asked the Minister of Power what representations he has received about the reorganisation of the gas industry; and what replies he has sent.

I and my predecessors have had very full consultations within the industry. Apart from the views expressed in those consultations I have received no representations on the proposed reorganisation.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will make a statement before the Whitsun adjournment on his plans for the reorganisation of the gas industry.

I have no further statement in mind at present. A Bill will be introduced as soon as Parliamentary time permits.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will refer to the National Board for Prices and Incomes the recent decision by the South-Eastern Gas Board to increase by 50 per cent. the service charge for the maintenance of central heating units.

		Year ending
		29th February, 1968	28th February, 1969	Percentage change
Average numbers employed	…	226,210	214,822	-5·0
Output—(million kWh supplied)		162,106	171,715	+5·9

asked the Minister of Power how many licences he has now granted during the last five years to drill for oil in the North Sea and elsewhere; for which places; and how many, and which, are still in operation.

Ninety such licences have been granted since 1964, 89 for areas in the North Sea and one for an area in the Irish Sea. With the exception of one North Sea licence, all licences still operate.

No. The N.B.P.I. has recently done an extensive survey of the gas industry and this increase is not of sufficient economic importance to justify a separate reference.

asked the Minister of Power what representations he has received about the reorganisation of the electricity industry; and what replies he has sent.

I have had wide consultations in the course of my review and received helpful suggestions and comments from a number of quarters. These are all being carefully considered and I shall announce my conclusions as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of Power what is the manpower employed by the electricity industry in England and Wales at the latest convenient date and at the same date a year earlier; and how the change in manpower compares with the change in electricity output.

The latest available figures are as follows:

asked the Minister of Power if he will seek powers to require the oil industry to return to him the actual average prices it charges industrial consumers for the sale of its products.

No new powers are required, but we already have information on representative oil prices which are more significant than average prices.

asked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement on the discovery of oil by British Petroleum in Alaska; and what estimate he has made of the effects of this discovery on the national fuel policy.

On (the first part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the statement made by British Petroleum that it had discovered oil with its first well in its Prudhoe Bay acreage and that the results were encouraging.On the second part, it is much too early to forecast what implications if any, Alaskan oil may have for national fuel policy.

asked the Minister of Power by what authority he requires the gas and electricity industries to inform him of the average prices which they charge industry for their fuels.

By Section 7(3) of the Gas Act, 1948 and Section 8(5) of the Electricity Act, 1957.

asked the Minister of Power what is his latest estimate of the effect on the relative consumption of different forms of primary energy in 1970, compared with the forecasts in the 1967 White Paper, of halving tax on fuel oil.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply earlier today to the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West (Mr. Silvester).

asked the Minister of Power on what grounds he agreed to the payment of a salary of £25,000 a year to the Chairman of the British Steel Corporation; and whether this increased salary conforms with the recommendations of the recent report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on top salaries.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mr. Lane) and others earlier today.

asked the Minister of Power if he will state the number of pits operating in April, 1964, and the number now engaged in production in the county of Durham.

87 and 38.

asked the Minister of Power when he expects to receive the report on the joint study set up by the Council of Association, including Great Britain and the Coal and Steel Community, concerning the experiments being carried out to avoid a scarcity of coking coal; and if he will make a statement.

The study is being undertaken jointly by the Coal and Steel Committees of the Council of Association. Their report will be considered by the Council at its next meeting which is expected to take place in the autumn. I cannot anticipate the report and the conclusions of the Council on it.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now introduce legislation to make it possible for controlled rent tenants of fit houses displaced for motorway purposes to receive compensation for the loss of their controlled tenancy.

A controlled tenant with a contractual tenancy who is displaced in these circumstances would be entitled to compensation reflecting the value of his unexpired contractual interest. A statutory controlled tenant would not be entitled to compensation because he had no interest at law in the property. My right hon. Friend has no proposals for altering this situation. Rent Act protected tenants displaced for highway purposes can expect to be rehoused by the local housing authority.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when Stage II of the Chalkhill Estate in the London Borough of Brent will be completed; how many homes this will provide; what was the number of families on the Council's waiting list at the end of February, 1969; and if he will make a statement.

Stage II of the Chalk-hill Estate is expected to be completed next winter; it will provide 341 dwellings. There were about 7,000 families on the waiting list at the end of February, 1969.I shall be receiving a deputation from the Council tomorrow about the future of this scheme, and I have no statement to make at this time.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the number of homes in the London Borough of Brent without a bath, the number where a bath is shared and the number of families sharing toilet facilities.

The latest figures available are those of the sample census of 1966. These show that of a total of 97,000 households in Brent 9,800 (or 10 per cent.) had no fixed bath, a further 21,500 (22 per cent) shared the use of a bath and 19,100 (20 per cent.) shared a w.c.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will state the number of housing starts and completions in the private and public sectors, respectively, monthly up to the latest available date from April, 1967.

The figures up to December, 1968, are available in Table I of the latest edition of Housing Statistics, published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Those for the first three months of 1969 are as follows:

	Public	Starts Private	Total
1969
January	12·0	12·8	24·8
February	10·6	9·9	20·5
March	12·9	12·6	25·5

	Public	Completions Private	Total
1969
January	14·1	16·0	30·1
February	11·0	13·2	24·2
March	15·7	13·4	29·2

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how much land has been made available by the Central Land Commission for development or redevelopment by private developers since the Commission was established.

2·2 acres.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why there is delay in reaching a decision on the erection of a community centre on the St. Matthew's Housing Estate, Leicester; and what steps he will take to expedite his decision on this matter.

My right hon. Friend has asked for the plans to be revised to take account of some specialist advice from the Department of Education and Science. I understand that this advice will now be available in a few days. Once revised plans are received I see no reason why a decision should be held up any further.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to allow interest to be charged against tax where that interest is paid on money borrowed because of delayed repayment of money due from the Inland Revenue to the taxpayer.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) where the premises of the Queen's Warehouse are at present situated; and how many staff are employed in this Department;(2) what was the total value of goods received into the Queen's Warehouse in the last three financial years; and how these goods were disposed of and for what price;(3) whether drugs or other dangerous substances are held at present in the Queen's Warehouse; how such goods are to be disposed of; and if he will make a statement;(4) what was the source of a quantity of the drug mepromate recently disposed of at a public auction; what was its market value; when and why it was held in the Queen's Warehouse; and for what price it was sold;(5) what reports are made to the police of goods received into the Queen's Warehouse; and if the recent disposal of the drug mepromate at a public auction was notified to the police.

There are Queen's Warehouses, 50 in all, at most ports: they employ the equivalent of about 80 full-time staff Figures showing the value of goods received into Queen's Warehouses in recent years are not available. Such goods, including drugs, are ordinarily disposed of by return to the owner, by sale by tender, or by destruction, according to the circumstances. Receipts—exclusive of any duty or Purchase Tax—from sales in recent financial years have been as follows:

1965–66	1966–67	1967–68
£99,341	£90,107	£83,390

The meprobamate in question was deposited in Queen's Warehouse in May, 1968, because entry was not made after importation in November, 1967. It was

							Return on Capital(1)	Net Income at Current Prices(2)	Net Income at Constant Prices(3)
							Per cent.	£m.	£m.
British Railways Board
1965	…	…	…	…	…	…	-3·7	-71·2	-75·5
1966	…	…	…	…	…	…	-3·6	-70·2	-71·8
1967	…	…	…	…	…	…	-4·4	-86·2	-86·2
British Transport Docks Board				…
1965	…	…	…	…	…	…	4·9	4·5	4·8
1966	…	…	…	…	…	…	5·3	5·1	5·2
1966	…	…	…	…	…	…	5·5	5·3	5·3
British Waterways Board
1965	…	…	…	…	…	…	-4·5	-0·6	-0·6
1966	…	…	…	…	…	…	-4·5	-0·6	-0·6
1967	…	…	…	…	…	…	-3·4	-0·5	-0·5
Transport Holding Company
1965	…	…	…	…	…	…	10·9	17·7	18·8
1966	…	…	…	…	…	…	8·2	14·5	14·8
1967	…	…	…	…	…	…	5·5	10·4	10·4
British Overseas Airways Corporation
1965–66		…	…	…	…	…	9·6	11·7	12·5
1966–67		…	…	…	…	…	21·7	29·0	29·6
1967–68		…	…	…	…	…	17·1	25·3	25·3
Note: The figures are on a calendar year for the first four bodies and on a financial year basis for BOAC.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide explanatory notes on the provisions in the Finance Bill concerning estate duty on settled property.

Yes. My right hon. Friend intends to present a White Paper describing these provisions shortly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the returns on capital and net income at current and constant prices for the years 1965–66 to 1967–68, inclusive, of nationalised industries other than the National Coal Board, the electricity boards, the gas boards, the Steel Corporation, British European Airways, the British Airports Authority and the London Transport Board.

The figures are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements have been made this year for copies of the Finance Bill to be available to the public through Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

The Bill will be published at 4.30 p.m. this afternoon. As is now normal with this Bill, Her Majesty's Stationery Office have made arrangements for simultaneous publication at its bookshops throughout the country.When the initial stocks have been sold, however, supplies may be restricted due to an industrial dispute in Her Majesty's Stationery Office's distribution warehouse.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what payments were made by the Duchy of Cornwall under the Civil List Act in each year from 1952 to the latest available date.

Payments by the Duchy of Cornwall under the Civil List Act, 1952, including the allowance for the Prince of Wales, in respect of the calendar years shown, are set out below:

	£
1952 (from 7th February, 1952)	85,470
1953	95,236
1954	94,432
1955	92,704
1956	97,071
1957	102,612
1958	105,653
1959	107,690
1960	115,476
1961	154,509
1962	123,520
1963	169,665
1964	192,780
1965	200,918
1966	189,759
1967	201,374
1968	217,908

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for the co-ordination of local area fishing boards in Scotland in relation to an overall national policy.

As part of my study of the Hunter Report I am considering what changes are desirable, in the interests of Scottish fisheries, in the composition, functions and duties of local bodies responsible for fresh-water fisheries administration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to implement Recommendation 47 of the Hunter Report that all anglers should be required to hold rod licences, the licensing system and fees being prescribed by the Secretary of State, and the proceeds used only for fisheries; and whether such licences will be a permit to cover all varieties of fish.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answers which I gave on 14th April and 18th April to similar Questions which he asked about other recommendations in the Hunter Report.—[Vol. 781, c. 218; Vol. 781, c. 314.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what study he has made of the economic effects of the proposed increases in Selective Employment Tax and fuel duty on the rural areas of Scotland.

I give close consideration to all matters affecting the economy of the rural areas of Scotland and, as the hon. Member is aware, special steps have already been taken by refunding the Selective Employment Tax to hotels there and by other measures to encourage further development in these areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated total cost to local authorities in Scotland of implementing, respectively, the Firearms Act, 1965, the Gas Act, 1965, the Lost Property (Scotland) Act, 1965, the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act, 1965, the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) (Scotland) Act, 1965, the Shops (Early Closing Days) Act, 1965, the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1966, the Rating Act, 1966, the Civic Amenities Act, 1967, the Countryside (Scotland) Act, 1967, the Criminal Justice Act, 1967, the Decimal Coinage Act, 1967, the Housing (Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Act, 1967, the Plant (Health) Act, 1967, the Protection of Birds Act, 1967, the Slaughter of Poultry Act, 1967, the Water (Scotland) Act, 1967, the British Standard Time Act, 1968, the Health Services and Public Health Act, 1968, the Prices and Incomes Act, 1968, the Sewerage (Scotland) Act, 1968, the Social Work (Scotland) Act, 1968, and the Transport Act, 1968.

This information is not available and its collection would waste a considerable amount of public money and time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received about the new arrangements for charges for nurses' meals in Scotland: and if he will make a statement.

Representations have been received with regard to the arrangements at two hospitals and enquiries have shown that meals are available at these hospitals at standard charges that can be met from the £106 previously included in the combined board and lodging charges. The Health Departments, at the request of the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council, are issuing advice to hospital authorities with regard to the availability of meals at these charges and the Whitley Council is giving further consideration to the application of the Agreement as it affects resident student and pupil nurses.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will institute an inquiry into the health of nursing staff in Scottish hospitals following the new arrangements for charges for meals.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the cost of providing nurses' meals in Scotland from public funds.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the report by the Boundary Commission for Scotland on their general review of Parliamentary constituencies.

The Boundary Commission for Scotland submitted their report to me on 24th April.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has for granting wider relief to the steel industry from import duties on certain types of steels.

These are contained in S.I. 1969 No. 572, which was laid before the House on 25th April.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will list in alphabetical order all the committees, boards and councils whose members in whole or part he appoints.

The list is as follows:

• Accountancy Advisory Committee.
• Air Transport Licensing Board.
• Board of Trade Advisory Committee.
• British National Export Council and Area Committees.
• British Travel Association.
• Census of Distribution Advisory Committee.
• Census of Production Advisory Committee.
• China Clay Council.
• Cinematograph Films Council.
• Civil Aviation Regional Advisory Committees.
• Consumer Council.
• Council of Industrial Design.
• Furniture Development Council.
• Hotel Loans Advisory Committee.
• Investment Grants Advisory Committee.
• Scottish Committee of the Council of Industrial Design.
• Textile Council.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of imports, free on board values, he expects to be covered by exports, free on board values, in 1969 at current prices.

I do not wish to add to the forecast included in the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1969–70.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his present and future policy regarding the imports of Japanese textiles to the United Kingdom; and to what extent he has taken into account the consequences on the textile industry in Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Under the Anglo-Japanese Trade Agreement Japan restricts a range of her textile exports to the United Kingdom to agreed levels. We have undertaken to examine with the Japanese the restrictions on non-cotton textiles. The extent to which we agree to a relaxation of these restrictions will depend on the extent to which the Japanese are prepared to relax their restrictions on our exports to Japan. The domestic producers of the textile products concerned are being fully consulted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many manufacturing plants were established in Wales in the period 1958 to 1968; how many men and women, respectively, they employed; from what countries they came; and what was the total capital investment involved.

Industrial development certificates for 50·9 million sq. ft. have been issued in Wales in the period 1958–68. The resulting projects when fully manned were estimated to provide 77,300 jobs for men and 34,700 jobs for women. I regret the other information asked for is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what monthly tonnage of steel scrap has been imported and exported by the British steel industry since January, 1968.

Figures of imports and exports of scrap and waste metal of iron or steel are published each month in the Overseas Trade Accounts, on page 47 and 129 respectively; the export figures include negligible amounts of iron ore and concentrates.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will impose an immediate ban on all export of steel scrap because of the shortage experienced by the United Kingdom steel industry.

The extension of the export control of the lower grades of ferrous scrap is being considered by the Minister of Power following representations by the iron and steel industry and discussions with the British Scrap Federation and an announcement will be made soon.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state what inquiries he has carried out in connection with the aircraft collision at Fyfield, Essex, in which four Brentwood residents were killed; and if he will make a statement.

At 1840 hrs. B.S.T. on the 24th April, 1969, two light aircraft an Auster and an Aircoupe, collided in the air near Fyfield and crashed in a potato field. The four occupants, two from each aircraft, were killed on impact with the ground. It had been pre-arranged that the aircraft would fly in close company for the purpose of taking photographs of the Auster from the other aircraft and the collision took place when the Aircoupe struck the Auster from behind and above. Nobody on the ground was hurt. An investigation began the same evening. The Chief Inspector of Accidents' report will be published in the normal way.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when the voluntary scheme to restrict deliveries of Cheddar-type cheese agreed between the United Kingdom and the Governments of New Zealand, Australia and the Republic of Ireland came into operation; what account was taken of excessive stocks imported prior to that date; and how soon the scheme will effectively diminish the threat of material injury to home producers arising from the dumping of these products;(2) whether the Government of the Republic of Ireland is now implementing in full Her Majesty's Government's requirement of a scheme of voluntary restraint in cheese deliveries to the British market.

The arrangement for voluntary restraint relates to deliveries over the period from 1st April, 1968, until 31st March, 1970. It is designed to bring stocks to a level compatible with market stability within that period, and takes account of past sendings in the period. I have no reason to doubt that, given a satisfactory conclusion of the discussions with remaining suppliers, which I am at present conducting, the figures agreed with New Zealand, Australia and the Irish Republic will be honoured.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the report he has received from Her Britannic Majesty's Embassy in Japan concerning treatment of dogs.

I have at present nothing to add to the information I sent to the hon. Member on 19th June last when I set out the results of our investigation. I am, however, making further inquiries to see whether there has been any change in the position.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of persons in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively, is engaged in agriculture.

It is estimated that approximately 2½ per cent. 4 per cent. and 4½ per cent. of persons in civil employment are engaged in agriculture (including horticulture) in England, Scotland and Wales respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will list in alphabetical order all the committees, boards and councils whose members in whole or part he appoints.

In view of the length of the list of committees, boards and councils required by the hon. Member, I shall be writing to him.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on his Department's further study of the hours being worked by junior hospital doctors and the effect of these hours on such doctors' standard of performance.

The first stages of a detailed study on the lines agreed with the British Medical Association have been completed. It is too early to draw conclusions from this work.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will provide a special baby isolation unit at Bedford General Hospital so that in emergency babies do not need to be rushed to Northampton General Hospital 20 miles away.

Special facilities for the isolation of babies are included in the long-term plans for Bedford General Hospital. Meanwhile suitable accommodation is found in the hospital for children needing isolation whom the consultant pædiatrician considers should not be transferred to Northampton.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of the abortions notified as being performed in the South-West Metropolitan and Newcastle regions, respectively, were performed in National Health Service hospitals in those regions.

Up to 31st December last the percentages were 98·6 and 99·0 respectively. I am glad of this opportunity of making clear that the percentages of 22 and 96 in relation to these regions which I gave to the House yesterday, in reply to a supplementary question from my hon. Friend the Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Dr. John Dunwoody), are percentages of women undergoing the operation who had their pregnancy terminated at a National Health Service hospital in their home region.—[Vol. 782, c. 950.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a further statement on the progress of the project for an International Institute of Technology which is being set up under the auspices of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development with British participation.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Working Party consisting of representatives of the contributing Governments and of the original study group, met for the first time this month. It will meet again in May and June to define the objectives of the proposed Institute, and to consider questions such as legal status, financing and sites. These questions are all inter-related and, while Her Majesty's Government have already agreed to contribute £10,000 towards the costs of the preparatory period, they will decide whether to support the establishment of the Institute after the Working Party reports to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation Council later this year.

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to Anguilla and convene a meeting of Prime Ministers of other West Indian territories with a view to reaching a settlement of the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla dispute.

I have nothing to add to my reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) on 17th April.—[Vol. 781, c. 1327.]

asked the Prime Minister if he will list in alphabetical order all the committees, boards and councils whose members in whole or part he appoints.

The following is the information:

• Central Advisory Council for Science and technology.
• Inquiry into Civil Service Manpower.
• Inquiry into Government Industrial Establishments.
• National Economic Development Council.
• Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration.
• Security Commission.
• Standing Advisory Committee on the Pay of the Higher Civil Service.

asked the Prime Minister whether he discussed the situation in Greece, so far as it affects the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, with President Nixon during his recent visit to London; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the report which I gave to the House on my talks with President Nixon on 27th February.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the impending legislation on trades unions, he will introduce as a matter of urgency legislation to implement the proposals of the Payne Report abolishing imprisonment for civil debt.

As I told my hon. Friend on 7th March, the proposal to abolish imprisonment for civil debt is linked with other proposals of the Payne Committee on the Enforcement of Judgment Debts. They are being considered by my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor and I am not yet ready to make a statement.—[Vol. 779, c. 181.]

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will list in alphabetical order all the committees, boards and councils whose members in whole or part he appoints.

I am responsible for appointments to the following bodies:

• 21 Economic Development Committees (Chairmen only).
• Industrial Reorganisation Corporation.
• Process Plant Working Party (Chairman only).
• 8 Regional Economic Planning Councils (in England).

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in alphabetical order all the committees, boards and councils whose members in whole or part he appoints.

I am writing to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress towards the formation of the new polytechnic which is to be formed out of Hornsey College of Art, Enfield College of Technology and Hendon College of Technology; and if he will state a date when the new polytechnic will come into existence.

I am informed that the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Local Education Authorities are expecting to be able shortly to consult the staffs and students of the three colleges on draft proposals for a North London Polytechnic and are intending to submit their polytechnic scheme as soon as possible thereafter. It is impossible at this stage to say how soon the proposed polytechnic could be brought into existence.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what increase or decrease there has been in the number of entrants to courses at Hornsey College of Art in the past year.

There were 87 fewer new entrants to courses in November, 1968 than at the corresponding time in 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students at Hornsey College of Art have been admitted to mental hospitals for psychiatric treatment during the past 12 months.

I do not have this information.

NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED IN THE AREA COVERED BY THE WOOLWICH EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AND IN GREAT BRITAIN
			March, 1969		March, 1968		March, 1967
			Men	Women	Men	Women	Men	Women
WOOLWICH
Total registered unemployed		…	1,494	294	1,183	144	1,003	189
Wholly unemployed	…	…	1,477	294	1,160	144	919	189
More than 5 weeks	…	…	943	128	519	46	450	62
Percentage wholly unemployed more than 5 weeks	…	…	63·8	43·5	44·7	31·9	49·0	32·8
GREAT BRITAIN
Total registered unemployed		…	492,118	76,486	479,206	88,777	438,502	104,423
Wholly unemployed	…	…	467,730	74,800	458,930	86,758	402,895	93,760
More than 5 weeks	…	…	340,290	49,131	338,609	57,509	289,627	62,114
Percentage wholly unemployed more than 5 weeks	…	…	72·8	65·7	73·8	66·3	71·9	66·2

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many people registered as unemployed at Worksop and Retford employment exchanges are being instructed to report daily for benefit; and what is the average length of time they have been unemployed.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will list in alphabetical order all the committees, boards and councils whose members in whole or part she appoints.

I shall be writing to the hon. Member in the next few days giving him what information is readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what were the numbers of unemployed, men and women, in the Woolwich Employment Exchange at the latest available date, and the corresponding figures for 1968 and 1967; what proportion of these had been out of work for six weeks or more; and how these figures compare with the national average.

The latest information available about the duration of unemployment in both Great Britain as a whole and local areas relates to March, 1969. The analysis for that month distinguished those registered as wholly unemployed for more than five weeks but not those registered for six weeks or more. Following is the information:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what assessments she has made of future employment prospects in South-East London, including Thamesmead; and what action she is taking to ensure full employment in the area in view of the closure of factories.

My Department has the employment situation in South-East London, as in other areas, continually under review. The impact of factory closures in South-East London is lessened by the wide diversity of industry and the extensive travel-to-work facilities available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many manufacturing plants in Wales closed and ceased production during the period 1958 to 1968; and how many men and women, respectively, they employed.

I regret that information about closures during the period requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain a report from the Chief Constable about the police arrangements which will be made on 26th April when the South African hockey team is to play at Aldersley Stadium, Wolverhampton.

The Chief Constable of the West Midlands Constabulary tells me he is making appropriate arrangements in consultation with the organisers of the match.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to enable those prosecuted by the Director of Public Prosecutions and proved innocent to recover all their costs from the State.

The law already enables the courts to order the prosecution to pay the costs of an acquitted defendant. My right hon. Friend does not have fresh legislation in mind on this point.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Spanish citizens are serving prison sentences in the United Kingdom for criminal offences; how many have completed their sentences; and how many have had their sentences reduced on appeal.

This information is not available in respect of England and Wales. Nor does my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland have the information for Scottish prisons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in alphabetical order all the committees, boards and councils whose members in whole or part he appoints.

I am sending a list to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a further statement about the experiment with British Standard Time; and if he will now publish the results of his review of this experiment.

An interim assessment is at present being made of the effects of British Standard Time during the past winter.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will list in alphabetical order all the committees, boards and councils whose members in whole or part he appoints.

As the information would take up considerable space in the OFFICIAL REPORT, I am writing to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will list in alphabetical order all the committees, boards and councils whose members in whole or part he appoints.

A list of these Committees is in the Library. It is being revised and I will send the hon. Member a copy of the new version as soon as it is completed.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works now dampness occurred on the internal walls of bedrooms on the lower floors of numbers 7 to 10 and 42 to 56 Wylye Road, Tidworth, in view of the fact that these houses were constructed with a vertical damp-proof course.

Tests indicate that the dampness is consistent with residual building moisture. The normal drying-out process is more prolonged than usual in these walls because the damp-proof course prevents drying-out towards the exterior and the rooms face north. Some condensation may also have occurred because the walls were cold.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will list the main items of expenditure with individual costs which together have caused an average expenditure of £233 since completion on numbers 7 to 10 and 42 to 56 Wylye Road, Tidworth.

The main items of expenditure per house were:

	£
Lining back wall of 2 bedrooms with match-boarding	63
Boarding up windows on vacation to prevent vandalism	22
Installing off-peak electric heaters on lower floor	43
Repairs to glazing	15
Internal redecoration	70
Minor works	20

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what was the average amount spent on the improvement and maintenance of Army married quarters in the first three years after their completion, giving figures for the three years to the end of 1968.

Precise figures are not readily available, but in a sample of soldiers' married quarter estates completed in 1965 the average total amount spent per dwelling in the first three years after completion was approximately £13 on improvements and £156 on maintenance.

asked the Postmaster-General if, in the light of his proposal to increase the rates of levy, he will state the estimated profits before tax on capital employed of Yorkshire Television, Granada. Associated Television, London Weekend, Thames, Anglia, Tyne-Tees, Westward, Grampian, Border, Harlech, Southern, and Scottish programme contractors, respectively, for the latest three years for which figures are available.

The information is not available for Harlech Television, London Weekend Television, Thames Television, or Yorkshire Television, which began operations as independent television programme contractors only in the spring or summer of 1968. For the remaining contractors, I would refer to the estimate mentioned by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget statement, that profits before tax over the whole system in the past three years had averaged well over 40 per cent. on capital employed. The information the hon. Member seeks for individual contractors, is available for those that are public companies in their published accounts. This would not be a reliable guide to their current and future financial position because of changes in the independent television system in the summer of 1968 and substantial capital expenditure incurred or soon to be incurred to provide for colour television.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will list in alphabetical order all the committees, boards and councils whose members in whole or part he appoints.

As the list asked for is rather long, I am writing to the hon. Member and placing a list in the Library of the House.

asked the Minister of Technology if he is aware that financial support from his Department enables the National Computing Centre to undercut prices offered by its commercial competitors; and whether he will make a statement on his policy as regards competitive tendering by the National Computing Centre for work funded from public sources.

I am not aware of any instance where the grant-in-aid to the N.C.C. has been used to undercut prices charged by commercial interests. The N.C.C. is mainly active in areas of national interest. Where it is appropriate to charge for such services, the rates are based on average commercial practice.The N.C.C. has not tendered, in a competitive tendering situation, for work funded from public sources, but if the N.C.C. did so tender it would do so at commercial rates.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will announce the names of the members of the Metrication Board and the length of their appointment in each case.

I have appointed Lord Ritchie-Calder as Chairman and Lord Bessborough as Deputy Chairman of the Metrication Board for a period of three years in the first instance from 1st March, 1969. Mr. Gordon Bowen's appointment as director and member of the Board is for five years in the first instance from the same date.Invitations which have been sent to other potential members of the Board offer appointment for a period of two years.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to expand public weighbridge facilities for heavy goods vehicles; and whether he will make a statement.

Local authorities have power under the Weights and Measures Act to provide public weighbridges. I am not satisfied that in view of these powers it would be justifiable for me to establish and operate additional public weighbridges.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of countries abroad in which British driving licences are recognised.

I understand that, for touring purposes, the following countries at present recognise British driving licences:

Afghanistan.	Libya.
Algeria.	Liechtenstein.
Andorra.	Luxemborg.
Argentina.	Malawi.
Australia.	Malta.
Austria.	Mauritius.
Bahamas.	Mexico.
Barbados.	Monaco.
Belgium.	Netherlands.
Botswana.	New Zealand.
British Honduras.	Nicaragua.
Brunei (See Note 1).	Niger.
Bulgaria.	Norway.
Canada.	Papua and New
Costa Rica (See Note	Guinea.
1).	Peru.
Cuba.	Philippines.
Cyprus (See Note 1).	Portugal.
Czechoslovakia.	(including the
Denmark.	Azores, Maderia).
Dominican Republic.	San Merino.
Ethiopia (See Note 2).	Sarawak.
Fiji.	Seychelles.
Finland.	Singapore.
France.	South Africa (See
Gambia.	Note 3).
Federal Republic of	South West Africa.
Germany.	Southern Yemen (See
Ghana.	Note 1).
Gibraltar.	Sudan.
Guatemala.	Swaziland.
Guernsey.	Switzerland.
Honduras.	Tanzania.
Hong Kong.	Togo.
Iran.	Trinidad and Tobago.
Irish Republic.	Turkey.
Israel.	Uganda.
Italy (See Note 2).	Union of Soviet
Jamaica.	Socialist Republics
Jersey.	(See Note 2).
Jordan.	United States of
Kenya.	America (See Note
Kuwait (See Note 1).	1).
Lebanon.	West Malaysia.
Leeward Islands.	Yugoslavia.
Lesotho.	Zambia.
Liberia.
NOTES:
1. Local licence or certificate also needed; issued on production of British licence.
2. Translation needed.
3. Not in Transvaal; local permit needed in Orange Free State.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will list in alphabetical order all the committees, boards and councils whose members in whole or part he appoints.

I will write to the hon. Member giving him details.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will refuse his consent to the proposed closure of the Skipton to Carlisle line, in view of the Transport Consultative Committee's findings on the effects of such a closure.

Before reaching a decision on the proposed withdrawal of the local stopping service between Skipton and Carlisle, I shall take full account of the advice of the Transport Users Consultative Committee on possible hardship.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now make a statement on the Railways Board's proposals for the rationalisation and electrification of the railway line between Weaver Junction and Glasgow.

I have given the Railways Board my formal approval to their proposal to resignal and rationalise this line at an estimated cost of some £30 million. No decision on the electrification element of the proposal has yet been taken, and there can in any case be no question of electrification proceeding before the end of 1969.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will list the accidents causing death or injury that have occurred on the A5 trunk road in the past 18 months between Grendon and the Tamworth borough boundary.

There have been 3 fatal, 6 serious and 8 slight accidents on this length in the past 18 months. Of these, 4 involved pedestrians.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in alphabetical order all the committees, boards and councils whose members in whole or part he appoints.

As the information would take up considerable space in the OFFICIAL REPORT, I am writing to the hon. Member.