUARY, 1969 (PROVISIONAL)
			Men			Women
			Aged 18 to 54	Aged 55 and over	Total	Aged 18to 54	Aged 55 and over	Total
Bexhill	…	…	95	250	345	23	6	29
Hailsham	…	…	84	135	219	20	11	31
Rye	…	…	57	50	107	13	4	17

In addition there were 16 boys and 10 girls under 18 years of age registered at the Bexhill Youth Employment Office, which also covers the Rye, Hailsham and Battle areas. There were no school leavers registered for first employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will ensure that release of information on unemployment statistics for Scotland is accompanied by information on the rise or fall in total employment.

On 9th December, 1968, 13·0 per cent. of registered disabled persons in Scotland were unemployed.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many former Scottish miners have been retrained under Government schemes since 31st December, 1967; and how many of these have subsequently obtained employment in Scotland.

One hundred and fifteen former Scottish miners have been retrained under the Government Vocational Training Scheme since 31st December, 1967. So far 92 of these have obtained employment in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many males and females were registered as unemployed at the Bexhill, Hailsham and Rye Employment Exchanges on 22nd January, 1969; and how many of these were over 55 years of age, under 18 years of age and school-leavers, respectively.

The following table shows, by age groups, the numbers registered as wholly unemployed at 13th January, 1969:

No estimates are made of monthly changes in total employment, but, as the hon. Lady will be aware, quarterly estimates of changes in the total number of employees are released as soon as they become available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the mid-year total for employees in employment for each of the last 10 years in each of the Scottish planning regions, giving in each instance separate figures for male and female employees.

Estimates of the total number of employees in employment in the Scottish planning regions are available only for 1961, 1966 and 1967; details are given in the table below. To provide estimates for the other years

Thousands
		1961			1966			1967
		Males	Females	Total	Males	Females	Total	Males	Females	Total
Borders	…	26	17	44	26	17	43	26	18	44
Edinburgh	…	265	148	413	265	158	423	261	158	419
Falkirk/Stirling	…	73	34	107	71	38	109	72	38	110
Glasgow	…	681	389	1,070	669	414	1,083	653	405	1,058
Highlands	…	57	27	84	56	29	86	54	29	82
North-East	…	103	57	160	103	59	162	99	59	158
South-West	…	35	18	53	32	18	50	31	18	49
Tayside	…	111	74	185	110	77	187	106	74	180

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what was the total number of persons in employment in Scotland at 31st December, 1968, giving separate totals for men and women.

At March, 1968, the latest date for which this information is available, it is provisionally estimated that there were 2,086,000 (1,279,000 male and 807,000 female) employees in employment in Scotland. The estimates for June, 1968, will become available within the next few weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what percentage of total wages in manufacturing in Scotland is classified as indirect wages, giving separate figures for males, females and all workers, in 1966 and at the latest available date.

FULL-TIME MANUAL WORKERS

Manufacturing Industries

1966*

United Kingdom April 1968

Average weekly earnings

Average hourly earnings

Average weekly earnings

Average hourly earnings

…

…

£

s.

d.

s.

d.

£

s.

d.

s.

d.

A. Men (21 years and over)

…

…

20

17

5

9

2·1

22

16

6

10

0·1

B. Women (18 years and over)

…

…

10

0

4

5

3·1

10

19

2

5

8·7

B. as a percentage of A

…

…

48·0

57·3

48·0

57·2

* Averages of the results of the April and October 1966 enquiries.

I regret that separate figures are not available for Scotland. For Great Britain, my Department's survey of employers' labour costs in 1964 showed that in manufacturing industries the average annual amount per employee, males and females combined, paid as indirect wages (defined as payment for time not worked during holidays, sickness and attendance at training classes) formed 6·7 per cent. of total wages and salaries. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of our booklet containing the full results of the survey.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what percentage of the average wage for male workers in manufacturing the average wage for female workers constituted in 1966 and at the latest available date.

Following is the information, derived from the half-yearly inquiries into the earnings and hours of manual workers:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity (1) how many prosecutions there have been under any section of the Contracts of Employment Act, 1963, since the date of its enactment; and how many convictions have resulted therefrom;(2) how many successful legal actions for damages, approximately, have been taken under the Contracts of Employment Act, 1963, since the date of its enactment.

We have no information as to the number of prosecutions prior to 6th December, 1965, under the provisions of the Contracts of Employment Act relating to written statements of terms of employment. Since that date, when jurisdiction over these provisions was transferred to Industrial Tribunals, 436 cases have been referred to Industrial Tribunals.We have no information as to the number of actions for damages successful or unsuccessful, under the provisions of the Act as to periods of notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made with the development of the seaweed industry in the Falkland Islands.

Alginate Industries Limited is in correspondence with the Governor and I understand that it intends sending out a representative to the Islands in April or May this year for discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total amount paid by way of compensation to the Government of South Africa in respect of damage to South Africa House on Sunday, 12th January, 1969; and in respect of what damage such compensation was incurred.

No payment has yet been made, but we have indicated to the South African Government our readiness to reimburse the cost of making good the damage inflicted on the Embassy premises.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many children under 12, 14 and 16 years of age, respectively, were arrested in Hong Kong during the demonstrations of 1967 and subsequent events; how many were boys and how many girls; how many are still imprisoned; and what are the lengths of sentences still to run in these cases.

A total of 149 boys and 31 girls under 16 years of age were arrested during the 1967 disturbances; of these one boy and two girls were under 12 years; 30 boys and 7 girls were under 14 years; and 118 boys and 22 girls were under 16 years.Five boys (in the 14–15 age group) remain in prison; two still have 17 months each to serve, two have 20 months each and one boy has 26 months to serve, assuming maximum remission of sentence. Four are in an open prison; all are kept in a separate young prisoners' section where they have the opportunity of receiving academic and technical training.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many submissions he has received from foreign and Commonwealth Governments regarding the Import Deposits Scheme.

We have received formal representations from nine foreign and Commonwealth Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the impounding in a Gulf port of 15 British trawlers by the Persian Government.

We have investigated this report with the co-operation of the Iranian Government. It is inaccurate. However, two trawlers, believed to belong to a British company, have been detained. We are in touch with the Iranian authorities and a Vice-Consul is visiting Bandar Abbas to make further inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the effect of the recent Spanish decree purporting to extend Spanish territorial waters from six to 12 miles on access to Gibraltar.

As my right hon. and noble Friend said in another place on 23rd January, the full implications of the decree published by the Spanish Government on 20th January are still being studied. It extends from six to 12 miles the zone in which the Spanish authorities exercise fiscal control for customs purposes and for the repression of smuggling. The decree also states, as did a Spanish law of 1967 on fishing limits, that the waters in bays where the opening does not exceed 24 miles at low water will be regarded as internal waters.It is not clear whether the decree is aimed at Gibraltar; and so far there has been no case, under the decree I have just mentioned, of interference with shipping calling at Gibraltar. But there can be no doubt that it could not affect our existing rights in respect of Gibraltar.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many assessments for levy have been served by the Land Commission in respect of sales of land purchased between 22nd September, 1965 and 6th April, 1967 and sold subsequent to 6th April, 1967 at a price not exceeding the purchase price.

This information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate expense.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the Greater London boroughs to which he has granted approval for assistance to be given to non-profit making playgroups under section 136 of the Local Government Act, 1948.

Brent, Greenwich and Islington.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the current domestic water rate in Sheffield, Hull, Leeds, Rotherham, Barnsley and the area of the Ryedale Joint Water Board, respectively.

The current domestic water rates in the pound for the areas in question are:

		s.	d.
Sheffield	…	1	6
Kingston-upon-Hull	…	1	1 (average)
Leeds	…	1	4
Rotherham	…	1	6
Barnsley	…	2	10
Ryedale	…	2	4

asked the Postmaster-General what is his estimate of the loss in revenue of exempting Scottish retirement pensioners from payment of radio and television licences.

Over £2½ million a year.

asked the Postmaster-General what percentage of the cost of colour television transmissions is covered by additional revenue from colour television licences.

In the period from 1st January, 1968, when the colour licence was introduced, until 31st December, 1968, revenue from the additional £5 charge amounted to £375,000. As is to be expected at the beginning of a new service, this additional revenue meets only a small part of the cost of providing it; but, as the revenue continues to increase, the contribution will become greater.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many murders and how many crimes of violence, respectively, were committed in Scotland for each year since 1961; and of each of these categories what proportion was

TABLE I
CRIMES OF VIOLENCE MADE KNOWN TO THE POLICE IN SCOTLAND, 1961–67
							Murder*	Crimes of violence†
1961	…	…	…	…	…	…	10	1,661
1962	…	…	…	…	…	…	24	1,829
1963	…	…	…	…	…	…	14	1,936
1964	…	…	…	…	…	…	23	2,276
1965	…	…	…	…	…	…	29	2,623
1966	…	…	…	…	…	…	30	2,929
1967	…	…	…	…	…	…	39	3,536

TABLE II
PERSONS CONVICTED OF CRIMES OF VIOLENCE IN SCOTLAND, 1961–67
			Persons convicted of murder			Persons convicted of crimes of violence†	Persons convicted of certain crimes of violence‡
			All ages	17 and under 21	Per cent.	All ages	All ages	17 and under 21	Per cent.
1961	…	…	4	—	—	728	596	130	22
1962	…	…	9	1	11	839	703	158	22½
1963	…	…	2	—	—	834	701	155	22
1964	…	…	8	3	37½	990	823	232	28
1965	…	…	15	3	20	1,090	935	273	29
1966	…	…	22	9	41	1,209	1,034	308	30
1967	…	…	26	7	27	1,395	1,197	308	26
*Latest corrected figures.
† The following crimes are classified as crimes of violence—murder, attempt to murder, culpable homicide, assaults, threats, rape, assault with intent to ravish, indecent assault.
‡ The figures given relate to the following crimes—murder, attempt to murder, culpable homicide, assaults.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what estimate he has made of the effect on the maternal mortality rate of smoking; and how the mortality figures compare as between smoking and non-smoking mothers;(2) what assessment he has made of the effect on new-born babies of mothers who are smokers.

No maternal deaths have been recorded in Scotland as due to causes associated with cigarette smoking. Apart from the health risks that are

The information is contained in the following tables.Table I sets out the number of cases of murder and crimes of violence made known to the police in Scotland for each of the years 1961–67. Table II sets out the number of persons convicted of murder and crimes of violence in each of these years and, for murder and certain of the main crimes of violence, the proportion of those convicted who were aged between 17 and 21 years of age. I regret that similar figures for other crimes of violence are not readily available.involved in smoking at any time there is no evidence that women who smoke incur greater risks to their health during or as a consequence of their pregnancy than women who do not smoke.A number of studies have shown that the infants of mothers who smoke during pregnancy tend to be smaller at birth than those of mothers who do not.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an assurance before 27th January that an independent review of the constitution and functions of the General Teaching Council will be held within a stated period.

I have already made my position clear in the debate on the Second Reading of the Education (Scotland) Bill on Tuesday, 21st January.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the 795 certificated teachers of mentally-handicapped children in Scotland have not yet registered with the General Teaching Council; and how many of these are specially qualified.

I do not have this information.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the annual cost to the Scottish economy of congestion due to inadequate road facilities.

A general estimate of this kind would serve no useful purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the cost of road accidents to the Scottish economy.

A general estimate of this kind would serve no useful purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the standard of maintenance on Scottish motorways; and if he will make a statement.

About £2,000 per mile per year is spent on the maintenance of Scottish motorways, and the standard of maintenance is high.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many emergency telephones are installed on Scottish motorways built for Her Majesty's Government.

Emergency telephones will not be installed until longer continuous stretches of motorway are open.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many miles of Her Majesty's Government's motorway in Scotland were in use at 31st December, 1968; and what proportion of this mileage was provided with hard shoulder.

About 37 miles and 95 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what he estimates to be the total cost and the cost per mile of the M8 Glasgow—Edinburgh motorway.

About £14·6 million and £609,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will in future ensure that authorisation of new roads by the Scottish Development Department is accompanied by automatic authorisation of street lighting where appropriate;(2) if he will make adequate funds available to ensure that new roads built by local authorities in Scotland are fully equipped with street lighting where appropriate.

Within the necessary limits of public expenditure, applications for loan sanction for essential street lighting linked with new road schemes are favourably considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will each year designate certain parts of Scotland as brucellosis clearance areas with sufficient compensation and restriction on the movement of livestock to ensure effective eradication with an annual extension of the area to cover eventually the whole country.

The Government's policy on brucellosis was set out in the statement made to the House on 2nd Nevember, 1966, by my right hon. Friend who was Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at the time. When the Brucellosis (Accredited Herds) Scheme makes sufficient progress consideration will be given to area by area eradication. It is not possible, at present, to forecast when this stage will be reached; much will depend upon the number and geographical distribution of accredited herds as sources of replacement.—[Vol. 735, c. 96–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated annual cost to the agricultural industry in Soctland from brucellosis.

No separate estimated cost for Scotland is available; but from a sample survey carried out in 1960–61 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food it was estimated that the direct economic loss from the disease in dairy herds in Great Britain was just over £1 million per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will define the relationship between the Scottish Transport Users Consultative Committee and the proposed Scottish Transport Group.

It is the duty of the Scottish Transport Users Consultative Committee to consider and, where it appears to it to be desirable, make recommendations with respect to any matter affecting the services and facilities provided by the Scottish Transport Group, except the Group's road passenger services and certain other ancillary services and facilities. The Group may refer matters to the Consultative Committee for consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions he has disregarded recommendations from local authorities in making part-time appointments to New Town Development Corporations.

I never disregard such recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses were started and completed in Scotland during 1968; and what was the net increase in the Scottish housing stock.

Forty-four thousand four hundred and sixty houses were started and 41,985 completed in 1968. Both of these are record figures. The net increase in the housing stock cannot be assessed until the number of houses demolished or closed during the year becomes available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the £6·7 million estimated to be the total paid out for storm-damage repairs by March will take the form of loans.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 11th December.—[Vol. 755, c. 158–9.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now make a statement on the recent proposals of the Crofters Commission regarding the future of crofting tenure.

I should like first to put on record my recognition of the excellent work which the Commission has put into consideration of this very complex problem and my appreciation of the clarity and economy with which it has presented its proposals to me. These proposals have attracted keen and wide-ranging interest. They have stimulated energetic discussion; and not merely among crofters themselves or within the crofting counties. All of this indicates the measure of their importance first to the Highlands and Islands but also to the country as a whole.To assist me to assess these proposals I have authorised officials to enter into consultations with interested bodies. My officials will also be ready to consider written evidence or comments by other bodies or persons who do not receive a direct invitation to submit observations. In addition, I propose to set in hand a number of studies which will, I hope, also help me to reach conclusions about the practical and financial implications of the proposals and about the desirability of a possible change in the law.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give an assurance that he will not close the Social Security offices in Wembley Park, in view of the inconvenience this would cause to many Wembley residents.

No. The proposed changes are part of a reorganisation programme designed to provide a network of local offices affording a comprehensive service over the full range of social security.The site for the new office, which will cover the postal districts of Wembley and N.W.10, is the most convenient available location for the majority of claimants.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that the present system of war preference allowances will be reviewed to ensure a preferential rate of pension.

War pensioners enjoy a substantial number of preferences in cash and services in recognition of the special debt we all owe to the war disabled and their dependants. My right hon. Friend sees no reason for reviewing the system at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the Greater London local health authorities which assist non-profit making playgroups under Section 65 of the Health Services and Public Health Act, 1968.

I am informed that the London Boroughs of Bromley, Ealing, Enfield, Hammersmith, Haringey, Sutton, Waltham Forest, and Westminster already exercise their power under Section 65 by assisting playgroups which provide for children with special health and welfare needs, and that the London Boroughs of Barking, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, Lewisham and Tower Hamlets are considering doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to increase the number of qualified nursing tutors in the Hospital Service.

Two new training courses for nurse tutors have been introduced in recent years, financial help for those being trained has been improved and I hope that the General Nursing Council will soon be able to arrange for a further course to be started. The introduction of the structure of nurse staffing recommended by the Salmon Committee and the grouping of nurse training schools will lead to improvement in the career prospects of tutors and their pay was increased from 1st January, 1969, under the recent agreement of the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council. The numbers and pattern of teaching staff required are being studied as indicated by my right hon. Friend the former Minister of Health in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Morpeth (Mr. Will Owen) on 15th July last.—[Vol. 768, c. 165–166.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to co-ordinate training in midwifery and nursing to encourage fully-trained midwives to become State registered nurses.

Ninety per cent. of women qualifying as midwives in 1967–68 were already State registered nurses or registered sick children's nurses. A further 5 per cent. had other nursing qualifications. Midwives are allowed six months' reduction in the periods of training required for registration or enrolment as nurses.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he proposes to increase the salary of chief nursing officers, in view of the need to provide an adequate salary structure for the nursing profession.

The present salaries of chief nursing officers are based on the recommendations of the National Board for Prices and Incomes. The Board recommended that these salaries should last until 31st March, 1970.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will authorise the formation of a Government holding company to purchase and operate the Burntisland Shipyard without loss of employment until such time as a suitable purchaser can be found.

No. As to the short term position, the yard is still at work on existing orders. We have examined the situation with the Shipbuilding Industry Board and have explained to the hon Member for Kirkcaldy Burghs (Mr. Gourlay) and other local representatives that the best hope of a long-term solution would be if a shipbuilding undertaking which can find orders capable of being carried out profitably at this yard were to take it over.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many industrial development certificates were issued in each region and in Scotland and in Wales during the final quarter of 1968.

The information asked for is in the table below:

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES APPROVED
1.10.68–31.12.68*†
	No.	Area (000's sq.ft.) Total
Northern Region	61	1,551
Yorkshire and Humberside	119	1,855
East Midlands	92	2,501
East Anglia	65	961
South Eastern	303	5,273
South Western	99	1,379
West Midlands	160	3,093
North Western	189	5,287
Wales	80	2,818
Scotland	76	2,744
Great Britain	1,244	27,462
* The figures relate to schemes, mainly over 5,000 sq. ft., for both manufacturing and non-manufacturing industry approved during the period stated.
† Provisional.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give assistance towards the development of the Scottish film industry.

The film industry in Great Britain already receives assistance from the National Film Finance Corporation, from a levy upon exhibitors, the proceeds of which are distributed to makers of British films, and from legislation requiring exhibitors to show quotas of British films. All these measures apply to Scotland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what applications he has had for civil aircraft to use Leconfield airfield; and what has been his reply.

The Town Clerk of Hull wrote to the Board of Trade asking that R.A.F. Leconfield should be made available for civil air services. He was informed that the matter was being discussed with the Ministry of Defence. It is also known that Autair International Airways Ltd. is interested in using the airfield under suitable conditions.

asked the Minister of Transport how many motor vehicles he estimates will be registered in Scotland by 1973.

Between 1·35 and 1·5 million.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the latest fatal accident, he will take steps to ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists in Dracaena Avenue, Falmouth.

Following consultations with Cornwall County Council, Falmouth Borough Council and the police, I have agreed in principle to the installation of a "Pelican" push button controlled crossing in Dracaena Avenue. I have also authorised Falmouth Borough Council to order the necessary equipment in advance of formal application and approval, in order to minimise delay in installing the crossing.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give a general direction to British Railways with a view to ensuring that early morning trains run according to their scheduled times.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the effects of the two-tier gold system, he will now repeal Statutory Instrument number 438, 1966.

No. It is still necessary to discourage hoarding of, and speculation in gold coins.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total of receipts from taxation on capital attributable to Scotland in 1967–68.

The amount of death duties and capital gains tax collected in Scotland was about £37 million in 1967–68. This figure can be taken to represent the amount paid by residents in Scotland.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why there was a fall of 14 per cent. between 1962–63 and 1967–68 in Scotland's share relative to population of capital expenditure by the nationalised industries; and what steps he is taking to remedy this situation.

The size and pattern of capital expenditure by the nationalised industries reflects changes in the demand for their products and services. Population changes are only one factor to be taken into account. In fact, capital expenditure in Scotland by the nationalised industries rose by nearly 54 per cent. between 1962–63 and 1967–68 whereas population fell slightly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion, in value, of Her Majesty's Stationery Office printing work contracted out to commercial printers has been placed in Scotland in each of the last five years.

Of the total printing and binding work placed by Her Majesty's Stationery Office with commercial firms over the past five years the proportions, in value, placed in Scotland were as follows:—

• October 1963—September 1964–3·5 per cent.
• October 1964—September 1965–3·6 per cent.
• October 1965—September 1966–3·9 per cent.
• October 1966—September 1967–3·6 per cent.
• October 1967—September 1968–4·0 per cent.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what sum was expended on official and Ministerial entertainment and/or particular functions for the year ended 31st March, 1968.

£245,000.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the total number of civil servants employed in Government Departments on 16th January, 1968, and on 16th January, 1969, respectively.

Figures for 16th January are not available. On 1st January, 1968, there were 691,200 of whom 467,700 were non-industrial staff and 223,500 industrial. The comparable figure for 1st January, 1969, was 687,680, of whom 470,580 were non-industrial and 217,100 industrial.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will show in tabular form the cost in 1967–68 of public service pensions for each of the following categories, and to show in each case the number of pensioners covered and the number of dependants

					Estimated cost of pensions in 1968–69	Estimated number of pensions at 1st April, 1969
						Retired officers	Widows and dependants
					£
Civil Service	…	…	…	…	84,358,000	235,000	60,000
Armed Forces	…	…	…	…	68,675,000	210,000	25,500
Teachers	…	…	…	…	57,500,000	112,100	3,180
Police—England and Wales*	…	…	…	…	17,000,000	27,700	12,800
Police—Metropolitan	…	…	…	…	7,500,000	14,300	7,200
National Health Service	…	…	…	…	20,200,000	67,700	11,450
Fire Service	…	…	…	…	4,000,000	8,000	3,000
Local Government	…	…	…	…	48,000,000	131,000	28,000
* Excluding Metropolitan Police.

Figures for 1967–68 are not immediately available but those for 1968–69 are estimated as follows:—