asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the trade figures for the first five months of 1969 correspond with the forecasts contained in the Financial Statement and Budget Report for 1969–70.

These forecasts were of the volume of exports of goods and services, and information is not yet available on which to make a comparison for this period.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered the memorandum submitted at his Department's request by the Joint Committee of the Assay Offices of Great Britain; and if he will make a statement.

The memorandum will be discussed at a meeting with representatives of the Joint Committee next week.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the reasons for the decline in British trade with South Africa; and what steps he is taking to improve the position.

Our exports to South Africa in 1968 were £261 million compared with £258 million in 1967. Our share of the South African market has been declining since 1958. It is not possible to identify with certainty the many factors which may account for this trend, which is also evident in other of our traditional sterling area markets. But they include increased competition from other Western countries and a growth in local manufacture by British companies. Exports to South Africa are encouraged and assisted by the official services and through the B.N.E.C. Southern Africa Export Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in the construction of an industrial estate by the East Lancashire Road close to Knowsley and the West Derby Division of Liverpool.

The Board of Trade has developed 110 acres at Knowsley as an industrial estate complete with roads and services. Two advance factories each of 26,550 sq. ft. have been built, one of which is occupied. A third advance factory of 15,000 sq. ft. is due for completion shortly. Further industrial development, totalling some 250,000 sq. ft., is currently under construction.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will list separately the paper mills which are in development areas and thus qualify for full grants and the paper mills which are not in development areas and therefore receive lesser grants.

I understand that there are some 196 paper and board mills currently in production in Great Britain, of which 43 are in development areas. The locations of individual mills are published in the trade directories.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will institute an inquiry into rates of interest and safeguards for consumers in check trading and other personal credit schemes which enable goods to be sold without a deposit.

The Crowther Committee on Consumer Credit is considering the problem of check trading and personal credit schemes, along with other aspects of consumer credit.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will obtain a report from the Advisory Committee on Poisonous Substances used in Agriculture and Food Storage on the risks involved in importing and storing the tobacco before finalising the trade agreement to purchase 40,000 tons of surplus Greek tobacco.

No. I am satisfied that the normal safeguards are adequate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will seek to call a conference to discuss further ways of promoting exports.

No. The whole question of export promotion was debated by the House last week in the context of the Report of the Estimates Committee on the Promotion of Exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new factories have been built on Merseyside, and what increased employment they have given, since 1964.

Since 1964 industrial development certificates have been issued for 22·9 million sq. ft. of new factories or extensions in the Merseyside development area. These are estimated when fully manned to provide an additional 51,500 jobs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are now being taken to reduce the level of unemployment on Merseyside.

The full range of development area incentives continue to be available on Merseyside.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the Banks Committee had its first meeting; how many meetings have been held; when he expects the Commitee to report; and if he will make a statement.

The first meeting of the Committee was held on 11th August, 1967. Since then 39 full meetings have been held, including one extending over a weekend. There has also been a large number of meetings of smaller groups, some 60 such meetings having been held in the last twelve months alone. It is expected to complete its inquiry by the end of the year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the practice of renting hearing aids is allowed under his Department's regulations governing hire purchase.

None of the hire purchase or allied regulations applies to hearing aids.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the cost effectiveness of the work of the Agricultural Export Council; and whether he will make a statement.

It is too early to form an estimate about the cost effectiveness of the work of the British Agricultural Export Council which was set up only two years ago. We have, however, been sufficiently impressed by the energy with which this Council is attempting to expand exports of agricultural goods and services to make available to the Council grants for export promotion purposes over a three-year period.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the House a progress report on the European Export Council, indicating its composition and grant.

The Export Council for Europe forms part of the British National Export Council and shares in the grant made to that body. Its membership includes representatives of industry and Government Departments. It continues to play an active part in promoting exports to Western Europe. Last year it was heavily involved in arrangements for the British Trade Drive in Denmark, and the British Week in Stockholm. This year it is similarly involved in the forthcoming British Week in Vienna.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will reconsider his refusal to pay investment grants in respect of machinery used for the conversion of wool from hank to ball.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many industrial development certificates have been granted to firms in the West Midlands since the beginning of 1965; and what was the total figure for the years 1961, 1962, 1963 and 1964.

From January, 1965, to the end of March, 1969, the number was 1,895; in the four years 1961–64 the number was 1,106.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will in future publish separate monthly figures for net private invisible earnings.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if in all future trade statistics he will arrange to show the earnings from Government transactions and the invisible earnings of the private sector separately.

I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's Answer to the hon. Member for Wycombe (Mr. John Hall) on 12th June.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to protect consumers from the receipt of unwanted goods through inertia selling on the lines recommended by the Consumer Association; and if he will make a statement.

We are examining detailed information supplied last week by Consumers Association and making further enquiries about possible remedies for this problem.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a further statement on the advance factory in Sunderland which at present is unoccupied.

Negotiations have just started with a prospective occupant but it is too early yet to say if these will be successful.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress he has made with studies concerned with the standardisation of the weights at which packaged foodstuffs and other commodities are sold.

I understand that the studies to which my hon. Friend refers are those concerned with biscuits, detergents and soap powders. I am still awaiting the results of discussions, particularly on detergents and soap powders.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what recent estimate he has made of the number of off-licensed outlets for the sales of wines, spirits and beer; and, in view of differences between the figures for the number of off-licences owned by brewers as noted in the Report by the National Board for Prices and Incomes on Costs, Prices and Profits in the Brewing Industry, Command Paper No. 2965 and the report by the Monopolies Commission of 24th April, 1969, what is the present number owned by breweries.

The figures given by the Monopolies Commission are for "off-licensed" premises, and do not include fully licensed premises which sell for both "on" and "off" consumption.The total number of these off-licences in force in 1968 in the United Kingdom is 30,628. The Commission estimated that in 1967 some 5,000 of these were in the hands of wholesalers who do not maintain retail premises, so that the total number of off-licensed premises selling wines, beer and spirits to the public may currently be about 25,000.The figures given by the Monopolies Commission for the total number of off-licensed premises owned by brewers (9,084 in 1967) were based upon a special survey, and I am satisfied that they are accurate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total number and value of units of aerosol bronchodilators exported during the last year.

Aerosol bronchodilators are not separately distinguished in trade statistics.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has now received on a reduction of the 20 per cent. tariff on boneless meat; by what organisations have these been made; what discussions he has held; and what replies he has sent.

I have received a wide range of views from overseas Governments and from many Trade Associations, firms and other bodies at home and overseas. Discussions are still continuing with those who have requested them. As I told my hon. Friend on 14th May, an announcement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how the value of retail sales in the Yorkshire and Humberside Region in the last quarter of 1968 and the first quarter of 1969 corresponded with the value for the same periods in 1967 and 1968, respectively.

The information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Inter-Departmental Working Party, now examining existing arrangements for the industrial training of overseas nationals in the United Kingdom, is giving attention to this question in relation to applicant and member states of the European Economic Community; and when the report of the Working Party will be published.

The Working Party has examined the question of training in the United Kingdom of the nationals of European countries generally. The Working Party hopes to complete its report before the autumn. I would hope to publish either the full text or a summary but I would prefer to delay a final decision until I have had an opportunity of considering the report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the number of compulsory and voluntary liquidations of private and public companies, respectively, that have taken place to date this year; and how this figure compares with the corresponding period last year.

The provisional numbers of compulsory and voluntary liquidations in England and Wales in the first five months of 1968 and 1969 were:

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about his visit to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today to the hon. Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison).

asked the President of the Board of Trade for what total floor area were industrial development certificates approved for the South-East in 1968; what was the comparable figure for 1966; how these compare with approvals for developments in the North-East; and whether he will make a statement.

In recent years there has been a marked increase in i.d.c. approvals in the North-East

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a further statement about the proposed sale to Greece of a nuclear reactor in association with a purchase of Greek tobacco.

Negotiations for the sale of this reactor are continuing.The British manufacturers have tested thoroughly the samples of Greek tobacco supplied to them, and can find no significant differences compared with the Greek tobacco which they had evaluated in the past. In their judgment this tobacco is still not suitable for blending purposes because of a continuingly distinctive aroma and flavour unacceptable to the British smoker.However, the manufacturers have pointed out that they are always ready to test any tobacco to assess its suitability for the United Kingdom market and they will continue to keep in touch with Greek producers.The parties to the proposed agreements are discussing with the interested parties in Greece possible methods of producing strains of tobacco which might be acceptable in the United Kingdom. I would hope that the tobacco manufacturers will be willing to participate in a study with the Greek producers to see if they can

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reply he has sent to the Icelandic authorities' representations that Icelandic trawlers have to wait up to 48 hours in Grimsby before they can apply for labour, and that they must wait until all British ships have been landed; and if he will make a statement.

The Board of Trade has received no such representations from the Icelandic authorities. These matters are in any case primarily the responsibility of the fishing industry in Grimsby.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the Holland-Martin Report on Safety at Sea in the fishing industry.

I have already stated in the House that I hope to make a preliminary statement when the Report is published.—[Vol. 784, c. 125.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the report of Lord Rochdale's inquiry on the shipping industry.

I understand that the Committee expects to be able to report to me before the end of this year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals Her Majesty's Government have for the enforcement of new rules governing pollution of the marine environment and the conservation of the living resources of the sea, now being discussed at the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation; and whether he will make a statement.

Amendments of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil, based on United Kingdom proposals, have been prepared by I.M.C.O. When there is adequate international agreement we shall introduce legislation to enable them to be enforced. I.M.C.O. is also considering the control of marine pollution by other substances and is collecting information internationally with a view to further discussion in September.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government to prevent the spoliation of the coasts of the United Kingdom by oil discharged from shipping.

As my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department said during the course of Monday's debate, we are co-operating with other Governments in the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation in considering further measures to reduce the risk of accidents at sea that threaten pollution. As regards deliberate pollution, the International Convention on oil pollution is being amended, largely on British initiative, to prohibit the discharge of oil in polluting quantities anywhere at sea. In co-operation with other European countries our detection and reporting arrangements are being extended to give better early warning. And the Board of Trade will in future be prepared to arrange and pay for the clearance of oil threatening the coast while it is still out at sea.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what recent discussions he has held with the shipping industry on the problem of oil pollution.

We are in constant touch with the shipping industry on the problem of oil pollution, especially in connection with the negotiation of international agreements on measures to prevent pollution of the sea.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now able to make a statement on the inquiry into the loss of the vessel "Irene".

The Board of Trade co-operated with the Liberian authorities and was represented at their inquiry held in Greece in April. We are awaiting a copy of the report before coming to any final conclusions. I shall make a statement as soon as I can.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now take steps to encourage an increase in the imports carried in British airlines, as opposed to foreign, in view of the fact that the percentage, in terms of weight decreased from 45 per cent. to 41 per cent. last year.

We hope that British airlines will achieve an increasing share of Britain's trade, but this is a matter for the commercial management of the airlines, bearing in mind that the revenue to be earned from cargo, and its profitability, depend on the size of consignments as well as on their weight.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further steps he is taking to reduce nuisance from aircraft noise from aircraft landing at Heathrow this summer.

We shall continue to do all that we reasonably can to minimise disturbance, but it would be misleading to imply that we have much room for manoeuvre in the short-run.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to reduce the number of aircraft arriving at Heathrow by night as larger aircraft come into use.

The progressive introduction of larger, although probably quieter, aircraft is likely to be matched by the growth of passenger demand, but we shall keep all relevant factors in mind in determining the night quota for the summer of 1970.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the representations from the Local Authorities Aircraft Noise Council; and whether he will make a statement.

We are in touch with the Council and hope to discuss their representations with them soon.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the United States Federal Aviation Agencies' adoption of the aim of limiting aircraft noise to a maximum of 80 perceived noise decibels as soon as this is technically practicable, he will adopt the same aim.

The F.A.A. has not yet adopted such an aim. Our own objective is to reduce aircraft noise by all means that are reasonably practicable and to continue to give a lead internationally on this.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what standard of facilities is provided at airports by his Department in British overseas territories; and how such facilities compare with those available at Turnhouse Airport, Edinburgh.

The nature of the facilities—primarily the responsibility of the territory concerned—varies greatly because of wide differences in types of aircraft handled, volume of traffic and operating conditions. The common aim, and this applies to Turnhouse also, is to ensure the highest standards of safety and to deal with traffic as effectively as possibly, bearing in mind cost factors.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what representations have been made to him by the Teesside Airport Joint Committee on the subsidisation of local essential services as recommended by the Edwards Committee; and what reply he has sent;(2) whether, in view of the proposal to withdraw scheduled services from Teesside Airport, he will now make an announcement of the action that the Government propose to take to implement the recommendations contained in Chapter 14 of the Edwards Report.

I share my hon. Friend's concern although the airline concerned has said that it does not intend to act precipitately. The recommendations of the Edwards Report on regional air services are being considered and the Government's views on this will be set out in our White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied that the standard of small arms ammunition being issued to the British Army is sufficiently high; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what complaints he has received concerning the quality of 7·62 millimetre ammunition supplied to British forces;(2) if he is satisfied that the Royal Ordnance factory at Radway Green is adequately equipped to produce ammunition of a consistently high standard; and if he will make a statement.

I am satisfied that the standard of small arms ammunition being issued to the British Army is sufficiently high and that the Royal Ordnance factory at Radway Green is adequately equipped to produce it.The current United Kingdom specification for the 7·62 mm. round requires that "when fired from a Service 7·62 mm. weapon or barrel mounted in a fixed rest at a range of 500 yards the mean figure of merit of not less that 4 targets of 20 rounds each must not exceed 8 inches". This United Kingdom specification is slightly more demanding that its N.A.T.O. equivalent. Firings at the N.A.T.O. European Regional Test Centre have indicated that the performance of the United Kingdom manufactured round is well within both United Kingdom and N.A.T.O. specifications.I have received no formal complaints on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how poisonous gases and substances used in biological or chemical warfare are transported in the United Kingdom; what special precautions are taken to prevent accidents; and what emergency services are made specially available at the time of such movements.

There are no poisonous gases and substances in the United Kingdom for use in biological and chemical warfare. Only laboratory quantities are held for research into the means of defence and on the rare occasions any such substances are transported they travel by Service aircraft or vehicle in special containers with trained staff who operate under strict safety instructions.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he will announce the new Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve regulation relating to the qualifications for the award of the Territorial Decoration.

The formal regulations are in preparation but some minor points remain to be settled. The regulations should be promulgated shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve officers on consolidated rates of pay will be eligible for the Territorial Decoration under the new regulations.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the financial saving to Her Majesty's Government of re-negotiating the Nassau Agreement so that Great Britain no longer has any connection with the nuclear deterrent.

Abandoning the Polaris programme would save Her Majesty's Government about £23 million a year. As regards the Nassau Agreement, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten), on 30th January.—[Vol. 776, c. 1520–21.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that 300 complaints per week of unwarranted price increases are being referred to the National Board for Prices and Incomes by members of the public, and that many of these relate to food price increases which the National Board for Prices and Incomes have to refer to his Department; what steps he has taken or intends to take to advise the public that complaints should be made to him; and what action has been taken on those so far referred.

I understand that so far this year complaints to the National Board for Prices and Incomes about price increases have averaged 116 a week. Of these, an average of 18 a week relate to prices of food and drink. On several occasions in the past the public have been reminded that, failing satisfaction from the supplier, complaints about prices of food and drink should be referred to my Ministry; and we shall continue to use any suitable opportunity to make this clear. Unless the reason for the increase is already known to us (e.g. as a result of our early warning arrangements with the leading food manufacturers) any complaints received are taken up with the supplier or manufacturer concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to assist farmers in Lincolnshire in the light of the heavy rainfall in recent weeks which has prevented them from carrying out their drilling programmes; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply during the debate on agriculture on 16th June.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many workers in agriculture have permits allowing them to be paid below the minimum wage.

At 31st December, 1968, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the number was 1,552.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps is he taking to abate the present increase in the price of meat; what are the causes of this increase; and if he will make a statement.

The present increases in meat prices have been mainly due to a reduction in the marketings of home-fed supplies of beef and lamb. This hold-up has been caused by the late spring, and should be progressively overcome throughout the summer. United King-

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the percentage poll cast by electors in municipalities in Scotland at the annual May burgh elections this year; and how this compares with the last five years.

The percentage of the electorate voting in the burgh elections in 1969 was 39·8, compared with 43·7, 40·2, 39·6, 43·8 and 47·0 in the years 1964 to 1968, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many crimes were made known to the police in Scotland in 1968; how many of these were cleared up; and how the figures compare with those of 1967.

The provisional number of crimes made known to the police in Scotland in 1968 was 152,242 compared with 153,213 in 1967. This is the first decrease in the number of crimes since 1955. Persons were apprehended, cited, warned or traced in 57,096 cases (37·5 per cent.) in 1968, compared with 56,142 (36·6 per cent.) in 1967. More detailed provisional figures are given in the following table:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average fine for the offence of shoplifting during the last convenient year and for previous years for which the figures are available; if he is satisfied that the penalties for shoplifting in Scotland are a sufficient deterrent to offenders; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that the statistical information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. I have no reason to suppose that the penalties available to the courts in Scotland for shoplifting are inadequate.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether bearing in mind the need for increased import substitution, he will increase the data available to potential British suppliers regarding the technical details of current imports.

Descriptions of imported goods, including where appropriate catalogue numbers, can already be made available to potential British manufacturers under the powers of Section 3 of the Finance Act, 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which industries have requested advice or asked to co-operate in the development of oceanographic research; what is his policy regarding the stimulation of such co-operation; and whether he will make a statement.

Examples of industries which have sought advice of the Natural Environment Research Council and have co-operated in matters related to oceanographic research are sand and gravel, hydrocarbon, transport (shipping), shipbuilding, chemical, aircraft, engineering (including electronics and instrumentation). The Council fosters co-operation with industry wherever that is to mutual advantage, e.g. in the study of the geological structure of the United Kingdom Continental Shelf and the development of marine research equipment and instruments.More detailed information is available in the Council's latest annual report and in the Report on Marine Science and Technology (Cmnd. 3992).

asked the Attorney-General when he expects to receive the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions in the matter of the conduct of the affairs of the Wandsworth Borough Council; and if he will make a statement.

This is a complicated matter which requires, and is receiving, very careful consideration by the Director of Public Prosecutions. I am not yet able to say when a decision will be reached as to the taking of criminal proceedings.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what facilities her Department provides to assist the exchange of both full-time and voluntary trade union officers with their counterparts in member countries of the European Economic Community; and if, in view of the United Kingdom's application to join the European Economic Community, she will increase her assistance in this field.

My Department co-operates in the arrangements which are made from time to time for study visits of trade union officers from other countries including member countries of the European Economic Community, under the sponsorship of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the T.U.C., the O.E.C.D., or on an ad hoc basis. Visits are also made from time to time by trade union officers from the United Kingdom to countries in membership of the European Economic Community. I consider that the facilities offered by my Department in this field meet the present need.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the whereabouts and treatment of Miss Sally Goatcher, a nurse who was working for the Save the Children Fund, and is missing in Biafra; and whether he will seek the good offices of other Governments, and of international bodies, to obtain the release of this British subject.

I would refer the hon. Member to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told the House on 12th June. I am glad to say that Miss Goatcher returned to this country safe and well on 17th June.—[Vol. 784, c. 1664, 1665 and 1667.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will institute an inquiry into allegations of inadequate hygiene at Wandsworth Prison, and particularly those allegations affecting prisoners and staff on D.1 landing, details of which have been sent to him.

I am having enquiries made and shall write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young persons were remanded in custody to prison, due to the shortage of remand centres, in 1968.

Provisional figures show that in 1968 there were 215 receptions into prisons in England and Wales of young persons aged 14 and under 17 on remand. The number of young persons involved would be lower than this because a remand in custody both before and after a finding of guilt would be counted twice. A small number, which cannot be distinguished, would have been in prison because of the nature of their offences, not because of a shortage of remand centre accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the official accident figures for January and February, he is now ready to make an interim statement about the future of British Standard Time.

My right hon. Friend hopes to make a statement shortly.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many exchange programmes are sponsored by his Department between employees of local authorities with their counterparts in member countries of the European Economic Community; and by what financial and other means his Department encourages employing authorities to promote such exchanges.

This Department does not sponsor exchange programmes for local authority employees although I understand some councils arrange for visits by their employees and the exchange of technical information. There are arrangements for exchanges of teachers which were referred to by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Education and Science, on 16th June in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (Mr. Anderson).—[Vol. 785, c. 35.]

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will set up a committee independent of Parliament to make a full study of the services and facilities needed by Members of Parliament to enable them to discharge their duties satisfactorily.

I thank the hon. Member for this suggestion, which I have carefully noted. The Government is well aware of the widespread concern amongst Members that their facilities in this House should be improved.

asked the Minister of Technology what steps his Department have been taking to assist the development of the use of hovercraft in connection with the transportation requirements resulting from the Alaskan Arctic Oil development.

As a result of Government trials of hovercraft in the Canadian Arctic in 1966 and 1968 the hovercraft industry has been able, with the assistance of the Department, to develop equipment necessary to meet the requirements of British Petroleum for work in Alaska. British Petroleum was guided by the Department in the feasibility study of a further application for hovercraft which is now reaching a conclusion. This involves the carriage of large loads e.g., parts of oil drilling rigs, over the Alaskan terrain, especially during summer when the ground is unable to take large point loadings.The Department is supporting financially and assisting technically, further developments for this area. Oil companies are being invited to witness trials of a communication hovercraft which will take place in Canada during July over terrain very similar to that of the Alaskan oil area.In addition, commercial operating companies are being encouraged to offer their specialist services to the oil companies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is his estimate of the effect on the yield of purchase tax on sales of amusement machines which will be caused by adoption of the proposals for gaming duty in the Finance Bill;(2) what is his estimate of the effect on the number of amusement arcades of the gaming duty proposals in the Finance Bill;(3) what is his estimate of the effect on employment of the implementation of the proposed gaming duty in the Finance Bill.

The effect of the gaming machine licence duty, to which my right hon. Friend assumes the hon. Member means to refer, is only one of a number of factors bearing on these points, and it is impracticable to make any useful estimates in the detail suggested.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total to date of tithe redemption annuities paid under the Tithe Act 1936; and what is the total of compulsory and voluntary repayments for the same period.

The total of annuities paid up to 31st March, 1969, which is the latest date for which figures are available, was £77·8 million; whilst a total of £19 million had then been paid for the redemption of annuities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give details of the distribution of the size of individuals' holdings of National Savings Certificates since 1965.

No more recent information can be given than that given to the hon. Member for Farnham on 24th July, 1968; the figures, based on a survey done in August 1965, when the total number of live holdings of National Savings Certificates was 7·8 million, are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the total amount remaining invested in National Savings, showing separately the principal and the accrued interest, all at April 1969 prices, for the years 1965 to 1968 and the first quarter of 1969, respectively.

The figures below are based upon estimates of the total amount outstanding of a National Savings as defined in Table 23 of Financial Statistics. The separate accrued interest figures refer to National Savings Certificates only.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that some local authorities have substantial outstanding loan charges mainly caused by debts incurred as a result of the war and in clearing private landlords' slum houses to build new homes for the people; and, as the high interest rates are adversely affecting these authorities in their efforts, if he will seek powers to relieve them of this burden or to assist them in overcoming their financial problems.

The local authorities already receive a substantial measure of relief from the effect of high interest rates through the Rate Support Grant and the housing subsidy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of sovereigns minted in 1968 and in the first five months of 1969, respectively, and the value of the gold content of a sovereign at the current free market price for gold.

4,703,000 sovereigns were minted in 1968 and none in the first five months of 1969. On the basis of the sterling equivalent of the London Market price at the morning fixing on 17th June the value of the gold content of a sovereign was £4 1s. 9d.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the numbers of the staff of the Inland Revenue Department and the Customs and Excise Department, respectively, as at 1st June, 1969; and if he will separate both figures so as to show the number of staff paid below £1,000 per annum, between £1,000 and £2,000, between £2,000 and £3,000 and above £3,000, respectively.

The number of staff in the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise at 1st June, 1969, excluding casual staff, was 65,438 and 17,691 respectively. Since most of the staff are on incremental scales of pay, the answer to the remainder of the Question could only be made available at a disproportionate expenditure of time and money.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the current average monthly surplus on invisibles, gross and net, of Government expenditure.

Taking the average monthly rate of the last complete six months for which figures are available, £73 million and £35 million respectively.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many representations he has received this year on the disparity of building costs between Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom.

None.

asked the Minister of Transport what encouragement he is giving to exchange programmes between younger road and traffic engineers and their counterparts in member countries of the European Economic Community.

My Department maintains contact with these countries through the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and also through the Permanent International Association of Road Congresses. Full advantage is taken of opportunities which occur for study visits and other exchanges to widen the experience of our engineers and scientists.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he is taking to improve the accident record on the A45 road between the Coventry and Birmingham city boundaries.

I would refer the hon. Member to my Answers on 24th March and 13th May this year about possible flyovers and more street lighting. A 60 m.p.h. limit is in operation. And, as I have informed the hon. Member by letter, other possible measures are now being considered following a report by the Road Safety Unit at Kenilworth on the 1967–68 accidents.—[Vol. 780, c. 215; Vol. 783, c. 212.]

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects the M62 between Worsley in Lancashire and Loft-house in Yorkshire to be completed; and when the motorway will be extended to Gilberdyke near Hull.

In 1972. The extension from Lofthouse to Gilberdyke is in early stages of preparation and a firm starting date cannot yet be given.

asked the Minister of Transport which have been the six longest suspensions of regular passenger rail services due to damage to the track in the past two years in Great Britain.

The following is the information supplied by the Railways Board: