asked the Minister of Public Building and Works, whether he will now announce the names of his Department's representatives on the Metrication Board.

Appointments to the Metrication Board are made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology who announced nine appointments in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, North East (Mr. Dobson) on 21st May.—[Vol. 784, c. 81.]

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what was the area of offices occupied by the non-industrial Civil Service at 1st October, 1951, 1st October, 1964, and at the latest date for which figures are available.

At October, 1951, non-industrial civil servants—other than Post Office staff—occupied about 34·5 million sq. ft. of usable office space, compared with about 33 million sq. ft. at October, 1964, and 38 million sq. ft. at October, 1968. Including ancillary space, associated storage, etc., the figures at the three dates were approximately 42, 40 and 46·5 million sq. ft respectively.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will now make a further statement on the effects of selective employment tax on construction industry.

Not yet.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what assistance his Department has given to the Reddaway Inquiry on the selective employment tax; and whether he will make a statement.

My Department has not yet been asked for any specific assist- ance but is doing all it can to help Professor Reddaway to find an experienced assistant to enable his work on the construction industry to be expedited.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what further progress has been made in metrication in Government building contracts.

Public sector building work is being steadily converted to metric measurements in accordance with the agreed programme of the British Standards Institution. In the Ministry about 460 metric projects, worth about £125 million will enter the design stage this year.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what information he received in May from the National Federation of Building Trades Employers regarding the current state of trade in the building industry; and what action he has taken.

I met the President and Director of the National Federation of Building Trades Employers on 8th May. We discussed various topics and these consultations will continue.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will now name the areas selected for special study by his committee on building maintenance; and whether he will make a statement.

Studies are proceeding in the areas outlined in the Committee's interim report. These include: the effect of Government action, such as taxation, on maintenance; maintenance technology and the designer's rôle in reducing avoidable maintenance, the structure and productivity of maintenance organisation; and the relationship between contractors and small private clients.Further studies are tinder consideration.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what plans he has for the future use of the now disused cafe building in Kensington Gardens; and whether he will consider adapting it and making it available for children's entertainment performances during school holiday periods.

This is one of a number of possible uses for this building which will be considered.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what representations he has received from the building industry regarding the creation of the Government Building Corporation and what replies he has sent.

Industry			Type of loan	Where raised		Amount		Inerest		Date of repayment
Gas*	…	…	Public DM issue	Germany (Federal Republic)		DM 200 m.	…	6¾ per cent.	…	1975 to 1984
Gas*	…	…	Private DM placement	Germany (Federal Republic)		DM 100 m.	…	6¾ per cent.	…	1975 to 1979
Steel† (United Steel Companies)			Temporary Euro-dollar loan	London	…	US dollars not exceeding the equivalent of £175,000		⅜ per cent. above the Euro-dollar interest rate. The present rates for this loan are 7¾ per cent.		The loan is for successive six-monthly periods and at the end of any of these United Steel Companies may choose to discontinue the loan. Final repayment must however, be made by December, 1973
						$351,000 and $63,000		8⅜ per cent.
* These loans are covered by a Government guarantee and the public issue is also covered by the arrangements, described in the Treasury notice dated 14th February, 1969, to relieve the industry of exchange uncertainties. The Gas Council also has an overdraft arrangement in order to facilitate day to day transactions in connection with these loans.
† This loan is not subject to Government guarantee.

asked the Minister of Power how much of the British Steel Corporation's capital requirements between 31st March and 30th September 1968 and between 30th September 1968 and 31st March 1969 were financed from internal resources.

The corporation's capital requirements between 31st March and 30th September 1968 were £59 million. Of

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave today to the hon. Members for Beckenham (Mr Goodhart) and Derbyshire. West (Mr. Scott-Hopkins).

asked the Minister of Power if he will tabulate in the OFICIAL REPORT each loan raised by each nationalised industry for which he is responsible in overseas markets, stating in each case the type of loan and where funded, amount of loan, interest, date of repayment where appropriate, and whether or not subject to a Government guarantee.

Following is the information:this £46 million was met from internal resources. Requirements between 30th September 1968 and 31st March 1969 amounted to £82 million, of which £66 million was financed from internal resources.

asked the Minister of Power what is now the total of the British Steel Corporation's long-term borrowing from the National Loans Fund.

The present net borrowing by the corporation from the National Loans Fund is £156½ million.

asked the Minister of Power what application has been made to his Department by the United States Standard Oil Company on the development of coal in this country as a raw material for crude oil and synthetic gas; and if he will make a statement.

None, but if my hon. Friend will send me details of any report he has seen on this, I will gladly look into it.

asked the Minister of Power what representations he has received about the level of current and future supplies of coke; and whether he will make a statement.

From discussions with coke producers and distributors, I understand supplies should be adequate. Total consumption of gas coke and hard coke by industry is estimated at about 13 million tons in 1969 and in 1970.

asked the Minister of Power whether he is satisfied that in each of the next five years the supply of coking coal, from home sources and from overseas, will be adequate to meet the demand; and if he will make a statement.

The National Coal Board is confident that home production will be adequate for the foreseeable future.

asked the Minister of Power if he is satisfied that demands of industry for coke will be met this year; and what is the anticipated demand in tons this year and next.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Ayr (Mr. Younger) earlier today.

asked the Minister of Power which collieries which produce coking coal in Scotland, England and Wales are threatened with closure; what is the present production of each; what is the production forecast for this year and next; and in which areas they are situated.

I understand from the National Coal Board that eight collieries producing coking coal have formally been placed in jeopardy. In Scotland they are Cardowan and Kingshill No. 3 (Scottish North and Scottish South areas respectively); in England—Metal Bridge and Thornley (in South Durham area), Hickleton (in Doncaster area) and in the East Wales area—Penallta, Celynen South and Nantgarw. I am asking the Chairman of the board to write to my hon. Friend about present and forecast production.

asked the Minister of Power how many pit ponies are at present employed in the mines; and how many it is estimated there will be by the end of 1970.

Fewer than 2,000 ponies are now employed in the mines of the National Coal Board. The board tells me that by the end of the next financial year all ponies will be withdrawn, with the exception of a small number in collieries where the expected life would not justify capital expenditure on new haulage equipment.

asked the Minister of Power whether he has completed his current review of coal pricing; and if he will make a statement.

I hope to make a statement quite soon.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will now publish a White Paper on the reorganisation of the electricity supply industry.

My right hon. Friend will inform the House of his proposals on completing his consultations. He does not at present think a White Paper to be necessary.

asked the Minister of Power what consultations he has had with outside bodies on the charging of electricity consumers using privately-installed meters.

The Electricity Council, Boards, Consultative Councils, Consumer Council and Consumers Association.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will send a circular to local authorities recommending them to insure fully home helps who are injured in the course of their work, in view of the details which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Louth.

Local authorities are independent employers and general guidance from my right hon. Friend about the conditions of service of their staff would not be appropriate.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will make a statement on the recent oil pollution of the beaches of Southend-on-Sea; whether he proposes to compensate the county borough for the expense involved in cleaning the beaches; and what action is being taken to detect the ship responsible.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave yesterday in reply to Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Billericay (Mr. Moonman) and the hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Channon).Regarding the last part of the Question, in attempts to trace the source of the pollution, the Port of London Authority took samples of the oil for testing: they checked all incoming tankers for evidence of a discharge and found none. As any one or more of about 200 other ships using the Port of London at the time could have caused the pollution, the

prospects of finding the culprit are remote.—[Vol. 784, c.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to announce his decision on the application which has been made to him about the Great Copse Development Area, Leigh Park.

Portsmouth City Council has applied for my right hon. Friend's consent to borrow some £46,000 in respect of the provision of roads and sewers at Great Copse, Leigh Park. His consent was issued on 15th May.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what percentage of planning decisions were reversed on appeal within the last convenient 12 months in the counties of Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and Cornwall.

Following is the information requested—for the 12 months ended May, 1969—

	Per cent.
Hampshire	34
Dorset	28
Wiltshire	28
Cornwall	18

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the total number of appeals decided by his Department in 1950, 1955, 1965, 1966, 1967, and 1968, respectively.

The total number of planning appeals decided in England and Wales was as follows:

1950	2,266
1955	3,583
1965	8,697
1966	9,035
1967	8,495
1968	7,081

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will state the monthly payment required on a new mortgage of 80 per cent. at the rates currently recommended by the Building Societies' Association where the period of repayment is 25 years, on the value of the average-priced house, where the mortgage was taken out on 1st October, 1964, and today, respectively.

On the average priced new house mortgaged with building societies, the monthly payments are £18 7s. and £30 9s. respectively, before allowing for tax relief or option mortgage subsidy which would of course in many cases make a substantial difference.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will state the monthly payment required on a new mortgage of 80 per cent. at the rates currently recommended by the Building Societies' Association where the period of repayment is 25 years. on the value of houses costing £4,500, £7,000 and £10,000, respectively, and where the mortgage was taken out on 1st October, 1956, on 1st October, 1964. and today, respectively.

£23 9s., £36, 10s., and £65 3s. respectively, before allowing for tax relief or option mortgage subsidy.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the latest estimate he has of the number of houses currently unoccupied in new towns in England and Wales.

In respect of dwellings owned by Development Corporations and the Commission for the New Towns the figures are approximately 1,950 in England and just over 100 in Wales. These figures include houses temporarily unoccupied for repairs and modernisation.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the latest estimate of the housing subsidy to be paid in 1969–70 to new town development corporations in England and Wales.

£4·024 million to Development Corporations in England (including the Commission for the New Towns) and £0·226 million in Wales.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) what progress has been made in the release of additional land in the outer Metropolitan area to meet the Government's target of 35,000 extra houses a year; and how much additional land has so far been released since that target was set;(2) how much land has been released, or been designated for release, for house building since he met representatives of the eight planning authorities of the outer Metropolitan area earlier this year and whether he will make a statement.

The aim is to release enough land to maintain a building rate of 35,000 houses a year over the next seven years compared with past rates of 28,000–30,000 houses a year.A survey showed that about 13,000 acres were available for development over the next few years. This fell short of requirements by about 10,000–11,000 acres.My right hon. Friend therefore asked the eight county planning authorities mainly concerned to let him have their proposals for releasing more land. Although they have suggested 5,000–6,000 more acres for development he would have liked to have seen still more land released earlier for development and he will be following this up with the authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now publish details of the replies he has received from planning authorities in the outer Metropolitan area indicating the amount of land they intended to make available for private housebuilding up to 1975, and the number of houses they expect to be built.

No, not without prior consultation with the planning authorities. Some of the proposals they have made are provisional and subject to consultation with the district councils concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the total estimated commitments outstanding on 31st March last in respect of new construction and major improvements for trunk roads and for principal roads, including loans to highway authorities, respectively.

Commitments for new road construction and improvements outstanding at 31st March, 1969, were for trunk roads (including motorways) £17·3 million, and for principal roads (grants) £3·2 million, making a total of £20·5 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales by what authority the 117 different official forms are published solely in Welsh; and what is the approximate cost of producing such forms.

The statutory powers are contained in the Welsh Language Act, 1967. To isolate the cost of all the Welsh forms would require considerable research and expense, but samples indicate that the range might be from about £40 for 500 copies of relatively simple forms to about £300 for 10,000 for a more complex one with notes.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give details of the statutory toll bridges, tunnels and roads in Wales, showing in each case the date of the relevant Act, the date when the present rights for collecting tolls expire, the revenue from tolls in 1967–68 and in 1968–69, the cost of collection, the number of people employed and the scale of charges.

I am obtaining this information, which is not readily available, and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the £ sterling has depreciated in value since the introduction of capital gains tax; and why this depreciation is not taken into account when calculating gain.

By 14·6 per cent. to April 1969. I see no reason for singling out capital gains for special tax relief on this account.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average annual growth from 1959–60 to 1964–65, inclusive, in the share of gross domestic product at market prices taken by public expenditure as defined in the Treasury analysis in National Income and Expenditure 1968; and what is the corresponding figure for 1964–65 to 1968–69, inclusive, calculating the growth on an arithmetic rather than a percentage basis.

From 1959–60 to 1964–65 the proportion of total public expenditure to gross domestic product at market prices rose from 37·0 per cent. to 39·0 per cent., equivalent to an average increase of 0·4 percentage points a year. Fgures for 1968–69 are not yet available, but in 1968 total public expenditure, including investment grants, additional payments of selective employment tax and regional employment premium, was equal in size to 45·6 per cent. of gross domestic product at market prices; this implies an increase since 1964–65 of 1·8 percentage points a year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new people acquired property, chattels, shares, cash and all other forms of net wealth, as defined by the Inland Revenue in table 139 of its 111th Annual Report, between 1960 and 1964; and what is the corresponding figure from 1964 to the latest date for which figures are available

No estimate can be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total burden of taxation in the financial year 1968–69 as an annual sum per head of the population; and what were the comparable figures for 1963–64 and 1950–51, adjusted to take account of changes in the purchasing power of the £ sterling.

Taxation per head of the population, including taxes on capital and local authority rates, is estimated to have been about £245 in the financial year 1968–69. The comparable figure for 1963–64, adjusted to take account of changes in the purchasing power of the £, is about £175, and that for 1950 about £150. Comparable figures for the financial year 1950–51 are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total net repayment of official overseas net liabilities over the period October 1951 to October 1964 inclusive; what were the total net interest payments thereon; what has been the total net increase in official overseas net liabilities since October 1964; and what has been the total net increase in interest due thereon.

The answer to the first part is about £675 million on the assumption that the hon. Member wanted the figure for the period 1951 to 1964. The answers to the other parts are £480 million, £1,510 million, and an increase of about £50 million due per annum.These figures exclude transactions between central banks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the yearly average balance on the current account of the balance of payments from 1965 to 1968, inclusive; and what it was in the years 1952 to 1964, inclusive.

Minus £226 million and plus £58 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the average monthly difference between the balance on the current account of the balance of payments from January, 1965, to the latest month for which figures are available; and what it was between 1952 to 1964, inclusive, in total and showing visible and invisible trade, separately.

Minus £24 million, consisting of minus £23 million on visible trade and minus £1 million on invisibles.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the annual average decline in the value of the £ sterling between October, 1964, and the latest date for which figures are available; and what was the corresponding figure for October, 1951, to October, 1964, October, 1951, to October, 1959, and October, 1959, to October, 1964.

It is estimated that the value of the £ sterling declined at an annual average rate of 4·2 per cent. between October, 1964, and April, 1969, the latest date for which figures are available. The corresponding estimated rates of decline in the other periods specified were 2·5 per cent. between October, 1951, and October, 1964; 2·4 per cent. between October, 1951, and October, 1959; and 2·8 per cent. between October, 1959, and October, 1964.These estimates are based on movements in the consumer price index for calendar years adjusted by changes in the index of retail prices in the odd months at the beginning and end of the periods.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the decline in the purchasing power of the £ sterling from October, 1964 to the latest date for which figures are available is attributable to tax increases.

It is estimated that about one-third of the decline in the purchasing power of the £ sterling between October, 1964, and April, 1969, the latest date for which figures are available, is attributable to increases in indirect taxation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the annual average increase in the index of industrial production from 1958 to 1964, inclusive, and from 1965 to the latest full year for which figures are available.

For the period 1958 to 1964 industrial production increased by an annual average rate of 4·2 per cent. For 1965 to 1968 the rate was 1·9 per cent. In 1968 the index increased by 4·6 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now make a statement about his Department's inquiry into the effects of selective employment tax on the construction industry.

The construction industry is within the scope of Professor Reddaway's inquiry into the economic effects of the tax, but he has not yet been able to start work on this part of the inquiry. The scope of the inquiry is very wide and it would not be possible for him to deal at the same time with all the industries which bear the tax. Every effort is, however, being made to recruit staff with the necessary qualifications and experience to enable him to deal with construction in parallel with work on other industries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the proposal of the Decimal Currency Board to mint 290 million fivepenny pieces to be available to replace sixpenny pieces by Decimal Currency Day plus six months, how many fivepenny pieces it is proposed to mint in addition to take the place of the existing shilling pieces by the Decimal Currency Day plus six months.

None. No plans have been made to replace the shillings already in circulation.

asked the Chancellor, on which international financial and economic organisations Great Britain is represented; and in what way.

Great Britain is represented on the following (the normal mode of representation is shown in brackets; except where otherwise indicated Her Majesty's Government participate on the basis of full membership).

United Nations, including the Economic and Social Council, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the Regional Economic Commissions for Europe, Asia and the Far East, Latin America and Africa (in this last case, as an Associate Member). (United Kingdom representation at the sessions of these bodies is performed either by the United Kingdom Permanent Representatives in New York and Geneva and their staffs, or by other delegates appointed for the purpose).

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (representation as for United Nations above).

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (Governor and Executive Director).

International Finance Corporation (Governor and Director).

International Development Association (Governor and Executive Director).

Asian Development Bank (Governor and Executive Director).

Inter-American Development Bank (Observer status).

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (Permanent Representative).

European Free Trade Association (Permanent Representative).

International Monetary Fund (Governor and Executive Director).

European Monetary Agreement (Member).

Group of Ten (Member).

Bank for International Settlements (the Bank of England is a founder member).

Colombo Plan (Permanent Representative to the Colombo Plan Council).

Inter-American Economic and Social Council (Observer status).

Inter-American Committee for the alliance of Progress (Observer status).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to provide that, where official errors have led to underpayment of individual service pensions, tax on the lump payment rectifying the error is levied at the rate in force when the money should properly have been paid, provided that the standard rate of income tax has been increased since that date.

The P.A.Y.E. regulations require tax to be deducted by reference to the tax rates in force at the date of payment; but a taxpayer receiving arrears of pay or pension can in due course require the arrears to be assessed to tax for the income tax year for which they are payable, with a consequential adjustment of the tax deducted under P.A.Y.E. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind and will send me details I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what authority Lloyds Bank has been deprived of half the interest due on its special deposits, in view of the fact that it is within the lending ceiling ordered by the Bank of England.

The reduction in the rate of interest on their special deposits was reluctantly accepted by the London clearing banks, and it was agreed that the reduction should be the same for all of them. The question of authority does not therefore arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in which years since 1960 the United Kingdom trade deficit has been balanced out by an invisible surplus.

1962, 1963 and 1966.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of money has been invested in premium savings bonds; and what amount per head of population this represents.

£717 million net, and £13 respectively at 30th April, 1969.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fall in the home market for cars, if he will, before the autumn, reduce the hire-purchase deposit on cars and lift other credit restrictions to stimulate the home market, so as to avoid increases in car-price or short-time working in the industry next winter.

Policies in these matters are, of course, kept under review, but at present I see no case for relaxing hire-purchase or other credit restrictions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many documents containing legally enforceable regulations have not yet become available to the public, as a result of the trade dispute affecting Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

The publication of 100 Statutory Instruments and six Local Acts was held up as a result of the strike in H.M.S.O.'s main publications warehouse. Not all of these contain enforceable regulations. A further 24 Statutory Instruments and 8 Public General Acts have been published, but were available only from H.M.S.O.'s London retail bookshop in High Holborn.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest estimate of the effect of the selective employment tax on food prices.

It is not possible to estimate the effect of the selective employment tax on food prices, but it would not in any case be very large.

asked the Postmaster-General if all public Departments contribute in full to the Post Office for the costs incurred through the use of prepaid O.H.M.S. postage labels; and what was the cost in 1964, 1966 and 1968 respectively.

They are charged public postage rates for all types of mail. Total payments for 1964–65, 1966–67 and 1968–69 were £13·1 million, £17·0 million and £18·9 million.

asked the Postmaster-General what representations he has received from the British Broadcasting Corporation or the Independent Television Authority to seek permission to televise the Premium Bond draw; and what reply he has sent.

Two during the 12 years of the Premium Savings Bond scheme. Equal facilities can be given to the B.B.C. and I.T.A. on condition that the strict secrecy due to bondholders is maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the situation in Southern Rhodesia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the latest situation in Southern Rhodesia.

I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave earlier today to my hon. Friends the Members for Ealing, North (Mr. Molloy) and Croydon, South (Mr. Winnick) and the hon. Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison).

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is her latest estimate of the effect of the selective employment tax on employment in the service industries overall and, separately, by categories, on an annual basis since June, 1966, to the latest date for which figures are available.

The figures in the following table relate to net percentage changes in employment in industries which bear selective employment tax. These do not coincide with service industries as normally defined for statistical purposes. It is not possible to isolate the changes in employment attributable to S.E.T. from changes which may be due to other causes, although S.E.T. was clearly a major factor.

percentage changes
Tax bearing industries	1966–67	1967–68	1966–68
Construction	-5·6	-2·6	-8·0
Distributive trades	-4·3	-0·9	-5·2
of which:
retail distribution	-4·8	-1·3	-6·1
Insurance, banking and finance	+1·4	+2·7	+4·1
Professional and Scientific Services (part)	+0·5	+3·3	+3·8
Miscellaneous Services	-3·7	-0·6	-4·4
Total tax bearing industries	-3·7	-0·7	-4·3

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether employers applying for vouchers for Commonwealth citizens are asked to consider the possibility of filling their vacancies by engaging suitable persons available in the locality for employment before their applications are accepted.

There is a waiting list for vouchers and employers do not normally apply for them if they can readily fill their vacancies by other means and it has not, hitherto, been thought necessary to make the issue of a voucher conditional upon there being no suitable local labour available. The Government have, however, decided, in the interests both of potential immigrants and of persons already living here, that this factor should in future be one of those taken into account when considering applications for vouchers. It will not mean that fewer vouchers will be available. Only that, as far as possible, they will be issued for vacancies which might otherwise remain unfilled.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what was the total cost to public funds of the reports of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on the cosmetics industry and on lighthouse keepers, respectively.

I regret that this information is not available. The cost of these investigations cannot be separated from the cost of other work on which the Board was simultaneously engaged without a disproportionate expenditure of time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now make a statement on the Hunter Committee's Report on Salmon and Trout, submitted to him in 1965.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the Answer I gave on 23rd October, 1968 to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) and my hon. Friend, the Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) to which I cannot yet add.—[Vol. 770, c. 1272–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the percentage increase or decrease in crimes of violence made known in the third quarter of 1964 as compared to that of the previous year, and the comparable figures for 1968 in Glasgow and in Scotland, respectively.

I am having an estimate prepared and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the redevelopment town plans for Lanarkshire, on which work started eight years ago, have been approved or rejected, or await decisions; and if he will make a statement to dispel the uncertainties confronting industries contemplating development.

A town map for Biggar was approved in October, 1968. Town maps for Carluke, Uddingston-Tannochside, and Bellshill were submitted to me by Lanarkshire County Council on 12th March, 19th May and 27th May of this year respectively, and these are now being considered. No town map has been rejected. I have no evidence to suggest that development is being deterred by the situation regarding town maps for particular areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received following the introduction of the Firearms (Variation of Fees) (Scotland) Order 1968.

One.

asked the Prime Minister if the public speech of the Paymaster-General on 2nd May at Deal on industrial relations represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister if he will set up a committee of inquiry into the differences between manufacturing costs and the price of goods to the consumer, in view of the evidence of this practice given by members of the National Economic Development Council at its meeting on 7th May.

I do not think that a general inquiry of this kind is needed. The National Board for Prices and Incomes has on several occasions reported on distributors' margins on a wide range of goods and further references could be made to the board if this appeared to be justified.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his discussions with President Saragat and Mr. Nenni of Italy.

As hon. Members will have seen from the joint communiqué issued at the end of the State Visit, my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary and I had useful and valuable talks with President Saragat and Signor Nenni. I would also draw to the attention of hon. Members the Declaration on Europe which was signed on behalf of this country and Italy on 28th April. Copies of the communiqué and the declaration have been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Prime Minister if he will now seek to arrange a meeting with the President and Prime Minister of France.

As I said on 6th May and again on 20th May, the question of further discussions with the French Government must await the result of the French election.—[Vol. 783, c. 262; Vol. 784, c. 232–3.]

asked the Prime Minister what consultations he has had with Commonwealth Heads of Government concerning the proposed referendum to be held by the illegal régime in Rhodesia.

We have been in continual touch with Commonwealth Governments over the Rhodesian situation, but discussions of this kind must remain confidential.

asked the Prime Minister how many public relations officers are at present employed by Government Departments; how many were employed on 1st October 1964; and whether he is satisfied that there is effective machinery to co-ordinate their activities.

There is no such grade as public relations officer in the Civil Service. On numbers of information officers, I would refer to the reply given on my behalf by my right hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Sir T. Beamish) on 17th March. On co-ordination, I have nothing at present to add to my reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Lancaster (Mr. Henig) on 27th February.—[Vol. 778, c. 346.]

asked the Prime Minister if he will institute an inquiry into the co-ordination of Government Departments, with particular reference to the work of the National Board for Prices and Incomes, the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation and the Monopolies Commission as well as that covered by the Departments responsible for science, industry and technology.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply earlier today to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton).

asked the Prime Minister when he next proposes to pay an official visit to the United States of America.

I have nothing to add to what I said in reply to the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) on 8th May.—[Vol. 783, c. 651.]

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the most recent discussions which he and the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity held with the Trades Union Congress General Council.

Since I reported to the House on 20th May, my right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State and I met the T.U.C. General Council on 21st May to discuss the proposals set out in its report "Programme for Action". As arranged then, we had a further meeting with the General Council on 9th June following the T.U.C.'s Special Congress last week. These discussions on the problems which the T.U.C. has itself recognised, and on the ways in which these problems might be most effectively tackled by both the T.U.C. and the Government, are being continued later this week.—[Vol. 783, c. 64.]

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a further official tour of the member countries of the European Economic Community.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply earlier today to a Question by the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten).

asked the Prime Minister (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech on exports at the Daily Mirror's dinner in honour of the Queen's Awards to Industry in Manchester on 31st May;(2) if he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech on the shipbuilding industry at Wallsend on 6th June;(3) if he will place in the Library a copy of his public speech on industrial relations to the Yorkshire Labour Women's Rally at Barnsley on 7th June.

I have already done so.

asked the Attorney-General what action is now being taken about the recommendations of the Committee on the Enforcement of Judgment Debts regarding the extension of attachment of earnings to civil debts.

The Government are considering these recommendations with a view to introducing legislation as soon as an opportunity arises.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost to United Kingdom public funds of the search for the missing United States Hercules transport aircraft.

The extra costs to United Kingdom public funds amounted to about £600.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce the final cost of the cancelled order for F111 aircraft.

As a result of further discussions with the United States Government, the dollar costs of cancelling the aircraft order are now estimated at about £11 million, in addition to some £2½ million attributable to the cancellation of associated contracts in this country. The further reduction in the dollar costs from the estimate of £16 million given in February is largely due to the fact that the USAF has been able to take over material produced against our contract for its own purpose. The helpful attitude of the United States authorities in this matter has been much appreciated.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now state the date on which the Dainton Committee's report on the siting of the National Library will be published.

The report is published today. I am glad to have this opportunity of paying tribute to the work of Dr. Dainton and his colleagues in preparing this report, which deserves the closest consideration by all concerned. Until we have studied it further and consulted the bodies directly concerned it would not be right to reach decisions on its main recommendations.

asked the Lord President of the Council why three members of the catering staff have recently been dismissed, following a previous dismissal and subsequent reinstatement; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.After very carefully re-examining the circumstances the Catering Sub-committee decided to dismiss three members of the catering staff for misbehaviour. The dismissal of one and the suspension of another had been temporarily rescinded whilst this re-examination took place. The union concerned was kept

£'000
							1964	1965	1966	1967	1968
Argentina		…	…	…	…	…	10	32	50	45	39
Bolivia	…	…	…	…	…	…	61	89	100	90	92
Brazil	…	…	…	…	…	…	21	37	59	33	48
Chile	…	…	…	…	…	…	47	167	87	129	98
Colombia		…	…	…	…	…	3	23	53	134	96
Ecuador		…	…	…	…	…	+	1	2	3	4
Guyana	…	…	…	…	…	…	76	150	87	172	205
Paraguay		…	…	…	…	…	—	+	4	7	2
Peru	…	…	…	…	…	…	19	128	167	84	112
Uruguay	…	…	…	…	…	…	2	1	3	5	9
Venezuela		…	…	…	…	…	6	30	7	14	16
Total		…	…	…	…	…	244	657	620	716	721
Notes:
(1) Columns may not add exactly due to rounding.
(2) + means less than £500.

2. The above figures include expenditure channelled through the Organisation of American States, which is not accounted for separately. The estimated amounts

£'000
							1964	1965	1966	1967	1968
Argentina		…	…	…	…	…	0·4	0·5	4·5	7·0	4·7
Bolivia	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	—	0·3	0·2	2·2
Brazil	…	…	…	…	…	…	0·4	2·5	3·5	3·2	2·8
Chile	…	…	…	…	…	…	1·0	0·9	1·8	18·6	5·2
Colombia		…	…	…	…	…	0·9	1·2	1·0	1·8	3·1
Ecuador		…	…	…	…	…	0·2	1·0	2·3	1·7	1·7
Guyana*		…	…	…	…	…	—	—	—	—	—
Paraguay		…	…	…	…	…	—	1·2	0·2	—	—
Peru	…	…	…	…	…	…	0·3	3·9	2·3	1·8	2·8
Uruguay	…	…	…	…	…	…	—	1·7	0·9	1·3	—
Venezuela		…	…	…	…	…	—	0·3	0·3	0·9	0·2
Total		…	…	…	…	…	3·2	13·2	17·1	36·5	22·7
* Guyana is not a member of the O.A.S.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will list the technical assistance given by Her Majesty's Government to each country in South America, showing separately the amount channelled through the Organisation of American States.

Technical assistance expenditure by Her Majesty's Government to each country in South America since 1964 is set out in the table belowfor O.A.S.—nominated trainees and O.A.S. integrated technical assistance projects are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present position on consultations about the arrangements for contracting out of the new earnings-related pension scheme.

A second consultative document, on the terms of abatement, has now been sent to the main organisations interested in the arrangements for contracting out of the new scheme. As with the first consultative document, to which I referred in my reply to a question from my hon. Friend on 28th April, a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.—[Vol. 782, c. 161–2.]