asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the number of cows and heifers infected with brucellosis which were sold through store markets last year and have thus been retained for breeding.

No such estimate is practicable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements have been made for testing cattle for brucellosis infection arriving from Ireland; whether these tests are made at the port of shipment or at the port of arrival; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what tests for brucellosis infection are required of cattle imported into Great Britain.

Cattle from outside the British Isles are tested before export and, except for Canadian cattle, on arrival. Channel Islands cattle are also tested before shipment. Special conditions apply to animals joining herds in the Brucellosis (Accredited Herds) Scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many markets are now selling brucellosis-free cattle; which are these markets; and if he will make a statement.

45 markets in Great Britain have so far been approved, for periods up to 12 months, for the sale of cattle accredited under the Brucellosis (Accredited Herds) Scheme. I am circulating a list of these in the OFFICIAL REPORT. In addition, 27 special one-day markets have been approved from time to time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many herds are now accredited as brucellosis-free; and what proportion this represents of the total herds in the country.

At the end of January, 1969, there were 3,288 accredited herds in Great Britain. This represented 1·5 per cent. of the total herds.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to control the disposal of cattle known to be infected by brucellosis.

I would refer the hon. Member to the written reply given by my hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on 28th January to the hon. Member for Hamilton (Mrs. Ewing).—[Vol. 776, c. 317.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the probable import in 1969 of canned, dehydrated and frozen potatoes.

Because of the welcome expansion of our potato processing industry we expect imports to be significantly less than last year's; but it is too early to predict the precise level.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers have made applications for grants under the Amalgamations and Boundary Adjustments Scheme of the Agriculture Act, 1967, in Wales; and how many have been allowed.

Up to 31st December, 1968, 293 applications were made, of which 34 have been approved and 184 are under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers have made applications for lump sums or annuities under the Farm Structure (Payments to Outgoers) Scheme under the provisions of the Agriculture Act, 1967; how many have been settled; and what was the amount paid.

Up to 31st December, 1968, the total number of applications made in England and Wales was 1,344; payments totalling £53,339 had been made to 65 outgoers. A further 766 applications were still under consideration. The comparable figures for Wales alone are 315, £9,750, 15, and 205, respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the total annual saving in the cost of imported wheat through ending the international wheat agreement.

Withdrawal from the Wheat Trade Convention would not reduce our import bill significantly, since so long as our major wheat suppliers remained within the Convention their prices would continue to be governed by its terms.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the total annual saving in the cost of imported sugar through ending the Commonwealth sugar agreement.

None, all our commitments under the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement currently extend without reservation to 1974, and some of them, subject to qualification if we join the E.E.C., to 1977. Because of the many unpredictable factors involved no estimate can be made of the annual saving or additional cost if the Agreement were to be ended then.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress of his discussions with the National Farmers' Unions regarding the control of imports of early potatoes.

My right. hon. Friend has told the President of the N.F.U. that the situation does not, in his view, justify an approach to the Governments of those countries from which our imports of early potatoes come.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the additional costs incurred annually by the horticultural industry from the surcharge on the different grades of fuel oils used in it; and what advice he has given to growers to minimise this increase in costs.

For the horticultural industry in England and Wales, I estimate that in a full year the surcharge on fuel and gas oils at the reduced levels announced on 13th February, will total £218,000. My technical officers advise growers on all aspects of horticultural production including efficiency in heating glasshouses.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to begin talks with member states of the European Free Trade Association regarding a common fisheries policy.

I have at present no plans for talks other than those to which my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade referred in an answer to my hon. Friend on 12th February.—[Vol. 777, c. 314.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals for grant aid have so far been made to him by the Thames Conservancy following their investigation of means for reducing the flood danger from the River Wey at Guildford and Shalford; and whether he will make a statement.

I understand that the report of the consulting engineers is unlikely to be ready before June. No doubt the Thames Conservancy will wish to study the report carefully before reaching any decisions or submitting proposals for grant aid.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how much of the funds allocated to the Horticulture Improvement Scheme, 1966, has been paid out in grants;(2) what percentage of the grants made under the Horticulture Improvement Scheme, 1966, has been allocated to horticultural glass.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Act, 1964, limits to a maximum of £27 million the grants which may be made under several heads including the Horticulture Improvement Scheme. Since grants began in 1960, a total of some £17 million has been committed, including about £15½ million under the successive Horticulture Improvement Schemes. Of this, some £8½ million has been approved since the introduction of the current Scheme in 1966, over 60 per cent. being in respect of glasshouses and their equipment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate his Department has made of the percentage of horticultural glass now standing that has been built since the introduction of the Horticulture Improvement Scheme.

None, in the form requested. This information will be sought in a special glasshouse inquiry to be made next month.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many non-British nationals or companies controlled by non-British nationals have applied for grants under the Horticulture Improvement Scheme in the last 12 months, and during the last convenient period; and what percentage of the total sum this represents.

We do not inquire into the nationality of applicants since it is not one of the conditions of the Horticulture Improvement Scheme as approved by Parliament.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations he had with the Nature Conservancy and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds before issuing instructions for spreading Aldrin, Pans Green and active D.D.T. poisons about the countryside for the control of leather-jackets.

The advice which is being given to farmers follows the recommendations for the safe use of these chemicals made by the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and Other Toxic Chemicals. The Nature Conservancy is represented on the Committee, which also takes into account the views of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds if there is thought to be a serious hazard to wild life.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now introduce legislation to make compulsory the treatment against warble fly in cattle.

Treatment against warble fly is a matter of good husbandry and a law requiring individual farmers to carry it out could not be enforced. We are, however, currently discussing the problem of warble fly control with the interests concerned to consider whether there is anything apart from this that we can do to help.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research is being undertaken into the greater usage of home-grown wheat for bread making; and if he will make a statement.

There is continuous and extensive research into the development and assessment of new wheat varieties suitable for breadmaking, and into baking techniques enabling a higher proportion of home grown wheats to be used in bread flour grists. It is carried on over a wide field, including plant breeding and testing establishments and the research effort of the flour milling and baking industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, following the assumption of the Beef Recording Association's functions by the Meat and Livestock Commission, the Beef Recording Association has now been formally wound up.

No, but I understand that the Association will be wound up as soon as the outstanding financial and accountancy matters have been settled.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now consider making an ex gratia payment to the early victims of the foot-and-mouth epidemic who were inadequately compensated, in view of the difficulties which have arisen over the pound-for-pound scheme.

I am discussing the problem with the President of the National Farmers' Union and am awaiting further information from him.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider introducing legislation to prohibit the mutilation of livestock such as de-beaking of birds and docking of pigs practised as a means of combating vice due to stress by rearing conditions.

We have already announced our intention to introduce regulations to control pig docking, and to prohibit cattle docking except for veterinary reasons. The Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Committee is reviewing the welfare implications of other practices, and we await their advice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he can give of the value of home-grown timber at current production levels in terms of import saving.

The value of home timber production, taken so far as possible at equivalent import prices, is currently about £20 million a year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds of making investment grants available for harvesting and extraction equipment in the forestry industry.

This would depend not only upon the range of items covered and the rate of grant but also upon the demand. Any estimate would therefore be wholly speculative.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many statutory appointments are within his patronage; and how many of the recipients of this patronage are of Scottish domicile.

My right hon. Friend is responsible for about 1,550 statutory appointments, the majority of which (some 1,310) relate to England and Wales only. Of the total number, he makes some 240 appointments jointly with the Secretary of State for Scotland, and/or the Secretary of State for the Home Department, to committees, boards, authorities, etc., which are concerned with Great Britain interests. Of these joint appointments, some 50 of the present members have Scottish addresses.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that a fighting committee has been formed by the regional committees of the Egg Marketing Board to resist the Government's proposals for the future of egg marketing; and by what authority staff paid out of public funds have been allocated to this committee.

I am aware that a fighting committee has been formed following a meeting of the regional committees of the Egg Marketing Board and that the Board have agreed to provide secretarial assistance. There is no question however of such Board staff as may be involved being paid out of public funds. The subsidy under the egg guarantee arrangements is paid to the British Egg Marketing Board on behalf of egg producers generally under the powers of Section 1(2) of the Agriculture Act, 1957. Under the British Egg Marketing Scheme, 1956, the Board is required to operate a single fund into which all receipts (including the subsidy) must be paid and from which all payments must be made without exception. The subsidy paid to the Board on behalf of producers thus forms part of the Board's general income and particular sources of the Board's income cannot be earmarked for particular items of expenditure.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the Forestry Commission to be in a position to quantify the social benefit attributable to forests under their control; and whether he will make a statement.

This subject is still under consideration and it will be some months before conclusions can be reached.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will now announce the results of his discussions with overseas suppliers regarding the import of cheese to the United Kingdom;

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend, the Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Renée Short) and the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (Mr. Anthony Stodart).

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to give home producers a greater share of the bacon market.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made to the House on 13th February.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will conduct an inquiry into the economic effects of rating of agricultural buildings.

No. A special inquiry is not necessary because the Annual Review is the proper Government machinery for reviewing the economic effects of any cost changes in agriculture, and rating payments are already amongst the factors taken into account.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has received the letter from the South West Wales River Authority concerning the unregulated netting of Atlantic salmon in the sea which is affecting salmon stocks in the rivers of the United Kingdom, particularly those of the river authority; and what reply he has sent.

My right hon. Friend has received the Authority's letter and a reply has been sent giving an assurance that the Government will continue its efforts to obtain international agreement to restrict the high seas salmon fishing.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what difference there was last year between the acreage contracted with the British Sugar Corporation for their factories in England and the actual acreage grown and harvested.

The acreage contracted by the British Sugar Corporation for their factories in England last year was 433,980 acres. The actual acreages sown and harvested were 437,020 and 435,951 acres respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give the terms of reference of the standing committee appointed under the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1958, to investigate the complaint of the South Eastern milk producers; whether he has now received their report; and when he will give his decision on their findings.

The Committee has the duty, on the direction of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, of considering and reporting to him on any complaint made as to the operation of any agricultural marketing

£ million
					1964–65	1965–66	1966–67	1967–68	1968–69
Estimate
Civil nuclear R. & D.	…	…	…	…	67	68	69½	58½	53
Weapons research (excluding military contracts)	…	…	…	…	8	7	6	6	5
Civil production	…	…	…	…	34	33	28	33	38

asked the Minister of Technology what facilities there are for testing large marine turbines since the closing of Pametrada; and what has become of the facilities there.

The full-scale test rig at Wallsend owned by the British Ship Research Association was closed and put on a care and maintenance basis for 12 months from 31st March last year to give those who may be interested an opportunity to consider the situation. One marine turbine manufacturer also has limited test facilities.

asked the Minister of Technology what proportions in percentage and financial terms were spent on nuclear energy research and production for peaceful and war potential purposes for 1964–65, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1967–68, and for the latest period available over last year.

It would not be in the public interest to publish details of expenditure on nuclear work done under defence contracts. Since the remainder of the information requested contains a number of figures I will, with permission, publish it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Technology when he expects to announce details of projects he is supporting in the development of vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

No specific proposals for support for any civil VTOL project have been received. None will be considered until we have completed the wide range of studies that I described in the House on 14th October last.—[Vol. 770, c. 16.]

asked the Minister of Technology what representations he has had from Hawker Siddeley on the potential civil vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

The firm has given oral and written presentations of its views to my right hon. Friend and to both my predecessor and me.

asked the Minister of Technology what discussions he has had with Upper Clyde shipbuilders regarding the progress made on the "Queen Elizabeth 2"; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that apart from the engines the fitting out of the QE2 is substantially complete. As regards the engines I await Sir Arnold Lindley' s assessment of the position.

asked the Minister of Technology what steps he is taking to mitigate the noise resulting from supersonic aircraft such as the Concorde and similar types of aircraft; and whether he will consider, in conjunction with this, the provision of better insulation for houses that are likely to be in the path of such aircraft.

It is one of Concorde's design aims that its engine noise should be no greater than that of current jet aircraft. Concorde will operate initially from Heathrow where a sound insulation scheme is already in operation. The control of supersonic flying over land is for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the Minister of Technology how many statutory appointments are within his patronage; and how many of the recipients of this patronage are of Scottish domicile.

I am responsible for 35 appointments specifically created by Statute. One holder of such an appointment is domiciled in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what study he has made of the reasons for the fact that the reduction in the number of road accidents following the introduction of breathalyser tests has not been maintained; and what steps he plans to take to ensure that the law in this field is more effective in reducing accidents in future.

I am studying the casualty figures, with the help of the Road Research Laboratory. It has emerged, for example, that during the period 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. in the first year there was a steady reduction in fatalities of about 28 per cent.; and that during these hours there was also a considerable reduction in serious and slight casualties, but that this was not maintained in the later months at its initial level.When these studies are complete I will consider what further action is needed; but since the Act came into operation there has been a steady increase in the number of breath tests required by the police, and I have no evidence that the law is not being adequately enforced.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give a forecast of the numbers of people who will be employed in the Forestry Commission in 1970, 1975 and 1980, respectively.

About 10,700 in 1970 in all grades throughout Great Britain. It would be premature to make any forecast for 1975 or 1980 at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what official campaigns have been directed in recent years towards prevention of fire in trade and commercial premises.

Special publicity campaigns directed towards the prevention of fire in industrial and commercial premises have in recent years been conducted on a regular and extensive basis by the Fire Protection Association and the British Insurance Association, in close cooperation with local fire authorities and after consultation with the Information Sub-Committee of the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Councils for England and Wales and for Scotland. All such campaigns emphasise the need to ensure safe personal behaviour, but some of the specific risks covered in recent campaigns included fire risks associated with faulty electrical installations and with allowing waste and rubbish to accumulate. The theme proposed for the campaign to be undertaken this year is the dangers associated with smoking.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the establishment of a National Theatre in Scotland.

There are no proposals for the establishment of a National Theatre in Scotland before me at present. At the present time the most appropriate way of encouraging professional drama in Scotland is by continuing Government assistance to the existing repertory theatres, and the Scottish Arts Council's grants for the repertory theatres and associated dramatic activities increased from £81,500 in 1965–66 to over £228,000 in 1967–68.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy regarding help given to pupils suffering from dyslexia.

Education authorities are encouraged to help children with reading difficulties in every possible way, whether or not these difficulties are associated with dyslexia, a condition about which there is some controversy. Such children can be helped in a number of ways within the ordinary school and special school systems and by child guidance services provided by education authorities. Strathclyde University expect to complete shortly their report on a study of specific reading disability which I commissioned them to undertake. I hope that this report will shed light on this difficult educational problem.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to increase the number of mother/child units in Scottish hospitals.

The attention of regional hospital boards has been drawn to the advice of the Standing Medical Advisory Committee on this subject, and it is for the boards, in the light of that advice, to provide such mother and child units as they judge to be required in their regions. The number of such units will be increased by the provision of one hundred mother and child rooms in the new Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow, now under construction. Other smaller units will be provided in the new Nine-wells Hospital, Dundee, and in the new North Ayrshire District General Hospital; and a further scheme is under consideration for Woodlands Hospital, Aberdeen. It will be understood that arrangements for mothers to stay in hospital so that they can be close to their sick children are not confined to hospitals with mother and child units.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the information regarding costs made available by West Lothian County Council to his Department of the playing fields of St. Columba's Roman Catholic Primary School, Bathgate.

The estimated cost of the playing field submitted in 1964 was £3,092. In 1967, after the school had been opened it became clear that additional work would be needed because of difficult conditions encountered in part of the playing field. I understand that this work was later undertaken at a cost of about £1,800.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what dates since the opening of the school have Her Majesty's inspectors visited St. Columba's Roman Catholic Primary School in Bathgate.

Once, on 20th February, 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions have taken place between his Department's technical officers and large contractors on the general problems of laying out playing fields in the last 12 months; and if he will name the contractors.

None, but the Department's technical officers have at times discussed specific cases with contractors. Detailed advice about the laying out of playing fields is available to contractors in the Department of Education and Science Building Bulletin No. 28, and this is thought to cover most of the problems that experience suggests are likely to arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has given to local authorities in relation to the inclusion of penalty clauses in agreements between local authorities and contractors in the provision of school playing fields.

Authorities have been recommended to include in building contracts generally a liquidated damages clause providing for the reimbursement of identifiable losses if delays occurs.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the improvements in the design of playing fields in the last five years initiated by central government.

A Building Bulletin issued by the Department of Education and Science in 1966 on playing fields and hard surface areas provides guidance based on developments since the previous edition in 1955.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice his Department gives local authorities to encourage them to have playing fields for new schools available to coincide with the opening of the school.

This is so obviously desirable that I do not think education authorities require advice about it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will outline his cost control system for the construction of school playing fields.

The School Building Code requires education authorities to submit the estimated costs and plans of school playing fields for approval.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities have compiled registers of elderly people.

Local authorities generally do not compile such registers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why no Government statistics are available on gross emigration from Scotland.

There are no comprehensive or statistically valid sample records of the total migration of population between Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom, and it is therefore impossible to provide accurate statistics of the total emigration from Scotland to the rest of the United Kingdom. There are, however, some sample figures available on total migration between Scotland and overseas countries, derived from the International Passenger Survey, and grossed-up statistics based on the samples are published, as an indication of magnitudes, by the Registrar General in his first and third Quarterly Returns each year and in his Annual Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider introducing legislation with a view to clarifying the position regarding the eligibility for redundancy pay of Scottish teachers made redundant by changes in terms of their employment.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will take action under the Trade Descriptions Act against vendors who falsely describe eggs as free range eggs;

Local weights and measures authorities are under a duty to enforce this legislation, and to take whatever action is appropriate when possible offences come to their attention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take proceedings under Section 2(1) of the Trade Descriptions Act in regard to those instances of goods made in Scotland which are labelled, "Made in England"; and if he will make a statement.

I am not aware of any such instances. The duty of enforcing the Act is laid upon local weights and measures authorities, and any alleged contraventions should be brought to their notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the quantities of cheese imported from Eire during each of the last three years.

The figures are published on page 14 of the December Overseas Trade Accounts for 1967 and 1968.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total cost of imports of timber and processed timber in every form during 1968; and what percentage increase this represents over the 1967 figure.

£310 million, an increase of 22 per cent. over 1967. The information relates to wood, lumber, and cork (Division 24 of the Overseas Trade Accounts) and veneers, plywood boards, etc. (Group 631 of the Overseas Trade Accounts.)

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has now completed his discussions with the manufacturers on the packaging of soap powders and synthetic detergents in specified weight; if he will give an assurance that he will not implement the proposals by the manufacturers to allow the use of a wide variety of weights and descriptions; and if he will make a statement.

I am awaiting the results of discussions on other means of assisting the consumer to make value for money comparisons before reaching a decision on requiring packaging in specified weights.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many statutory appointments are within his patronage; and how many of the recipients of this patronage are of Scottish domicile.

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind appointments to statutory bodies outside the Civil Service. I am responsible for 245 current appointments. It would not be practicable to try to distinguish those holders of these appointments who are of Scottish domicile.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the expenditure of the National Film Finance Corporation related to Scotland in each of the last three years.

No loans have been made by the National Film Finance Corporation to any film production company registered in Scotland during the last three years. None has been applied for.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the levy on film exhibitors was distributed to Scottish film-makers in each of the last three years.

This information is not available.The levy is distributed to makers of eligible British films. Records are not maintained in a way which will show what proportion of those films are made by Scottish film-makers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total raised in Government levies from film-exhibitors for distribution to film-makers in each of the last three years; and what proportion of this total was raised in Scotland.

For the years ended in October, 1966, and 1967, payments to the British Film Production Fund were £4·6 million and £4·5 million respectively of which about 9 per cent. in each year was raised from cinemas in Scotland. The provisional figure for the year ended October, 1968, was £4·3 million; an estimate of the proportion raised in Scotland is not yet available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the effect of import deposits on the prices of chipboard, plywood and hardboard; what plans he has to promote the increased production of these essential materials in this country; and whether he will, until such supplies are available in sufficient quantity, exempt these materials from import deposits, which are generally required in the trade as raw materials.

It is not possible to isloate effects of the import deposits but there are some indications of increases in prices of these products since November, 1968. The various forms of Government assistance to industry are of course available to domestic manufacturers of these products. Non-availability from domestic sources is not a criterion for exemption from import deposit.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to promote the manufacture of calcium carbide in the United Kingdom as was done during the war; and if he will forgo import deposits on it until supplies are obtainable here.

I have no present plans to promote the manufacture of calcium carbide nor have any been put to me by industry. On the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the other Question he has asked today.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the monthly trade balance with United States military aircraft imports included in the import figure on the same basis as other imports;(2) if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the monthly value of imports of United States military aircraft which are financed by the special credit from the Export-Import Bank of New York, on a freight on board basis.

No. Extensive information relating to these aircraft is already published. The visible trade balance is not calculated including imports of these aircraft, or the exports of British engines for them. Figures for the visible balance, however, which take into account payments for these aircraft, together with figures of payments, are published quarterly in the balance of payments statistics in "Economic Trends". I see no advantage in publishing estimates on a f.o.b. basis; but monthly figures of imports of the aircraft on a c.i.f. basis, may be derived from tables issued with the monthly trade figures.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress he is making in regard to the dumping of cheese.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary made on 12th February to the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Sir A. V. Harvey). The investigation is making good progress and will be concluded as quickly as possible.—[Vol. 777, c. 308–9.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the report of the Holland Martin Committee of Inquiry into safety at sea of the trawling industry.

About the end of April.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the date of the original loan of £17·6 million to the Cunard Company under the Shipbuilding Credit Act, 1964.

No loan was made to the company under this Act. Advances have only been made under the Industrial Expansion Act, 1968.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the amount of any loan or loans made to the Cunard Company under the North Atlantic Shipping Act, 1961; and what were the conditions of such loans.

No loan was made to the company under this Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now consider publishing the long distance weather forecasts for a period of 14 days only instead of 30 days as hitherto.

No. 30 day forecasts have achieved a creditable standard of accuracy, and there is no reason to believe that 14 day forecasts would be substantially more accurate.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from foreign Governments, or from other sources, requesting the removal of brand names from clothing worn by members of Her Majesty's Forces; and if he will make a statement.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will replace the obsolete strategic nuclear weapons with which the British Army of the Rhine is now equipped by modern nuclear missiles equivalent to those in service with the West German Army.

Neither B.A.O.R. nor the Army of the Federal Republic of Germany possess strategic nuclear weapon systems. The tactical systems with which they are equipped are of about the same generation.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence by what criteria and procedures he will henceforth determine the contract prices of nuclear submarines to be built at Vickers' yard, Barrow-in-Furness.

A fair and reasonable price will be agreed before each contract is placed on the basis of complete equality of information between the firm and the Ministry of Defence. The contract will include provisions to encourage the firm to achieve the maximum possible cost savings during construction and will provide that the benefits of these savings should be equitably shared between the firm and the Ministry.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the delays which have occurred in the nuclear submarine building programmes at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead, and Vickers, Barrow-in-Furness, respectively; what explanations he has obtained of such delays; and what additional costs to the Defence Vote have arisen as a result of the delays in each yard.

Cammell Lairds have produced one Polaris submarine which was 11 months late, of which two months was due to a design problem, and the rest largely because of the time taken to build up the management and labour force. Vickers have produced two Polaris submarines virtually on time.Of the three Fleet submarines produced to date by Vickers, one was 18 months late due to a material problem and because it became necessary to replace the installed emergency cooler with one of improved design; and one was 4 months late due to the diversion of effort to Polaris submarines.Cammell Lairds also have one Polaris submarine and one Fleet submarine under construction. Vickers have a further three Fleet submarines under construction.It would be contrary to practice to publish details of costs attributable to delays.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence which regiments were disbanded and amalgamated during each of the years 1951 to 1968.

I have written to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what claims have been received from Mr. A. J. Davies of Woodmancote, Micheldever, a constituent of the hon. Member for Winchester, concerning the loss of egg production owing to low-flying aircraft over his farm; what reply he has sent; how many similar claims have been received by his Department during the latest 12 months for which information is conveniently available; and what has been the result of these claims.

On 28th January, 1968, Mr. Davies claimed that increased activity by low-flying aircraft in the area of his farm since June, 1967, had resulted in a drop of egg production. This claim was repudiated on 17th July, 1968.The Ministry of Defence had been unable to conduct a professional examination as the flock had been dispersed shortly before the claim was submitted. An expert opinion, however, on various graphs and production figures supplied by Mr. Davies revealed no indication of any loss of production that could be attributed to the increased scale of low flying in the area, which had indeed taken place.In November, 1968, Mr. Davies made further representations on the basis of revised figures; these in turn were given expert examination. As a result Mr. Davies was informed on 19th December, 1968, that for the reasons previously given no compensation could be paid to him.During 1968, eight similar claims were intimated. Of these, three were met, and one was repudiated; the remaining four have not so far been pursued.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many statutory appointments are within his patronage; and how many of the recipients of this patronage are of Scottish domicile.

I have no statutory powers to make paid appointments, but I am empowered to make a number of part-time unpaid appointments. I regret that precise details of these are not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make available to industry non-strategic information provided by recent oceanographical and marine research by the Royal Navy.

The Royal Navy is represented on the Advisory Committee on Marine Technology and is also cooperating with the Construction Industry Research and Information Association. Through these channels information from our research and development programmes is being made available to industry. In addition patents arising out of naval defence work are assigned to the National Research and Development Corporation for exploitation.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will investigate the reasons why the hon. Member for Harrow, West, was cut off twice when ringing 01–986 3131 from interior floor telephone box 15 between 16.45 and 16.55 on Tuesday, 4th February, after dialling the House of Commons at 16.55 hours did not receive an answer after 30 rings, on two further dials made no connection, and when dialling 100 twice also made no connection, matters which he eventually reported to the supervisor.

I regret that on 4th February there was a fault, which was later repaired, on the exchange served by the code "986". The code "100" cannot be connected from box 15, which is for local calls only. There was an incorrect instruction in this box, but it has now been replaced.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) how many of the people at present requiring a private telephone in the county borough of Newport, Monmonthshire will be required to share a party line; and when he expects the obligation to share such a line to become unnecessary;(2) how many private telephone subscribers in the county borough of Newport, Monmouthshire, at present share a party line; and how this figure compares with the number in February, 1968, 1967 and 1966, respectively;(3) what is the present waiting list of people in the county borough of Newport who require a private telephone; and how this figure compares with the number in February, 1968, 1967 and 1966, respectively.

The figures given below are to the nearest dates for which records are available.

	Residential Shared Service Subscribers		Residential Waiting List
31st January, 1969	1,241	31st January 1969	119
31st January, 1968	1,100	31st January 1968	287
31st January, 1967	1,025	31st March. 1967	131
31st January. 1966	925	31st March. 1966	4

It is estimated that about 25 per cent. of orders for residential telephones in hand at 31st January, 1969 (46 in course of provision, 119 waiting applications) will be met by shared service.We aim to remove the obligation to share as soon as spare plant capacity enables us to do so without risking inability to meet all demands. I am sorry that I cannot at present estimate when this will be.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the present number of telephone subscribers in Bedford and the number on the waiting list; and how many more subscribers will be possible with the new telephone exchange when it has been enlarged to the maximum capacity on the present site.

10,264 and 48, respectively. The increased capacity of the telephone exchange, when fully equipped, will be about 44,000.

asked the Postmaster-General why the issue of the new commemoration "Queen Elizabeth 2" stamps was not withheld until the ship had passed her trials and was in service.

These stamps were an integral part of a series of British ships. Changing the published issue date would have caused inconvenience and expense not just to the Post Office, but to members of the philatelic trade and others who had made and publicised their own special arrangements. It would also have shown a sorry lack of faith in the ship's future.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will approve the setting up of a transmitting station in the Fylde area which will give a complete coverage of British Broadcasting Corporation radio programmes and guarantee reception.

The B.B.C. tells me that, provided efficient sets and aerials are used, Radio 2 should be satisfactorily received in the Fylde area on the long wave; Radio 3 and 4 on medium waves; and all three services on VHF. During hours of darkness, medium wave reception there, as elsewhere, is liable to interference from continental stations; and it is to provide a service free from this liability that the Corporation has built its network of VHF stations.Fylde is situated towards the fringe of Radio 1 transmission area. It was recognised from the outset that, during the day, this area would not include much more than 80 per cent. of the population of the United Kingdom.The B.B.C. has no plan to build a transmitting station in the Fylde area.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, in view of the many public nuisances arising out of the intensive fanning industry, if he will appoint a commission of inquiry into these matters.

As I said in my reply of 21st October, 1968, my right hon. Friends the Ministers of Health and Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and I have no evidence of the need for a further study of public health problems in this field, whether by a working party or a commission of inquiry. However, as I explained then, we would be ready to consider any particular matter which my hon. Friend may think is not receiving sufficient attention.—[Vol. 770 c. 229.]

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will take steps to prohibit the further establishment of factory farms until the hazards of the surrounding areas have been fully investigated.

I am not aware that there are any hazards to the surrounding areas which would warrant such action, but I will gladly consider any point my hon. Friend wishes to make.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress he has made in his discussions with the National Farmers' Union on the rating of intensive farm buildings.

I have nothing yet to add to my reply on 18th February to the Questions on this subject by the hon. Members for Edinburgh, West (Mr. Stodart) and South Angus (Mr. Bruce-Gardyne).—[Vol. 778 c. 65–66.]

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he has taken following the resolution passed by the Association of Public

Type of Union seeking recognition					1963	1964	1965	1966	1967
Non-Manual Workers' Unions	…	…	…	…	33*	28	24	32	31
Manual Workers' Unions	…	…	…	…	82*	92	62	100	84
Total	…	…	…	…	115	120	86	132	115
Approximately 90 per cent. of these representations were received from trade unions.
* Estimated figures. Prior to 1964 this information was recorded on a different basis.

Research and investigation into various aspects of the problem are continuing. The matter has been discussed with the Association of Public Health Inspectors and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food would be ready to consider any further approach they may wish to make.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what recent discussions she has had with farming and other interests about the working of the Agricultural Training Board; and if she will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave on 10th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris),—[Vol. 777, c. 208.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what was the total number of representations received by her Department in 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966 and 1967 by trade unions about non-recognition by employers; and if she will give separate figures for unions catering mainly for manual workers and those with a non-manual membership.

The numbers of requests for conciliation assistance in recognition disputes received by my Department in the years in question were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what proportion of men and women, respectively, by comparison with the estimated population of men over 65 years of age and of women over 60 years of age, were at the latest convenient date in employment; and what were the corresponding proportions at the census of 1966.

Great Britain
					D.E.P. estimates of employees as percentages of the Home Population at mid-year		1966 Census of Population estimates of numbers in employment as percentages of the enumerated population
					Men aged 65 and over	Women aged 60 and over	Men aged 65 and over	Women aged 60 and over
1966	…	…	…	…	19·0	10·4	22·8	12·2
1967	…	…	…	…	18·3	10·2	—	—

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the details of the industrial disputes, official and unofficial, which have affected the shipbuilding industry in Birkenhead and in Barrow-in-Furness, respectively,

Area	Date of stoppage	Number of workers directly and indirectly involved	Number of working days lost	Cause or object
Birkenhead	16th March to 5th June, 1964	1,260	54,000	Claim by shipwrights for a wage increase of 1s. per hour.
Barrow-in-Furness.	13th July to 20th October, 1964.	135	7,900	In support of a claim for an increase in wages.
	5th June to 3rd December, 1968.	420	39,800	Protest by apprentices against the introduction of a new pay structure
	1st July to 12th July, 1968	920	9,200	In support of a claim for parity in repair allowances.
	3rd July (still in progress at end of 1968).	1,845	166,000	Inter-union demarcation dispute over allocation of certain work.
	9th September (still in progress at end of 1968).	70	5,400	In support of fitters and apprentices already in dispute (see above).

In addition, my Department's records show that a further 4,000 working days approximately were lost at Birkenhead

The D.E.P.'s annual mid-year estimates of employees, analysed by age group, include the registered unemployed but exclude employers and self-employed. Estimates for 1966 and 1967—the latest year for which information is currently available—are shown below as percentages of the estimated mid-year Home Population, together with 1966 Census of Population based percentages of the enumerated population who were in employment (including the self-employed but excluding the unemployed).during the past five years; and whether she will give the total number of days lost in each year as a result of such disputes.

In the five years ending 31st December, 1968, the following principal stoppages—5,000 or more working days lost—occurred in the shipbuilding industry at Birkenhead and Barrow-in-Furness:and a further 7,500 approximately at Barrow-in-Furness in smaller stoppages which took place during the period.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what acreage of land in the past five years in Wales has been taken over by the Forestry Commission; and what acreage of land has been taken over for private afforestation.

In the past five years the Forestry Commission has acquired a total of about 20,700 acres in Wales for planting. I have no reliable information about land acquired for private planting.

asked the Lord President of the Council to what extent home cured bacon is served in the refreshment rooms of the House; and if he will encourage the Catering Department to take supplies of home cured bacon and hams.

I have been asked to reply.Only home cured bacon and ham is served in the refreshment rooms of the House of Commons.

asked the Attorney General whether a date has yet been fixed for resuming the extension of the land registration system.

Yes. It is proposed to resume in the financial year 1969–70 the programme for the compulsory registration of title to land by extending the system to areas in Nottingham, Liverpool, South Bedfordshire, Newcastle upon Tyne and Plymouth, with a total population of nearly 2 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the total amount of public money spent on the National Film Theatres in the past two years; and what proportion of this expenditure relates to Scotland.