asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of Her Majesty's Forces are stationed in the county of Midlothian; and what is the number of officers and other ranks.

The number of Service personnel stationed in the county of Midlothian, including the city of Edinburgh, is 230 officers and 2,100 other ranks.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the buildings and properties used by the Armed Forces in the county of Midlothian; and for what continuous periods they are used in the year.

The following is the list:BUILDINGS AND PROPERTIES USED BY THE ARMED FORCES IN THE COUNTY OF MIDLOTHIAN (INCLUDING CITY OF EDINBURGH).A. REGULAR FORCES

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what details have been given to his Department of the report made by the two police officers at Spelsbury, Oxfordshire, of unidentified flying objects on or about 25th October, 1967; what study he has made of these reports; and what action he has taken.

Sufficient information was available for an examination by Ministry of Defence staff to establish that the report had no implications for the air defence of the United Kingdom. Therefore no further action was taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on co-operation with the Germans, Dutch and Italians in the building of a multi-rôle combat aircraft.

Co-operation with the Germans, Dutch and Italian Governments on this project has been very satisfactory. The feasibility studies have now been concluded, and the results are being considered. As the House will know, I met the Ministers of Defence of the other participating countries in Bonn on 29th April to review the progress of the project. I hope to be in a position to make a full statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has concluded his review of the rules governing the commutation of Service pensions; and whether he will make a statement.

The following changes will apply to the commutation of Service pensions for those who are discharged on or after the 31st March.

(a) Subject to medical fitness and to application within six months of discharge, commutation of 25 per cent. of the annual pension (i.e. excluding the terminal grant) or £1,000 whichever is the less (as against £600 at present) will be allowed as an initial amount without investigation of the purpose for which the money is required.

(b) The minimum pension to be retained by a Serviceman will be 50s. a week but this minimum (and the 25 per cent. of pension rule) may be varied to ensure that a Serviceman may continue to commute up to the limit of £600 that he has a right to commute under the present rules.

(c) The present rules of detailed investigation will continue to apply for any subsequent or greater commutation but applications for such further commutation for the purpose of house purchase, furniture or a car from men who have had the £600 to £1,000 will not be automatically barred as at present.

(d) The minimum retired pay which an officer must retain after commutation will be increased from the present £150 per annum to £300 per annum. Officers will continue to be limited to the commutation of 50 per cent. of their pension.

(e) Warrant Officers will continue to be awarded commutation under the same rules as Servicemen. The new rules operate less restrictively for Warrant Officers than would the general application of the rules for officers.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what types of aircraft are earmarked to provide the logistic support for the United Nations peacekeeping operation which Her Majesty's Government have undertaken to give on call from the United Nations.

No particular types of aircraft are earmarked in advance of a specific request for assistance from the United Nations for logistic support. We at present provide a helicopter support unit as part of our contribution to the United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he will lay down metric standards of height for recruitment to the Brigade of Guards.

I have no idea. At present the heigh standard is 5 ft. 8 ins. or about 173 centimetres.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the cost to the Armed Services of participation in the transatlantic race organised by the Daily Mail.

The extra cost to Defence Votes of Service participation in the Air Race are estimated to amount to £11,500.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many service aircraft of all types have been authorised to compete in the Daily Mail Transatlantic Air-Race.

Twelve Service aircraft have been authorised to compete in the Atlantic crossing, of which three are held in reserve. A further 11, including one reserve, have been authorised for the short terminal and departure sections.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what he estimates to be the total cost to public funds of Service participation in the Daily Mail Transatlantic Air-Race.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Lancaster (Mr. Henig).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence under what Vote Service expenditure on the Daily Mail Transatlantic Air-Race has been authorised.

The extra costs arising from Service participation in the Air Race are mainly in respect of overseas allowances and food and accommodation for detached personnel. Disbursements under these headings were authorised from the appropriate Service Votes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he will make a statement on the future of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich.

I am aware of the concern of some hon. Members about the future of the R.N. College at Greenwich, but I am sorry that I can only say at present that the long term future of the College remains under review, and I cannot forecast when this review will be completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why he is buying the SS11 missile from France for use in Army helicopters in the anti-tank rôle instead of developing the British Swingfire.

I have nothing to add to the Answer I have given today to a Question from the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Stephen Hastings).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total sum now owing to the United States Government for aircraft, including spares and equipment purchased since October 1964; over what period this sum is repayable; and on what terms.

The sum still outstanding on amounts borrowed up to 30th April, 1969, is £237 million. Each amount drawn under the credit agreements is repayable in fourteen equal half-yearly instalments. Interest is payable every six months on the amount outstanding. The rate of interest applicable to the sum outstanding on 30th April, 1969, is 4¾ per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many applicants have been supplied with medals in the last complete year; and if he will give the numbers for all earlier years for which the information is available;(2) approximately how many applications for medals per day are being received at the present time.

(1) About 80,700 for all three Services in 1968; information for earlier years is not available.(2) About 180 by all three Services.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what were the conditions, in respect of maintaining the Watford factory and the continuity of employment therein, under which S. G. Brown Limited was sold by Her Majesty's Government in 1959.

Following the decision announced in the House of Commons on 8th June, 1959, to dispose of S. G. Brown Ltd., the Admiralty received offers from a number of interested companies.It was eventually decided that the offer made by the de Havilland Holdings Ltd., a member of the Hawker Siddeley Group, most satisfactorily met the considerations which it had been stated in the House would guide the Admiralty in disposing of S. G. Brown Ltd. These considerations were:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will now make a statement regarding the future of Northern and Western Commands.

I have nothing to add to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member on 25th March this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is aware that as a result of a flying display at Abingdon on 1st May residents at Whitecross, Wootton, suffered distress and damage to property; whether the display was in accordance with flying regulations; what steps he is taking to prevent a recurrence; and if he will make a statement.

This incident and its unfortunate consequences occurred in the course of a special display at the Royal

				Rank
Nature of Employment			Warrant Officers and Staff Sergeants	Sergeants	Corporals	Lance Corporals	Privates	Total
Clerical	…	…	58	109	247	202	208	824
Communications		…	23	24	72	88	238	445
Technical	…	…	10	39	98	143	527	817
Courier and Postal			1	6	22	32	102	163
Miscellaneous		…	101	161	152	183	439	1,036
TOTALS		…	193	339	591	648	1,514	3,285
Note: These figures do not include trainees or those between postings.

36 officers and 98 women carry out staff duties at home and 16 officers and 246 women are on staff duties abroad; 36 officers and 85 women are employed on training duties at the W.R.A.C. training establishments at Guildford and Camberley and at other Arms training establishments at home; 152 officers and 2,166 women are employed with Army units on other duties at home and 36 officers and 690 women overseas.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many ships of the Royal Navy are now opera-

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the present shortfall in United Kingdom Service recruits, he will now halt the rundown of the Gurkhas.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the employment by rank of the Women's Royal Army Corps; how many are carrying out staff duties at home and abroad; how many are carrying out training duties and where; and how many are attached to British Army units at home and abroad for office and other duties.

The details are as follows:tional, preparing for service or engaged in trials and training; and what he estimates the corresponding figure will be in 1971.

There are 204 ships in the Royal Navy excluding survey vessels and depot and supply ships. Of these 144 are now operational, preparing for service or engaged in trials or training. It is not the practice to disclose future plans for the strength of the Fleet.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent French forces in Germany now co-operate with other forces of the North Atlantic Alliance; and what collaboration exists between French and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation naval units in the Mediterranean and elsewhere.

Some such co-operation occurs both in Germany and among naval units in the Mediterranean and elsewhere, and in particular French forces have taken part in certain exercises with other forces of the North Atlantic Alliance.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are his future plans for the Rhodesian sanctions' naval and air patrols in view of the reduction of British forces outside the European theatre.

The Beira Patrol will continue as long as it is needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in view of the increased responsibility for the security of the sea route round the Cane of Good Hope given by Her Majesty's Government to the South African Navy, to what extent he has consulted the South African authorities on ways in which the United Kingdom should assist in plans to strengthen their sea defences.

The arrangements for liaison with the South African Navy, following the withdrawal of the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic, were explained to the House by the then Under Secretary of State for the Royal Navy on 8th February, 1967. I have nothing to add to his statement.—[Vol. 740, c. 1618.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what daily allowance is paid to naval ratings who do not draw their tot of rum; and how this allowance compares with the present retail price of ⅛th pint of rum bought in a public house ashore.

Threepence and seven shillings and sixpence respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that public bodies, such as hospital buying groups, are not able to negotiate bulk supply contracts for imported sugar due to frequent fluctuations in market prices; and if he will take steps to remedy the situation.

Public bodies can negotiate bulk supply contracts for sugar on the basis of the daily ex-refinery price, which is kept within an agreed range by the operation of our sugar surcharge system. I am writing to my hon. Friend in more detail.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representation he has had from the Chairman of the Devon Farmers' Union; what was the main point raised in this representation; and what reply he has given.

The Chairman of the Devon County Branch of the National Farmers' Union invited me to Devon to speak about the outcome of this year's Annual Review. I had hoped to go on 31st March but this date was chosen for the Supply Day debate on agriculture. I had a prior commitment for a later date which was suggested.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when annual price reviews will be expressed in metric terms.

This depends on the progress of the general programme for metrication in the agricultural sector.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether it is his policy to continue the levy on herring and white fish used in the production of fishmeal, at the same rate as that levied on fish used for the fresh market.

Any change in the present arrangements is initially a matter for the White Fish Authority and Herring Industry Board. Ministers would need to look at any proposals and any objections to them in a quasi-judicial capacity. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now make a statement on supplementary compensation to be paid to those farmers who were early victims of the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

Information that I have received from a number of sources, including the President of the National Farmers' Union, has confirmed that the contribution of £150,000 was in response to a special appeal to farmers who had suffered loss from foot-and-mouth disease between 25th October and 19th November, 1967—that is, during the first four weeks of the outbreak. This appeal was organised on the basis that each affected farmer contributing £1 would in effect get it back with an additional £1 from the Government. For the Government to match such a contribution would turn the Government's contribution into a direct grant. This would not be in accordance with the concept of a £1 for £1 Scheme, and the National Farmers' Union has been so informed.Nevertheless, the Government have decided to make an

asked the Minister of Technology what financial assistance is available from public funds for the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry in Aberdeen; and how much of it was credited and paid for that purpose during each of the last 10 years.

Assistance for shipbuilding reorganisation is available under the Shipbuilding Industry Act, 1967, but there is no specific statutory provision for assistance to the ship-repairing industry. I understand that Aberdeen shipbuilders have not applied for reorganisation loans and grants from the Shipbuilding Industry Board but one of the companies is building ships whose financing has been arranged under guarantees given by my right hon. Friend under the Shipbuilding Industry Act. My right hon. Friend has also provided a grant under the Local Employment Acts for the construction of a pontoon dock at Aberdeen which is used by local ship repairers.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the financial position of the shipbuilding group in Upper Clydeside.

I have nothing to add to the statement my right hon. Friend made yesterday.

asked the Minister of Technology to what extent the conditions set out in the letter from the Admiralty to J. R. Whyman, Esquire, of Watford, dated 15th July, 1959, concerning the sale of S. G. Brown by the Government to private enterprise, have been met; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Technology what action he is taking about the threatened closure of the factory of S. G. Brown Limited at Watford in contravention of assurances given by the Admiralty when they sold it in 1959.

The considerations set out in the letter of 15th July, 1959, were guide lines used by the Admiralty in assessing offers to purchase S. G. Brown Limited. The business has continued in being since its sale in 1960 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary company of Hawker Siddeley Dynamics Limited. The parent company has recently announced that some production work must be reorganised by transferring to Bolton certain work from one of S. G. Brown Limited's three factories. I am discussing the implication of this with the management of Hawker Siddeley Dynamics.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his estimates of the additional costs to agriculture and forestry in Scotland resulting from the proposed increase in fuel duty.

The estimated direct cost is about £100,000 for agriculture and £10,000 for forestry in a full year, which represents about one-twentieth of 1 per cent. of total costs in each industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland 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.

Central Government expenditure on Scottish roads is expected to be £33·8 million in the current financial year. In 1964–65 it was £17 million; in 1965–66 £21·3 million; in 1966–67 £24·7 million; in 1967–68 £30 million and in 1968–69, provisionally, £31·3 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in applying the recommendations of the jury in the fatal accident inquiry following the James Watt Street fire disaster in Glasgow.

My right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State hopes to make a statement on this matter within the next few days.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he he has had with the Scottish Transport Group on matters affecting the future of Glasgow's municipal transport; and if he will make a statement.

My hon. Friend, the Minister of State has met the Chairman and Managing Director of the Scottish Transport Group to hear their views about a possible Passenger Transport Authority in the Glasgow area.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons were convicted for driving under the influence of drink in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; and what were the comparable figures in each of the previous four years.

The numbers of convictions for driving a motor vehicle when unfit to drive through drink or drugs for each year since 1964, together with the numbers of convictions for the offence of driving a motor vehicle when the proportion of alcohol in the blood exceeds the prescribed limit, which was introduced in October, 1967, are set out in the table below.

NUMBER OF PERSONS CONVICTED OR FOUND GUILTY IN SCOTLAND FOR DRIVING A MOTOR VEHICLE WHEN UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRINK
Year	Driving a motor vehicle when unfit to drive through drink or drugs	Driving a motor vehicle when the proportion of alcohol in the blood exceeds the prescribed limit	Total
1964	3,256	Not applicable	3,256
1965	3,745	Not applicable	3,745
1966	4,515	Not applicable	4,515
1967	4,772	157	4,929
1968	1,788*	3,770*	5,558*
* Provisional figure.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the amounts of the Aberdeen Common Good Fund for each of the last five years; and how those sums were disbursed in each of these years.

I am asking Aberdeen Corporation to send this information to the hon. and learned Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the Government allocations for university and other education in Scotland and indicate the amounts, and manner in which and to whom they were disbursed during each of the last five years.

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the financial tables (Tables 53 to 55) in "Scottish Educational Statistics 1967". "Scottish Educational Statistics 1968" will, when it is published next month, give figures for 1967–68. If, thereafter, there are any specific points on which he would like to have further information, perhaps he would get in touch with me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the increased numbers of applications received by the Welsh Office of his Department from firms which have applied to establish industries in development areas in Wales thus causing delays in receiving attention from the Board of Trade Advisory Committee, he will establish a Welsh Board of Trade Advisory Committee to expedite these applications and eliminate the delays.

No. In spite of the increased numbers the time taken by the Advisory Committee to deal with applications has been considerably reduced in the past year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, how many firm inquiries he has received from private industry in the last two months in regard to developing in Scotland; and how this compares with the same period last year.

Fifty-four inquiries about developing in Scotland were received from private industry in March and April, 1969, compared with 74 in the same period last year. It is too early to say how many of the recent inquiries will result in a decision to locate in Scotland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the United Kingdom price for a cold rolling steel mill to be built in Bulgaria was £18¾ million against £14½ million from France, and £2·8 million for a cable factory against £1·8 million from Italy; and if he will investigate why Great Britain has lost recently £20 million orders from Bulgaria and take steps to remedy this situation.

While I regret the loss of these orders, both firms are successful exporters and, I am informed, quoted the lowest prices possible consistent with their assessment of the degree of commercial risk involved and the maintenance of the quality of the equipment specified.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what answer he has sent to the Grimsby trawler owners' representations regarding the export levy refund in the White Fish Authority's accounts and their representations about the rôle of the White Fish Authority in promoting fish exports.

I am consulting with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and will reply to the Grimsby trawler owners as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the First Report of the Law Commission on exclusion clauses in contracts; and if he will make a statement.

We hope to receive the First Report within the next few weeks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will publish a table showing the number of industrial development certificates for an area of less than 10,000 sq. ft. granted, and the number of jobs expected as a result, in the development areas of each region in each of the last five years; and what proportion these represented of the number, area and employment expected to result from industrial development certificates approved in the development areas of each region in each year;(2) if he will publish a table showing the number of industrial development cer-

PROJECTS COMPLETED, FOR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, FOR WHICH I.D.C.s WERE ISSUED, OF 10,000 SQUARE FEET AND LESS, TOGETHER WITH PERCENTAGES OF THE TOTAL COMPLETED IN EACH REGION IN THE YEARS 1963 TO 1967 TOGETHER WITH ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT
			1963		1964		1965		1966		1967
Country or Region				Percentage of total		Percentage of total		Percentage of total		Percentage of total		Percentage of total
NORTHERN
Number	…	…	27	40	47	45	56	39	53	36	47	35
Area (thous. sq. ft.)			184	12	370	14	406	10	389	9	342	9
E.A.E. Total		…	880	17	1,670	20	1,640	12	1,930	13	1,330	12
YORKSHIRE AND HUMBERSIDE
Number	…	…	57	45	78	52	92	48	98	52	96	49
Area (thous. sq. ft.)			418	11	536	14	638	20	646	20	647	16
E.A.E. Total		…	710	19	1,290	22	1,350	31	1,200	29	1,320	28
EAST MIDLAND
Number	…	…	44	50	54	54	59	56	49	41	68	48
Area (thous. sq. ft.)			314	20	363	24	395	19	359	15	492	19
E.A.E. Total		…	600	32	790	40	800	31	600	25	660	26
EAST ANGLIA
Number	…	…	15	38	28	41	37	54	32	46	32	44
Area (thous. sq. ft.)			101	9	189	12	259	24	230	16	233	17
E.A.E. Total		…	110	7	440	10	900	29	630	23	850	28
SOUTH EAST
Number	…	…	157	42	183	47	182	50	172	53	155	49
Area (thous. sq. ft.)			1,107	12	1,267	16	1,222	16	1,248	23	1,123	21
E.A.E. Total		…	2,450	19	2,430	19	2,410	14	2,580	25	1,760	21
SOUTH WEST
Number	…	…	27	45	33	41	35	38	39	39	49	46
Area (thous. sq. ft.)			191	17	225	14	248	11	263	13	323	18
E.A.E. Total		…	460	16	380	18	770	15	910	23	910	26
WALES
Number	…	…	26	40	31	46	22	34	37	43	57	49
Area (thous. sq. ft.)			181	7	217	19	163	12	273	14	414	20
E.A.E. Total		…	640	7	660	17	580	21	1,210	21	1,200	20
WEST MIDLAND
Number	…	…	75	44	82	46	127	56	121	49	90	52
Area (thous. sq. ft.)			465	12	535	16	820	20	822	20	633	23
E.A.E. Total		…	740	18	680	21	1,170	33	950	30	830	23
NORTH WESTERN
Number	…	…	63	45	98	47	106	53	90	42	123	52
Area (thous. sq. ft.)			453	8	645	15	733	10	526	9	659	16
E.A.E. Total		…	730	6	1,900	24	1,870	10	1,190	10	1,120	12
SCOTLAND
Number	…	…	31	34	52	36	51	31	65	35	45	25
Area (thous. sq. ft.)			223	6	392	10	376	9	466	7	331	6
E.A.E. Total		…	660	7	1,450	13	1,330	10	1,600	8	1,140	7
Note: Employment is as estimated by applicants for certificates and relates to when the projects are fully manned.

Figures based on I.D.C. approvals, analysed in the way requested are not readily available. Statistics based on projects completed, for manufacturing industries, for which I.D.C.s were issued for the years 1963–67—the latest year for which figures are available—are shown in the tables below:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with the brewing industry and licensed victuallers to establish acceptable metric equivalents to the pint, half-pint and quart; and if he will make a statement.

None. I understand, however, that there have been some exploratory international discussions about new metric sizes for bottles, and that the British Standards Institute has invited the Brewers Society to comment on these proposals insofar as they relate to beer bottles.

asked the Lord President of the Council what steps he has taken to implement the recommendations which have been made by the Services Committee following the report of the Secretariat of the Western European Union on the comparative allowances paid to British and other delegations attending the assembly and committees of that organisation.

asked the Lord President of the Council, if he will give effect to the recommendations of the Budget Committee of the Western European Union that the allowances of British delegates be brought up to the mean level of allowances of other national delegations.

I am consulting with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer about this matter. I am aware of the concern of hon. Members.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is now satisfied that Her Majesty's Government can discharge their responsibility for the defence of Anguilla; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend said in the House on 19th March.—[Vol. 780, c. 497.]

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what estimate he has made of the effects of the proposed increase in selective employment tax on the costs of housing in Scotland.

House building costs will increase by about 0·75 per cent.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what scale has been chosen by the Ordnance Survey to replace their inch-mile maps of the United Kingdom; when such maps will begin to be available to the public; and what increase in the retail price he estimates the change will cause.

No decision has been taken on the metrication of the Ordnance Survey 1-inch maps. The problem is under active study and I hope it will be possible to begin consultations at the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what proportion of the pension paid to a single employed man and a married employed man, shown separately, retiring today, in cases where regular contributions have been made for 10 years, is covered by the employer's contribution, the employee's contribution and general taxation, respectively;(2) what proportion of the pension paid to a self-employed single man and a self-employed married man, shown separately, retiring today, in cases where regular contributions have been made for 10 years, is covered by the recipient's contribution and by general taxation respectively.

Retirement pension is paid from the National Insurance Fund which is financed on a pay-as-you-go principle. The Exchequer supplement provides about 15 per cent. of the income.A man who has contributed for the last 10 years would have a pension scaled down in proportion to the period of contributions since 1948. On an actuarial calculation, assuming 5 per cent. interest and that graduated contributions were paid at the maximum rate, the proportion of his pension covered by his and his employer's contributions would be 30 per cent. and 31 per cent. respectively for a single man and 15 per cent. and 15 per cent. for a married man whose wife is five years younger than himself.For a self-employed man in corresponding circumstances 30 per cent. of his pension would be covered by contributions if single and 14 per cent. if married.

asked the Prime Minister if he will announce the composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Yes. The Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe will be meeting in Strasbourg on 12th May. I have appointed 18 delegates from the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The delegation this year will consist of 10 members of the Labour Party, seven members of the Conservative Party and one member of the Liberal Party. I have also appointed a number of substitute delegates.The appointments of Conservative and Liberal representatives and substitutes have been made on the basis of nominations by the leaders of those parties. The same delegation will be representing the United Kingdom Parliament at the Assembly of the Western European Union.Representatives from the Government benches will be:The hon. and learned Member for Dulwich (Mr. S. C. Silkin), who will act as Leader.The right hon. Member for Kettering (Sir Geoffrey de Freitas).The hon. Members for

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what action she is taking to prevent further unofficial strikes in the Hull Docks, in view of the need to maintain exports of fish to Russia.

The Government's proposals for dealing with unofficial strikes in general are set out in the White Paper "In Place of Strife". In the docks in particular, it is fully expected that the implementation of the second stage of the Devlin modernisation programme, negotiations on which are currently taking place, will bring about a considerable and lasting improvement in labour relations in the industry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the disposable income, net of income tax, at the rates

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what, at the last convenient date, were the average weekly and hourly earnings for men and women, respectively, in industry; and what were the figures for the previous comparable period.

The following information is derived from the half-yearly inquiries into the earnings and hours of manual workers:proposed in the Budget, on earnings of £500, £750, £1,000, £1,250, £2,000, £4,000 and £10,000 a year for a single man, a married man without children and a married man with one, two, three or four children, respectively; what is the net disposable income in the same cases taking family allowances into account; and what are the comparable figures for 1964;(2) what is the net disposable income at the rates proposed in the Budget on earnings of £500, £750, £1,000, £1,250, £2,000, £4,000 and £10,000 a year for a single man, a married man without children and a married man with one, two, three or four children, respectively, taking into account family allowances, social security contributions and an estimated average for indirect taxes and rates; and what are the comparable figures for 1964.

The figures which are available are shown in the table below.