asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs when the Report of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research on the Economic Effects of Immigration will now be published.

The need to wait for relevant data, and staff changes at the National Institute have delayed the research, but the National Institute hopes that the report will be completed by the autumn. It will then be published as quickly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how far below the old National Plan target he now expects public spending to be in 1969–70 on a comparable basis to the figures given in Table 18.1 of the National Plan.

Public expenditure in 1969–70 on a definition consistent with the National Plan and at 1965 survey prices is estimated to be £13,390 million. This exceeds the estimate given in the National Plan by £95 million, and represents an annual average increase since 1964–65 of 4·4 per cent. compared wth 4¼ per cent. estimated in the National Plan.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs which items of expenditure, as defined in Table 6.1 of "The Task Ahead" are projected on the basic case to increase by a greater percentage between 1964 and 1972 than the increase forecast for 1964 to 1970 in the National Plan and which by less.

Compared with the percentage increases in the National Plan between 1964 and 1970, "The Task Ahead "gives percentage increases between 1964 and 1972 which are greater for public services' investment and social and other public services' consumption, and smaller for defence and personal consumption, private industries and services' investment, nationalised industries' investment and housing investment.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether, in view of the fact that decisions by the Government on the development of expenditure within their own control are to be taken in the light of the impact their expenditure will have on the economy, he will revise the table 5.2 in the new planning document to show the limits of the wedge for public spending in 1971–72.

No. Firm decisions about public expenditure programmes after 1970–71 have not yet been taken. Projections of the use of resources up to 1972 have been made on the assumption that, for the basic case described in the assessment, public expenditure may grow broadly in line with output after 1970–71.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs to what extent the switch in resources strategy announced in the 1968 Budget and described in the new planning document, "The Task Ahead", differ from the switch in resources strategy described in chapter 15 of the National Plan.

Like the National Plan, "The Task Ahead" envisages a larger allocation of domestic resources to the balance of payments. But whereas 6 per cent. of extra resources were to be devoted to improving the balance of payments in the National Plan, the proportion in "The Task Ahead" is 14 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs on what criteria he based the export assumptions in the period covered by the economic assessment.

The assessment assumes that world trade will expand at an annual rate not far below that of the last decade; that policies and attitudes towards international trade will be generally liberal; and that devaluation will enable this country to gain a greater benefit than in the past from the expansion of world trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what percentage growth in private industries and services investment was forecast in the National Plan over the period 1964 to 1970; how much has such investment

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will break down the estimates for non-trade items in the balance of payments given in Table 3.1 of "The Task Ahead" to show projections in 1969 and 1970 and hence the short-term requirement for the trade account.

No. The figures in the assessment for 1972 are intended to indicate trends in the medium term, and the hon. gentleman must await the Budget statement for further information on the short term.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will reconsider the coverage, the duration and the amount of payment of the regional employment premium, in view of the increasing employment problems in grey areas.

No. As the hon. Member knows, the report of the Hunt Committee on intermediate areas is expected to be published by the end of April.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he is satisfied with the safeguards for the economic development of North-East Lancashire in relation to the proposed new town of Chorley/Leyland, in view of the needs of the region; and if he will make a statement.

I am confident that the related action for North-East Lancashire announced by the Minister of Housing and Local Government on 19th December last will help the area to share in the benefits which the proposed new town can bring to the whole region.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, in view of the progress made on nearly all the items summarised in The Check-list of Action, in the new planning document, why the growth in output in the first five of the six National Plan years is estimated to be just over half the Plan target.

The main reason for a slower rate of growth has been because of the continuing problem of the balance of payments. This is why the Economic Assessment to 1972 gives first priority to a substantial surplus in assessing future economic possibilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will make a statement on the effects on the economic development of the Chelmsford area of the Industrial Redevelopment Corporation take-over of Brown Baily Limited.

The I.R.C.s takeover of Brown Baily is the first stage of a plan to strengthen the British ball-bearing and alloy steels industries. I have no reason, at this stage, to suppose that the reorganisation of this industry will adversely affect the Chelmsford area.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs on what basis it is estimated in the Economic Assessment that private consumption will fall up to 1972.

Private consumption is estimated to rise in absolute terms up to 1972. It falls only as a proportion of rising national output because of the need to achieve the necessary shift of resources into the balance of payments and productive investment.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will make a statement on his programme for consultation with industry, set out in Chapter X of the Economic Assessment.

Consultations are now under way, or will commence shortly, with all the industries selected for detailed discussion. The consultations are being conducted through the Economic Development Committees or other appropriate bodies. I have discussed the arrangements generally with E.D.C. chairmen. The intention is that the consultations should be completed and the results submitted to the National Economic Development Council towards the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs to what extent, in the policy for the balance of payments set out in "The Task Ahead", account was taken of the effects on overseas investments of British capital.

Account was taken of the expectation of a continuing increase in net earnings on private overseas investments in arriving at the estimate given in Table 3.1 of "The Task Ahead" for the contribution to the balance of payments of "other invisible transactions (net)" of £900 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs when he expects the Economic Planning Councils to tender advice on the strategy for development as provided for on page 91 of "The Task Ahead".

All the Economic Planning Councils have published their preliminary views on the future development of their regions and are now formulating more detailed strategies, on both the regional and sub-regional scale.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if his Department will conduct a special survey of the question of the decentralisation of Government administration and research services to grey areas.

Dispersal decisions already take account of the needs of particular areas. No special survey is therefore required.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will make a further statement regarding the publication of the report of the Humberside Feasibility Studies Unit.

I expect to publish the Report in five to six weeks' time from now.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how many new jobs for industrial workers were created in the Southwestern Region in the last two years; how this compared with the equivalent figure for the North-East; and what further steps he is taking to induce new industries to set up in the Region.

A total of 13,450 additional jobs in manufacturing industry is expected to arise in the region as a whole as a result of the industrial development certificates issued in the calendar years 1967 and 1968. The comparable figure for the whole of the Northern Region (including the industrial North-East) was 37,400.The full range of incentives continues to be available for industrial development in the South West Development Area. In the rest of the region the i.d.c. control is already administered flexibly, full account being taken of local circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs why Her Majesty's Government have decided to hold an inquiry into absenteeism and holiday trends; what are the terms of reference for the inquiry; who will be responsible for conducting it; and when the report is expected.

I have asked my officials to look at the factors including absenteeism and holiday trends contributing to the fall in the index of industrial production in January. No general inquiry is proposed.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs why the projected total for imports at constant 1964 prices in 1972 on the basic case in Table 3.2 of The Task Ahead is higher than the comparable figure for 1970 in Table 7.1 of the National Plan, in the light of the effects of devaluation and the marginally slower rate of growth.

Because we are assuming, on the basis of the experience of the last few years, a higher import propensity, despite devaluation, than at the time of the National Plan.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will state the exact date when the Hunt Committee Report on Grey Areas will be published.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to similar Questions earlier today.

asked the Postmaster-General, if he will consider installing a second telephone kiosk in Broughshane, County Antrim, in view of the fact that the present kiosk is inadequate for the growing population of the area.

Not now but the need for an additional kiosk will be kept under review as Broughshane develops.

asked the Postmaster-General when he expects to instal an automatic telephone exchange on Rothlin Island to replace the present 20-year old equipment and to give subscribers on Rothlin a 24-hour service.

This case presents unusual technical difficulties, but we hope to provide a 24-hour automatic service for Rothlin Island customers early in 1971. Meantime the quality of the existing service should be improved by work due to be completed this summer.

asked the Postmaster-General why mail posted m the S.W.I area through the separate letterboxes marked London and all other places is collected into the same bag; and what effect this practice has on the speed of delivery of both first-class and other mail.

I have no evidence that mail is collected in this manner; but if the hon. Gentleman has and be will let me have details I will gladly look into the matter.

asked the Postmaster- General whether he will now announce the programme for special issue stamps for 1970.

The following will be the programme of special stamps in 1970:

February—A pictorial issue on British architecture.

April—General Anniversaries.

June—Literary Anniversaries.

July—Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.

September—Philympia, International Philatelic Exhibition, London.

November—Christmas stamps.

asked the Postmaster-General how many post offices are classified as rural area post offices or sub-post offices; and what percentage of the total this represents.

1,752 post offices are classified as Crown Offices and staffed by civil servants. The remaining 23,146–93 per cent. of the total—are classified as Scale-Payment Sub-Offices and run by a sub-postmaster or sub-postmistress on an agency basis. The latter offices are situated in both town and rural areas and a breakdown on this basis is not readily available.

asked the Postmaster-General of the sums spent on advertising in newspapers by his Department, namely £940,000 for telecommunications, £226,000 for the postal business, and £25,000 for giro services, how much in each case was spent in Scotland, and with which newspapers.

The sums spent on Press advertising in Scottish newspapers for telecommunications and postal services and giro business is as follows.For telecommunications, £14,110 on the following newspapers:

asked the Postmaster-General whether it was with his authority that officials of his Department gave to a national newspaper details of the contents and the date and time of publication of Command Paper No. 3959, resulting in their premature publication on 12th March; and if he will investigate this matter.

I am satisfied that no information about the contents of Command Paper No. 3959 which could have led to any newspaper report on 12th March was disclosed to the Press by officials of my Department. I do not consider that an investigation is necessary.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will make a statement on the long- and short-term effects of the collapse of the Independent Television Authority mast at Emley Moor including the effects on present and future transmission of colour television.

The I.T.A. mast at Emley Moor served the main station used to transmit independent television in V.H.F. and on the 405-line definition standard in the area covered by the Authority's contract with Yorkshire Television. The population living within the transmission area is, according to the Authority, about 6 million. B.B.C. 2 was also transmitted, in U.H.F. and on the 625-line definition standard, from the mast. This transmission, together with those from two other stations dependent on it was, the B.B.C. states, available to some 5 million people. Emergency measures taken by both broadcasting authorities have restored service to about half the population in each case.Plans are in hand to erect a further temporary mast 680 ft. high on adjacent land. This mast will be in service the I.T.A. tells me within a few months' time if all goes well. It will be equipped to carry the V.H.F. 405-line service of independent television; the U.H.F. 625-line versions of B.B.C. 1 and independent television; and B.B.C. 2. The 405-line version of independent television and B.B.C. 2 will then be available to a substantially greater number of people than under the present emergency arrangements. On this timetable the 625-line versions of B.B.C. 1 and independent television, due to start early next year at latest, should not be delayed. However, their population coverage at the start will have to be reduced. The I.T.A. does not expect the final replacement of the collapsed mast to take less than 18 months.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the text of his letter to the Chairman of the British Broadcasting Corporation, calling for an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the showing of an item about the investiture of the Prince of Wales on the 24 Hours television programme; and what was the text of the reply sent him by the Chairman of the British Broadcasting Corporation.

My right hon. Friend's letter to the Chairman of the British Broadcasting Corporation indicated widespread indigation in Wales at the slanting of this programme and asked him to inquire into the way in which the programme had been arranged. If my hon. Friend has questions to ask about the British Broadcasting Corporation he should address them to Lord Hill or to my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will withhold his consent to the schemes proposed by the Usk and Severn River Authorities to construct reservoirs in respect of the Rivers Dulais, Senni and Usk until the report of the Wales and Midlands study covering water supplies is made available to the Water Resources Board; and, in view of the urgency of the situation, if he will ask the Board for an interim report concerning these schemes.

No applications have been made by these authorities to construct reservoirs in the valleys mentioned. Before they can do so the suitability of a site has to be proved by geological investigation. The Usk River Authority's application for an Order to carry out such investigation in the Usk and Senni Valleys was the subject of a Public Inquiry in January and the Inspector's Report has not yet been received. No Order has yet been sought by the Severn River Authority in respect of the Dulais Valley. I would hope to have the results of the Wales and Midlands study before a final consent is required to the building of a reservoir in either area.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he is now in a position to announce his decision upon the inquiry into the Plasnewydd Clearance Order.

I have made my decision but, because it entails the preparation of a large number of individual explanatory letters, it will be some little time before the announcement is made.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the new system of early warning lighting to be extended to the Welsh section of the M4.

In 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which organisations were consulted by the subcommittee on the export of manuscripts, documents and archives when preparing its report contained in Command Paper No. 3849.

The sub-committee invited written evidence from 36 bodies and individuals both in the United Kingdom and overseas.Evidence was received from 15 bodies in the United Kingdom and eight overseas. These are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) when the intre-departmental working party on the export of manuscripts, documents and archives will complete its work;(2) whether the report of the interdepartmental working party on the export of manuscripts, documents and archives will be published;(3) which professional organisations will be consulted by the inter-departmental working party on the export of manuscripts, documents and archives.

The first task of the working party will be to attempt to devise a practicable scheme relating to documents less than 100 years old. The working party will carry out its task as quickly as possible, but I cannot yet say when it will complete its work. It would not be appropriate to publish the report of an inter-departmental working party but as I said in reply to my hon. Friend on 13th March, all relevant interests will be consulted at the appropriate stage.—[Vol. 779, c. 322–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which members of the Reviewing Committee on the export of works of art possess pro fessional qualifications in the field of contemporary British history.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in view of the value of the great organ at Alexandra Palace, he will take steps to make a special grant towards its restoration as an alternative to its pro posed sale by the Greater London Council.

The appropriate channel for any grant from central funds would be the Arts Council. The Council's decision on any application for assistance would be entirely within their discretion.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science to the latest convenient date, how many local education authorities have informed him that they are unwilling to carry out a system of comprehensive reorganisation; how many were sent letters regarding financial action by him; how many subsequently changed their policy; and how many cases are still unresolved.

In settling the school building programme for 1969–70 I deferred secondary projects for eight authorities pending clarification of their intentions towards reorganisation on comprehensive lines. I have since authorised projects for four of them where there is now satisfactory progress with reorganisation. I am still considering a reorganisation plan submitted by a fifth. In connection with the 1970–71 programme I am taking similar action with 14 more authorities—including 4 of the 8 who have formally declined to submit a reorganisation scheme—but it is too soon to judge the results.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many salaried staff are attached to the Arts Council; what is the total cost of their salaries; and whether he will give the numbers of non-salaried members of the Arts Council.

The Arts Council including the Scottish and Welsh Arts Councils, employs a staff of 215; the total cost of their salaries, etc., is £295,000. All members of the three Arts Councils are non-salaried, their total number at present being 50; in addition there are currently 123 unpaid advisers sitting on panels of the Councils.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate he has made of the total number of borrowers from public libraries in England and Wales in 1968; and whether he will give the comparable figures for 1963 and 1968.

The Library Association estimated that in 1958–59 nearly 28 per cent. of the population served by public libraries in the United Kingdom were registered readers. Figures for borrowers are no longer collected and estimates for later years are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the bodies consulted in respect of the provision in the proposed Education Bill, showing in particular which bodies have been consulted as to their views on replacing religious instruction in schools.

The bodies named in List A below were invited to let me have their preliminary views on desirable changes in the law. The additional bodies named in List B later indicated that they would like to offer comments and were encouraged to do so. None of these bodies has been asked to consider any particular aspects of existing legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his estimate of the overall shortage of chemistry teachers; and if he will make a statement.

The shortage is difficult to measure, but certainly serious, and I am doing all I can to alleviate it.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children in Wirral, and of what age distribution, were referred to child guidance clinics in the area, or in neightbouring authorities' areas, during 1962, 1965 and 1968, respectively; and what was the average length of time that each child had to wait before being seen by appropriate professional staff.

Referrals known to local education authorities covering the area totalled 242 in 1962, 303 in 1965 and 372 in 1968. Figures for the age distribution are not available. The length of time before a child was first seen by professional staff ranged from under two weeks to about three months in some cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it has been decided to ensure that vacancies in the prison governor class shall in future be filled by promotion within the prison service; and if he will make a statement.

Since 1948 it has been the aim of successive governments that as many governors as possible should be appointed from within the ranks of the prison service, but progress has been slow. I have appointed a working party of officials and staff representatives to consider what positive steps can be taken to achieve the aim that promotion from within the service should be the normal method of filling governor vacancies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average waiting time before cases are heard at Shrewsbury, Stafford and Worcester Assizes, respectively.

The latest available figures are for persons awaiting trial at the Autumn Assizes 1968, when the average periods were 40, 48 and 50 days respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he took to satisfy himself about the number of hours worked by the Chairman of the Racecourse Betting Levy Board before he agreed to an increase in his salary on the basis that the post is now full time.

My right hon. Friend in this connection accepted the opinion of the Levy Board, which is responsible, subject to his approval, for determining and paying the salary of its chairman.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up a working party to investigate the causes of domestic fires and the methods of advising parents of the ways to prevent them,

Information about the causes of domestic fires, based on detailed reports sent in by brigades, is already published annually by the Joint Fire Research Organisation. Methods of advising parents and others on fire prevention in the home are constantly under consideration by the Information Sub-Committee of the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Councils for England and Wales and for Scotland. In these circumstances, I see no need for a special working party.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the increasing numbers of private cars driving around the Metropolitan Police area with lighted signs thereon giving telephone numbers, names such as mini-cabs, private car taxis, and others; and, since the courts have now decided that this practice is illegal, what steps are being taken, or are proposed to be taken, to stop these illegalities.

This is a matter for the Commissioner of Police, who is responsible for the enforcement of Section 4 of the London Cab Act, 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he gave facilities to the Press to photograph Metropolitan policemen who were to be used in the military operation against Anguilla; and whether he will make a statement.

No facilities were given.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why a formal interim letter of acknowledgment to the hon. Member for West Ham, North, stating that he had received a communication dated 7th March and that the Chief Constable of Essex had been asked for his observations, was not sent until 20th March; and why this information was not sent to the hon. Member earlier.

The receipt of my hon. Friend's letter was acknowledged on 11th March, the date on which it was received. The letter of 20th March was to let him know that my right hon. Friend's inquiries were not completed and that a full reply would be sent when they were.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity in drawing up the Government's economic planning document, what consideration was given to introducing further legislation on prices and incomes.

The Green Paper "The Task Ahead" says that the Government hope there will be no necessity for a renewal of the statutory powers which expire at the end of 1969, although a final decision on this can only be taken in the light of the economic situation at the time and taking into account in particular whether durable progress has been made with the balance of payments.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity to what extent the Government's economic policy is based on restraint on incomes and prices until 1972.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Green Paper "The Task Ahead".

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Departments of Government will be represented by Ministers at the Five Power Conference later this year at Canberra; and if he will make a statement.

The Ministry of Defence. I would also refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Eldon Griffiths) by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 10th February, to which I have nothing to add.—[Vol. 777, c. 200.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total sum spent on the Blue Flash project to the latest convenient date; and what is his estimate of the cost to public funds of claims for compensation and other liabilities still to be satisfied.

I understand that the hon. Lady's Question refers to Blue Streak and I have, therefore, been asked to reply.A sum of £89 million was spent on Blue Streak up to 1st November, 1961, from which date costs have been borne by E.L.D.O. to which Organisation the United Kingdom currently contributes. The amount paid by that Organisation to 31st December, 1968, for work on Blue Streak, was £47 million. The amount of further expenditure by E.L.D.O. on Blue Streak depends in part on the future programme of the Organisation, and is at present estimated at about £15 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the rate of growth assumed by Government Departments in their planning of public expenditure.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to Chapter 4 of the Green Paper "The Task Ahead: Economic Asessment to 1972", recently published by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the light of the decision of the Leek and Westbourne Building Society to maintain its present interest rates to home purchasers, he will now ask the National Board for Prices and Incomes to investigate the reasons which have led other building societies to increase their rates.

This society's decision is entirely consistent with the general desire of the National Board for Prices and Incomes to see a greater degree of competition within the movement. It does not in my view call for a further reference to the Board at this stage, but as my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury told the House last week, we shall keep in mind the possibility of a general reference at an appropriate time in the future.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will introduce legislation to provide that motorists can buy 6d. or 1s. stamps at petrol stations and exchange these towards their road fund licence.

I doubt whether there would be sufficient demand from the public to justify the administrative costs of launching such a scheme.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to the Revenue of providing separate assessments for Income Tax and Surtax to all husbands and wives in the next financial year.

I am not quite sure what my hon. Friend is suggesting, but to tax all husbands and wives as though they were single persons would result in a net gain to the Revenue.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what number of people in receipt of earned income incur liability for Income Tax at an effective rate of 6s. 5d. in the £ sterling on their marginal earnings; and what proportion this represents of the total number of people in receipt of earned income.

About 13½ million, counting earning wives separately from their husbands, or nearly three-fifths of the total number with earned income.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make an examination of the potential available in the North-East for the siting of a major car plant in one of the special development districts in view of the continuing problems created by a high unemployment rate.

The Board of Trade has considerable information about suitable sites in the special development areas in the North-East and elsewhere and I do not consider a further examination is required at this time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further recommendations have been made to the Government by his explosives experts about salvaging the munitions cargo of the wreck of the S.S. "Richard Montgomery" in the Thames Estuary, following their advice in 1967 that such salvage would involve a greater risk of explosion, would put the lives of the salvage team in danger, and would create a hazard to the surrounding population.

None since 1967. It is intended to conduct periodic reviews of the situation and there will be one next year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the application by the Ford Motor Company for a £20 million expansion to their plant at Dagenham; and what action he proposes to take, in the light of Her Majesty's Government's policy for industrial expansion in the development and special development districts.

Details of i.d.c. applications are confidential. An i.d.c. has recently been issued to Fords for an expansion which we were satisfied it would be reasonable to allow at Dagenham. The project will also result in additional employment in the development areas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total of exports from firms in Scotland to South Africa during the most recent annual period for which figures are available.

Trade figures are compiled only for the United Kingdom as a whole.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what assistance his Department is providing to the Scottish trade mission and Scottish companies promoting Scottish products at the Rand Eastern Show in South Africa.

The British Pavilion at the Rand Easter Show this year has been made available exclusively for the display of products of firms manufacturing in Scotland. Forty-three firms are participating and the Board of Trade is providing space and stands free of charge. The Board will also contribute towards the cost of fares of firms' representatives, the translation of sales literature, advertising under the Board's Co-operative Advertising Scheme and return freight on any unsold exhibits.

askd the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to assist local authorities in Scotland to take part in exhibitions and trade displays designed to encourage trade between Scotland and South Africa.

We have no record of an approach from any local authority. Board of Trade assistance is given to firms taking part in collective displays in international trade fairs. These firms are sponsored by a nonprofit making body which is generally the appropriate trade association.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consideration his Department has given to the proposal of the United States Secretary of Commerce for a new international trade agreement to cover wool and man-made fibres, similar to the one involving quotas for cotton textile imports, details of which are in his possession; and if he will make a statement.

No such proposal has been received.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a further statement on the air crash at Manchester Airport on 20th March, 1969, involving the deaths of three persons.

I have little to add to the Statement that I made to the House on Friday last. The inspector's investigation is now well under way; the wreckage is being transported to a hanger at Farnborough for detailed examination; the flight recorder trace has been sent for transcription prior to being analysed. At this stage it would therefore be unwise to speculate upon the possible causes of this accident.—[Vol. 780, c. 899–902.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the practice of allowing exercises in training on flights at airports in major conurbations such as Manchester.

I am doubtful whether these are grounds for any general restriction but we are examining whether there is a need to introduce any special limitations.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in view of the fact that the letters S.S.C. denote a legal qualification in Scotland, namely Solicitor in the Supreme Court, he will withdraw the advertisement in the Daily Express of 24th March, 1969, which uses these letters to indicate a new business qualification, namely, Short Service Com mission.

In the circumstances I have decided not to repeat this advertisement.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why he has not yet informed Mr. Head, of Queenswood, Old Green Lane, Camberley, whether he is prepared either to extend the leasehold of this property or to sell the freehold, in view of the fact that Mr. Head has been in correspondence with his Department for more than nine months.

I regret the delay in giving Mr. Head a decision but his case cannot be considered in isolation. I hope to be able to give a decision in about six weeks' time.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state for the longest convenient stated period of time the number of Questions which he has answered in the House of Commons concerning matters connected with breaches of the Official Secrets Act; and when was the last time he answered a Question concerning a breach of this Act.

I have been asked to reply.Since the beginning of the present Session my right hon. Friend has answered two Questions referring to possible breaches of the Official Secrets Acts, one on 20th February and the other last Tuesday.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take the necessary action to ensure that all matters pertaining to State secrecy and breaches in the Official Secrets Act are in future dealt with by the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary.

I have been asked to reply.No.

asked the Minister of Technology what has been the cost incurred by him so far at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Bedford, of experimental and development work related to the Concorde project.

By 31st March, 1969, the total cost of the intramural work for the Concorde project at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Bedford, is estimated at about £6·2 million.

asked the Minister of Technology how many industrial workers he employs at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Bedford, and the Naval Air Department, Bedford.

947 of the staff at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Bedford, quoted in the answer to my hon. Friend's question on 5th March, 1969, were serving in industrial grades. This includes 60 at present employed in the Naval Air Department.—[Vol. 779, c. 104.]

asked the Minister of Technology what plans he has for building a new wind tunnel at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Bedford.

A new low-speed wind tunnel with a high "Reynolds number" is being planned. The arrangements for the building of the tunnel, and its location, are now under discussion.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what consultations he has had with European Ministers of Transport about the formation of a European pallet pool; and whether he will make a statement;(2) what consultations he has had with road haulage operators about the formation of a national pallet pool; and whether he will make a statement.

Copies of a summary of the consultants' report on the feasibility of a pallet pool for the United Kingdom, which we have just published, have been sent to the Road Haulage Association, the Freight Transport Association and other interested organisations. The foreword to the summary invites comment on the proposals in the report, which, on the basis of a conclusion that a pool is both feasible and desirable, recommend a further, detailed, pool implementation planning study. We shall be inviting the R.H.A. and the F.T.A. in particular to discuss the proposals with us when they have had time to consider the report. We are well aware of the existence of the pool run by the railways on the Continent of Europe, and of the technical problems arising from differing pallet specifications, but it would be premature for me to have consultations with the other European Ministers of Transport before the study of the subject in the United Kingdom is further advanced.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the proposed increases in parking charges at stations on the Southern Region of British Railways are in accord with the Government's prices and incomes policy; and if he will refer these proposals to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

I have no evidence that the increases being made following a review of parking charges at Southern Region stations are inconsistent with the Government's prices and incomes policy, and I see no case for referring to the National Board for Prices and Incomes purely local charges of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the second of the larger census tests relating to the 1971 census will be held; and what new procedures and questions will be included.

The test will be held on 27th April, 1969. It will take the form of a trial census in three areas in England (Nottingham County Borough, Huddersfield County Borough, High Wycombe Municipal Borough and Wycombe Rural District) and three areas in Scotland (Dumbarton Burgh, Kelso Burgh and Kelso District of Roxburghshire and Barvas North Electoral Division in the Isle of Lewis). Additionally, the Government Social Survey will interview a small number of householders in other parts of Great Britain. About 200,000 householders will be invited to complete questionnaires, in order to test the general efficiency of the enumeration process and in particular to ensure that the public understand the wording of the questions.A questionnaire booklet is being tried out in place of the traditional single-page form. New questions ask for the date of entry into the United Kingdom for immigrants, the country in which the parents were born, occupation and industry twelve months previously, method of transport to work, number of G.C.E. "A" level passes or equivalent, income, and for women under 60 years of age who are or have been married the dates of birth of their children. New questions on housing are designed to measure the extent to which households share accommodation.Specimen test questionnaires will be placed in the Library.Participation in the test will be voluntary but because of its importance for the success of the Census, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I hope that all householders invited will be willing to take part. All information obtained will be treated in confidence.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will not now proceed with the review of the hardship pension allowance of Mr. G. Coles, in view of the fact that this case has been reviewed three times already and the facts have not changed.

The question whether a person satisfies the conditions for entitlement to special hardship allowance under the Industrial Injuries Act is for decision by the independent statutory authorities; an insurance officer in the first instance, or on appeal, the local tribunal and, finally, the National Insurance Commissioner. Neither the Secretary of State, nor I have power to interfere with their decisions.As I explained to my hon. Friend in my letter to him of 14th March, Mr. Coles has appealed against the insurance officer's latest decision on his claim for special hardship allowance and I have undertaken to let him know the outcome of the appeal as soon as I can.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what training facilities exist for the health visitors in the Wirral peninsula to be acquainted with the research findings of mental health specialists; and what further facilities are proposed, particularly in the field of early childhood disorders.

All health visitors receive instruction in mental health problems and childhood disorders as part of the syllabus of basic training introduced by the Council for Training of Health Visitors. Subsequent in-service and refresher training are arranged by the employing local health authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are his plans for the future of the Agricultural Advisory Council and the Horticultural Advisory Council.

The terms of office of the former Councils expired at the end of 1968 and I have now reconstituted them with new terms of reference. I am glad to say that Mr. N. E. Strutt has agreed to serve as Chairman of the new Agricultural Advisory Council and Mr. D. G. Frampton as Chairman of the new Horticultural Advisory Council. My Chief Agricultural Adviser will be Vice-Chairman of both Councils. The remaining members are drawn for the most part, from the agricultural and horticultural industries and from the academic world.The terms of reference of the Agricultural Advisory Council are:

Figures are available only for counties and county boroughs, as follows:The terms of reference of the Horticultural Advisory Council are similar.I should like to take this opportunity of paying tribute to the valuable services that the former Councils and, in particular, the Chairmen have rendered to my Department over the past six years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what regulations have now been issued by his Department regarding the transfer of staffs from the present separate services to the proposed new Social Work Department of local authorities; to whom these have been issued; and what notice will be given to staff in the separate services to study such regulations prior to being required to accept transfer.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total capital value of secondary schools on which construction started in 1968; what were the comparable figures in 1964; and what percentage increase this represents at constant prices.

The total value of starts on secondary school projects was £24·5 million in 1968 and £13 million in 1964. This represents a 63 per cent. increase at 1964 prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to publish regulations under Section 85(1) of the Social Work (Scotland) Act, 1968, providing for the transfer of probation officers from probation committees to local authorities under the Act and for the protection of their interests.

Regulations affecting probation officers, approved school aftercare welfare officers and a few other officers who have to be transferred to new employers under the Social Work (Scotland) Act will be made soon. The professional and other bodies concerned are being consulted about the current draft of these regulations and also a draft of compensation regulations that have to be made under Section 85 but of which I hope no use will have to be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects the Scottish Economic Planning Council to tender advice to the Government on the strategy for development in Scotland after their examination of the problems and prospects outlined on page 91 of "The Task Ahead".

The problems and prospects outlined in "The Task Ahead" are now being considered by the Council as part of its continuing review of the strategy of development for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Power what are the latest figures for undistributed stocks of deep-mined and open-cast coal, respectively.

On 15th March, 1969 21·7 million tons and 3·9 millions tons.

asked the Minister of Power if the report prepared by his Advisory Committee on Tip Safety to help local authority engineers with the inspection of disused tips is yet available; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. The notes have been published by H.M. Stationery Office in the form of a booklet entitled "Guidance Notes for the Initial Inspection of Disused Tips" and are now on sale. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library of the House. Although the Notes have been prepared with mine and quarry tips in mind, they contain much that is of general application; they should, therefore, prove useful to persons concerned with the stability of man-made heaps and settling ponds generally.