asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to continue the Import Deposit Scheme in some alternative form after the expiration of the present legislation; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the Answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Leicester, South-West (Mr. Tom Boardman) on 1st April.—[Vol. 781, c. 220–21.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in drafting the Finance Bill, he will ensure that bank charges on the individual ovedrafts of farmers incurred wholly or substantially for the purposes of conducting their farming businesses are allowable for tax relief.

I would refer the hon. Member to my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary's reply of 21st April to the hon. Member for Westmorland (Mr. Jopling).—[Vol. 781, c. 24.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the compulsory limitation of dividends will cease.

I have nothing to add to the statement I made on 21st April.—[Vol. 782, c. 43–45.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total burden of taxation in the current financial year expressed as an annual sum per head of population; and what was the comparable figure in the financial year 1963–64.

Taxation, including taxes on capital and local authority rates, is expected to amount to about £275 per head of the population in the current financial year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in drafting the Finance Bill, he will reconsider the position of the work contract departments of the electrical supply industry with regard to the payment of selective employment tax, in view of the fact that their exemption from this tax places private electrical contractors, who pay selective employment tax, at a disadvantage in tendering for contracts.

For work on consumers' premises, private contractors are not at a disadvantage, as the contract departments of the electricity supply boards tender on the basis that they pay the Selective Employment Tax at the current rates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will instruct the Inland Revenue to desist from the practice of issuing provisional assessments under Schedule D in the months of Angust and September within the year of assessment.

Such assessments are made where experience suggests that they are advisable if payment of tax not in dispute is to be obtained by 1st January.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in drafting the Finance Bill, he will exclude from payment of stamp duty all owner-occupied houses where the owner purchases another house within six months of sale.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in drafting the Finance Bill, he will exclude from payment of stamp duty all owner-occupied houses below the value of 10,000.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will commission a study to assess the comparative balance of trade experiences of Great Britain in relation to that of those countries that devalued their currencies at the same time that sterling was last devalued, based on information available to him from international sources.

No. A detailed study of the experience of other countries would not be very illuminating. In dollar terms our exports rose faster in 1968 than those of most of the other European countries that devalued with us; but these countries sell a very different range of goods from us. Our imports also rose faster than those of most of the other devaluing countries, although in the United Kingdom's case there was more evidence of an improvement during the year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will direct the Bank of England to cease the purchase of unlimited amounts of British Government stocks, in view of the fact that this causes inflation.

I do not accept that the Bank of England has been doing what is suggested. In any case, however, in its market operations the Bank acts in accordance with policies agreed with the Government, and the question of a direction does not therefore arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff he estimates to be saved in the Estate Duty Office as a result of the changes in estate duty announced in the Budget.

There will be a staff saving as a result of the raising of the exemption limit, but this will be out- weighed by the additional staff needed for the extended charge to duty on settled property and for the operation of the "slice" system of rates. The net effect will be an increase of about 50 staff.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now give consideration to the introduction of a value added tax; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend keeps the whole tax system, including the possibility of changes like the introduction of a value added tax, under continuous review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider extending the principle of a two-tier interest rate system within the United Kingdom following the successful application of this principle to housing subsidies.

No. Where Government assistance is appropriate it is provided in the form most suitable for its object. A subsidy linked directly to interest rates is suitable in the case of local authority housing, but is not necessarily appropriate in other fields.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of Government expenditure will be represented by investment grants to manufacturing industry in 1969–70, and what were the comparable percentages in 1968–69 and 1967–68.

Estimated expenditure on investment grants to the private sector in 1969–70 is 2·5 per cent. of total public expenditure. In 1968–69 the figure was 2·7 per cent. and in 1967–68 2·1 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied with the rate of progress of his plans for an increased rate of public expenditure; to what extent he has taken into account the effect of this increase on the export capacity of industry and on inflationary pressure on the economy; and if he will make a statement.

The public expenditure out-turn for 1968–69 and the estimate for 1969–70 are both within the targets laid down in January last year. These targets, and also that for 1970–71 laid down in Cmnd. 3936, were selected in the light of the best available estimates of the total of resources available to the economy and as fully consistent with the Government's balance of payments objectives.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the cost of the Blue Paper on Decimalisation, issued in January, 1969, shows an increase from 1½d. to 2½d. in price per page over the similar document issued in December, 1966; and why this charge was made.

Most Parliamentary Papers, including the two Command Papers referred to by the hon. Member, are priced by the Stationery Office on the basis of standard scales related to the number of pages. These scale charges have been increased during the three years separating publication of these two items to cover increased printing and paper costs and higher overhead charges.

asked Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library an up-to-date description of how official Government economic forecasts are made, together with a worked example using figures for any recent convenient period.

I am placing in the Library a bibliography of official articles and other works describing how the short-term economic forecasts prepared by my Department are made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on his discussions with representatives of the firm Kangol; why he allowed them to increase their mid-April announced dividend of 10·7 per cent. to 20 per cent. against the 10 per cent. paid in 1967; and which persons from outside his department, other than representatives of this firm, discussed this subject with him.

After the first announcement of a dividend recommendation on 18th April, this company consulted the Treasury about revising the figure to the same level as for 1961. Treasury approval was given in accordance with the guidelines set out in Command Paper 3590. Confidential discussions were held solely between Treasury officials and the company's professional advisers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, concerning the International Monetary Fund, Great Britain's credit, and the repayment of loans; and what action he proposes to take.

I have taken note of my hon. Friend's letter, but I have no statement to make on this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the location of the Inland Revenue Computer Centre in the North-East.

A decision on the location of a computer centre in the Tyneside area will be announced shortly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the figures for public investment in new construction by planning regions in 1967–68 together with the corresponding figures for 1966–67.

Provisional figures for 1967–68 were published with figures for 1966–67 in Table 22 of the 1968 issue of the Abstract of Regional Statistics. More up-to-date figures are not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will invite the Decimal Currency Board to report on the problems which will arise in retail pricing as a result of the new halfpenny being the smallest coin in the new range of currency.

No. These were considered by the Committee of Inquiry on Decimal Currency and dealt with in its report. The Board's function is to facilitate the change to the new currency and coinage, and it has published general advice on price conversion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements he has made to protect consumer interests in the work of the Decimal Currency Board.

The Board's functions of facilitating the change-over take account of everybody's interests, but no special arrangements for particular groups are made. The Board consults consumer interests as necessary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the highest and lowest rates of interest charged by

£ million
			1951	1955	1960	1961	1962	1963	1964
Income tax	…	…	1,504	1,964	2,285	2,565	2,846	2,823	2,942
Indirect taxes*		…	1,906	2,177	2,620	2,812	2,980	3,034	3,359
* These figures cover the items listed under "Taxes on expenditure" in Table 41 of the National Income Blue Book 1968. They exclude local authority rates

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has now completed his review of procedure following the disposal from the Queens Warehouse of a large quantity of the drug meprobamate; and if he will make a statement.

The procedures for the disposal of drugs have been reviewed and found to be generally satisfactory. As an additional safeguard, arrangements are being made for future disposals to be carried out in consultation with the Department of Health and Social Security.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he now expects the first activation of Special

Rates vary according to the period and method of repayment and the purpose for which the loan is made. At the lowest end the bulk of Government overseas assistance is interest free. The highest rate at present is 9¾ per cent. charged by the Board of Trade on the amortized sale of factories, where part of the cost is covered by a building grant.Those nationalised industries providing credit facilities from their own resources charge a rate comparable with the rates attached to similar facilities available in the private sector.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the total amounts collected in income tax and in indirect taxation in each year from 1960 to 1964; and what were the corresponding figures for 1951 and 1955.

The figures are as follows:Drawing Rights to occur, and in what quantities.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer, including a reply to a supplementary question, which I gave to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Heywood and Royton (Mr. Barnett) on 15th April.—[Vol. 781, c. 956.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is now the value of the £ sterling in terms of dollars.

The present parity value of the £ sterling is U.S. $2.40. The market rate fluctuates between the announced limits of $2.38 and $2.42.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his recent visit to North America.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave in reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Louth (Sir C. Osborne) on 2nd May.—[Vol. 782, c. 321–322.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration was given to the repayment of the £90 million loan to the Bank of International Settlements in May during his recent visit to the United States of America; and whether he will make a statement.

None. Repayment of this loan started a year ago and is being completed this month.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the White Paper, Estate duty on Settled Property, which was issued in London on 30th April, was not available in Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Manchester, by 5th May; and why the staff of the Manchester office were unable to say when it would be available.

Estate Duty on Settled Property (Cmnd. 4021) was published at 4 p.m. on 30th April. It was not possible to distribute copies to the regions because of an industrial dispute in the main publishing warehouse of the Stationery Office. The staff at Manchester were unable to forecast its availability locally because it was impossible to predict the end of the dispute.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the general procedure to enable Her Majesty's Stationery Offices in the provinces to have available Bills and White Papers simultaneously with London; and if he will make a statement.

It is impracticable for reasons of expense and security to publish all Parliamentary publications simultaneously with London; but such arrangements do apply to important papers where the Minister responsible considers that it would be in the public interest to do so. For papers with an important regional interest simultaneous publication is extended to appropriate centres. Such arrangements have, however, temporarily ceased with the present industrial difficulties at the Stationery Office.

asked the Minister of Power what is the total expenditure by the nationalised industries in advertising in the field of coal-fired central heating.

I am asking the Chairman of the National Coal Board to write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Power if he will refuse consent to the British Steel Corporation to build steel works abroad.

My concern would be to consider any proposals on their merits.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action has been taken following the representations he has received since publishing circular 34/68 on Oil Pollution of Beaches.

Representations on matters within my field of responsibility have usually been about the rate of grant offered to local authorities. In my view, however, the approved rate of 50 per cent., for cleansing and for making preparations, strikes a fair balance between local interests and those of the general body of taxpayers.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he will announce the outcome of a review of the law of rating as it affects agricultural buildings in the light of and following representations made to him by the National Farmers Union of England and Wales.

This matter is still being examined but the outcome will be announced as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will send a circular to local authorities drawing their attention to the outcome of the research which has been undertaken into the causes and prevention of damp in new houses and flats, and asking them to inform him of the steps they are taking to stop it arising.

A working party set up by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works has been studying this subject and has held conferences in various parts of the country in order to make known its findings and recommendations. It has issued, free to householders, 2½ million copies of an advisory leaflet and prepared slides for display on television.In addition, a technical handbook, in two parts, the first of which will be published next month, has been prepared, and I shall see that it is brought to the notice of local authorities at the time of publication.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what further figures are available of the numbers and percentage of local authority tenants eligible for rent rebates; and what are the numbers in receipt of rebates, in the latest period for which figures are available.

It is estimated that at 31st March, 1968 rent rebate schemes covered about 72 per cent. of all council tenants in England and Wales; and that about 364,000 council tenants (about 8·8 per cent. of all council tenants) were in receipt of a rent rebate in the last week of March, 1968.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what figure of housing subsidy he estimates will be payable to local authorities in the current year under the provisions of the Housing Subsidies Act, 1967.

Payments made in 1969–70 will depend in some measure on representative borrowing rates for 1968–69 which have yet to be determined. It is at present estimated that the total subsidies payable to public authorities in England (including for this purpose housing associations, development corporations and the Commission for the New Towns) under the provisions of the Housing Subsidies Act 1967 will be £47 million.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what it is estimated will be payable by way of subsidy under the Housing Subsidies Act, 1967 arising from a one per cent. rise in the average level of interest rates paid by local authorities.

The representative interest rate for the current year has not yet been calculated but it is estimated that a notional rise of 1 per cent. over the rate determined for last year would increase the total subsidies payable to public authorities in England (including for this purpose housing associations, development corporations and the Commission for the New Towns) by approximately £6 million for the current year.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if, in view of the Notting Hill Housing Service Report, he will consider accelerating the plans for housing action under the Local Government Grants (Social Need) Act. 1968.

In the first stages of the programme under the Local Government Grants (Social Need) Act the resources available have been, or will be, allocated to projects in the field of nursery provision, child care, play groups and educational projects such as in-service training courses for teachers working in urban areas of special social need. Consideration is being given to what projects might be included in the later phases of the programme. Meanwhile my right hon. Friend is conferring urgently with the London Borough Council of Kensington and Chelsea and the Greater London Council about the Report.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will now make a loan available to Hull Corporation to enable it to carry out the redecoration of the pre-fabricated houses in East Hull, which have been marked for redecoration for some months.

My right hon. Friend has received no application for loan consent to cover redecoration of these temporary houses. Costs of maintenance should be met from an authority's housing repairs fund and are not normally regarded as a proper subject for borrowing.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to introduce controls on the addition of antibiotics and hormones to animal foodstuffs; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Wood Green (Mrs. Joyce Butler) on Wednesday, 30th April.—[Vol. 782, c. 236–7.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to make it compulsory for imported canned and other foodstuffs for sale to show the actual named country of origin rather than the general phrase foreign produce.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade on 30th April to the question by my hon. Friend the Member for Eton and Slough (Miss Lestor). Similar considerations would apply to the marking of all imported foodstuffs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he is making in reducing the tolerances permitted to fertiliser manufacturers in the advertised analyses of their products.

Discussions have been completed on proposals for reduced tolerances on compound fertilisers, and the resulting suggestions will be considered by my right hon. Friend's Standing Advisory Committee early next month.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will abolish bull and boar licensing in view of the expert advice submitted to him on population genetics.

Sire licensing is constantly kept under review, and my Department is studying the paper setting out a case against bull and boar licensing, and the survey of opinion on the subject, both prepared by members of the Faculty of Agriculture at Newcastle University.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in the light of recent developments in Europe, he will make a further statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy regarding the degree of sovereignty in all spheres, and control over foreign policy in particular, which is to be surrendered by the United Kingdom on joining the Common Market.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the White Paper on the Legal and Constitutional Implications of United Kingdom Membership of the European Communities presented to Parliament in May, 1967 (Cmnd. 3301). These issues were also discussed in the debate on 8th, 9th and 10th May, 1967.—[Vol. 746, c. 1087–9.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made with preparation for the re-negotiation of the Nassau agreement on nuclear weapons.

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) on 30th January.—[Vol. 776, c. 1520–21.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much of the high protein food bought by the Government out of the allocation of money for the relief of starvation in Nigeria has been purchased from the United States of America.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his discussions with the West German Government on the offset arrangements; and what is the basis of the agreement now being negotiated.

We are in close touch with the Federal Government about future offset arrangements. A meeting between British and German officials took place in Bonn last month, and another round of talks, at Ministerial level, will be held in London on 20th May. The basis of the agreement will be the need to secure the best practicable solution of the problem of meeting the foreign exchange costs of British forces in Germany.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much public money was provided for industry in Wales in 1967 and 1968, respectively, for the inducement of industry into Wales.

Payments by the Board of Trade under the Local Employment Acts and the Industrial Development Act, 1966 in Wales amounted to £30·5 million in 1967–68 and £50 million approximately in 1968–69. Under these Acts payments may be made both to new industry and to industry already established there.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now extend hire purchase restrictions to cover other forms of credit trading.

The Committee on Consumer Credit is examining this, among other problems, and we shall consider its recommendations when we receive them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT for each of the last three years the number of industrial development certificates for developments in development areas of between 3,000 to 10,000 square feet issued to United Kingdom companies which have not previously been situated in those development areas.

I regret that the information requested is not available, and could not be obtained without undue expenditure of time and money.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting of the Ministerial Council of the European Free Trade Association in Geneva.

The E.F.T.A. Council and the Joint Council of Finland and E.F.T.A. met in Geneva at Ministerial level on 8th and 9th May. The outcome of the meeting is recorded in the following communique:

The E.F.T.A. Council and the Joint Council of Finland and E.F.T.A. met at ministerial level in Geneva at the new headquarters of the Association on 8th and 9th May, 1969. Mr. P. Nyboe Andersen, Danish Minister for Economic and European Integration Affairs, was in the chair. The discussions covered all aspects of the Association's activities, as well as matters of common interest in the external economic relations of the E.F.T.A. countries.

In the E.F.T.A. Council, with the Finnish Foreign Minister participating in a personal capacity, Ministers reviewed developments in European integration since their last meeting. They reaffirmed the determination of their Governments, as expressed at Vienna, to overcome the present economic division of Europe, and their willingness to consider in a positive spirit all constructive proposals which might be put forward to this end, provided that these were in conformity with their international obligations. They were agreed that they should continue to consult together closely.

E.F.T.A. Ministers welcomed the convening by the E.E.C. of a conference for the purpose of reaching a patent agreement covering Europe and said that their Governments would participate. Such an agreement would make an important practical contribution to European economic integration. Ministers also instructed the Council at official level to study other fields of possible co-operation with the Communities.

The Ministers reviewed the present state of world trade, the valuable work going on within G.A.T.T. and the prospects for further trade liberalisation. They welcomed the commitment of the United States Administration to liberal trade policies. The Ministers further reaffirmed the importance of full implementation of the results achieved in the Kennedy Round and of avoiding any movement towards protectionism, which might threaten the continued expansion of world trade. They recognised the importance of a sound monetary situation for the satisfactory development of trade. They declared themselves ready to play their full part in discussions and negotiations in the appropriate international organisations, in order to carry further the work of trade liberalisation. They considered that high priority should be given to the trade problems of developing countries.

On behalf of the four Nordic Governments of E.F.T.A., the Swedish Minister of Commerce gave the Councils a report on the present discussions aimed at an intensified Nordic economic co-operation, contributing to the co-operation within the Association and to the further strengthening of the economic ties among European countries.

Ministers noted with satisfaction progress made so far in the negotiations between E.F.T.A. and the Government of Iceland on the latter's application for membership in the Association. They were determined to press ahead with these negotiations.

On the basis of a report of the Secretary-General, Ministers reviewed progress under the work programme initiated in May, 1968 with the aim of developing still further the opportunities opened up by E.F.T.A.

Ministers had before them a report on the general review of the agricultural provisions of the E.F.T.A. Convention undertaken in the official Councls. Minsters instructed the Council to examine the specific steps that might be taken with the aim of improving trading conditions for agricultural products. The examination would include dumped and subsidised imports, Government support, different price levels for agricultural raw materials, and removal of items from Annex D (the list of agricultural products not subject to E.F.T.A. tariff treatment). A report is to be submitted to Ministers for their next meeting. Some Ministers expressed concern about the problems created for their countries by the decision of the United Kingdom Government to restrict imports of butter into the United Kingdom market.

Ministers expressed the hope that, as a result of talks to be held later this month, the Member Governments concerned would be able shortly to report agreement on the regime for imports into the United Kingdom of quick-frozen fish fillets from the Scandinavian countries.

The next meeting of the Councils at ministerial level will be held in Geneva on 6th and 7th November, 1969

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the total estimated new commitments in 1969–70 in respect of new construction and major improvements for trunk roads and for principal roads and loans to highway authorities, respectively.

Provisional totals for new commitments in 1969–70 are:—

	£ million
Trunk roads (including motorways)	21·7
Principal roads (grants)	15·0
Loans	0·1
	36·8

This is £5·1 million less than new commitments in 1968–69, but commitments on schemes already in hand at the beginning of the year are £11·2 million higher.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the figure for 1968 of the number of cases of murder in Scotland corrected in the light of judicial determinations will be published.

I have already published a figure for murders made known to the police in Scotland in 1968 which takes account of judicial determinations up to 31st December, 1968. I hope to publish a figure corrected in the light of subsequent judicial determinations within the next month.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the provisional annual figure for cases of murder made known to the police in Scotland, uncorrected in the light of subsequent judicial determinations, which were issued before the corrected figures were available, in respect of the years 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1968.

The annual figures for cases of murder uncorrected for judicial determinations after the end of the year in question are those given in the annual published volumes of Scottish Criminal Statistics. A provisional figure on the same basis for 1968 was given in my reply on 12th March to a Question by the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward M. Taylor).—[Vol. 779, c. 279.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what specific restrictions are placed by his Department on industrial and residential development in the vicinity of nuclear power stations of the type of Hunterston A.

None, but any proposals for development in the vicinity of Hunterston are closely examined by the Inspectorate of Nuclear Installations.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Secretary of State for Defence and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in discharging the United Kingdom's defence obligations towards the United Kingdom's dependencies around the world; and if he will make a statement.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in light of the Hunt Report's findings, he will appoint a Cabinet Sub-Committee with responsibility for co-ordinating the activities of Government Departments concerned with expanding towns, regional policy in factory and office locations, transport and fuel.

My right hon. Friends already work closely together on these matters.

asked the Prime Minister on which of his official visits overseas as Prime Minister an operator of a television prompting machine has travelled at public expense with the official party.

On two occasions: my visit to Rhodesia in October, 1965 and my visit to Moscow in February, 1966.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with efforts made in recent months to reduce the waiting list at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport; and what is the extent of the reduction.

The Welsh Hospital Board has received suggestions from the Newport and East Monmouthshire Hospital Management Committee for dealing with the waiting lists in this Group and these are now under consideration. Unfortunately, although the waiting list for out-patient attendance has declined, the in-patient waiting list shows some increase.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales to what extent his Department is assisting in the re-establishment of Offa's Dyke.

If my hon. Friend is referring to the creation of the Offa's Dyke long-distance route, responsibility for this rests with the local authorities. If he is concerned about the condition of the Dyke, parts of it are already protected under the Ancient Monuments Acts, and I am now having its whole length reviewed to consider whether any further action is needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has yet received the report of the Welsh Council on the availability of private and public capital in Wales.

No. I understand, however, that a report will be submitted to me soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to make a grant to Newport Borough Council for the next stage of the improvement of Malpas Road; and when work will start.

I expect to make a grant towards the cost of Stage II of the improvement from Bettws Lane to Graig Park Road in the next few days.The starting date is a matter for Newport County Borough Council as the highway authority. I understand that it should be within the next eight weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated number and location of hospital beds in Wales which remain empty owing to a shortage of suitable nursing staff.

I am making inquiries and will write to the right hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total number of official forms printed in Welsh in 1969; at what cost; and what number of such forms was requested by the general public.

Fifteen. The exact cost cannot readily be isolated, especially in the case of the thirteen which are produced bilingually. No information is available about the number requested by the public. In the case of the bilingual forms, no request is necessary.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether the detailed study now being undertaken by the Central Statistical Office of the problems and possibilities of making the statistical information produced by Government Departments available to different categories of user specifically includes Members of Parliament within the Palace of Westminster.

Yes.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will publish the study of computer availability and usage, now being undertaken by the Central Statistical Office, as a White Paper.

Progress reports will be made by the Central Statistical Office but their precise form has not yet been settled. At the present time first steps in the design of a macro-economic data bank are in hand, and experiments with data terminals to the Central Computer Bureau, Norwich, are planned for later this year. As the experience of other Governments confirms, however, an advanced computer-based information system of this kind can only be evolved gradually over a period of years.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what reply he has given to the request of the Social Science Research Council for additional funds for postgraduate bursaries; and how many of these bursaries will be made in 1969–70 to students following courses in management and planning.

I have informed the Chairman that provision has been made by my right hon. Friend for the additional funds requested by the Council. This will enable the Council to award a further 144 postgraduate bursaries for courses in these subjects, bringing the total for 1969–70 to 400. I understand that 100 will be allocated to planning and 300 to management.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will refuse to allow the entry into this country of the official South African cricket team.

Admisson of any individual is a matter for the immigration officer, in accordance with the instructions in force at the time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the fire prevention operations so far completed by the 20 largest cities in England and Wales.

Fire prevention operations undertaken by fire authorities are so varied and complex in nature, and cover such a wide range of premises and occupancies, that they cannot conveniently be summarised.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue further fire prevention advice to industry, in view of the fact that the fire damage bill due to industrial fires rose to a record of over £13 million last March.

Under arrangements approved by the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council, which advises me in such matters, this field is mainly covered by the British Insurance Association and the Fire Protection Association in co-operation, both nationally and locally, with the fire service and with representatives of many branches of industry and commerce. The publicity undertaken in this way is continuous and expanding. In addition, advice by the fire authorities is freely available to individual firms and is increasingly sought.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will make a statement on the pay claim of the Telephone Contract Officers Association, in view of their intention to work to rule from 12th May.

The Association's representations are being considered and I expect to reply to them shortly. Under the agreed arrangements for revision of pay within the Civil Service provision is made for retrospective payment to the operative date, in this case 1st January, 1969, provided that a settlement is reached within six months.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will make a statement on his plans to assimilate the subscriber trunk dialling code telephone numbers with the local code numbers; and when such plans will be put into effect so as eliminate a cause of confusion to many subscribers.

The STD dialling code is the same irrespective of the point of origin of the call. Local dialling codes, which vary according to the point of origin, have been retained for reasons of economy, to enable the STD programme to proceed as quickly and cheaply as possible.Our plans to reduce progressively the number of local dialling codes will shortly be put to the Post Office Users Council. The capital cost of these proposals will be high and will have to be spread over a number of years. We hope the equipment will start to be available in 1973.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works through what agency the Yeomen of the Guard at the Tower of London are recruited; and what qualifications are required.

Yeomen Warders at the Tower of London are recruited exclusively from warrant officers or colour sergeants who are serving, or who have served, on a regular engagement in the British Army or the Royal Air Force. The Director of Manpower Planning, Ministry of Defence, is notified of the Ministry's requirements. Details of the posts are published through Army and Command Orders and in the Army magazine "Soldier". The National Association for Employment of Regular Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen is also notified of vacancies.The other qualifications for entry are:—

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on how many occasions during 1968 and 1969 to date the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council or its sub-committees have met; and what is the total time of their meetings in hours during this period.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services who are the members of his Industrial Injuries Advisory Council; in what year each of them was appointed; and what fees or salaries in respect of their membership of this Council have each received.

The information asked for is as follows:

I am advised that during 1968 and 1969 to date the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council and the Council's Industrial Diseases Sub-Committee have met on 14 occasions. The information requested in the second part of the Question is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what expansion in research into industrial diseases is being undertaken by his Department; and which industrial diseases will be studied.

I assume my hon. Friend has in mind the powers given by the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act to promote research into industrial diseases. These powers are limited to diseases against which persons are insured under the Act, and to diseases which it is contemplated might be prescribed. I have no proposals at the moment to expand the current programme, details of which I gave in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Midlothian (Mr. Eadie) on 14th April.—[Vol. 781, c. 781–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has yet received the report of the Industrial Injury Advisory Council on industrial deafness; and what is the reason for the delay in presenting this report.

There has been no formal reference of a question regarding industrial deafness to the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council. As I explained to my hon. Friend the Member for Rowley Regis and Tipton (Mr. Archer) on 14th April, I have recently received, and referred to the Council for consideration and advice, the final report of a long-term investigation into hearing and noise in industry, research undertaken jointly by the Medical Research Council and the National Physical Laboratory. Arrangements will be made for this report to be published in the normal way.—[Vol. 781, c. 764–5.]

asked the Secretary for State for Social Services what research he is conducting into the industrial causes of chronic bronchitis; and if he will refer this matter to the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council.

Research into all aspects of bronchitis has been carried out over a wide field. The Medical Research Council undertook a review of this work and published a report in January 1966. The Council has been keeping the results of further research under review and it will be informing my Department of any development which may be of significance on the occupational aspect of this common complaint. On present knowledge there is no evidence that chronic bronchitis satisfies the conditions for prescription laid down by the Industrial Injuries Act and in these circumstances it would serve no purpose to refer the matter to the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the total amounts collected in social security contributions in each year from 1960 to 1964; and what were the corresponding figures for 1951 and 1955.

The figures are as follows:

	£ million
Year	Social security contributions*collected
1951	402
1952	431
1953	466
1954	480
1955	548
1960	778
1961	924
1962	1,000
1963	1,131
1964	1,242
* National insurance and industrial injuries contributions from insured persons and employers.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much he intends to increase the National Insurance stamp in the autumn; and what share of the increase will be borne by employees and employers, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now make a statement on the fiancing of the increased old-age pension; and by how much the National Insurance contribution will be increased.

I would refer the hon. Members to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen) Yesterday.—[Vol. 783, c. 963–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the annual cost to the National Health Service of Librium being prescribed instead of chlordiazepoxide; and what is his estimate of the percentage of profit contained in the National Health Service price of Librium.

So far as I am aware chlordiazepoxide is available only in the form of Librium. Negotiations with the supplier of Librium have been based primarily on the costs and profits of the firm's total business with the National Health Service and I have not sought to make my own estimate of the profitability of individual products.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will place restraints upon medical experiments, including those performed in hospitals, which involve the test-tube fertilisation of human ova.

I understand the concern felt by my hon. Friend, and am consulting my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science, who is responsible for the Medical Research Council, under whose auspices most fundamental work in medical research is carried out.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the negotiations with Company A providing the National Health Service with pharmaceutical products announced in paragraph 27 of the Report on Civil Appropriation Accounts 1966–67 were completed; what was the estimated saving of money which resulted; and if he will make a statement.

Negotiations were concluded on 25th April, 1969. The company is to make price reductions and other adjustments which are estimated to produce a saving in the next 12 months of approximately £1 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to improve the assessment, provision and co-ordination of social services in the Notting Hill area, following the publication of the Notting Hill Housing Service, Initial Housing Survey.

The survey, which was published only last week, is being studied.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the peak demand for electrical power at the wind tunnel site at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Bedford.

The maximum demand for electrical power at the wind tunnel site at R.A.E., Bedford, during the financial year 1968–69 was 117 megawatts. Of this total, 77 megawatts were provided by the Central Electricity Generating Board and 40 megawatts by the Establishment's own generating station.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a list of towns which have introduced the disc system of parking, or other non-meter systems; and what reports have been submitted to his Department about the operation of such schemes.

Disc parking schemes are in operation in Cheltenham, Harrogate, Devizes and Ripon. Special residents' parking schemes are in operation within meter zones in the London Boroughs of Hammersmith, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster.Surveys of the Cheltenham and Harrogate schemes were undertaken by their councils assisted by my traffic advisory unit. These indicated that a higher degree of enforcement is required if such schemes are to provide effective regulation of parking space.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the value of the use of seat belts in accident prevention, he will call the attention of all licensed driving instructors to the need for ensuring that their pupils accustom themselves to the regular use of seat belts.

A circular to this effect was sent to all Ministry-approved driving instructors in April 1968, and has been sent to all instructors registered since. A similar one was sent to driving school and instructor associations in April 1967. They are reminded as suitable opportunities occur.

asked the Minister of Transport what inquiries he has received from the Carlisle City Council about the introduction of concessionary fares for retirement pensioners; and what reply he has sent.

None, since 28th February when the town clerk was sent a copy of my Department's circular of 29th January 1969 to the local authority associations, but I will write to my hon. Friend further on this matter.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will estimate the starting dates of the construction of flyovers on the A45 trunk road between the Coventry and Birmingham city boundaries.

The three flyovers envisaged for this section of the A.45 trunk road have not so far been included in a firm programme and I cannot, therefore, at present estimate starting dates for their construction.