asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many senior officials of the former Commonwealth Official are to be prematurely retired to correspond with the senior diplomats he is retiring.

As the hon. Member is aware, since 1965 the Diplomatic Service has included members of both the former Foreign Service and the Commonwealth Service, and others. Of those members of the Diplomatic Service who are to be retired prematurely under the arrangements described in my reply of 26th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, East (Mr. Robert Howarth) about a quarter were formerly members of the Commonwealth Service.—[Vol. 780, c. 318–9.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to seek to extend the work of the international observer team to the Biafran side of the fighting lines in the war between Nigeria and Biafra.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 2nd April after his visit to Nigeria and Addis Ababa, to which I have nothing to add.—[Vol. 781, c. 485–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonweath Affairs if, in view of the intensified fighting in Biafra, he will take a new initiative to secure a ceasefire and peace.

We maintain our readiness to explore every appropriate opportunity to help the two sides to reach agreement and meantime give our full support to the efforts of the Emperor of Ethiopia and the Organisation of African Unity. The House will regret the refusal of Colonel Ojukwu's representatives at the recent meeting of the Organisation of African Unity's Consultative Committee to accept the Committee's proposals for a ceasefire and peace negotiations.

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 Montserrat; and what plans Her Majesty's Government have for the improvement of harbour facilities in that territory.

My right hon. and noble Friend Lord Shepherd visited Montserrat from 16th to 19th March.During his visit the question of improving harbour facilities by the construction of a deep-water wharf was discussed. The Government of Montserrat are now discussing the financing of this project with the British Development Division in the Caribbean and will then submit proposals to the British Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the present position in regard to the future of British Honduras.

I have nothing to add to the replies given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on 15th October and 18th November, 1968 and 3rd April, 1969.—[Vol. 770, c. 74; Vol. 773, c. 191; Vol. 781, c. 164.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the talks between the British High Commissioner in Lusaka and the Zambian Government with regard to compensation payable to British subjects deported from that country without reasons being given.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Minister of State gave him on 16th December, 1968. More recently, the Zambian Government have indicated to our High Commissioner in Lusaka that they hoped to be able to reach a decision soon.—[Vol. 775, c. 238.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information was given him at his meeting with Signor Nenni concerning the five British subjects imprisoned at Trani, Italy.

While my right hon. Friend's discussions with Signor Nenni were confidential, I can confirm that this subject was raised with him and that his response was sympathetic.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has received concerning the imprisonment for 15 months without trial of five British subjects at Trani, Italy; how many of these were from hon. Members; and when the British Consul last called to see the men.

Representations by way of letters and telephone calls to my right hon. Friend, to other Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers and to officials have totalled eighteen. Of these, nine were from hon. Members. Our Consul's last visit to the prisoners was on 22nd April.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why he has not taken steps to move that the Security Council resolution on the arms embargo to South Africa be made mandatory.

The Security Council Resolution was not mandatory because the Council did not establish that the situation in South Africa constituted a threat to international peace. Her Majesty's Government do not consider that the situation in South Africa now constitutes such a threat.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his discussions with representatives of the Rhodesia Centre Party.

Rhodesian visitors representing different shades of opinion frequently call on my Department to state their views on a wide range of aspects of the situation there but I do not think it would be helpful to identify them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his talks in London with representatives of the Rhodesia Centre Party concerning its need for funds.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Eton and Slough (Miss Lestor). The question of funds for the Centre Party has not come up in discussion with such callers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will discuss with Anguillan representatives proposals for associated status with the United Kingdom.

I am aware that this suggestion is favoured by a number of Anguillans. It would not, however, be possible unless Anguilla were separated from the Associated State of St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla, and the constitutional position is that this requires the request and consent of the State.

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

As the list of committees, boards and councils whose members are appointed in whole or part by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs is lengthy, I am arranging to have it sent separately to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the countries in receipt of United Kingdom aid are in arrears with their subscriptions to the United Nations Organisation.

Eighty-six member States of the United Nations were among the countries which received aid from the United Kingdom in 1968. Of these, at 30th April, 1969, the following 38 were in arrears in respect of some part of their contributions to the regular budget of the United Nations due up to the end of 1968:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what subjects are on the agenda for the meeting of the Western European Union at ministerial level at The Hague in May; and whether the French Government has yet signified its intention to be represented.

The next Ministerial meeting has been arranged for 5th and 6th June at The Hague. It is not the practice to reveal the detailed nature of the subjects to be discussed in advance of a meeting. I can however state that the Permanent Council is preparing an agenda in the spirit of the Luxembourg agreement to intensify consultation on foreign policy questions. Our aim will be to harmonise policies to the fullest possible extent. As I have said before, I naturally hope that the French Government will be represented.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the constitution proposed for Gibraltar.

Arrangements are in hand for the Order in Council, to which the new constitution for Gibraltar will be an annex, to be submitted to Her Majesty in Council later this month and published shortly thereafter.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will make a statement on the discussions he has had with the Indian delegation in regard to the Durgapur steel works project.

These were useful talks and as a result we have agreed, subject to subsequent confirmation by the two Governments, that some further technical assistance should be given for a limited period to assist in the operation of the steelworks and that Her Majesty's Government should also make available a limited amount of financial aid for the purchase of spare parts and equipment. A small team of experts will visit Durgapur at an early date to review the matter in more detail. The assistance to be provided will be within the British aid programme as announced in Parliament.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he is now in a position to provide figures for 1968 for the component parts of the flow of financial resources from Great Britain to developing countries.

The following table revises the information given to my hon. Friend on 28th January, 1969—[Vol. 766, c. 315–161—and adds provisional details for 1968.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development, in view of the decline of investment and trade in the developing countries, if he will seek to offer incentives to investors to look to the developing rather than the developed world for markets and investment.

Trade between the developed and the developing countries is in fact increasing although investment may be static. The general question of incentives to private investment overseas is primarily a matter for my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Investment from the United Kingdom in the developing Commonwealth is free from the restrictions on investment which apply elsewhere, but much also depends on the general climate for investment in the developing countries themselves, and this is outside our control.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much of the increase of expenditure of £6,900,000 in England for the year 1969–70 for pharmaceutical services is due to prescription charges.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much of the increase of expenditure of £6,900,000 in England for the year 1969–70 for pharmaceutical services is due to prescription charges; and if he will make a statement.

As a result of the reintroduction of prescription charges, the increase in estimated gross expenditure in 1969–70 as compared with the estimated out-turn for the previous year is considerably less than could otherwise have been expected.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the approximate net income to the Exchequer arising from prescription charges in 1968–69 after allowing for the administrative costs of collecting them and checking claims for exemption; and what is the estimated income in 1969–70 on the basis that these costs remain the same.

For Great Britain, about £10½ million and £16½ million respectively. The figures requested by my hon. Friend relate to net income only. In addition, prescription charges were followed by a moderation of demand for the service and this produces a further saving in public expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total amount of charges recovered since the introduction of prescription charges; how many officers and clerical staff are employed on recoveries; and what is the total staff requirement for the checking of prescription forms and the determination of exemptions.

Up to 31 st March, 1969, about £1,200 was recovered by Executive Councils in England and Wales. This recovery would involve a small proportion, not separately identifiable, of the estimated whole-time equivalent of about 150 staff engaged in checking claims on prescription forms to entitlement to exemption.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he proposes to relieve the immediate shortage of doctors in the West Midlands.

Special allowances are provided to encourage doctors to practise in certain under-doctored areas, in the West Midlands; and I shall continue, by financial and other means, to encourage the more efficient organisation of general practice.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many prosecutions have taken place in 1968 and to the nearest available date in 1969 under food and hygiene regulations concerning cafeteria and restaurant establishments that service motorways.

The local authorities are responsible for prosecution. The information requested is not recorded centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many years he estimates it will take for the population of the United Kingdom to double in size assuming the continuance of the present net reproduction rate and of present trends of emigration and immigration.

Possible developments in mortality and fertility patterns and net migration as we look into the 21st century are such that it is of doubtful value to base a projection on the assumption that current levels are maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what decision he has made with regard to the amendment of the National Health Service (General Medical and Pharmaceutical) Regulations in respect of the dispensing of prescriptions by doctors in rural areas; whether this decision has been accepted by the medical and pharmaceutical professions; and whether he will make a statement.

In the absence of agreement with both the professions concerned I have informed them that I have with some reluctance concluded that the substance of the present regulations should continue to stand. The pharmaceutical profession has asked that this decision be rescinded. I have already indicated that I should be prepared to reopen discussions on any alternative proposals which offered some prospect of agreement being reached with both professions.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the number of deaths as a result of scheduled industrial diseases between 1960 to the nearest available date in 1969; and if he will list separately the industrial diseases with the figures.

I regret that information is not available in the precise form requested. Statistical records are confined to analyses of successful claims for death benefit made under the Industrial Injuries Acts and the Pneumoconiosis and Byssinosis Benefit Schemes the latest year for which these analyses have been completed is 1967.Full details relating to the period 1960 to the end of 1967 are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what Government subsidies are made to "The Probe", the magazine which is sent free of charge to all dental practitioners in the National Health Service; and to what extent Government advertisements are inserted in this magazine.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make it a condition of approving any voluntary price regulations scheme that each pharmaceutical manufacturer shall complete an annual financial return.

A revised voluntary price regulation scheme, providing for completion of annual financial returns, is at present under negotiation with the pharmaceutical industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much revenue he estimates will be lost from the proposed State pension scheme for each 250,000 persons contracted out, assuming a level of abatement of 1 per cent. and 2 per cent., respectively.

On the basis of the estimates set out in Cmnd. 3883, and on the assumption of the same pattern of earnings as for persons contracted out of the present graduated pension scheme, an abatement of 1 per cent. a side on the contribution would lead to a loss of about £6½ million a year in contribution income, or of 2 per cent. a side, £13 million, for each 250,000 persons contracted out.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the comparative costs to public funds of treatment for 28 days at usual dosage of oral diuretics dispensed by a retail pharmacy and a London hospital, respectively, of Hydrochlorothiazide 100 mg, Bendrofluazide 10 mg. Chlorothiazide 1 G, and Frusemide (Lasix) 80 mg, respectively, each on alternate days, Triamterene (Dytac) 200 mg daily, Chlorthalidone (Hygroton), 200 mg three times a week, and Spironolactone (Aldactone A) 100 mg daily;(2) if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the comparative costs to public funds of the following drugs dispensed by a retail pharmacy and by a London hospital, respectively, Phenobarbitone B.P. 30 mg, Amylobarbitone B.P. 30 mg, Chlorpromazine B.P. 25 mg, Fentazin 4 mg, Stemetil 5 mg, Stelazine 1 mg, Meprobamate 400 mg, Librium 10 mg, Valium 5 mg, Aspirin B.P., Soluble Aspirin B.P., Codeine Compound B.P., Paracetamol B.P., Solprin, Codis, Phenylbutazone B.P., Panadeine Co., Parazolidin

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the cost, on the basis of the figures for the last financial year, of paying unemployment benefit to those people thrown out of work by strikes in which they were not involved.

It is estimated that the cost in the last financial year of amending

Following are the approximate basic costs payable to National Health Service retail pharmacies for the quantities indicated, and the prices at which the same drugs have been offered to hospitals in the London area, together with the remuneration payable per prescription to cover the cost of dispensing in retail pharmacies:the trade dispute disqualification for unemployment benefit on the lines proposed by my right hon. Friend, the First Secretary, on 16th April, would have been something of the order of £½ million.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the Report on the Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts by the Advisory Committee on Drug Dependence, and in particular on the recommendations on the use of trained social workers.

The Report was published on 30th April and recommendations in it concerned with the use of social workers are amongst those I have especially commended to health service authorities. In my advice to hospital authorities I have recognised the shortage of trained social workers to which the Report refers but nevertheless have asked that the recommendations be implemented as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) why an applicant for disablement benefit is required by his regulations to undergo a full and detailed medical examination in cases where the cause of the disablement is apparent;(2) if he will revise and simplify the statutory regulations which require a full and detailed medical examination of all applicants for disablement benefit.

There are no regulations defining how the independent medical adjudicating authorities are to conduct examinations made in connection with claims for disablement benefit, and my right hon. Friend cannot instruct them about the procedure they should adopt.The statutory provisions setting out the principles for the assessment of disablement which the medical authorities have to apply require them to identify and take into account not only the disablement arising from all conditions which may be directly attributable to the industrial accident or prescribed industrial disease, but also any other conditions which might make the disablement more severe than in an otherwise normal person. To restrict the examination to the site of any immediately identifiable injury could well lead to conditions, which could attract an enhanced assessment, being overlooked.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many medical examinations of applicants for disablement benefit were made in the year 1968–69; and what was the total cost of these examinations.

During the year 1968 the number of medical examinations carried out by medical boards and medical appeal tribunals under the Industrial Injuries Act was 369,341, and the total cost of these examinations was about £2,400,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will consider introducing legislation in order to make possible payment of compensation to those who made late claims for compensation for the prohibition of sale of practices under the National Health Service Act 1948.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will give the number of persons on the waiting list for geriatric beds in the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board area for 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1968, respectively;(2) what are the number of geriatric beds in the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board area, the number of persons on the waiting list, and the number residing in the Dearne Valley constituency.

The number of geriatric beds at 31st December, 1962, was 5,261. Waiting lists are not kept on a constituency basis but the following table gives the number of persons on the waiting list for the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board Area in the years 1962 to 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many fires occurred in hospitals in each of the last five years; how many fatalities occurred; and what arrangements are made in hospitals for regular fire drill.

The following table gives statistics of fires in National Health Service hospitals and private hospitals, nursing homes, etc. Hospital authorities are advised to hold practice fire drills at least twice a year and this advice will be repeated in a forthcoming memorandum on fire precautions in hospitals.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the Poplars Nursing Home, Maidstone, where no abortions have been performed, had

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements exist for the testing of all new hospital equipment introduced into hospitals under the National Health Service.

Hospital authorities and industry co-operate in keeping my Department informed of new developments in the field of medical and other hospital equipment. Arrangements are made as necessary for prototypes or first production models of new equipment,

The statement issued by my Department on 28th April indicated the decisions reached on applications received from the other 54 of the 55 homes seeking re-approval under the Abortion Act; it made clear that I was unable to reach a final decision in the case of the Poplars Nursing Home until further inquiries had been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will give a break-down, by nationalities, of doctors employed in the hospital service covered by the Coventry hospital group.

:especially of complex and costly items, to be laboratory tested and, where appropriate, assessed in hospitals in association with technical and professional officers of my Department. The results often lead to improvements in performance and design for the benefit of manufacturers and hospital users alike.For newly installed or replacement items of equipment it is the responsibility of hospital authorities to satisfy themselves, by testing if necessary, as to their satisfactory performance.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of babies who have died in hospitals in the Basildon and Brentwood urban district council areas in the period 1st November, 1968, to 31st March, 1969, after being infected by the new virulent form of gastro-enteritis.

None.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction to the Railways Board that refreshment facilities shall be available to passengers at all London main line passenger terminal stations from 6.00 a.m. until midnight, or from such time as the first passenger train arrives or departs from the said stations, and such time as the last passenger train arrives or departs from the said stations.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction to the Railways Board requiring them to provide better standards of cafeteria facilities, including cleaniness and wider selection of food, at London main line terminal passenger stations.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has yet received the West Yorkshire Land Use-Transportation Study; whether the report covers the Leeds-Bradford-Ilkley area; what conclusions it reaches with regard to the maintaining of the Leeds-Ilkley, Bradford-Ilkley railway lines the closure of which is now proposed.

No. The report on this Study is not yet complete. I understand it covers the Leeds-Bradford-Ilkley area and, as my right hon. Friend told the hon. and gallant Member on 25th November, 1968, we expect to be able to take account of its findings before taking a decision on the Leeds/Bradford-Ilkley rail closure proposal.—[Vol. 774, c. 37.]

asked the Minister of Transport what use he proposes to make of his powers under Section 54 of the Transport Act 1968 to relieve the Railways Board of its responsibility for subsidising replacement bus services provided as a condition of his consent to the withdrawal of rail passenger services; and whether he will make a statement.

Paragraphs 59 to 61 of the White Paper on Public Transport and Traffic (Cmnd. 3481) announced an intention to transfer to the National Bus Company and the Scottish Transport Group the obligation to arrange for the provision of those additional bus services which are required as a condition of consent to the withdrawal of rail passenger services. Under the powers provided in subsection (5) of Section 54, I have now varied the conditions applying to a large number of past consents in order to transfer to the National Bus Company and the Scottish Transport Group as appropriate the obligation to provide or secure the provision of those services which are already being operated by their subsidiaries or by independent operators under contract to these subsidiaries. Negotiations will now take place to see whether it is possible to transfer financial responsibility to the new authorities for the small number of replacement bus services at present provided by other independent operators and municipal undertakings. Further changes will in any case fall to be made in due course in respect of such services operating wholly or mainly within the areas of the first four Passenger Transport Authorities and within the London area.Most of these replacement bus services will in future be provided by the National Bus Company and the Scottish Transport Group, or under arrangements made by them. They will, of course, continue to be subject to the licensing powers of the Traffic Commissioners. This change of responsibilities has led me to review the present arrangement under which changes in the level of service have to be submitted for my approval however long ago the rail closure took place. I am satisfied that, after a reasonable period, these special bus services should properly be regarded as a part of the general public transport system of the area and that the normal control exercised by the Traffic Commissioners will effectively safeguard the position of former rail users. In these circumstances, I have decided to place a limit of two years upon the period during which the new authorities must seek my approval before reducing or withdrawing these services.In the relatively small number of cases were services will continue for the time being to be run by independent operators outside the aegis of the new authorities, and at the expense of the Railways Board, proposed changes will still need my prior consent.I have also decided that while the Railways Board will continue to be responsible for reporting to me changes in neighbouring bus services which were already in existence at the time of consent to closure, this requirement will also only last for an initial period of two years as from the actual time of closure.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now announce firm dates for the spine road for the South-West in the light of the recommendations of the Hunt Committee.

I have nothing to add to the Answer given to the hon. Member for Honiton (Mr. Emery) on 10th March, 1969.—[Vol. 779, c. 967–968.]

asked the Minister of Transport what speed readings he has taken to ascertain to what extent the 40 miles per hour speed limit is observed on the 1,200 miles of roads on which it is operative in England; and with what results.

Studies in the past have shown that realistic 40 m.p.h. limits imposed on a number of roads in accordance with my Department's criteria are well observed.

asked the Minister of Transport how much money he proposes to spend on construction and improvement of roads in the current financial year and how this sum compares with the equivalent allocation for each of the last five years.

Following is the information:

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will direct the firm of consultants engaged by his Department to forecast Her Majesty's Government's computer requirements over the next ten years to include in its survey a comprehensive analysis of the facilities needed to provide the House of Commons with direct on-line access to the Government's present and proposed computer networks.

The Computer and Data Systems Unit of the Central Statistical Office is already making a detailed study of the problems and possibilities of making the statistical information produced by Government Departments available to different categories of user. The review team recently set up within the Civil Service Department to forecast computer requirements will take this work into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many teachers currently employed in schools in Scotland have failed to register with the General Teaching Council since 1st April; and whether it is his intention to require local authorities to dismiss such teachers.

I cannot give an exact figure without consulting education authorities, but I understand from the General Teaching Council that about 38,500 teachers have registered. This figure shows that, while the great majority of teachers have renewed their registration, a considerable number of teachers employed in the schools have not yet done so. I also understand however that applications are still coming in, and I shall make a statement when the position is clearer.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he has not yet replied to the letter dated 11th April from the hon. Member for South Angus to the Minister of Planning and Land and subsequently referred to his Department regarding the claim for betterment levy presented to the Angus Cinema Company in respect of the proceeds of the sale of a cinema.

A reply was sent to the hon. Gentleman as soon as the necessary inquiries could be completed, and he should now have it.

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

I am sending the hon. Member the information and am putting a copy in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland by what percentage murders and crimes of violence, respectively, increased in Scotland between the years 1946 and 1957.

The number of cases of murder made known to the police in 1946 was eighteen and the number in 1957 was twelve; 33⅓ per cent. fewer. The number of crimes of violence made known to the police in 1946 was 1,121, and in 1957 was 1,116; 0·4 per cent. fewer.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average annual number of murders and crimes of violence, respectively, in Scotland in the period 1946 to 1957; and what was the average number in the period 1957 to 1968.

The average annual number of crimes of violence made known to the police in Scotland during the period 1st January, 1946 to 31st December, 1957 was 956 and for the period 1st January, 1957 to 31st December, 1968 was 2,132.Corresponding figures for murder are 14 and 24; these have not been corrected in the light of subsequent judicial determination.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of local authority houses completed in 1967 and 1968 which were built by direct labour; and what was the number built by the Scottish Special Housing Association.

Information is readily available only for houses approved. The figures are:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what public funds will be expended on the entertainment of South African delegates to the Ninth Commonwealth Mining and Metallurgical Congress to be held in London from 5th to 24th May.

Her Majesty's Government have made a grant of £15,000 to assist generally in the organisation of this Congress which has significant importance for British exports of mining machinery and services. No grant has been made towards the entertainment of any particular group of delegates.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what has been the annual cost in each of the past five years of providing air navigation services at Gatwick, Stansted and Prestwick aerodromes, respectively;(2) what estimate he has formed of the probable cost to his Department of providing air navigation services at Gatwick, Stansted and Prestwick aerodromes for each of the next five years and of the probable receipts in respect of such charges for the same period;

The table below sets out the information:

asked the President of the Board of Trade when an increase was last made in the standard charge for air navigation services at the aerodromes, other than Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Prestwick, to which the Civil Aviation (Navigation Services Charges) Regulations apply.

A separate charge for aerodrome navigation services provided by the National Air Traffic Control Service was first introduced on 1st November, 1964. The only increase made up to 1st May, 1969, was the introduction of a 12½ per cent. surcharge on international flights with effect from 1st

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing, for each of the past five years, the receipts in respect of navigation services charges at each of the aerodromes other than Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Prestwick,

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the annual cost, in each of the past five years, of providing air navigation services at the aerodromes other than Heathrow, Gatwick, Stanstead and Prestwick, to which the Civil Aviation (Navigation Services Charges) Regulations apply.

Following is the information:to which the Civil Aviation (Navigation Services Charges) Regulations apply, and the annual total of aircraft movements involved in each case.

Following is the information:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the total cost to British European Airways, and what has been the total cost to other operators of scheduled air services, of air navigation services charges at each of the aerodromes other than those controlled by the British Airports Authority at which such charges are levied by his Department, in each of the past five years.

I regret that detailed analysis cannot be prepared without disproportionate effort, but B.E.A.'s

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will refuse his approval of the proposal by Short Brothers and Harland to sell its Series 3M Skyvan turboprop military transport to the United States of America for use by South Vietnamese military forces; and whether he will make a statement.

Any proposal by the firm to export military transport aircraft would be considered by Her Majesty's Government in the light of stated policy and of the circumstances at that time. I cannot comment on recent Press speculation.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many people at the present time qualify for rate rebates.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimates he has formed of the probable cost to his Department of providing air navigation services at aerodromes other than those controlled by the British Airports Authority for each of the next five years, and the probable receipts in respect of such charges during the same period.

Following is the information:

I estimate on the basis of the returns from rating authorities so far received that about 840,000 people in England and Wales received rate rebates in the second half of 1968–69. There is no reason to expect the number who qualify in the current rebate period to be substantially different.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has referred the rent increases made by the Redbridge Borough Council, as well as those made by the Greater London Council, to the National Board for Prices and Incomes; on what basis he differentiates between local authorities in this respect; and if he will institute an inquiry into the degree to which ratepayers and taxpayers are now contributing towards the cost of council housing.

The local authorities whose proposals were referred to the Board in 1967 were chosen as a representative selection of authorities who were proposing or had made rent increases. The Redbridge Borough Council was only one of many authorities whose proposals were not so referred.Exchequer subsidies and rate fund contributions to the Housing Revenue Account are being taken into account in the longer-term review of housing finance.

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

The bodies to which the Lord President appoints members are as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications for agricultural investment grant on combine harvesters received between 15th May 1967 and 31st October 1967 were refused; what were the main reasons for refusal; and, in particular, how many cases were refused because the machine had been sold before the application was received.

I regret that this information is not available in the form requested; but of 2,654 applications for grant on harvesters received and dealt with in the period 15th May to 31st October 1967, 110 were rejected either because the machine had been sold before the application was received or for some other reason.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will allow the sports facilities at Ranby Camp, Retford, to be used by outside bodies after the closure of the camp on 1st October.

We shall be glad to consider sympathetically any request made to the Defence Land Agent, Grantham, for the use of these facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will have discussions with East Retford Rural Council and Nottinghamshire County Council with regard to the future of the houses and facilities at Ranby Camp, and with regard to its potential industrial development.

Ranby Camp is currently on offer to other Government Departments. If there is no governmental need for it, there will be the usual discussions with the Board of Trade and local authorities about its disposal and future planning use.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the current rate of expenditure by the Social Sciences Research Council; what percentage increase this represents over three years ago; how much of this is accounted for by work in departments of sociology or social studies at establishments of university and further education; and how current expenditure on the Social Sciences Research Council compares with

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the average cost of the school dinner and of the food, labour and other costs comprised in it, in 1964–65, 1967–68, 1968–69, and as estimated for 1969–70.

The information is as follows:

Approved expenditure for the financial year 1969–70 is £2·38 million as compared to the out-turn of £509,000 in 1966–67, the Council's first full year of operation. This represents an increase of 368 per cent., which relates to the period of building up the Council from its start three years ago. Allocations to specific disciplines are not predetermined, but of the provisional 1968–69 out-turn of £1,470,000 some £207,000 is attributable to support for research projects and postgraduate training in the fields mentioned. The approved estimates of the other councils are given in the Civil Estimates, Class VII, published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his estimate of the total proportional cost, subsidy and income from parental contributions of school dinners in 1964–65, 1967–68, 1968–69 and 1969–70; and what for each year is his estimate of the percentage of pupils at present taking meals and the percentage of meals served free.

The available information is as follows: