asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to achieve closer co-operation between the States of the European Economic Community and the States applying to join the European Economic Community on matters of international monetary policy.

There are several international bodies in which the Governments of the European Economic Community countries and of those applying to join the European Economic Community already discuss international monetary questions. Recently suggestions have been made to improve European co-operation in monetary matters and, as my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer made clear at the recent meeting of the Council of Europe, we welcome these suggestions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will give an assurance that every facility will be given by Her Majesty's Government for the development of the seaweed industry in the Falkland Islands.

As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State told the hon. Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) on 24th January, Alginate Industries Limited are sending out a representative to the Islands in April or May this year for discussions with the Governor. I should prefer to await the outcome of this visit.—[Col. 757, Vol. 776.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the approximate per capita contribution made by citizens of the Falkland Islands to the defence of those islands; and how this compares with the per capita contribution to the defence budget by citizens of the United Kingdom.

The Falkland Islands Government meet the full cost of the local Volunteer Defence Force, a contribution this year of just under £2 per head of the population. This compares with a contribution to the Defence Budget by citizens of the United Kingdom of approximately £40 10s. 0d. per head in the financial year 1967/68 and of approximately £41 in 1968/69.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the latest assessment he has made of the political and economic consequences of sanctions against Rhodesia; and if he will make a statement.

On the political effects of sanctions, I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said on 5th December, 1968 in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton). As regards the economic consequences, a United Kingdom assessment of the effects of sanctions on the Rhodesian economy up to mid-1968 was published as Annex III to United Nations Security Council Document, S/8954, of 30th December, 1968. A copy of this document has been placed in the Library of the House.—[Vol. 774, c. 1830.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received about the extent of unemployment among Africans in Rhodesia.

Such information as is available indicates that there is substantial unemployment and underemployment among Rhodesian Africans and that this is a matter of growing concern within Rhodesia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what summary he has made of $820,000-worth of goods which, as shown by United States Government returns, have been exported from Rhodesia into the United States of America during the first six months following imposition of comprehensive mandatory sanctions, to ascertain the extent to which such exports were compatible with such sanctions.

A summary is provided in the trade statistics published monthly by the United States Government. It is for the Security Council, acting on the advice of the Committee established in pursuance of Resolution No. 253 of 29th May, 1968, to determine whether any particular Government is in breach of its obligations under that Resolution.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Swiss Government in view of the fact that Swiss imports from Rhodesia in the first six months following the imposition of comprehensive mandatory sanctions were 62 per cent. higher than in 1964, and Swiss exports to Rhodesia over the same period 50 per cent. higher than in 1965.

We keep in touch with friendly governments about ways of making sanctions more effective, but it is for the Security Council, acting on the advice of the Committee established in pursuance of Resolution No. 253 of 29th May, 1968, to determine whether any particular Government is in breach of its obligations under that Resolution.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further information he has received on the countries besides Portugal and South Africa known to be deliberately breaching the United Nations resolution on sanctions against Rhodesia.

In accordance with our obligations under paragraph 21 of Security Council Resolution No. 253 of 29th May, 1968, we provide the Committee of the Security Council established in pursuance of that Resolution with such information as we may receive of suspected breaches of sanctions. That information is, however, confidential until the Committee makes its Reports to the Security Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Report of the Security Council's Committee on mandatory sanctions against Rhodesia.

The first Report of the Committee established under Security Council Resolution No. 253 was made to the President of the Security Council on the 30th of December, 1968; it has been published as United Nations Security Council. Document S/8954 of which a copy has been placed in the Library of the House. It covered the work of the Committee up to the end of last year and included material submitted to the Commission by the United Kingdom Government. The Committee is continuing its work. It is for the Security Council to consider in due course the Reports which the Committee makes to it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further consideration he has given to alternative schemes for the composition of the Rhodesian legislature.

Her Majesty's Government's proposals for the composition of the Rhodesian Legislature are contained in the "Fearless" proposals, which remain on offer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the Yugoslav Government regarding the 221 per cent. increase in Yugoslav imports from Rhodesia in the first four months following the introduction of comprehensive mandatory sanctions as compared with Yugoslav imports from Rhodesia prior to the Unilateral Declaration of Independence and the fact that Yugoslavia, which sold no goods to Rhodesia in the year before the Unilateral Declaration of Independence, sold $360,000 worth since the imposition of comprehensive mandatory sanctions;(2) what representations he has made to the Federal German Government regarding the $4·86 million-worth of Rhodesian goods which, as shown by official German returns, have been imported into Germany in the first six months since the imposition of comprehensive mandatory sanctions, and the 12 per cent. increase in German exports sold to Rhodesia over the same period as compared with the level of German exports pre the Unilateral Declaration of Independence.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply to his earlier Question today.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the fact that official Portuguese Government returns show that Portuguese trade with Rhodesia has been discontinued since the imposition of comprehensive mandatory sanctions, he will instruct Her Majesty's representative at the United Nations to oppose all motions critical of Portugal for alleged failure to fulfil United Nations mandatory orders in this matter.

The hon. Member appears to have been misled by the fact that Portuguese official statistics no longer show figures for trade with Southern Rhodesia. This is not the same as showing that that trade has been discontinued.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why a special postage stamp has been printed in Hong Kong to celebrate Human Rights Year.

This issue was made in response to a general request from the United Nations. Eighty-five other countries also responded.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will state the average daily and weekly hours of work for women and young persons in Government industry in Hong Kong during the first full year of a 57 hours' week.

All staff in Government industry in Hong Kong work an average week of 48 hours "outdoors" or 44 hours "indoors", a daily average of eight hours for outdoor staff and less for indoor staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is aware that prisoners convicted and persons detained following the 1967 disturbances in Hong Kong, recently visited by the hon. Member for Richmond, Surrey, had no complaints about their conditions of imprisonment; if he is satisfied that the prisoners are working daily in the prison workshops and that the four detainees are allowed regular visits from their families, and periods of exercise; and if he will make a statement.

I am sure that hon. Members will be glad to have this first-hand information. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the conditions under which these persons are confined give no grounds for serious criticism. The prisoners go about their daily tasks, whether in the prison workshops or elsewhere; they are allowed all normal privileges such as regular visits from relatives and friends, access to the prison library and to send and receive letters. The four detainees are allowed regular visits from their families and periods of exercise; visitors may bring them clothing, reading matter, cigarettes and fruit. Although they are not required to do any work, detainees receive the same prison diet as working prisoners, as well as certain supplements. They can also send and receive an unlimited quantity of mail.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will visit Italy to discuss with Signor Nenni plans for arranging a nuclear-free zone in the Mediterranean.

No, but we are always ready to discuss arms control proposals both in the Eighteen-Nation Disarmament Committee and elsewhere. The creation of nuclear-free zones is, of course, primarily a matter for the initiative of the countries in the areas concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will consider moving at the United Nations for the expulsion of Greece, on the grounds that the actions and policies of the present Greek régime are incompatible with the Charter.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what talks he has had with the Government of Guyana on the subject of the Venezuelan claim to Guyanese territory.

The British Government and the Government of Guyana have maintained close consultations on this matter and my right hon. Friend had opportunities to discuss it with the Prime Minister of Guyana during his visit to this country in June 1968 and again when he was here last month for the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the Nigerian Federal Government concerning their requisition of the British ship "Enugu Palm" and its use to transfer troops from Lagos to Port Harcourt; and if he will make a statement;(2) what is the policy of the British Government concerning the use of British merchant ships for the carrying of Federal Nigerian troops in the restricted area of Nigeria; and if he will make a statement.

No representations were made. The position was fully explained in my right hon. Friend's letter to my hon. Friend of 24th January.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration was given in the recent discussions he had with Chief Awolowo, of the Nigerian Federal Government, to the proposals made by Chief Awolowo for the reorganisation of the internal structure of the Federation as a basis for a negotiated peace.

We are deeply concerned to see a negotiated peace, but it is not for us to settle details of their constitutional arrangements with the Nigerians. Chief Awolowo confirmed to us the Nigerian Government's view that proposals such as his own for the future structure of the Federation will be open for discussion at the proposed Constitutional Conference once peace is restored.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will include in arms sent by Her Majesty's Government to the Federal Government of Nigeria delayed action fuses so that carnage among civilians as the result of bombing of airstrips can be avoided.

Any means of reducing civilian casualties is welcome, but no bombs or parts for bombs are supplied to the Federal Government of Nigeria from this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the statement made by the Minister of State on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the Nigerian Civil War at the Ministerial meeting at Luxembourg on 7th February, 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reply he gave to the proposal for an international ban on arms to Nigeria and Biafra put forward by Signor Zagari on behalf of the Italian Government at the recent Western European Union Conference on European Unity.

The proceedings at this meeting were confidential. Our attitude to proposals for an arms ban is indicated in my reply to an earlier Question by the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mr. Lane).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why British arms supplies to Nigeria have increased since June 1967.

Because the Nigerian Government's requirements have increased, in the face of an armed movement to break up their country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the approximate per capita contribution made by citizens of Gibraltar to the defence of that territory; and how this compares with the per capita contribution to the defence budget by citizens of the United Kingdom.

The Gibraltar Government make an annual contribution towards the costs of the Gibraltar Regiment, equivalent this year to 5s. 6d. per head of the population. This compares with a per capita contribution to the defence budget by citizens of the United Kingdom of approximately £40 10s. in the financial year 1967–68, and of approximately £41 in 1968–69.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Canadian Government on the future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

I have discussed the future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on a number of occasions with my colleagues on the Ministerial Council of that Organisation, including my Canadian colleague. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister also took advantage of the recent visit to London of Mr. Trudeau, and of the Canadian External Affairs Secretary Mr. Sharp to discuss with them world affairs generally including the future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new assurances have been given to the Malaysian Government about British commitments in South-East Asia after 1971; and whether he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to my reply to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Bridlington (Mr. Wood) on 5th February.—[Vol. 777, c. 127.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of the assurances he has now given on the British defence of Malaysia after 1971.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply earlier today to the hon. and gallant Member for Winchester (Rear-Admiral Morgan Giles).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been achieved in creating closer relations with the states of the European Economic Community in the field of technological collaboration.

A number of proposals to this end have been made, notably by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. Progress is restricted by the fact that we cannot at present join the European Communities. Nevertheless we continue to pursue, with some success, those possibilities of closer cooperation which are open to us.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the West German Government is carrying on research into biological and chemical warfare, including work on the distribution of poisons by aerosol, he will request the West European Union Armament Control Agency to require the Federal Government to discontinue this breach of the Brussels Treaty of 1954.

No. The undertakings of the Federal Republic set out in the Brussels Treaty of 1954 relate to the manufacture of certain weapons as there defined. The Federal German Government do not deny that they are engaged in research into protective measures against chemical and biological weapons, but we have no reason to believe that any manufacture of weapons in violation of the undertakings is involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will adopt unilaterally the proposals on chemical and biological warfare put forward at the Geneva Disarmament Conference last August; and whether the Government will make a declaration to this effect and make provision for verification and inspection.

No. Our objective is multilateral action by international agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonweath Affairs whether he will propose to the Security Council that there be a special inquiry into the threat to world peace arising from the treatment of Jews living in Arab countries.

No. I do not think that it would be useful or appropriate for the British Government to make such a proposal.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Her Majesty's Government proposes to ratify the Convention on the Elaboration of a European Pharmacopoeia, which was signed in 1964.

After the relevant provisions of the Medicines Act, 1968, have come fully into operation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the long-term career prospects of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service.

Yes. Measures relating to the remaining members of Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service serving in certain British dependent territories are now being introduced. I am circulating the details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

In debate on the Adjournment on 15th of July last year, the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs referred to the problems arising from the restriction of the career prospects of the remaining members of H.M.O.C.S. serving in certain British dependent territories, which had resulted in particular from decolonisation elsewhere. The measures which were then under consideration for the Western Pacific have now been discussed with the High Commissioner and staff, and a scheme will shortly be introduced which, while recognising the special difficulties facing officers in that area, should make it possible to retain the services of experienced staff according to the needs of administration. This scheme is voluntary for officers, and those who decide to join it will be entitled to cash benefit, payable normally by instalments, of up to £10,000 according to age and length of service, on the condition that they may be required to serve, broadly speaking, for a further 10 years or up to the age of 50, whichever is the less, thus surrendering the right to retire voluntarily at 45. The cost of this scheme will be met by the British Government.

Discussions have also been held in Fiji, and a compensation scheme limited to officers retiring in the interests of localisation has been agreed to by the Legislative Council. Payments of up to £12,500 will be made according to age and length of service under this scheme, the cost of which will be shared with the Government of Fiji.

We hope that, with the introduction of these measures, the H.M.O.C.S. officers will continue to serve in these territories so long as their experience is needed in maintaining administration and promoting development.

H.M.O.C.S. officers are still serving in ten dependent territories, including Fiji and the Western Pacific. There is also a considerable number still in posts in independent countries. The main group in dependent countries is in Hong Kong where the size and salary levels of the public service afford a reasonable career at present. In all these territories (except in Bermuda where a general scheme will shortly be introduced) the constitutional position which would require the introduction of general compensation schemes has not yet been reached. Her Majesty's Government's long standing undertakings in this respect remain unaltered.—[Vol. 768, c. 1213–1222.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how much of the offset provisions under Article 5 of the Protocol of 20th July, 1965, with the West German Government remains to be completed; and when this is expected to be finalised;(2) how much remains to be spent in the Arms Deposit Account for the years to 1966–67 under the offset agreement with the West German Government; and when this is expected to be completed.

Article 5 of the Anglo-German Protocol of 20th July, 1965, provided for the use of the funds in the Arms Deposit Account "together with German payments across the exchanges to finance in the United Kingdom additional transactions which qualify under the Agreement of 27th July, 1964 to twice the amount drawn" from that account; and that payments made in accordance with this Article should be accounted for in respect of the two-year period ending 31st March, 1966. The balance currently remaining in the account as on 6th February, 1969, is estimated to be DM.59·3 million or about £6·2 million. We estimate the full accountable value of the business remaining to be completed in accordance with provisions of Article 5 of the Agreement to be DM. 168·6 million. This represents, in addition to the money actually remaining in the account, an equal amount of additional German payments (as provided for in Article 5) and a further payment of DM.50 million deriving from a project (the M45H engine for the VFW614 German airliner) to which a contribution has already been made from the Arms Deposit Account.2. The balance of the Account has virtually been committed in full. It is estimated that with the exception of payments from one or two of the longer term projects, such as the M45H engine, the spending of the balance of the Arms Deposit Account will be completed by about the end of 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in each of the years since the commencement of the offset agreement with the West German Government, how much of the civil purchases have been by the West German Government, and how much by private companies.

I regret that a detailed break-down for each of the financial years concerned is not readily available.2. The following figures represent the division of off-setting payments between, on the one hand, German public authorities (which for this purpose include governmental authorities at all levels, companies in which those authorities have a minimum holding of 50 per cent. and public corporations), and, on the other hand, private companies including sales to private companies in third countries:

	Public	Private
1962–64	230	—
1964–67	772	342
1967–68	225	57

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent the shortfall in 1967–68 on civil purchases of DM 78 million out of DM 350 million under the offset agreement with the West German Government will not be met and whether it is proposed that the balance should be added to the 1968–69 target.

As my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs told my hon. Friend on 28th January, the Federal German Government undertook to use their best endeavours under Articles 3 and 4 of the 1967–68 agreement to promote accountable purchases "up to" the Deutschemark target figure quoted in those Articles, and performance would have been better but for the effects of devaluation. The Federal German Government were not under any obligation under the terms of that agreement to make up the difference in respect of the current agreement.—[Vol, 776, c. 313–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of the civil purchases by the West German Government under offset arrangements have been purchased on behalf of private companies.

On the basis of the figures available to us from 1962 up to the termination of the 1967–68 agreement, the proportion of civil public purchases is about 75 per cent. of the total, as against 25 per cent. for civil private purchases.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent official European tour.

On my way to Luxembourg for the Ministerial Meeting of Western European Union on 6th and 7th February, I paid a brief visit to Herr Brandt in Germany. He was recuperating from an illness which prevented him from coming to London last month, and from attending the meeting. We discussed a number of matters of mutual concern, including European problems.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to protect the life and liberty of the Reverend N. Sithole.

I understand that Mr. Sithole has been sentenced to six years imprisonment but has been granted leave to appeal. Meanwhile it would be better that I should not comment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the Government's policy in regard to the future of British Honduras.

I have nothing to add to the replies given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on 15th October and 18th November, 1968.—[Vol. 770, c. 74; Vol. 773, c. 191.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further discussions he has had with Spain with a view to securing an easing of restrictions on visitors into and out of Gibraltar, especially during the holiday season.

The Spanish Government know the view we take of their restrictions at the land frontier between Gibraltar and Spain, and of the delays and inconvenience suffered last summer by tourists using the ferry between Algeciras and Gibraltar. There are no current reports of passengers on the ferry being delayed, but we shall watch the situation closely as the tourist season develops.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what official requests Her Majesty's Government have received from Malaysia for support in its dispute with the Philippines over Sabah; and what replies have been sent.

I cannot reveal details of confidential exchanges with another Government. The attitude of the British Government towards this dispute is however well known.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the State of Israel concerning the interference by her armed forces with attempts to free British ships trapped in the Great Bitter Lakes.

I am not aware of any recent incidents to which this Question could be related. If my hon. Friend is referring to the unsuccessful attempt to begin work on releasing the ships in January last year, I have nothing to add to my reply to a supplementary question by my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Exchange (Mr. Will Griffiths) on 18th November, 1968.—[Vol. 773, c. 868.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he is making to the Government of the Republic of South Africa concerning its proposals to proceed with the South West Africa Affairs Amendment Bill; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead on 14th February.—[Vol. 777, c. 408–9.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government to implement Resolution 2395 passed by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 29th November, 1968, appealing to all States, especially members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, to withhold assistance to Portugal which might enable her to prosecute colonial wars, and to prevent the recruitment or training of mercenaries.

The United Kingdom abstained on this Resolution in the General Assembly but, as my hon. Friend knows, Her Majesty's Government do not permit, and have not for some years permitted, the export of arms to Portugal for use in her overseas territories. I am not aware of any attempt to recruit or train mercenaries in this country to fight in the Portuguese overseas territories.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action is being taken by Her Majesty's Government in pursuit of the resolution passed by the General Assembly of the United Nations calling on all States to withhold assistance from Portugal and South Africa until they renounce colonial domination and racial discrimination.

My hon. Friend will be aware of the measures taken by Her Majesty's Government in line with or in pursuance of earlier United Nations resolutions relating to South Africa and Portugal. No other action is contemplated by Her Majesty's Government as a result of General Assembly Resolution 2465, against which we voted.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current contribution in sterling to the resources of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees; and how this compares with the previous year's grant.

The level of the contribution for 1969 is still under consideration. I hope, however, to be able to announce a decision in the near future. The contribution in sterling for the year 1968 was £120,000, which was the same as the previous year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what amount has been paid from public funds to meet the scale of payments of compensation prescribed in the Foreign Compensation (Egypt) (Final Distribution) Order, 1963; and what further amounts will need to be provided.

In his statement on 11th December, 1962, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs said that the estimated cost of the new scale of compensation then announced would be about £6·5 million.The amount paid from public funds into the Egyptian Compensation Fund up to the end of December, 1968 was £5·6 million; the remaining commitment is likely to be approximately £3·1 million, bringing the estimated total cost to public funds of the "topping-up" of the Egyptian Compensation Fund to about £8·7 million.Outstanding claims are estimated at £2·5 million and there will be additional claims from owners whose property has been sequestrated since 1956 and is now beginning to be released from sequestration under the arrangements made with the United Arab Republic in the Exchange of Notes of 24th April, 1967.Part of the cost in excess of the 1962 estimate of £6·5 million arises from the recent decision of the House of Lords in the case of Anisminic

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will propose to the Security Council that the United Nations should repeal that article of the Charter which prevents their intervening in the domestic affairs of member states.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will give the latest available figures for the average weekly earnings of manual workers in coalmining, the electric supply industry, oil refining and United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority workers employed in nuclear power stations; what is the total number employed in the above industries; and what were the figures of industrial disputes in which they were involved in 1968.

Following is the information:—

The latest available figures of average weekly earnings relate to October, 1968. and are as follows:—

ADULT MALE MANUAL WORKERS (21 YEARS AND OVER)
	£	s.	d.
Coalmining	24	2	5*
Electricity Supply industry	20	5	1†
Mineral oil refining	26	13	7†
* Supplied by N.C.B. Excludes the value of allowances in kind (£1 10s. 9d.).
† Derived from the Department's half-yearly inquiries.

The latest available provisional estimates of employees in employment relate to December. 1968. and are as follows:—

GREAT BRITAIN
(Thousands)
	Males	Females	Total
Coalmining (MLH 101)	392·2	16·9	409·1
Electricity (MLH 602)	202·9	33·4	236·3
Mineral oil refining (MLH 262)	23·2	2·9	26·1

Corresponding figures for October, 1968, were:—

Coalmining	398·2	16·9	415·1
Electricity	205·6	33·6	239·2
Mineral oil refining	23·1	2·9	26·0

The provisional estimates of stoppages of work due to industrial disputes for the year 1968 are as follows:—

		Stoppages in progress
	Number of stoppages beginning in year	Number of workers involved	Number of working days lost
Coalmining	221	29,800	54,000
Electricity	8	2,500	6,000

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will make a statement on the methods used to measure the productivity of chairmen of nationalised industries, in connection with the National Board for Prices and Incomes' inquiry into their remuneration.

The Board is itself responsible for the way in which it tackles references which are made to it. I understand that it has now completed its inquiries in connection with the reference of top salaries, and its report is to be published within the next few weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will state the reasons for the increase in the numbers employed in her Department from 21,300 on 1st April, 1964, to 29,200 on 1st October, 1968.

Part of the increase in staff numbers between 1st April, 1964, and 1st October, 1968, was occasioned by work arising from new legislation including the Redundancy Payments Act, 1964, the Industrial Training Act, 1964, the Selective Employment Payments Act, 1966, and the National Insurance Act, 1966. In addition, local office staffs, the Manpower and Productivity Service, H.M. Factory Inspectorate and Government Training Centres have been considerably expanded for essential work of economic and social importance.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what was the total employment, male and female, in hairdressing establishments in Scotland during 1963 to 1968, respectively.

Following is the information:

ESTIMATED NUMBERS OF EMPLOYEES IN EMPLOYMENT IN M.L.H. 889 (HAIRDRESSING AND MANICURE) IN SCOTLAND
	Male	Female	Thousands Total
Mid-1963	2·2	6·8	9·0
Mid-1964	2·2	7·1	9·3
Mid-1965	2·2	7·1	9·3
Mid-1966	1·8	7·2	9·0
Mid-1967	1·8	6·9	8·7

The figures for mid-1968 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many apprentices, male and female, are employed by hairdressing establishments in Scotland; and how many are known to have day release.

Information about the numbers of apprentices employed is not available, but recruitment of young people who take apprenticeships in hair-dressing and manicure as their first employment on leaving school has been running at about 1,200 a year during the last three years. In the academic year 1967–68, 121 boy and 1,113 girl apprentice hairdressers were attending day release courses.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity who are the members of the Central Consultancy Service of the Manpower and Productivity Service; and who are the Service's 90 manpower advisers.

The 14 manpower and productivity consultants whose names are given below are currently in the Central Consultancy Service. They have been recruited from management and the trade unions because of their experience in a wide range of subjects, including general management, manpower planning, industrial engineering, work study, and wages and salary systems. The Central Consultancy Service undertakes projects at the national level and is also available to supplement the work of 78 manpower advisers located in the regions.

ESTIMATED NUMBERS OF MALE EMPLOYEES IN EMPLOYMENT IN WALES
(Thousands)
		1962	1963	1964(a)	1964(b)	1965	1966(a)	1966(b)	1967
Manufacturing industries (Orders III to XVI of the 1958 edition of the Standard Industrial Classification)	…	220·1	223·8	230·1	230·7	235·1	239·7	243·8	238·0
Construction (Order XVII)	…	72·9	71·3	75·3	75·5	73·1	77·9	75·5	70·7
Service industries (Orders XIX to XXIV)	…	237·6	238·5	235·3	234·8	237·0	232·7	231·1	223·8

Estimates from June, 1964(A), are on a revised basis and are not strictly comparable with the estimates for June, 1964(

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity Twelve manpower advisers have been recruited from industry since the Manpower and Productivity Service was formed last year; most of the remainder were previously known as my Department's industrial relations officers.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many men were employed in wales in manufacture, construction and service industries, respectively, at the latest convenient date; and what are the corersponding figures for the previous five years.

Mid-year estimates of the numbers of employees in employment, analysed industrially, are available for males (i.e., men and boys together) but not separately for men. Following is the information for each June from 1962 to 1967. The figures for mid-1968 will be available within the next few weeks.what is the present percentage of unemployment at employment exchanges whose areas cover parts of Westmorland.

At 10th February the provisional percentage rates of unemployment for the Penrith and Kendal Employment Exchange areas were 1·5 and 0·8, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the current male employee activity rate in England, and what it was in 1964.

The male employee activity rate in England in 1967, the latest date for which a figure is available, was 75·6 per cent. and in 1964 it was 77·2 per cent. The male employee activity rates refer to mid-year and are defined as the estimated numbers of male employees in England aged 15 and over (including the registered wholly unemployed) expressed as a percentage of the total male home population in England aged 15 and over

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether the proposals for preservation of pension rights in the White Paper, Command Paper No. 3883, will cover public service pensions generally, and non-contributory public service pensions in particular.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what quota limitation, by country of origin, she maintains within the overall total of aliens granted work permits in any one year.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy for the future administrative arrangements for domestic services in hospitals; whether he proposes to approve the system of ward housekeepers; and if he will make a statement.

The existing management structure is at present under review. My right hon. Friend has not yet reached conclusions on the introduction of ward housekeepers.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the immediate and longer term future of the King George Hospital, Ilford.

The regional hospital board's plans for the development of the hospital service in their area are currently under review, and I am unable to make a statement at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give a directive to the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board to include a medical representative from Nuneaton on the working party which has been set up by the Board to study hospital facilities in Nuneaton and Rugby.

No; this is for the Board to decide.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from the Nuneaton and Bedworth areas about the exclusion of a representative from Nuneaton from the working party that has been set up by the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board to consider the transfer of hospital facilities from Nuneaton and Rugby to the new Coventry Hospital at Walsgrave; and what reply he has sent.

None, except from my hon. Friend himself.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the amount of expenditure by the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board on food, drink and hospitality in the year 1967–68; how this compares with previous years; and whether he will make a statement.

The Board's expenditure on hospitality, including food and drink, was £578 in 1967–68 compared with £547, £576 and £582 in 1966–67, 1965–66 and 1964–65 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many representations he has received requesting him to take steps to abolish the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board.

None, except in questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Nuneaton and Rugby.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average length of time taken for a quarterly meeting of the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board.

Meetings are held every two months and usually last about an hour.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the number of administrative staff employed by the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board on 31st December 1968 and on 31st December 1963, respectively;(2) whether he will state the cost of the administrative staff employed by the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board in the 12 months ended 31st December 1968 and ended 31st December 1963, respectively.

203 in 1963 and 305 in 1968, at a cost of £198,542 in 1963–64 and £395,000, estimated, for 1968–69. The increase is principally due to the substantial expansion of the hospital building programme, and to the development of staff training and management services, including computer services and work study, at Board level for the benefit of the hospital service.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now take steps to abolish the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now disband the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board in view of its failure to provide for the needs of people in the Rugby area.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present waiting time for a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy at the Nuneaton Hospital.

The average waiting time for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy at the Manor Hospital, Nuneaton was 21·3 weeks in 1967, the latest year for which a figure is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on the future of St. Cross, Rugby, as a training hospital.

Nurse training will continue at the hospital, but consideration is being given to recommendations of the General Nursing Council as to the form of training which should be given.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on the future of Harborough Magna Maternity Hospital as a nurses training centre.

Nurse training is not undertaken at this hospital; there is no present intention to discontinue the arrangements for midwifery training but my hon. Friend is aware that recommendations about the future of St. Mary's are being made to the Board's Planning Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what long-term effects the overspill development at Daventry will have on hospital services in the Rugby area.

None. Hospital services for Daventry are provided by the Oxford Regional Hospital Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what funds have been allocated to Lowestoft Hospital for the year 1969–70 for essential sanitary and connected works in the hospital's wards.

The East Anglian Regional Hospital Board have not yet decided on the allocation of funds for small capital schemes starting in 1969–70.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects the building of the District General Hospital for Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft to commence.

The date has not yet been fixed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what decisions the Government have now reached on the implementation of the recommendations of the Seebohm Report; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing at present to add to the reply which I gave on this subject to my hon. Friends the Members for Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd), Billericay (Mr. Moonman), Ealing, North (Mr. Molloy) and the hon. Member for Harwich (Mr. Ridsdale) on 27th January.—[Vol. 776, c. 205–206.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost of hearing aid receiver cords to the National Health Service; and what is the source of supply.

About £40,000 p.a. for the United Kingdom; cords are obtained under contract through the General Post Office, fromMermaid Engineering Company Limited, Forest Hill.Plastronics Limited, Watford.Aerial Pressings Limited, Beeston.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the hon. Member for West Ham, North, may expect the return by his Department of the communication from the National Health Service Executive Council for North-East London promised to him on 30th January, 1969; and if he will give instructions that such correspondence should be returned more quickly to Members of Parliament.

The enclosure inadvertently omitted from my letter of 30tb January, for which I apologise, was returned on 12th February, as soon as my hon. Friend pointed out the omission by the circulation of his Question. No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications have been made to mental health review tribunals in the last two years alleging improper detention of patients; how many formal hearings have taken place; and what has been the result of such applications, both when there has been a formal hearing and when there has not.

Mental health review tribunals are not concerned with allegations of improper detention, but with applications for review of the need for detention. In 1967 and 1968 2,095 valid applications were made; 1,771 applications were heard in those years, 282 at formal hearings. After formal hearings, tribunals made 60 directions for discharge and 222 decisions not to direct discharge; after informal hearings 189 directions for discharge and 1,300 decisions not to direct discharge.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why he proposes that pensions payable under his new scheme for national superannuation should not be related directly to the amount of contributions but will be modified by a formula; and why he has selected the particular formula recommended in the White Paper.

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 31 of the White Paper (Cmnd. 3883).

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to reduce the number of people requiring supplementary benefits before the implementation of his proposals for national superannuation and social insurance; and what numbers he estimates will have incomes below supplementary benefit level after his scheme has been in operation for two, 10 and 20 years.

The supplementary benefits scheme must continue to be widely used to help those whose resources fall short of their requirements while the contributory benefits provided under the Government's proposals are developing to the point where they are normally sufficient to live on without other means. It is not possible to make the estimates asked for in the second part of the Question because they depend, amongst other things, on relativities between supplementary benefit and contributory benefits and patterns of personal income and savings which cannot be forecast so far ahead.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what he estimates will be the total amount of employers' contributions in the first year of operation of his proposals for national superannuation and social insurance; and by how much he estimates this will exceed the amount to be paid by employers under the existing arrangements.

It is impossible to forecast the answer with any precision. It will depend on such unpredictable factors as the extent of contracting out under the new scheme and the changes in the contributions before it starts.However, on the assumptions used in table 7 of Cmnd. 3883 and making no allowance for contracting out, the total amount of employers' contributions (including those for the Health Service and the Redundancy Fund) would be about £1,400 million in the first year of the new scheme. It is assumed, in Chapter 7 of the White Paper, that the total of employers' contributions would represent an increase in the range £100 million—£150 million a year at the outset.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will extend any part of the benefit of the two-yearly reviews of pensions proposed in his scheme for national superannuation to the payments which people who have been partially contracted out may draw through the occupational pension arrangements of their last employer.(2) whether the two-yearly reviews of pensions he proposes to introduce under his scheme for national superannuation will apply in respect of pension entitlements preserved in contracted-out pension schemes of employers other than the beneficiaries' last.

These are among the matters which will be discussed with representatives of occupational pension schemes during the consultations on partial contracting out fore-shadowed in Chapter 5 of the White Paper National Superannuation and Social Insurance (Cmnd. 3883). For the reasons given in paragraph 20 of the White Paper, the Government do not propose that the two-yearly pension reviews should apply to the present graduated pensions or to the equivalent occupational pensions of those contracted out of the graduated part of the present national insurance scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the weekly sum receivable by a man on unofficial strike by way of unemployment benefit and by way of other social security benefits, and the weekly sum receivable by a man on official strike and in receipt of strike pay, by way of unemployment benefit and by way of other social security benefits.

A man who is on strike, whether official or unofficial, is not entitled to unemployment benefit and supplementary benefit is payable for the requirements of his dependants only. The amount of supplementary benefit depends upon resources, but the maximum is £3 14s. for the wife plus rent and additions for the children, ranging according to age from £1 7s. to £2 1s. each.

asked the Minister of Transport what discussions he has had with the city council of Carlisle to secure a facility for buses which have replaced the Waverley line to set down and uplift passengers at Carlisle railway station.

This matter is being discussed between the Railways Board and the City Council. My Department has been kept informed.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the hazards to which pedestrians from Fenchurch Street Station to Tower Hill Station are daily subjected during the rush hours, whether he will take steps with the appropriate bodies to make arrangements designed to reduce the risks from traffic in this area.

This is a matter for the Greater London Council as traffic authority. I understand it is aware of the difficulties facing pedestrians and is examining possible solutions in conjunction with the Corporation of the City of London and the City Police.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has for reducing the number of accidents among drivers who have recently passed their tests.

Many of our road safety measures should help to reduce accidents among drivers who have recently passed their test. In particular I hope that the compulsory registration of professional driving instructors will improve tuition, and that the new Highway Code, the Driving Manual we shall be publishing later this year, and some of our television films on particular manoeuvres will all be helpful.

asked the Minister of Transport what decision he has now taken on the Holdenhurst Road Relief Road Scheme in Bournemouth so as to ensure the early commencement of its construction; and what are the reasons for his delay in announcing this date.

The additional information needed to assist me in reaching a decision about the early programming of this scheme has only been received during the last few days and will be considered without delay.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that the local doctor made representations to the official who arrived in Unst around midday on 13th March, 1968, that he should give the local nurse a driving test after she had been omitted from the list although her application had been acknowledged one month before, if he will again consider allowing the local police to carry out driving tests in the islands.

No. It is not possible to allow the local police to conduct tests in the Islands because of the very real problem of ensuring that a uniform standard of assessment is maintained throughout the country.

asked the Minister of Transport what study he has made of the incidence of accidents caused by persons driving stolen vehicles; and what action he proposes to take in this matter.

None. Following discussions with the Home Office, motor manufacturers have undertaken to fit anti-theft devices to new cars and light vans commencing in 1970.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what action he will take following his examination of recent evidence on drugs and driving from the Automobile Association.(2) what consideration he has given to recent evidence on drugs and driving published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, a copy of which is in his possesion.(3) whether he will increase the amount of finance available to the Road Research Laboratory for research into the effect of drugs and driving, following his study of recent evidence by the Automobile Association.(4) what direction he has given to the Road Research Laboratory on research into drugs and driving, following his study of the findings of the Automobile Association.

I would refer to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury (Sir J. Langford-Holt) and my hon. Friend for Goole (Mr. George Jeger) on 3rd February, 1969.—[Vol. 777, c. 11.]

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will provide a pedestrian crossing on the A12 trunk road at Rants Score, in view of the large numbers who need to cross the road and the absence of crossing points.

The need for a pedestrian crossing here is under consideration by Lowestoft Borough Council. I understand that it wishes to take a count of pedestrians and vehicles at an appropriate time and in the light of this will decide whether to make application for a crossing. I can assure the hon. Member that any request from the Council will receive immediate attention by my divisional road engineer.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now give a revised date for the commencement of work on the replacement for the Lowestoft swing bridge.

Alternative methods of accelerating the start and date of completion of works on the new bridge are still under discussion with the consulting engineers.I will write to the hon. Member as soon as a reasonably firm timetable is available.

asked the Minister of Transport what plans have been drawn up for a high level bridge to cross the inner harbour at Lowestoft; and when he expects to include this in the road programme in view of the incapacity of the other two bridges to take the traffic.

The proposal for a high bridge appears in the Second Quinquennial Review of Lowestoft Town Map which has yet to be approved.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects the various M6 sections between Penrith and Carnforth to be completed.

The Penrith By-pass to Thrimby is due to be completed by August, 1969, and the further sections to Carnforth by August, 1970.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give an undertaking that the bypass at Brough, Westmorland, will not be painted with double white lines as was the case on the bypass at Crackenthorpe in Westmorland.

On the section east of the A685 where dual carriageways are planned, double white lines are not likely to be required except, possibly, as a temporary measure if one carriageway is opened to two-way traffic during the construction period. Traffic conditions might warrant double white line markings on the single carriageway section initially planned for west of the A685.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is proposed that double white lines should be painted on the Kendal bypass, as was done on the new stretch of the A66 at Crackenthorpe in Westmorland.

Kendal bypass is planned as a dual carriageway road. Double white lines are not likely to be needed except, possibly, as a temporary measure if one carriageway is open to two-way traffic during the construction period.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects that work will start on the Kendal bypass; and when it will be completed.

The estimated cost of this scheme has risen sharply and we are accordingly considering whether economies can be effected in its design. Until this is settled a firm starting date cannot be given. The bypass will take about two years to construct.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects that work will begin on the bypass at Brough, Westmorland.

Subject to the satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures, work is expected to start during 1970.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state his plans in respect of the Ufford, Wickham Market and Saxmundham by-passes on the A12, estimating in each case the financial year in which work will be started.

The Ufford, Wickham Market and Saxmundham bypasses are competing with other highway improvement schemes throughout the country for places in our trunk road preparation pool. When they have secured a place we shall start the preparatory work which will enable us to decide in what year construction should start. I cannot at present forecast when this might be.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to impose a speed limit of 40 miles per hour along the length of the Kenilworth Road, Coventry, from the A45, London

Service Area			Location		Concessionaire	Main Catering Facilities
1	Toddington	…	M.1 (Beds)	…	Granada Motorway Services Ltd.	2 transport cafes
						2 cafes
						2 restaurants
2	Newport Pagnell	…	M.1 (Bucks)	…	Motorway Services Ltd	2 cafes
						1 restaurant
3	Watford Gap	…	M.1 (Northants)	…	Blue Boar (Motorways) Ltd.	2 transport cafes
						2 cafes
						2 restaurants
4	Leicester Forest East		M.1 (Leics)	…	Ross Group Ltd.	2 transport cafes
						2 cafes
						2 restaurants
5	Trowell	…	M.1 (Notts)	…	Mecca Ltd.	2 transport cafes
						2 cafes
						1 restaurant
6	Woodall	…	M.1 (Yorks)	…	Fortes & Co. Ltd.	2 transport cafes
						2 cafes
						1 restaurant
7	Farthing Corner	…	M.2 (Kent)	…	Rank Organisation Ltd.	1 transport cafe
						2 cafes
						1 restaurant
8	Heston	…	M.4 (Middx)	…	Granada Motorway Services Ltd.	2 transport cafes
						2 cafes
						2 restaurants
9	Aust	…	M.4(Gloucs)	…	Rank Organisation Ltd.	1 transport cafe
						2 cafes
						1 restaurant