asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, bearing in mind the increase in population and the inadequacy of hospital facilities in Hertfordshire, the main building of the new Watford General Hospital has been included in the hospital building programme; and what is the date when it is planned to commence building and the date when it should be completed.

A maternity unit of 101 beds has been completed, a psychiatric unit of 75 beds and a new pathology department are under construction and initial planning of further development is proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress is being math with the new teaching hospital project in Nottingham.

High Court Orders dismissing motions to quash orders for the compulsory purchase of the site were issued on 21st March 1969 but until 2nd May appeals may be lodged.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will reconsider the increases, recently made, in hospital charges for private patients, with a view to making smaller increases.

No. The new charges have been calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Health Services and Public Health Act, 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further plans he has for improving the pay and working conditions of junior hospital doctors.

Pay is a matter on which the Government look to the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration for advice. An increase recommended by the Review Body has recently been made. As regards working conditions I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the Hon. Members for Dorking (Sir G. Sinclair) and Liverpool, Garston (Mr. Fortescue) on 27th January.—[Vol. 776, c. 916–18.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the increased charges for food in hospital canteens, he will review the pay scales of student nurses.

Student nurses' training allowances were increased from 1st January, 1969, as part of a general agreement of the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council on pay and conditions of service, and any review would be a matter for the Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware that student nurses having meals in hospitals have to pay up to £3 a week, that the allowance payable will only be £1 18s. per week, and that this represents a reduction in their pay; what representations he has received; what reply he has sent; and if he will review the position immediately.

In accordance with the advice of the National Board for Prices and Incomes (Report No. 60), the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council have agreed that, where practicable, resident student nurses should be able to pay for their meals as they take them instead of paying a fixed annual charge; and that £106 should be deducted from the fixed charge for board and lodging to take account of this change. The agreement was part of a general settlement on pay and conditions of service, and any review would be a matter for the Council. The amount of the reduction in the fixed charge was based on the advice of the Board that a realistics price for the meals actually taken by a student nurse in a hospital in the course of a normal year would be about £100. The representations received have generally been based on misunderstandings and the replies to them have sought to clear these up.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) under what authority the sister-in-charge of the National Health Service Convalescent Home for Children at Hornsea, Yorkshire, censors or withholds the letters of children to their parents; and what steps are being taken to stop this practice;(2) why children at the National Health Service Convalescent Home for Children at Hornsea, Yorkshire, are shut in a bathroom, or tied to a chair; and, if they vomit, are told they will have to eat it;(3) why children at the National Health Service Convalescent Home for Children, at Hornsea, Yorkshire, are in their night attire at 3.30 p.m.; and whether they are then being put to bed or have not been dressed for the day.

I am writing to my hon. and gallant Friend in reply to his recent letters about these allegations.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) why, with accommodation for 41 children at the National Health Service Convalescent Home for Children at Hornsea, Yorkshire, only 19 children are at present in residence;(2) whether, in view of the unsatisfactory conditions and nature of treatment, and with only half the accommodation occupied, he will close the National Health Service Convalescent Home for Children at Hornsea, Yorkshire, and use the premises for an alternative purpose.

The need for hospital facilities for convalescent children is declining but the Leeds Regional Hospital Board considers that it is still sufficient to warrant keeping open the convalescent hospital for children at Hornsea, the only one remaining in the region.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will state the numbers of nursing, domestic and other staff, respectively, and the total allowed for 41 children at the National Health Service Convalescent Home for Children at Hornsea, Yorkshire, and the numbers at present employed, stating in each case the qualifications of the nursing staff;(2) in what grades of nursing staff for the National Health Services Convalescent Home for Children at Hornsea, Yorkshire, difficulty is being experienced in recruitment; whether he is satisfied that the present staff is adequate to run a children's convalescent home of this size and nature; and if he will make a statement.

The information is as follows:

	Establishment	In-post (whole-time equivalents)	Qualifications
1. Nursing staff
Matron	1	1	State Registered
			Sick Children
Sisters	1	1¾	State Registered
Night Sisters	2	1¾	State Registered
Staff Nurse	2	¾	State Registered
			Sick Children, Fever
Other nursing staff	9	9½
2. Domestic Staff	4	4½
3. Other Staff
(1) Catering	3	2
(2) Gardener/Handyman	1	1
	23	22¼

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many urgent cases, involving the danger of deafness, are awaiting surgical ear, nose and throat treatment in Birmingham.

The information on which to base such an estimate is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the average waiting time in Birmingham for ear, nose and throat operations in 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1968.

Information for 1963, 1964 and 1968 is not available. The average time waited by patients whose E.N.T. treatment including operations was completed in the other years is as follows:

1965	…	…	…	7·3 months
1966	…	…	…	7·6 months
1967	…	…	…	6·3 months

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many ear, nose and throat consultant vacancies exist in the Birmingham area.

There are two vacancies for consultants in ear, nose and throat surgery in the Birmingham Region. Both posts are filled at present by locum tenens.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what correspondence he has received concerning ear, nose and throat facilities and the prevention of deafness in Birmingham; and what replies he has sent.

Five letters have been received enquiring about various aspects of E.N.T. facilities in Birmingham. The matters raised in four of them have been investigated and replies sent. Inquiries are still being made about the fifth.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average cost of ear, nose and throat operations in the area of the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board.

Regional average costs of operations in individual specialties are not available. The cost per operation at the Birmingham and Midland Ear and Throat Hospital in 1967–68 was £10. This excludes the cost of treatment and other in-patient and out-patient services required before and after the operation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average cost to the patients for ear, nose and throat operations in private beds in Birmingham hospitals.

The average hospital charge to the patient is £52 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (adults) and £25 at the King Edward VII Memorial Children's Hospital. At the Birmingham and Midland Ear and Throat Hospital it is £43 for adults and £22 for children. These figures are based on an average stay of six days for adults and three days for children and on the hospital charges current from 1st October, 1968, to 31st March, 1969; they do not include medical fees which are a matter for private arrangement between the patient and doctor.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average waiting time for private treatment in pay beds for ear, nose and throat operations in Birmingham.

There is normally no waiting time for patients seeking private treatment in the pay beds available for ear, nose and throat operations in Birmingham.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases are awaiting ear, nose and throat treatment in Birmingham hospitals; and what is the average waiting time.

7,248 on 31st December, 1968; the average time waited by patients who completed treatment in 1967 was 6·3 months.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give estimates of the revenue accruing to hospital services from miscellaneous sources other than central Government grants for the years 1964 to 1968, inclusive.

The income on revenue account which was received by hospital authorities in England as an offset to their revenue expenditure was as follows:

			£m.
1963–64	…	…	28·5
1964–65	…	…	29·2
1965–66	…	…	28·0
1966–67	…	…	28·3
1967–68	…	…	27·7
1968–69 (estimated)	…	…	28·4

Income from statutory charges does not accrue to hospital authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give estimates of expenditure for hospital administration for the years 1964 to 1968, inclusive.

The information for England is as follows:

Year	Total Revenue expenditure of Hospital authorities	Expenditure on Administration by Regional Hospital Boards, Boards of Governors and Hospital Management Committees (included in column 2)*
(1)	(2)	(3)
	£m.	£m.
1963–64	519·7	13·7
1964–65	555·3	14·8
1965–66	608·3	17·5
1966–67	665·8	18·9
1967–68	717·4	19·8
1968–69 (Estimated)	769·5	21·7
* Expenditure on administration excludes that on administrative offices situated in hospitals where the expenditure cannot be separately identified.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what studies he has made of the prevention of deafness of children; and what conclusions he has reached about the optimum waiting time between the diagnosis of ear, nose and throat disorders affecting deafness, and their treatment.

My Department at present sponsors no such studies. Waiting time is a matter for clinical judgment in the individual case and the research aspects of the question are a matter for the Medical Research Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek powers to direct regional hospital boards to restrict the use of ear, nose and throat facilities at National Health Service hospitals for private treatment until all urgent cases involving the danger of deafness have been dealt with.

In the guidance I have issued to hospital authorities I have drawn their attention to Section 1(6) of the Health Services and Public Health Act, 1968, which provides that the authorisation of accommodation for use by private patients shall not prevent it being used for other patients needing it more urgently on medical grounds.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will institute a national inquiry into the incidence of deafness.

I am sure that an inquiry into such vague terms of reference would serve no useful purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the current waiting period for ear, nose and throat operations in each of the regional hospital board areas.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to restore the out-patients physiotherapy service in the Thames Group of hospitals which has not been available since January, 1969.

A reduced service is continuing at four of the five hospitals concerned. The Hospital Management Committee are seeking to recruit physiotherapists to maintain the service.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has yet received the report of the inquiry into the fire at Carlton Hayes Hospital on 11th March; and if he will arrange for the report to be published and for the action he takes as a result of the report to be also published.

The inquiry into the fire at Carlton Hayes Hospital was held on 20th March. The report of this inquiry will be considered on 16th April by the hospital management committee and will subsequently be published in full with details of action proposed locally to implement the recommendations. I shall examine the report to see whether anything going beyond the local action is required.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, as a result of the fire at Carlton Hayes Hospital on 11th March, he will stipulate that, in future, as far as is possible the furniture in the patients' wards of psychiatric hospitals be constructed of non-inflammable materials; and if he will take steps to assist research and design by manufacturers in this connection.

The degree of fire risk inherent in items used in hospitals is constantly under review, in consultation with other interested Government Departments.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the rate of staffed beds to trained nurses is 3·87 at Orpington Hospital compared with 2·76 at Queen Mary's Hospital, which is in the same group.

Mainly because the proportion of acute cases is much higher at Queen Mary's Hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the present waiting periods for each of the major medical fields for patients in Wirral before they can obtain appointments with the hospital consultants to whom they are referred by general practitioners.

The average waiting time in hospitals in Wirral for non-urgent cases is as follows:

Specialty		Waiting time (weeks)
General medicine	…	2–3
Paediatrics	…	1–2
Dermatology	…	1–3
Geriatrics	…	1
General Surgery	…	1–3
E.N.T. (including T. & A.)	…	1–4
Orthopaedic Surgery	…	3–9
Ophthalmology	…	6–7
Gynaecology	…	3–8
Psychiatry	…	3

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish a second Green Paper on the administrative structure of the National Health Service outlining his proposals for a two-tier structure.

As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead (Mr. Whitaker) in reply to his Question on 31st March I shall be putting forward revised proposals in due course; but the form in which they are presented will not be decided until my discussions with interested organisations about the original proposals are complete.—[Vol. 781, c. 22.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the staff of his Department are working on a feasibility study on making the National Health Service entirely free.

I have not commissioned such a study.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the proposals of London boroughs to reorganise their social service departments without waiting for the Seebohm Committee Report to be implemented, if he will advance the date of his preliminary report on the subject from the end of May.

As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Holborn and St. Pancras, South (Mrs. Lena Jeger) in reply to her Question on 10th March, the Government will seek to make an interim statement about the Report after publication of the Report of the Royal Commission on Local Government in England. I cannot at the moment give any undertaking as to date, but I understand that the Royal Commission's Report should be published before very long and it remains the Government's view that local authorities should not make changes in the organisation of their personal social services that might preempt the Government's decisions.—[Vol. 779, c. 222.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will state the number of abortions carried out under the National Health Service since the Abortion Act became law, and the number during a similar period prior to that date; and if he will now make a statement about the effect of the Act.

17,242 between 27th April, 1968 and 25th February, 1969. In the calendar year 1967, 7,610 therapeutic abortions were carried out. Both figures relate to National Health Service hospitals in England and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases of tuberculosis were notified throughout England and Wales for the years 1967 and 1968, respectively; and what is the breakdown of these figures by country of origin.

There were 13,207 notifications in 1967; the provisional figure for 1968 is 12,953. Information for an analysis by country of origin is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications were made in Hartlepool for exemption from prescription charges on grounds of hardship during the period from March 1968 to March 1969, inclusive; and how many applications were successful.

Between 10th June, 1968, when prescription charges were reintroduced,

CHECKING OF CLAIMED EXEMPTION FROM PRESCRIPTION CHARGES
	Estimated staffing and costs on an annual basis			Results of checks
	Number of Officers engaged on checking (whole-time equivalents)				Number of prescription forms checked	Number of patients found to be not exempt
Executive Council	Senior Officers	Clerical Officers	Costs	Period of check			Charges recovered
			£				£	s.	d.
Warwickshire and Solihull	—	1·3	1,100	September, 1968 to January, 1969	3,800	36	12	0	0
Merseyside comprising* Birkenhead, Bootle, Liverpool, Wallasey	0·2	1·8	2,000	September, 1968 to January, 1969	11,200	230	54	17	6
* Cheshire and Lancashire Executive Councils have been excluded. Only a minor part of "Merseyside" is included in these Council areas and no sub-division is available of their figures.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of clerical grade officers and senior officers employed by the Warwickshire Executive Council to check the entitlement to exemption from prescription charges; what is their estimated annual cost; what was the number of prescriptions checked between September, 1968 and January, 1969; what was the number of patients found not to have been entitled to exemption; and what was the total of the charge recovered from those patients.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of clerical grade officers and senior officers employed by the relevant executive councils to check the entitlement to exemption from prescription charges among the population of Merseyside; what is their estimated annual cost; what was the number of prescriptions checked between September, 1968, and January, 1969; what was the number of patients found not to have been entitled to exemption; and what was the total of the charge recovered from those patients.

Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that payment of industrial injuries benefit is not interrupted pending the submission of the usual periodic medical reports in order to prevent hardship to beneficiaries.

The existing procedures are designed to ensure that any essential medical reports are called for well in advance of the date the current disablement assessment expires. Except in a few instances where there is an unforeseen difficulty, interruption of weekly payments of benefit does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in view of the rising costs to local health authorities of adaptations to homes of physically handicapped persons and their rapidly increasing numbers, if he will consider seeking to amend the Ministry of Social Security Act, 1966, so as to allow his Department to meet these costs.

No. In my view this is properly the responsibility of local welfare authorities under the National Assistance Act, 1948.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has received the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham North, regarding his constituent Mrs. E. Carpenter giving evidence that her husband who died in January, 1969, had for 10 years received an industrial injuries benefit for pneumoconiosis, that his death was certified as being caused by this disease, and that she had been refused a pension; and whether he will investigate this case and send a reply before 21st April.

Inquiries have been made into Mrs. Carpenter's case and I am writing to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state the names of the doctors taking part in, and the terms of reference of, the team making a special survey into malnutrition; when the team is expected to report to him; and what form the report will take.

There is a comprehensive programme of nutritional surveys, and general information about them was given in the replies to Questions by the hon. Members for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison), Poplar (Mr. Mikardo) and Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris) on 4th November, 11th February and 12th March respectively.Full details of these studies, including the names of those engaged in them have been or will be published with the findings.—[Vol. 772, c. 14; Vol. 777, c. 279; Vol. 779, c. 356.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many National Health Service general practitioners reside in the borough of Hackney; and how many National Health Service general practitioners who have surgeries in the borough of Hackney reside outside the borough.

I am informed that the numbers, for doctors providing full general medical services, are 44 and 73 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many days' notice the Executive Council is required to give to a patient before removal from the list of a general practitioner.

Where the doctor requests removal, the Council remove the patient's name seven days after they receive the request or, if the patient is receiving treatment, seven days after they are informed by the doctor that this has been completed. Removal is earlier if the patient is meanwhile accepted by or assigned to another doctor. The Council are required to notify the patient accordingly, and to inform him that he should apply to another doctor for acceptance. There are provisions enabling a patient so removed to receive any necessary treatment while he is not on a doctor's list. Executive Councils will if necessary help in finding another doctor. I would expect these arrangements to safeguard the needs of elderly and other patients.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will review the arrangements as between patients and general practitioners regarding notice of removal, particularly with regard to elderly persons; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to him earlier today. I would expect these arrangements to safeguard the needs of elderly and other patients.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what cases have been reported to him of misuse through misunderstanding by patients of the five millilitre spoon now being used for measuring doses of medicine; and whether he will take steps by giving it a special name or other means of differentiating it from spoons in ordinary use, so as to minimise the risk of accidental overdoses through misuse of these spoons.

Only one specific case has come to my notice since 3rd March.Whenever a patient is given a British Standard five millilitre spoon he is also given a leaflet explaining its use, warning against the use of domestic spoons, and clearly indicating that the approved spoon is distinguished by the words "5 ml. dose" on the handle.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services which local health authorities have been invited by his Department to report the place of birth of the parents of children born in March and April or April and May in their respective areas; and when and how the resulting statistics are to be published.

I would refer the right hon. Member to my Answer to my hon. Friends the Members for Poplar (Mr. Mikardo) and Willesden, West (Mr. Pavitt) on 24th March. The local health authorities concerned are those qualifying for grant under Section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966.—[Vol. 780, c. 206–207.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give a summary of the benefits which resulted from the 4,755,680 experiments on live animals which took place in 1967 under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876.

Experiments carried out on live animals are directed towards such objectives as the preparation of vaccines and sera, physiological investigations including organ transplants and tissue storage, the prevention of dental caries, bone grafts, and other work which will assist in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, including the discovery, assessment and quality control of drugs.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will ensure that harmful or addictive drugs are not sold at auctions of Government surplus supplies; and if he will make a statement;(2) what price was paid for supplies of the drug mepromate sold in public auctions of Government supplies in the last 12 months.(3) if the drug mepromate is available to the public except on the prescription of a medical practitioner; and what quantities of that drug have been sold to the public from Government supplies without a prescription;(4) what was the quantity, and what was the market value of the drug mepromate sold in the last 12 months at auctions of Government surplus supplies.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to review the inclusion of drugs in sales of Government surplus stocks; and if he will make a statement.

Meprobamate is scheduled under the Poisons Rules and may be supplied to the public only on presentation of a prescription issued by a qualified practitioner. So far as I am aware, no Government supplies of the drug have been disposed of to the public in the last 12 months, whether by public auction or otherwise. Drugs are rarely available for sale as Government surplus stores and in both my Department and the Ministry of Defence arrangements exist to ensure that they are made available only to bodies which are permitted by law to supply, possess or procure them. I understand that the sale of meprobamate reported recently in the Press was not a sale of surplus Government stores but of unentered goods held in the Queen's Warehouse; and that the procedure for dealing with drugs in such cases is under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will establish regional work centres for the rehabilitation of victims of accidents suffering from severe head injuries.

I will consider this with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to provide that the best technological aids are made available to reduce the work load and anxiety for skilled doctors and nurses; and if he will make a statement.

Steps are being taken to secure that the health service gets the advantage of technological developments in equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people contracted or died from lung cancer in each of the last three years; how many were men and how many women; whether he is satisfied with the effects of his publicity on the danger of contracting this disease through cigarette smoking; and whether he will promote a further publicity campaign, especially in places where smoking is permitted such as theatres, cinemas and on transport.

Deaths from lung cancer in England and Wales in 1966, 1967 and 1968 were, for men and women respectively, 22,610; 23,548 and 23,896; and 4,415; 4,704 and 4,930. The 1968 figures are provisional. The response to publicity on the health risks of smoking, while in some respects encouraging, has not been nearly great enough. I will bring my hon. Friend's suggestion to the attention of the Health Education Council.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the total number of new vehicles licensed in the first three months of 1969; and what were the comparable figures in the first quarters of 1968 and 1967, respectively.

Figures for the first quarter of 1969 are not yet available. I will send the hon. Member details in a few days' time.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the minimum and maximum penalties for each of the following offences, namely, having faulty tyres and steering, failing to declare that a vehicle has been on the public highway since the last licence was in operation and making a false declaration on this when applying for a road fund licence;(2) if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the minimum and maximum penalties for each of the following offences, namely, failure to have a current road fund licence, failure to exhibit a current road fund licence, failure to have a roadworthiness certificate for a vehicle when applicable, and failure to have an insurance certificate.

The maximum penalties are as follows:

Using a vehicle with defective tyres or steering, £50 fine (£200 in the case of goods vehicles) and disqualification.

Using a vehicle uninsured or unsecured against third party risks, £50 fine and 3 months imprisonment and disqualification.

Using or keeping a vehicle on a public road without an excise licence being in force, £50 fine or five times the annual rate of duty whichever is the greater. An owner convicted of this offence is also required to pay arrears of duty.

False declaration when applying for an excise licence, £50 fine or 6 months imprisonment.

Failure to exhibit an excise licence, £20 fine.

Using a vehicle without a test certificate, £50 fine.

No minimum penalties are laid down, but a driver convicted of the first two offences is required to have his licence endorsed unless the court finds special reasons not to do so.

asked the Minister of Transport why he will not introduce legislation to fix mandatory penalties, in the same way as for parking offences, for the offences of driving vehicles without a road fund licence, without roadworthy certificates, or with defective tyres and steering.

Because the courts should be free to examine each case on its merits, and to deal with the offender in the light of all relevant circumstances. The fixed penalty for parking is of course an alternative to prosecution, and the driver remains free to go before the court if he chooses.

CENTRAL GOVERNMENT SPENDING ON MOTORWAYS* AND OTHER MAJOR ROADS IN ENGLAND SINCE 1964–65
Financial Year	Planned spending	Actual spending	Shortfall (-) or Excess (+)
	(£ million)	(£ million)	(£ million)	per cent.
1964–65†
Capital	129·0	127·4	-1·6	-1·2
Current	50·2	48·7	-1·5	-3·0
Total	179·2	176·1	-3·1	-1·7
1965–66
Capital	131·7	114·0	-17·7	-13·4
Current	50·2	47·0	-3·2	-6·4
Total	181·9	161·0	-20·9	-11·5
1966–67
Capital	146·0	135·5	-10·5	-7·2
Current	53·1	51·8	-1·3	-2·4
Total	199·1	187·3	-11·8	-5·9
1967–68
Capital	196·0	191·9	-4·1	-2·1
Current	24·8	25·9	+1·1	+4·4
Total	220·8	217·8	-3·0	-1·4
1968–69
Capital	231·3	208·7‡	-22·6‡	-9·8‡
Current	15·2	16·4‡	+1·2‡	+7·9‡
Total	246·5	225·1‡	-21·4‡	-8·7‡
* Trunk roads and principal roads (including new towns).
† Including spending in Wales.
‡ Provisional outturn figures.

asked the Minister of Transport by what amount the actual sums expended on motorways and other major roads fell short of the planned estimates in each of the four most recent years for which figures are available; and what estimate he has now made of the amount by which spending in the current financial year will fall short of the planned target.

The following table shows by what amounts central Government expenditure on motorways and trunk roads and principal roads exceeded or fell short of the original Estimates in each year since 1964–65. Spending in the current financial year is expected to be substantially on target, when new controls on this rapidly rising programme will be taking effect.Except for 1964–65, when the Minister of Transport was also responsible for roads in Wales, these figures relate only to roads in England.

asked the Minister of Transport what is his estimate of the extra cost of alternative schemes to his proposal to bring the M6 motorway through Levens Park, Westmorland.

About £125,000 and £170,000 respectively for the two routes which have been evaluated.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that traffic is more prone to skidding on the M4 than on any other motorway in Great Britain; if he has ascertained the cause of this; and what is being done to make the motorway safe for users.

A recent report by the Road Research Laboratory has shown that in wet conditions the skidding accident rate on parts of the M4 is above the national average for motorways. Further investigations are being made into what remedial measures are necessary.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the total number of road accidents which occurred between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. and between 4 p.m. and 6.30 p.m., in each month since 1st November, 1968; and what were the corresponding figures for the winter of 1967–68.

The number of fatal and serious casualties in November and December—the latest months for which figures are available—were as follows:

	November		December
	1968	1967	1968	1967
7 a.m. to 10 a.m.	1,376	1,189	1,210	955
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.*	1,994	2,087	1,761	2,225
* Figures to 6.30 p.m. are not readily available.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to identify the causes of the increase in road casualties at the beginning of 1969; and if he will make a statement.

The figures for January which I gave before Easter were provisional totals. We are now studying the accident reports in more detail, as we do each month, to see if they show any particular factor which might account for the high totals for the month.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the total revenue from tolls on bridges in England and Wales in 1968.

From information obtained from the accounts of the various bridge and tunnel undertakings run by public authorities in England the total gross revenue from tolls for 1967–68 was £3,670,891. Toll bridges in Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give details of the improvements planned for A-class roads in Cornwall in each of the next five years.

The detailed programme of individual schemes does not extend over the whole of the next five years.The following improvements on trunk and principal roads in Cornwall, estimated to cost £100,000 or more, are programmed for commitment or consideration of grant issue in the years stated:

1969–70	Estimated cost
	£
A30 Kennards House Improvement	127,000
A39 Trafalgar Road Round about, Truro	230,000
1970–71
A38 Liskeard By-Pass	1,196,000

In addition a number of smaller schemes will be carried out.My annual report, "Roads in England", published on 6th November last lists other major road projects in an advanced stage of preparation and schemes being prepared for later years.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to improve public knowledge of the new motorway warning system of signals; and if he will make a statement.

The new Highway Code explains and illustrates these signals which have received considerable publicity in the Press, on radio and television, and by the distribution of leaflets to motorway users. Publicity will continue.

asked the Minister of Transport what grant he proposes to pay in respect of the service on the High Wycombe to Marylebone line; what grant he estimates will be paid for a similar service into Paddington; and on what basis the difference between the two figures is calculated.

As I explained in my Answer to the hon. Member on 28th March, I am paying grant for the present service at the rate of £552,000 for 1969. I cannot yet announce the level of grant which would be required for an Aylesbury-High Wycombe-Paddington service, since this will require a detailed review of the proposed new service, including a complete reallocation of the costs of the joint facilities between Northolt Junction and Paddington.—[Vol. 780, c. 383–4.]

Organisation	Headquarters	1968–69 Estimates
		£
United Nations Relief and Works Agency	Beirut	1,875,000
United Nations Development Programme	New York	4,900,000
United Nations Childrens' Fund		500,000
United Nations Water Desalination Programme		10,000
United Nations Trust Fund for Population Activities		40,000
United Nations Education and Training Programme for Southern Africa		40,000
World Food Programme	Rome	1,100,000
Food and Agriculture Organisation Fertilisers		40,000
International Agency for Research on Cancer	Geneva	63,000
United Nations Institute for Training and Research	New York	47,950

Further information on the United Nations Agencies involved is contained in the United Nations Year Book, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.Her Majesty's Government also contributed £19,050,000 in 1968–69 to the International Development Association.I regret that it would require a disproportionate expenditure of time and money to provide a more complete answer and many other Departments would be involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communication has been

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all international bodies to which the Government contribute more than £5,000 per year, showing United Nations departments separately, stating the amount of the Government's contribution, the headquarters of the body concerned, the total income from all sources and the salary of the chief executive.

A list of most of the international bodies to which the Government contributed in 1968–69 is contained in Table VIII, "Subscriptions etc. to International Organisations", of Cmnd. 3583, "Estimates 1968–69", a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member. The Government contributed sums exceeding £5,000 to fifty of these bodies. In addition, the following are estimates of contributions made to United Nations Agencies:received from the Government of St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla regarding the agreement recently signed by the Minister of State on Anguilla.

Communications between Governments are confidential; but I can say that my right hon. Friend has had useful and friendly discussions with Mr. Bradshaw in Washington.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a further statement about the situation in Anguilla.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend, the Member for Lancaster (Mr. Henig).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Minister of State's recent visit to South America.

I have just completed an intensive three weeks' visit to Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru and Colombia. In Brazil I visited the British Industrial Exhibition in Sâo Paulo and took part in many official engagements designed to promote the Exhibition. In the other Latin American capitals which I visited, I met Ministers and senior officials and discussed subjects of bilateral interest. In particular I dealt with economic and commercial matters, especially those related to the possibility of increasing British exports to the countries concerned. My visit attracted a great deal of local attention and favourable comment in all the countries I visited and I have no doubt it has demonstrated the continuing and growing importance which Her Majesty's Government attach to the countries of Latin America, who are playing an increasingly influential rôle in world affairs.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now initiate discussions with the Danish Government to control netting of the Atlantic salmon in feeding grounds in Danish territorial waters off Sukkertoppen, Greenland, with a view to preventing the decrease in salmon in British rivers.

No. We are of course in touch with the Danish Government on this subject but consider that it is essentially a question for discussion at the international fisheries commissions.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will introduce legislation to take effect before 1972 to protect the rights of beneficiaries of private pension schemes.

I should not regard this as allowing sufficient time for occupational pension schemes to adapt themselves to the provisions we propose relating to the preservation of occupational pension rights on change of employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will now make a statement on the action which the Government plans to take on reports Nos. 107 and 108 from the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

My right hon. Friend announced on 3rd April the Government's decisions on Report No. 107 on top salaries. As regards the Board's report No. 108 on pay and conditions in the Electrical Contracting Industry in Scotland, on 27th March she published in the Edinburgh Gazette notice of a proposal to continue until 23rd November 1969 the standstill on the implementation of an agreement relating to the pay of certain workers employed by members of the Electrical Contractors' Association of Scotland. My right hon. Friend is now considering representations made to her by the parties.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what action she has taken following the recommendations of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on the pay of Scottish electricians on construction sites.

On 27th March my right hon. Friend published a proposal to make an Order extending until 23rd November, 1969 the deferment of the agreement reached on 18th December 1968 between the Electrical Contractors Association of Scotland and the Electrical Electronic and Telecommunications/Plumbers Trade Union. She is now considering representations made to her by the parties.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what action she has taken following the recommendations of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on the pay of white-collar staff employed by Imperial Chemical Industries Limited.

Talks have been held with the Company at official level and my right hon. Friend is meeting Company representatives on 16th April to discuss the Board's report.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the estimated percentage increase in rates, earnings and productivity arising from the settlement of the British Overseas Airways Corporation pilots' dispute.

The details of the recent agreement between British Overseas Airways Corporation and the British Airline Pilots Association are still being considered in the light of the Government's incomes policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity, whether she will make a statement on the recent British Overseas Airways Corporation pilots' strike and subsequent settlement; and how far this falls within the Government's incomes policy.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen).

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what steps she is taking to encourage the production of locally agreed schemes for the payment of redundancy pay to employees in the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industries as provided for by section 11 of the Redundancy Payments Act.

My right hon. Friend's predecessor discussed the possibility of having schemes with representatives of the industries and it is for them to decide whether to put proposals forward. If our assistance is sought we should be ready to help in any way possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how much money was paid in unemployment benefit in each of the years 1965 to 1968, inclusive.

The amount of unemployment benefit paid from 1965–68 was: 1965, £49,040,919; 1966, £58,943,659; 1967, £118,547,914; 1968, £125,319,133.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if he is aware that the executive of the Association of Cinematograph, Television and Allied Technicians have voted to accept the pay offer of the employers in respect of independent television technicians; and if she will thus estimate the percentage increase in rates, earnings and productivity from this settlement.

I am aware of their acceptance. The settlement provides for increases in rates of 5 per cent. from 1st July, 1968, 4 per cent. from 1st July, 1969 and 4 per cent. from 1st July, 1970. Information about the effect on earnings and productivity is awaited.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what steps she is taking as a result of the dismissal of 300 dockers at Mark Brown's Wharf.

I understand that at a meeting of the Riverside Joint Committee on 11th April, it was agreed that the men should be reinstated, and that following a mass meeting of the men this morning, work has now been resumed.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will make a statement on the fire prevention measures taken, in view of the recent fire at the works of Roneo Limited, Hornchurch.

The District Inspector of Factories has made an initial investigation of this fire, and this will be followed up with a view to the future avoidance of fire hazards in the factory. He will be acting in full consultation with the fire authority who, I understand, are to make a thorough review of the fire prevention arrangements in the factory.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many workers have been transferred to direct productive employment from other forms of employment since 20th July, 1966 in accordance with Her Majesty's Government's policy of a shake-out in employment in this respect.

Comprehensive information about movements of employees between industries is not available, but the annual net changes can be obtained from mid-year estimates of employees in employment. The following table snows the estimated net changes between mid-1966 and mid-1968 in employment and output per head for the whole economy, production industries and manufacturing industries:

	Changes in Employment
	Employees in Employment		Employed Labour Force*	Changes in output per head*
	Number (000s)	Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.
Whole economy	-656	-2·8	-2·3	+6·6
Production industries	-593	-5·1	-4·8	+8·6
Manufacturing industries	-363	-4·0	-4·0	+7·5
* Changes in output are related to the employed labour force which includes employees in employment, employers and the self-employed and H.M. Forces (for the whole economy).

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the number of workers affected by the closure of the Inverurie Locomotive Works who have moved to the City of Aberdeen in search of alternative work; how many of them have been found employment in the City of Aberdeen; and what provision she has made for assisting them and their families.

No notices of discharge have yet been issued to workers at the Inverurie Locomotive Works. Of those workers who have left in advance of formal notice of discharge, I am aware of only two who have moved their homes to the City of Aberdeen after obtaining employment in that city. Both were given assistance under my Department's Resettlement Transfer Scheme. Any application from workers seeking assistance under this Scheme in connection with movement to employment in another area would be considered on an individual basis, regard being paid to all relevant circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what was the number of totally unemployed to the nearest date on 20th July, 1966; and what is the latest figure available.

The numbers of persons registered as wholly unemployed in Great Britain at 11th July, 1966 and 10th March, 1969, were 258,233 and 566,053, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what he is doing to implement Recommendation 8 of the Hunter Report that the commercial catch of salmon be regulated to allow attractive angling.

I should prefer not to comment on individual recommendations, including those which, like this one, would require legislation, until I have completed my consideration of the Report as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to develop sea-trout angling for those with average incomes.

There are already considerable opportunities in Scotland to engage in this sport at moderate cost; in the course of my study of the Hunter Committee I am considering what can be done to increase them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the research establishments, laboratories and other research units under the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland, stating the location, date of foundation, number of qualified engineers and scientists and other staff, respectively, employed in each on 1st January 1960, 1965 and 1969, the cost of each establishment to

RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENTS UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES FOR SCOTLAND
	Date of Foundation	Scientific Officer Class Staff (including Engineers) (Numbers)			Other Staff (Numbers)			Total Cost to Public Funds (£ Thousands)
		1.1.60	1.1.65	1.1.69	1.1.60	1.1.65	1.1.69	1959–60	1964–65	1968–69 (estimate)
Departmental Establishments
Scientific Services, East Craigs, Edinburgh	1925	14	15	17	69	109	96	79	143	237
Marine Fisheries Laboratory Aberdeen	1899	23	25	36	91	187	222	222	368	881
Freshwater Fisheries Laboratory, Pitlochry	1948	6	7	7	19	27	32	33	55	109
Grant-Aided Establishments
Animal Diseases Research Association, Moredun, Edinburgh	1920	21	23	29	62	87	106	116	192	264
Hannah Dairy Research Institute, Auchincruive, Ayrshire	1928	25	26	28	75	80	77	98	187	219
Hill Farming Research Organisation, Edinburgh	1954	13	17	19	47	72	76	62	127	168
Macaulay Institute for Soil Research, Aberdeen	1930	48	58	57	104	143	157	297	328	444
National Inst. of Agric. Engineering (Scottish Station). Bush Estate, Penicuik	1949	6	8	9	32	45	58	48	87	144
Rowett Research Institute, Bucks-burn, Aberdeen	1914	53	54	56	170	190	211	234	432	666
Scottish Horticultural Research Inst., Mylnefield, Invergowrie, Dundee	1953	18	27	24	70	99	108	106	174	324
Scottish Society for Research in Plant Breeding, Pentlandfield, Roslin	1920	12	11	19	40	48	60	52	87	143

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he has reduced further the amounts made available to local authorities in Scotland for house purchase schemes; and if he will make a statement.

Because of the need to restrain public expenditure and borrowing, and indications that the guidance issued in 1966 was sometimes being ignored, I have asked the local authorities to restrict their lending to the level of 1967–68.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he has informed local authorities in Scotland, in his Department's circular dated 7th March, that they will have to cut back

The particulars are set out in the following table:their normal road maintenance programmes severely in the next two years.

The circular explains—as likely to be relevant to the preparation of their budgets by individual authorities—some of the considerations underlying the figures in the Rate Support Grant (Scotland) Order, 1969. In the case of highways and roads lighting these were, as I told the House on 20th February, that a substantial contribution to the necessary economies could be made, and must be looked for, in this field.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether budgetary aid as well as project aid is now to be paid direct to Anguilla; and what effect this will have on aid to St. Kitts.

Yes. This will not affect the level of budgetary aid to St. Kitts already agreed for 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, following new policy announcements, the general managers of naval dockyards will in future chair the staff and industrial Whitley Committees in the yards.

Under present plans this is not intended.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether the estimated costs of £1 million for his staff include the 171 National Economic Development Office staff and administration; what is his estimate of these costs in the current year; and what action he has taken or intends to take to reduce this staff and the costs of his Department.

The 1969–70 Estimates include £1,163,000 for the salaries of the staff of my Department. Separate provision of £520,000 is made for the salaries of the staff of the National Economic Development Office. The work and staffing requirements of both my Department and the National Economic Development Office are kept under close review and there is no present intention of reducing them.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consideration he is giving to altering the arrangements for settling the pay claims of teachers to enable a minority of the Burnham Committee to submit a report for his attention.

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bebington (Mr. Brooks) on 6th March.—[Vol. 779, c. 659–60.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what research he has undertaken into the effects of the drug ICRF 159 and, in particular, its effects in the case of children suffering from leukaemia; and what research he is undertaking into the effects of the drug on those in the older age group.

The Medical Research Council is aware of the preliminary report on the effects of ICRF 159. This work is at a very early stage and the Council has no immediate plans for a formal trial; though it will, of course, be watching developments.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement about his plans for expanding the intake to medical schools in the light of the Report of the Royal Commission on Medical Education.

The number of entry places at pre-clinical schools will be increased from just under 2,700 in 1968–69 to 3,700 by 1975. The University Grants Committee has advised me that, apart from the new schools at Nottingham and Southampton, the increase should be achieved by expanding existing schools. £2 million has been added to the universities' building programme for 1970–72 to provide facilities for preclinical training at St. George's Hospital Medical School.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will obtain from the Commissioner of Police information as to what action he has taken or intends taking to enforce section 4 of the London Cab Act 1968; and whether he will publish the information received in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The Commissioner of Police has informed me that every alleged offence against section 4 of the 1968 Act is investigated and that proceedings have been taken successfully in a number of cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of murders known to the police of children aged under 15 years including, from 1957, offences reduced to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility; and how many were victims of parents or near relatives, how many were victims of non-relatives, and how many were victims of unsolved murders, for each year 1951 to date.

Following are the latest corrected figures for England and Wales:

Year		Murders known to the police of children aged under 15 including from 1957, offences reduced to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility*	Victims of parent or near relatives	Victims of non-relatives	Victims of unsolved murders
1951	…	40	29	5	6
1952	…	52	49	1	2
1953	…	52	39	5	8
1954	…	51	44	2	5
1955	…	59	46	5	8
1956	…	47	41	2	4
1957	…	68	52	8	8
1958	…	45	33	6	6
1959	…	51	39	7	5
1960	…	49	37	7	5
1961	…	47	37	4	6
1962	…	53	43	4	6
1963	…	57	41	7	9
1964	…	52	36	3	13
1965	…	55	42	10	3
1966	…	38	25	8	5
1967	…	64	50	8	6
* The defence of "diminished responsibility" was introduced under section 2 of the Homicide Act 1957, which came into force on 21st March, 1957.

I hope that the 1968 figures will be available towards the end of May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now order a local inquiry into the incidents involving police officers at Stockport Police Station on 22nd November 1967, and into other matters connected with the policing of the area, following the results of the previous investigation made by the Liverpool and Bootle police force, which has involved the spending of £2,280 of public funds in settlement; and if he will make a statement.

Allegations made against individual police officers were the subject of a most thorough investigation by a senior officer of the Liverpool and Bootle Constabulary. His report was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who advised that there was insufficient evidence to justify criminal proceedings against any of the officers concerned in the allegations.Having the same evidence before him, the Chief Constable of the Cheshire Constabulary decided that formal disciplinary proceedings against individual officers would not be appropriate.In connection with civil proceedings arising out of the same incidents, the Chief Constable settled out of court, while not admitting liability, claims for damages of the order stated.I do not consider that any additional investigation would be likely to carry the matter further. The Chief Constable has recognised that good relations between the police and the public have been impaired and I welcome the action he has taken to bring about an improvement.