asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what public funds have been made available to the Committee for the United States of Europe under the chairmanship of M. Monnet.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his official conversations with Dr. Fawzi in relation to the situation in the Middle East.

I have nothing to add to the reply my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell) on 17th March.—[Vol. 779, c. 32–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will take steps to obtain the return to its owner of a car that was stolen in London on 19th September, 1968, and found in Brussels on 20th September, 1968; and if he will seek from the Belgian Government an explanation as to why the property of a British citizen has been kept by the Belgian authorities for six months in view of the British citizen's efforts to have it returned.

The car was held with others by the Belgian authorities as evidence in criminal proceedings instituted by them against ten people on charges of receiving stolen cars; the owner has now recovered possession. Its retention was in conformity with Belgian law, as it was required as an essential piece of evidence to secure a conviction.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he proposes to participate in the inter-Governmental talks for the formation of a European Political Community.

I am not aware of any inter-Governmental talks of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a statement on the future meetings of the Council of Ministers of the Western European Union; and whether he has received notification of the intention of France to be represented.

The next meeting of the Council of Western European Union at Ministerial level is due to take place at The Hague in May. I have not received any notification about French intentions with regard to this particular meeting, but I naturally hope that they will be represented.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further action has been taken by Her Majesty's Government to secure the release of British subjects illegally detained by the Chinese authorities; with what results; and if he will make a statement.

I regret to say that the Chinese continue their unjustified detention of British subjects.The Head of our Mission in Peking made further representations on 8th March to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. No satisfactory reply was given to his requests for information and for Consular access to those detained.We shall continue to press the Chinese to release all British subjects detained.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy regarding the forthcoming North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Council discussions in Washington in April; and if he will propose that the Council continue with its discussions of proposals for balanced, mutual troop reductions in conjunction with the Warsaw Pact countries.

I hope that the North Atlantic Council meeting in Washington will reaffirm the need for the Alliance to continue to pursue its two main purposes; defence and détente. Mutual and balanced force reductions offer one of the possible avenues of advance in the search for détente. Analysis of the problems involved continues within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent communications he has had with the authorities in Nigeria and Biafra.

I am in regular consultation with the Federal Nigerian authorities, and we have had informal contacts when necessary with Colonel Ojukwu's representatives.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further action he intends taking to facilitate a cease-fire in Nigeria.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, South (Mr. Winnick).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what request he has received from the Government of the Associated States of St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla for assistance to bring Anguilla back to constitutional government.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply earlier today to the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will place in the Library a copy of the official statement of Government policy made recently to the Anguillans by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the text of the official statement of policy made by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State immediately on arrival at the airport of Anguilla.

Copies of my message have been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in view of the fact that Her Majesty's Commissioner has been installed in Anguilla at public expense, whether he will now ensure that funds are available to provide for him a house, establishment and communications system better than those in which the Commissioner worked during his earlier stay on the island.

Her Majesty's Commissioner will be provided with the appropriate accommodation, staff and facilities for the discharge of his duties.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why his Protocol Department has decided to restrict the amounts of tax-free Scotch whisky purchased by foreign embassies and Commonwealth High Commissions in London.

The arrangement under which the excise duty element in the cost of United Kingdom produced spirits is refunded to Heads of Foreign and Commonwealth Diplomatic Missions in London is a concession which was introduced in 1964.This concession is limited to "reasonable quantities" for official entertainment purposes and Her Majesty's Government have always reserved the right to disallow reimbursement beyond that point.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the report of the World Bank made to Her Majesty's Government on the British Solomon Islands Protectorate; and for which sectors of the economy funds will be made available

This report was not made to Her Majesty's Government but, in accordance with normal World Bank procedures, has been prepared for use within the Bank. I regret therefore that I am not in a position to comment on the report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will pay an official visit to the Sudan.

We are always glad to exchange views with the Sudanese Government; but my right hon. Friend has at present no plans to visit the Sudan.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are his plans for the official celebration of Commonwealth Day; and what sums have been allocated for this purpose.

The Joint Commonwealth Societies' Council has assumed the major responsibility for the celebration here of Commonwealth Day and has arranged a Multi-Faith Act of Witness to take place in the Guildhall on Saturday, 14th June in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Kent. Copies of Her Majesty's Commonwealth Day Message will be distributed throughout Britain and the Commonwealth and a grant of £500 has been provided for these purposes.In addition Commonwealth flags will be flown on the approach to Horse Guards Parade on the occasion of the Trooping the Colour at a cost of about £1,800, which will be met from official funds.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why his Department is giving support to Europe Week; and how much he proposes to expend from public funds in this connection.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the anticipated expenditure from public funds for the celebrations to be held in London in May 1969 in connection with the Council of Europe.

Her Majesty's Government fully share the desire to achieve greater European unity upon which Europe Week is based.The estimated cost to public funds of our support for Europe Week is £1,500 and to the Council of Europe celebrations about £4,800.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which hon. Members of this House will be invited by Her Majesty's Government to the celebrations to be held in London in May 1969 in connection with the Council of Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to whom invitations have been sent by the Government to attend the official celebrations of European Week, celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the Council of Europe, due to take place between 2nd and 10th May.

No invitations as regards the Council of Europe celebrations have yet been issued. But Her Majesty's Government intend to invite the Committee of Ministers, the Standing Committee of the Consultative Assembly, and others connected with the Council of Europe; the British Parliamentary Delegation to the Assembly and their alternates; leading members of the Government and Opposition and other distinguished people associated with European affairs.Invitations to the Europe Week celebrations are not the responsibility of Her Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what rent is being paid to Her Majesty's Government for the use of Rhodesia House by the illegal régime.

None. Rhodesia House is not the property of the United Kingdom Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the amount of the grants given by Her Majesty's Government to the following organisations in the year 1968–69, namely, Britannic Europe Limited, College of Europe, Bruges, European Schools Day, Student European Associations and the European Atlantic Movement.

The following payments were made during the current financial year:

	£
Britain in Europe Limited	7,500
College of Europe, Bruges	2,500
European Schools Day	2,644
Student European Associations	400
European Atlantic Movement	500

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total number employed, at home and overseas, in 1938–39 in the Foreign and Diplomatic Services, the Consular Services, and the Dominions and Colonial Offices.

The total number, as shown in the published Civil Estimates for 1938–39, was 2,856 distributed as follows:

Foreign and Diplomatic Services—
Home	1,175
Overseas	474
Consular Services—
Home	183
Overseas	380
Dominions and Colonial Offices—
Home	539
Overseas	105
Total	2,856

This total excludes the staff of the India and Burma Offices (541 in 1938–39) and of the Indian Civil and Political Services (760 in 1938–39).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about the danger and damage to British lives and property in Equatorial Guinea; what representations have been made; and with what result.

No reports have been received of any injuries to British persons or damage to British property in Equatorial Guinea. No representations have therefore been necessary. All British women and children have, however, left Equatorial Guinea.At a meeting on 5th March with the Diplomatic and Consular Corps in Santa Isabel, the Vice-President gave our chargé d'Affaires an assurance about the safety of foreign nationals and their property.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations Her Majesty's Government have had with other member Governments of the United Nations Organisation about the application of the principle of self-determination to the people of the former Netherlands West New Guinea, now known as Irian; which organs of the United Nations are seized of the question; when in 1969 the plebiscite will be held; and whether he will make a statement.

Under the Agreement reached in August, 1962, between Indonesia and the Netherlands, arrangements for the act of self-determination in West Irian are the responsibility of the Government of Indonesia, but the United Nations Secretary-General has responsibilities to

"advise, assist and participate in the arrangements",

and to report to the General Assembly on

"the conduct of the act of self-determination and the results thereof"

The United Kingdom voted in favour of General Assembly Resolution 1752(XVII) on 21st September, 1962, which took note of the Agreement and authorised the Secretary-General to carry out the tasks entrusted to him. He subsequently appointed as his representative for this purpose Senor Ortiz-Sanz, who has been in the area since August, 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what day, and in what circumstances, a member of his news department telephoned an assistant editor of a provincial newspaper regarding the dispatches of Mr. Michael Leapman who had been reporting on Biafra for the Sun newspaper; and if he will make a statement.

On or about 16th July, 1968, a member of the staff of the then Commonwealth Office News Department spoke to the writer of an article in a provincial newspaper to give him information available to the Government on the current situation in Nigeria.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the steps taken as a result of cyclone Becky in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate.

Her Majesty's Government made a grant of £4,000 to the Solomon Islands as a contribution towards immediate relief measures. Special expenditure on relief, repairs and rebuilding is expected to amount to about £8,700 in all, in addition to costs borne on maintenance votes, and will be met from the Protectorate budget.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what report has been received from the International Control Commission concerning the use of Cambodian territory by Vietcong troops since the Thirteenth Report placed in the Library of the House of Commons on 7th November, 1967.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what was the average number of persons unemployed in Scotland at the mid-October count for the periods of the last four years and the preceding 13 years, respectively.

The averages were 72,463 and 67,534.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity into what fund she proposes that the money collected as fines from workers on strike will be paid under the terms of Command Paper No. 3888.

This is a detailed point on which a decision has still to be reached. My right hon. Friend is consulting colleagues whose responsibilities bear on the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity when she proposes to introduce legislation to implement the policy set out in Command Paper No. 3888.

Allowing for the necessary consultations, as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will make a statement on her discussions with the banking industry about the recent report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

Meetings have been held with both sides of the Joint Negotiating Council to consider Report No. 106, "Pay in the London Clearing Banks".The parties have been advised that the Government would be prepared to agree to the implementation from 1st July, 1969, without retrospection of the balance of the J.N.C. settlement, over the 3½ per cent. interim increase already paid from July, 1968, but stipulated that there should be no further general settlement before July, 1970. Account has been taken of the National Board for Prices and Incomes' findings, which recognises that the rate of increase in productivity is expected to continue, and that the settlement itself with its moves towards equal pay and the industry-wide alignment of clerical scales is a valuable rationalisation, as it provides a common platform for future action on the lines recommended by the Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will amend the criteria for incomes policy detailed in paragraph 34 of the White Paper, Productivity, Prices and Incomes Policy in 1968 and 1969, Command Paper No. 3590, to include circumstances where there is expectation of continuity of production, in accordance with present Government policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity which of the criteria for above-ceiling increases for Incomes policy in Command Paper No. 3590 includes the expectation of continuity of production.

No amendment of the criteria is called for. As my right hon. Friend indicated in reply to questions following her statement about the Ford dispute on Wednesday, 19th March, the expectation of savings from continuity of production can be an important element in a productivity agreement justified under the productivity criterion in Command Paper No. 3590.—[Vol. 750. c. 507 and 513.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will give an estimate of the value of lost production and lost wages arising from the current industrial dispute at the Ford Motor Company.

I understand that the company estimates the losses at £36 million and £2·3 million respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will compile and publish reports of prosecutions under the Factories Acts in the interests of public safety.

No. A summary and analysis of prosecutions taken under the Factories Act is published in H.M. Chief Inspector of Factories Annual Report. Newspapers publish accounts of cases which are of general or local interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many school leavers are at present signing on for employment at the employment exchanges in the Hamilton constituency; and what proportion of them she expects to place in employment in the next few months.

On 10th March, 1969, there were nine school leavers registered for first employment at the Hamilton, Blantyre and Larkhall careers offices. Three of the nine are known to have started work since then. Careers officers are doing everything possible to help the remaining six, who I hope will be placed in employment before very long.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the number of blind persons with guide dogs who are in employment; and what is his estimate of the charge to public funds of such persons being unable to work.

Precise figures are not available, but I understand there are about 1,000 guide dog owners other than housewives and retired persons, and that between 75 and 80 per cent. are employed. Information is not available for the estimate asked for in the second part of the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the Report on the Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts of the Sub-Committee of the Advisory Committee on Drug Dependence will be published; and whether he will make a statement.

About the end of April. At the same time my right hon. Friends and I will send memoranda commending its recommendations to the health service and other authorities concerned with their implementation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many authorised repairers are employed to service invalid carriages in the areas covered by the London Boroughs of Brent, Hillingdon and Harrow; and what is the average waiting time before a repair can be completed.

Four. Minor repairs are carried out immediately; major repairs take about five weeks, on average.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many clerical grade officers and senior officers are employed by the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Executive Council and the area covered by the Blyth constituency to check the entitlement to exemptions from prescription charges and at what annual cost; how many prescriptions were checked between September, 1968, and January, 1969; how many patients were found not to have been entitled to exemption; and what was the total amount recovered.

For the area covered by Newcastle-upon-Tyne Executive Council, in terms of whole-time equivalents, 0·3 clerical officers and 0·1 senior officers, at an annual cost of about £350. Checks were completed on nearly 2,000 forms; and 33 patients were found not to have been entitled to exemption. The total amount recovered was £5 15s.Separate information relating to the area of the Blyth constituency is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he will review the constitution and operation of the General Practice Finance Corporation;(2) how many representations he has received from general practitioners about the operation of the General Practice Finance Corporation; and what replies he has sent.

I am not aware of any evidence suggesting that such a review is necessary.Representations have been made on behalf of two general practitioners. The replies have indicated that the Government does not intervene in the day-today running of the Corporation's affairs.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the purpose of the inquiries he is making about the place of birth of subnormal and severely subnormal children and of their mothers.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what analysis is being made by his Department of the provision of health services according to the place of birth; when he will report on this; and whether he will make a statement.

In order to find out how far there may be a need to obtain regular statistical information about differing needs for services among communities with different cultural backgrounds, my Department is conducting an exploratory statistical inquiry during March and April into the use made of certain health services according to the countries of birth of the users. The inquiry is being carried out through selected hospitals and local authorities and I shall be considering what results might usefully be reported.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the net outflow of population in the Northern Region in each year since 1960.

The Registrar General's mid-year estimates of population in the Northern Region give the following estimates of the net changes due to inflow or outflow of population.

Year ended June 30th	Thousand persons
1962	+7
1963	−9
1964	−12
1965	−13
1966	−10
1967	−6
1968	−1

It is regretted that comparable figures are not available before mid-1961.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he will arrange for value-analysis studies to be made of the economic and social costs of supplying technological aids to assist disabled or handicapped elderly pensioners to lead a fuller and more independent life; and whether he will make a statement;(2) whether he will arrange for value-analysis studies to be made of the economic and social costs of supplying modern technological aids to assist the disabled or handicapped to earn their living and lead a fuller life; and whether he will make a statement.

Studies of this kind would be very elaborate and time-consuming, and are not in my view needed to demonstrate the desirability of developing aids for the disabled as rapidly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans has he to increase the number of mother/child units in the Basildon and Brentwood Urban District Council areas.

The new Basildon Hospital, when opened in 1972, will have four rooms equipped for mothers to stay with their children. The North East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board have no plans to increase the provision of such accommodation in the Brentwood Urban District area.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of practitioners employed in the National Health Service who left the Service in the latest convenient year, showing separately those under 55 years of age at the date of retiral and those over 55 years of age.

Of 707 practitioners who during the year ended 1st October 1968 ceased to provide full general medical services in England and Wales for reasons other than death, 289 were aged under 55 at that date and 418 were aged 55 and over. Not all of these will have left the National Health Service.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what means of communication with general practitioners he uses in an emergency;(2) what steps were taken by his Department to warn general practitioners that the anti-measles vaccine Wellcovax had been withdrawn by the manufacturers.

The Chief Medical Officer's letter of 17th March informed Medical Officers of Health of local authorities that the manufacturers were advising immediate suspension of the use of this vaccine, and asked Medical Officers of Health to inform practitioners to whom the vaccine had been distributed.The method of communication in emergency depends on the circumstances. Radio, press or letter may be used, and the help of manufacturers, Executive Councils or local health authorities enlisted.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to announce the appointment of a chairman of the Health Education Council.

I am pleased to inform the House that I have today appointed the Baroness Birk to be Chairman of the Health Education Council which the Government have set up to organise the development of health education in England and Wales and Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the recent report by the Faculty of Ophthalmologists, a copy of which has been sent to him, if he will now reconsider his refusal to include chronic glaucoma in the list of long-duration diseases for which repeat treatment can be prescribed indefinitely.

There is no list of this description. A doctor may prescribe drugs to be dispensed at specified intervals over the whole period until he expects to see the patient again. On charges for prescriptions I cannot add to the reply my hon. Friend the Minister of State gave to the hon. and learned Member for Solihull (Mr. Grieve) and my hon. Friend the Member for Goole (Mr. George Jeger) on 27th January.—[Vol. 776, c. 207.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to receive the Report of the National Insurance Advisory Committee about unemployment benefit and contribution conditions for occupational pensioners; and whether he will make a statement.

As my hon. Friend knows, the Committee are at present considering draft regulations. I understand that they have completed the hearing of evidence, but that it may be some time yet before their Report is ready. A statement will be made as soon as possible after we have received and studied it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the total amount paid out to date in supplementary benefits to the families of employees of the Ford Motor Company Limited currently engaged in an industrial dispute.

About 17,000 supplementary benefit payments totalling approximately £95,000 were made up to 18th March for the dependants of men involved in the Ford trade dispute.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the increase in the work load involved at the West Middlesex Hospital by the passing of the Abortion Act, he will make provision for additional staff and other facilities to deal with this.

It is for the Regional Hospital Board to decide, with medical advice, what provision to make here and elsewhere in their region.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what reduction in operating sessions have been made necessary at Leicester Royal Infirmary due to the shortage of trained operating theatre nurses.

Ten per week.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware that no more out-patient clinics can be held at Leicester Royal Infirmary because the out-patient department is used to capacity; and when he will provide funds for the building of a new out-patient department.

Yes. Present plans include a new out-patient department in work due to start in the early 1970s. Meanwhile improvements in the existing facilities are under active consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what consideration his Department has given to re-classification of district general hospitals based upon the increased number of beds; and if he will make a statement;(2) what is the number of beds recommended by his Department for classification as a district general hospital.

District general hospitals are defined by their functions, not by the number of beds included. I am awaiting the report of the Central Health Services Council's Committee on the Functions of the District General Hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will indicate when the inquiry into Carlton Hayes Mental Hospital will commence; and when he expects to have a report on the findings.

The Inquiry into the fire at Carlton Hayes Hospital was held on 20th March. I expect to receive a copy of the report shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) who many vehicles and trailers were operated by British Railways before they were handed over to National Carriers Limited;(2) what was the total number of the fleet of vehicles and trailers operated by British Railways immediately prior to the setting up of National Carriers Limited;

In December, 1968, British Railways operated approximately 32,900 road freight vehicles and trailers. On 31st December, in accordance with the provisions of Section 5(3)(a) of the Transport Act, 1968, approximately 31,100 of these were transferred to National Carriers Limited, and approximately 1,800 to Freightliners Limited.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations have been made to him regarding the proposed takeover of the Carlisle-Edinburgh railway line recently closed by British Railways: and if he will make a statement.

I have received only oral representations on this subject. The reported proposal to raise private finance to take over and run the Edinburgh-Hawick-Carlisle railway line is certainly interesting and would obviously be a very large venture. I understand that the promoters have already approached the Railways Board but since they would in any case need statutory powers I cannot comment further at this stage.

asked the Minister of Transport what estimate of additional revenue he took into account in reaching his decision that a halt at Kings Worthy would not be a significant factor for the future of the Mid-Hants Railway line.

No detailed estimate is necessary to show that revenue from a halt at Kings Worthy could not be a significant factor in reaching a decision on the future of a line currently estimated by the Board to require an annual grant of nearly £100,000 if the service is to be retained.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the practice of evading the payment of the road fund licence is growing; and whether, as a means of combating this, he will introduce legislation to compel insurance companies to include in their policies a clause to the effect that motor policies will be null and void in the event of an accident if a road fund licence was more than four weeks in arrears at the time of an accident.

It is unlikely that the prospect of voidance of an insurance policy would deter a potential evader of vehicle excise duty, and I do not therefore propose to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Transport in how many cases he has withdrawn appointment as authorised examiners of vehicles within the South Wales Traffic Area during the last two years; how many appeals were made; and how many examiners were reinstated.

In the two years ending 28th February, 1969, 210 appointments as authorised examiner were withdrawn; 48 appeals were made of which 16 were successful. 154 of the withdrawals related to non-compliance with new equipment and staffing standards and 72 of these garages have since complied and have been reinstated.

asked the Minister of Transport of the 436 additional fatal and serious casualties in road accidents during November and December, 1968, during the morning hours affected by British Standard Time as against the corresponding periods in 1967, how many were in Scotland; and of the 198 additional casualties to pedestrians during November and December, 1968, during the morning hours affected by British Standard Time as against the corresponding periods for 1967, how many were in Scotland.

Fatal and serious casualties fell by 26 during the corresponding hours in Scotland. Similar details for pedestrians are not yet available, but I will forward the figures to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport how much was paid in compensation on the takeover of Granton Harbour on the Firth of Forth; and on what basis such compensation was made.

The consideration for the transfer of Granton Harbour to the Forth Ports Authority was determined by Article 16 of the Scheme scheduled to, and approved by, the Forth Harbour Reorganisation Scheme Confirmation (Special Procedure) Act, 1967. The amount paid was £575,000 plus interest.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will reconsider his decision not to re-negotiate with the M1 Service catering contractors over their leases in view of the deterioration in the standard of food and service given to the public in the cafeteria.

I have nothing to add to the Answer given in reply to a supplementary question from the hon. Member on 10th March, 1969.—[Vol. 779, c. 974–5.]

asked the Minister of Transport what tenders were invited for the road programme for Marios Pool to Black Fell; how many tenders were received; and whether the lowest tender was accepted.

None. The contract for this principal road scheme is being undertaken by the direct labour organisation of the Durham County Council.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement giving his detailed plans for the completion of the Camborne Bypass.

Preliminary investigations and surveys are in hand. It should be possible later this year to consider this scheme for a place in the firm programme.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give the detailed reasons for his decision to proceed with a Roding Valley route rather than a Lea Valley route for M11.

The Roding Valley route is preferred primarily on considerations of cost of an adequate road network suitable for the needs of through traffic to and from the North East of London. Objections to the draft scheme are at present under consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations he has received from local authorities and other bodies and persons concerning the proposal to site a service area for the M11 in Lougbton.

Objections have been received from Essex County Council, Chigwell Urban District Council and a small number of other interests.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the cost of the proposed flyovers over the A45 trunk road between Coventry and Stonebridge.

The present estimated total cost of flyovers at Shepherds Lane and Oak Lane is about £275,000.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the cost of the proposed lighting scheme for the A45 trunk road between Coventry and Elmdon.

As I said in reply to the hon. Member's question on 24th February, a lighting scheme which will include this length of the A45 is in its preparatory stages. I will not be able to estimate the cost until the design details have been settled and tenders for the work obtained.—[Vol. 778. c. 210.]

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make arrangements to publish all the information so far available in the traffic survey covering five towns in Staffordshire.

The survey was commissioned by the Staffordshire County Council and the publication of information is primarily a matter for them.

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has for completing the comprehensive traffic survey in South Staffordshire.

As the study was commissioned by the Staffordshire County Council the initiative does not lie with me.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the British Standard Time survey recently carried out by the National Farmers' Union of Scotland indicating damage and loss sustained by the industry as a result of this experiment, a copy of which is in his possession; and what reply he has sent.

I am now studying a report by the National Farmers' Union of Scotland on the survey to which the hon. Member has referred. The union has been informed that its representations will be carefully considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the demand for high multi-storey blocks of flats relative to the demand for other type of housing.

Roughly one-fifth of the public sector houses built in Scotland in recent years have been in blocks of six or more storeys. The need and demand for that type of housing vary with local circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much he estimates the development proposals in the Metra Report will cost in various Government grants; how much new infrastructure including roads, schools and houses will be required and the estimated cost; how many new jobs will be created; how much movement of population will be required; and what effect it will have on industrial Lanarkshire.

This report was a study of the industrial potential of the area adjacent to the deep water in the Clyde Estuary. The hon. Member's questions could be answered only on the basis of detailed proposals by developers.

asked the Minister of Power if he will make a further statement on the consideration which he is giving to the construction of a deep-water iron ore terminal in Clyde-side in the light of the recent Report of the Clyde Estuary Development Group and the proposals submitted to the British Steel Corporation on 18th March by the Clyde Port Authority, copies of which are in his possession.

As I said in my reply to the hon. Member on 11th March—[Vol. 779, c. 248]—the British Steel Corporation is considering proposals on this. When I receive proposals I shall study them in the light of all the available information.

asked the Minister of Power how much of the £1 million of arrears of accounts which were due to the Scottish Gas Board at the end of the financial year 1967–68 have since been recovered by the Board.

This information may be obtained by writing to the Chairman of the Board.

asked the Minister of Power what further consideration has been given by his Department to the conditions under which opencast mining will be permitted following the publication of the White Paper on fuel policy.

While policy is kept under review, it remains the case that during conditions of general coal surplus, the Government have decided not to give authorisations for new sites except in special cases where, because of quality or location, the coal to be produced is not in competition with coal from deep-mines. These are the fuel policy considerations which will guide decisions on new sites, though from time to time there may be factors outside fuel policy which favour opencast working and will need to be taken into account.

asked the Minister of Power (1) what account he takes of the local level of undistributed stocks of coal before giving his decision on opencast mining applications;(2) what account he takes of the effect on existing coal mines within the same area before giving his decision on opencast mining applications.

My right hon. Friend takes both these factors into account.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will refer to the National Board for Prices and Incomes price increases charged to local consumers by coal merchants resulting from the implementation of coal-concentration schemes, such as that recently implemented in Monmouthshire.

My right hon. Friend has no such thought in mind at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have so far been invited by the Government to become members of the proposed Commission on the Constitution and have declined the invitation.

It is not my right hon. Friend's practice to disclose consultations with prospective members.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement setting out the composition of the force of police sent to Anguilla, the command structure under which they are to operate, and the scales of pay and allowances applicable to them.

The Anguilla Police Unit consists of 1 superintendent. 1 detective chief inspector, 3 inspectors,

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost to London ratepayers of the Metropolitan policemen now dispatched to the Caribbean; and what consultations he had with representatives of local government in London before taking this decision.

There is no cost to London ratepayers. Arrangements were made in accordance with the Police (Overseas Service) Act, 1945; and consultations with representatives of local government in London would not have been appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation authorising chief constables to grant firearm certificates in respect of ·38 revolvers to qualified veterinary surgeons for the humane destruction of savage or badly maimed animals where and when the use of a humane killer is not possible.

The Firearms Act, 1968, already enables a chief officer of police to grant a firearm certificate to an applicant who, inter alia, has a good reason for possessing this type of weapon. A. person aggrieved by a refusal may appeal to quarter sessions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that the name of a police officer will not be displayed on his uniform coat, in view of the fact that the number on the tunic is sufficient for identification.

The Police Advisory Board has considered the proposal that police officers should wear name badges, and has not recommended it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to establish a permanent crown court in Wolverhampton to serve Wolverhampton and the Black Country.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Brierley Hill (Mr. Montgomery) on 20th March.—[Vol. 780, c. 131–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will amend the Firemen's Pension Scheme (Amendment) Order, 1968, to allow the widow of a fireman killed while carrying out special emergency service duties to receive the same pension and gratuity as the widow of a fireman killed whilst engaged in fire-fighting operations.

I would refer to the reply given on 13th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, East (Mr. Robert Howarth).—[Vol 777, c. 1547–8.]

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what plans he has made for the resumption of development aid to Anguilla; what projects are to be started or completed in the next year; and what total outlay is involved.

Development aid to Anguilla will now be resumed and detailed arrangements will be made as soon as possible. Officials of my Department will visit Anguilla this week and the British Development Division in the Caribbean will be in continuing consultation with Her Majesty's Commissioner. Priority will be given to the completion of those schemes which were in train when the interim settlement ended in January, including the erection of a new school, road improvements and a low tension electricity distribution system. The cost of these schemes is likely to be about £50,000.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will supply details of all gifts and loans to foreign or Commonwealth countries in the last 12 months to a convenient date, differentiating between gifts and loans, indicating the receiving country, and stating the rate of interest where applicable.

Except for relatively small amounts provided under Vote IV. 15 (Export Credits (Special Guarantees, etc.)) all this information is set out in the Appendix to the Supplementary Estimates presented on 19th February for the Overseas Aid (Bilateral) Vote—Class II 7. Further information is in Table 12 in British Aid Statistics 1963–68 which is available in the Library of the House.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will state the outcome of the recent aid talks with the delegation from Uganda.

We have had full and valuable discussions with a delegation from Uganda, led by the Minister of Finance. In the course of these I offered the Uganda Government, subject to Parliamentary approval, an interest-free loan of £5½ million repayable over 25 years for use on projects to be agreed between our two Governments. The Uganda Government have accepted the offer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make representations to the Greek Government regarding the decree recently issued which will limit charter tours into Greece from Great Britain, as well as other countries.

We have heard reports on the lines indicated by the hon. Member. As soon as the full text of the relevant regulations is available for study we shall decide, in consultation with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, what further action may be appropriate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when a decision will be reached on the provision of an air strip for the island of Eday in Orkney.

This is primarily a matter for the Orkney County Council. I understand that their difficulties over acquiring a suitable site are on the way to being resolved. The remaining problem is one of finance which is now under urgent consideration by the Council, the Board and the Scottish Development Department.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation to allow land to be earmarked alongside service stations on motorways for use by vertical/short takeoff and landing aircraft.

No such legislation is required. The Board of Trade already have powers under which they could, if necessary, acquire land for use by these aircraft. Other interested parties could also use land for this purpose subject to their obtaining planning permission and any necessary consent from the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement regarding the progress of the Four-Power Talks in Geneva upon imports of frozen fish fillets into the United Kingdom; and what steps he is now taking to reach agreement with the Scandinavian members of the European Free Trade Association in this dispute

Following a decision of E.F.T.A. Ministers in November 1968, officials of the U.K. and the three Scandinavian countries concerned met in Geneva on 18th and 19th March under the chairmanship of the Secretary-General of E.F.T.A. It was concluded, in the absence of any change in the position of the various countries, that no agreement could be reached on early removal of the tariff. Officials had a preliminary and useful exchange of views on the nature of the arrangements to apply from 1st January, 1970; further talks are to be arranged, possibly in May.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will list the industries including service industries and headquarters of public undertakings that have moved out of Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, to Bristol since the opening of the Severn Bridge.

Industrial and public undertakings are not required to inform the Board of Trade of movements of this kind.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will cause an investigation to be made into the reasons why since 1964 there has been an annual fall-off of meals and other facilities supplied in the Members' Dining Rooms.

The Catering Sub-Committee and the Services Committee itself are aware of the decline in the number of meals served in the Members' Dining Room since 1964, and are keeping a close watch on the situation.

asked the Lord President of the Council how many of the catering staff have been dismissed during the past 18 months; and whether he will make a statement.

Nine.

asked the Lord President of the Council what are the approximate amounts of writing paper and envelopes used annually by Members of Parliament.

The approximate amounts of writing paper and envelopes used annually over the last three years by Members of Parliament and their Private Secretaries, are as follows:

Year	Sheets of Writing Paper	Envelopes
1966	4,600,000	2,160,000
1967	4,430,000	1,950,000
1968	4,560,000	1,870,000

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will ensure that supplies of quarto size notepaper are available in the Library for the convenience of Members so as to avoid the waste of using foolscap size sheets

Supplies of quarto size writing paper are now available in the Library on demand from any member of the Library Staff.

asked the Lord President of the Council how much accommodation in the Commons part of the Palace of Westminster is taken up by the storage of petitions presented to Parliament; how long it is intended to provide space for these petitions; and what are his proposals for removing them elsewhere

There are two types of petitions presented to the House of Commons—Public Petitions and Petitions against Private Bills. The former occupy about 24 cu. ft. in the Journal office, and the latter about 60 cu. ft. in the Private Bill Office. All petitions of both types are sent to the Public Records Office in the House of Lords at the end of each Session.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment has now been made of the extra financial resources for capital investment and on rising current account, respectively, which will be needed to sustain the Government's expansion programme announced on 12th November 1968 for increasing the import saving by British agriculture by £160 million a year by 1972–73.

Resources needed for investment and current expenditure cannot be assessed in isolation from other considerations, including the size of the labour force, wage rates, technological change, the rate of growth of output and income. This is one of the reasons why we need to review every year the progress of the programme, the resources required and the market situation. In my announcement on 12th November, 1 said that we should do this at each of the four successive Annual Reviews during the period of the programme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what he estimates has been the effect on cash resources and working capital currently available of the shortfall between the £509 million aggregate net farming income for 1968–69 calculated by his Department for normal weather conditions and the estimated £477 million actually received; and if he will take steps to finance the production cycle between this year's Price Review and the harvest and sale of food grown under it.

Availability, at any particular time, of cash resources and working capital depends on a number of factors. I cannot make any precise estimate of the difference between the current position and what might have been the situation in a normal year. I recognise the effect upon investment of last year's poor harvest. This consideration was given weight by the Government when making the price determinations announced last week.