asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on his assessment so far of the Concorde testing programme.

The results of flight testing so far are most encouraging. Both prototypes have behaved well in flight, and on take-off and landing. The engines and systems have performed well, and for such an early stage in testing, reliability has been excellent.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the decision of the Atomic Energy Authority to refuse a request to support a nuclear feasibility study for developments in the Rotterdam port area of the Netherlands.

This is a matter for the day-to-day business of the Atomic Energy Authority in which my right hon. Friend is precluded by Statute from intervening.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will take steps to ensure that British-owned manufacturers of electronic semiconductors and integrated circuits are able to compete with United States manufacturers able to sell at marginal costs in the United Kingdom.

At my request the National Research Development Corporation is investing just under £5 million in the development and manufacture of microelectronic devices by the three main British-owned firms in this field.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will institute a study of the cost structure and pricing policies of United States advanced technology firms operating in Great Britain to ascertain the extent to which they are making a contribution to the economy and the balance of payments.

As the House is already aware, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has instituted a thoroughgoing study of the effect of inward investment. The study which is expected to be completed later this year includes the effects on technology and on the balance of payments, and it would be premature to start further research before it is complete.

asked the Minister of Technology to what extent electric motor manfacturing capacity in the United Kingdom has been reduced as a result of recent mergers; and whether he will take steps to ensure that capacity can meet demand.

The capacity has not been reduced as a result of mergers. Total capacity has been increased and further increases are planned, which should meet demand. I hope to issue a statement shortly on deliveries expected during 1969 by comparison with previous years.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on his discussions with the chairman and joint managing director of Brook Motors on Friday, 20th June on the delivery situation in the electric motor industry.

No. I have also discussed this question with G.E.C.-E.E. Limited and am having a statement on the trend of aggregated deliveries prepared for publication very soon.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the total of export orders for machine tools received so far in 1969; and what is the change since the corresponding period in 1968.

The total value of export orders for machine tools received in the first four months of 1969 was £28·4 million. This represents an increase of 56 per cent. over the same period of 1968 at current prices or 52 per cent. at constant prices.

asked the Minister of Technology what steps he is taking to ensure that the machine tool industry has the capacity to meet the present increased rate of ordering and the prospective future increase.

It is primarily the responsibility of the machine tool industry to ensure adequate growth in its manufacturing capacity. A recent survey by the M.T.T.A. for the M.T.-E.D.C. indicates a prospective 20–30 per cent. increase of planned deliveries in 1970 over invoiced deliveries in 1968.The Ministry can consider assistance under the Industrial Expansion Act for the increase of machine tool manufacturing capacity.

asked the Minister Df Technology how much money was spent by his Department per head of the population in Scotland, Wales, the Northern Region, and the rest of the country, respectively, in the latest period for which figures are available.

In 1967–68 it is estimated that expenditure by the Ministry of Technology, including procurement, per head of the population in Scotland was £9·1, in Wales, £2·5, in the Northern Region, £5·7, and in the rest of the country, £13·7. For the Department's expenditure on support for industry and research and development which was given in the written reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) on 16th May, the figures are, in Scotland £3·5, in Wales £0·9, in the Northern Region £1·4 and in the rest of the country £6·9.—[Vol. 783, c. 293–6.]

asked the Minister of Technology (1) what information he has given to the Central Electricity Generating Board and the Atomic Construction Consortia about the economics and feasibility of constructing and operating steam-generating heavy-water reactors in this country, with a view to establishing an export trade;(2) what information he has given to the Central Electricity Generating Board and the Atomic Construction Consortia about the economics and feasibility of constructing and operating high-temperature reactors in this country, with a view to establishing an export trade.

The Atomic Energy Authority is in close and continuing touch with the generating boards and the nuclear power design and construction companies on the technical and economic potential of both the S.G.H.W.R. and the Mark III gas-cooled reactor, and all A.E.A. information and experience has been made known.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the National Research Development Council investment in the development and manufacture of silicon-integrated circuits.

On 13th March the National Research Development Corporation and the Department announced that the Corporation would invest a total of just under £5 million in the development and manufacture of micro-electronic devices by Ferranti Limited, Marconi-Elliott Microelectronics Limited, and The Plessey Company Limited, under recently concluded agreements. The agreements were made by N.R.D.C. at my right hon. Friend's request, under Section 11 of the Development of Inventions Act, 1967. The Corporation expects to recover its investment with interest by 1980 through a levy on the companies' sales of silicon integrated circuits.Copies of the full text of the announcement have been sent to my hon. Friend and placed in the Library of the House.The programme is proceeding satisfactorily, and there is continuing consultation between N.R.D.C., the three companies, and the Department.

asked the Minister of Technology what steps he has taken through the Committee on Marine Technology, to bring together industrialists. technologists, scientists, and administrators to pursue opportunities that are opened up for commercial enterprise.

Meetings of the Committee on Marine Technology include representatives of Government Departments, Research Associations and other organisations as appropriate to the subject under consideration. Very many discussions have also been and are being held with individual firms on a wide variety of technical subjects.

asked the Minister of Technlogy what increase there has been in the budget of the National Research Development Council for marine science projects.

Since the National Research Development Corporation took an increased interest in the field a year or two ago the Corporation has decided to support several industrial development projects and their current commitment exceeds £300,000. N.R.D.C. does not however have separate budgets for specific technological fields.The Corporation co-operates closely with an inter-departmental Committee on Marine Technology.

asked the Minister of Technology what steps he has taken following the Science and Technology and Industrial Expansion Acts to support marine science projects.

Marine science is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the total area of land owned by his Department at Little Staughton Airfield in Bedfordshire.

Approximately 425 acres.

asked the Minister of Technology when he now expects to introduce legislation to give effect to proposals for reorganisation of the nuclear industry announced on 17th July, 1968.

Work on this legislation is proceeding, and I hope to introduce it as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Technology what study he has made of the effect of the development of carbon fibres on the design of the multi-rôle combat aircraft.

The use of carbon fibres and other advanced materials in the manufacture of future aircraft is being carefully studied. They will be fully exploited in the multi-rôle combat aircraft wherever it is found advantageous to do so.

asked the Minister of Technology what unit-cost estimate he has made of the proposed multi-rôle combat aircraft on the basis of the production of 1,000 aircraft.

As I told the hon. Member yesterday, it is not customary to give estimates of this nature. One of the objects of the project definition phase is to obtain more precise estimates.—[Vol. 786, c. 229.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he plans to take to assist the growth of the pre-school play group movement in Scotland; and whether he will consider increasing the annual grant which the Scottish Association received from central funds.

It is for local authorities to consider whether to lend support to individual pre-school playgroups. It will be open to them to submit proposals for the assistance of playgroups under the current phase of the Urban Programme. The annual grant which I make to the Scottish Pre-School Playgroup Association is for the administrative expenses of their headquarters, and there is no proposal to increase this at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to make a statement on proposed increases in toll charges on the Forth Road Bridge.

No, but I hope to announce my decision soon.

asked the Secretary of Stae for Scotland how many divorces were recorded in Scotland in 1968; and what were the comparable figures in each of the previous five years.

In 1968 a total of 4,766 decrees of divorce were granted in the Court of Session. The corresponding figures for the previous five years are 2,963 in 1967; 3,546 in 1966; 2,656 in 1965; 2,416 in 1964 and 2,212 in 1963.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the amalgamation of the three northern police forces promoted by Her Majesty's Government has so far involved extra expenditure amounting to over £14,000 or, in the case of Shetland, 4d. to 6d. on the rates; if he will assist Zetland County Council to meet the extra expenditure; and if he will make a statement.

I am not aware that the total level of expenditure for the three northern police forces, which is affected by police pay increases and other factors, has increased by virtue of their amalgamation. The incidence of expenditure as between the three authorities is governed by the formula in the Amalgamation Order accepted by the constituent authorities themselves. The rate poundage fixed by any authority will depend on its control of expenditure as a whole. Account was taken of estimated police expenditure in the recent rate support grant settlement; and I have invited the local authority associations to inform me about increases which in their opinion have occurred in the interval.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Scottish fishing interests concerning the adequacy of protection measures; and whether he will make a statement.

Following incidents involving Scottish and foreign fishing vessels off the Northumbrian coast, I received a letter from the Firth of Forth Fishermen's Association asking for immediate protection whenever foreign fishing vessels appear off our coast. Primary responsibility for policing United Kingdom fishery limits and protecting our fishing boats against the activities of foreign vessels rests with the Royal Navy and I am in touch with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Defence, about the matter. It is not, of course, possible to arrange for protection vessels always to be on the scene wherever and whenever foreign vessels appear.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will ensure that a fishery protection vessel is always immediately available to protect fishing boats based in Scottish ports, particularly those in the area east and south of Edinburgh, when foreign vessels appear off the coast.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the Answer I gave today to a Question from the hon. Member for Edinburgh, North (Earl of Dalkeith).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether all payments in connection with the acquisition of land or buildings in connection with the building of the Tay Road Bridge have now been agreed; and what is the total figure involved;(2) whether all claims for compensation and damage in connection with the building of the Tay Road Bridge have now been paid; and what is the total figure involved.

I am informed that all but a few small claims have been settled, but the details are for the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board which has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he has given to the siting, designing and construction of the new sheriff court buildings at Airdrie; and if he will make a statement on the accommodation being provided.

The new court house at Airdrie is to be built on a site in Graham Street. The design and construction of the buildings are matters for Lanarkshire County Council, but the final plans and specifications are subject to my approval. The accommodation to be provided will include three courtrooms and the usual ancillary accommodation, offices for the sheriff clerk and procurator fiscal, and facilities for solicitors, police, probation officers and members of the public.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what cost estimate he has made for a bridge to connect Bute and the mainland.

At the end of 1966 a technical panel appointed by the county councils of Argyll and Bute estimated the cost at £1·275 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what cost estimate he has made for a grant to improve the rate of restoration of old property on the islands of Bute, Cumbrae, and Arran.

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to improvement grants under the Housing (Scotland) Acts. For private property these are generally at the discretion of the local authority, subject to the statutorily-prescribed limits which may be exceeded only with the concurrence of the Secretary of State. In view of this discretion I have made no estimate of cost for these islands.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps to provide local authorities with powers to licence football stadia; and if he will make a statement.

I am at present considering this matter but, before reaching a decision, I would wish to take into account the report of the Working Party on Crowd Behaviour at Football Matches which is expected to be published shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for reducing the cost and complexity of patenting inventions; and if he will make a statement.

The British patent system is being examined by a Committee under the Chairmanship of Mr. Maurice Banks, which is expected to report by the end of this year. The investigation includes procedures and costs.Proposals for the rationalisation and simplification of the procedures for obtaining patents in more than one country, in which this country has played a leading part, have now reached an advanced stage. It is inevitable that these, even it generally acceptable, will take time to become effective.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has now completed his consultations on the reduction of the 20 per cent, tariff on boneless beef; what new tariff he intends to impose; and if he will make a statement.

Consultations will be completed very shortly, and we hope to make an announcement later this month.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what references he has given to his official committee on containerisation, following the communications he has received from the National Union of Seamen; and if he will make a statement on the findings of the committee and on his future relevant plans.

The report of the National Union of Seamen on containerisation has been considered by officials of the Government Departments concerned. In addition I have invited the General Secretary of the union to come and discuss it with me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the decision of the Roskill Commission to alter the alignment and positioning of the runways for the proposed airport site at Thurleigh.

The Commission issued a statement on this subject on 27th June. A copy has been placed in the Library and I do not think there is anything I can add to it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why increasing quotas of imported fresh soft fruit are being given each year to Hungary; and why the sub-quota of 500 tons for blackcurrants that applied in 1968 has been relaxed in 1969 so that it is possible for the whole quota figure of 1,575 tons to be taken up with blackcurrants in a year when home prices are unprecedentedly low in real terms.

This relaxation of a discriminatory import restriction was made in the interests of Anglo-Hungarian trade. We are satisfied that it does not seriously threaten the British horticultural industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what grounds he opposed the scheme to save £150 million per annum imports by the substitution of home production proposed at the National Economic Development Council and supported by both the Confederation of British Industry and trades union representatives; and what further measures Her Majesty's Government propose to take to ensure that there is a £300 million per annum balance of payments surplus by the end of the current financial year.

The promotion of import substitution is a major and continuing element in Government economic policy and the scope for further substitution is one of the main subjects of the consultations at present taking place on the basis of the Economic Assessment to 1972 with individual Economic Development Committees. The results of this work will become available in the autumn, and will provide a basis for considering where further efforts should be directed, and whether new administrative machinery is needed. In these circumstances, the Government considered that it would be premature to set up at this stage new machinery as proposed at the last meeting of the Council.As regards the last part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to what my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer said in the House on 23rd June.—[Vol. 785, c. 1001–10.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are being made for the retention, in case of future need, of the nuclear weapons which hitherto have been carried by V-bombers of the Royal Air Force.

In the tactical role which the V-bombers are now assuming, they will still need a nuclear capability.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many troops and how much equipment he expects to be able to move annually to east of Suez after 1971 for the annual expenditure of less than £1 million which he has set for the limit for this exercise.

I have already outlined our intentions with regard to army training in the Malaysia-Singapore area after 1971. For the Royal Navy, we expect normally to exercise some four ships for up to about four months each year. The Royal Air Force expects to train a number of squadrons of combat aircraft in the area for about a month at a time for perhaps half the year, and transport aircraft will of course be going regularly to and from the area. The precise numbers of men and quantities of equipment that we shall need to move to the Far East for these purposes will depend on the particular training involved in each case and on other circumstances at the time.—[Vol. 786, c. 440.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the current programme being carried out at the Royal Navy and Admiralty Research Stations in marine technology.

The Royal Navy and its research and development establishments have a continuous programme of investigations relating directly or indirectly to marine technology. It includes work on sonar, underwater acoustics, diving techniques, ship construction and ship propulsion. These investigations are aimed at meeting defence requirements and details cannot be provided because of security considerations. In addition the Ministry of Defence has a responsibility for meeting civil requirements in hydrography and oceanographic surveys, forecasts of sea states and work on marine navigation.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what communication he has received from the Government of Canada with regard to their withdrawal from the proposed multi-rôle combat aircraft.

The Canadian Government communicated their decision to withdraw from the M.R.C.A. project to the other participating Governments on 23rd October, 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to receive a final decision from the Dutch Government on participation in a multi-rôle combat aircraft.

I have nothing to add to what my hon. Friend the Minister of Defence for Equipment said in the debate on the multi-rôle combat aircraft on 3rd July.—[Vol. 786, c. 818.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Government expect to announce their arrangements for the minimum import price control of shell eggs and egg products.

My right hon. Friend has now completed the preliminary consultations with the domestic interests and aims to carry through discussions with the overseas suppliers as soon as possible. I cannot say now when we shall be in a position to make a further statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that his proposals in respect of the United Kingdom egg products market are made known to the industry at an early date, in view of the need to avoid a further contraction in the egg market.

Consultations with the British Egg Marketing Board on the future of its processing arrangements are proceeding and a statement will be made when these have been completed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he has completed his discussions with the industry on his Department's memorandum, "A New Authority for Eggs"; and when he proposes to make a further statement on this matter;(2) following the publication of the statement, "A New Authority for Eggs", what modifications or changes to his proposals he has now accepted as a result of his consultations with the industry.

My right hon. Friend has now completed a round of discussions with interested organisations on the details of the proposals which were outlined in the statement which he made in reply to questions on 22nd January. We have nothing to add to this statement at this stage.—[Vol. 776, c. 453–7.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the price of food rose by more than 11 per cent. in the 18 months ended May, 1969, in the light of the most recent figures of the Retail Price Index.

About a third of this increase was caused by seasonal price variations; the remainder is accounted for mainly by higher prices of imported food, increases in taxation and higher labour costs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reply he has given to the applications for increases in the prices of many hundreds of canned food and drink products resulting from the rise in metal can prices which becomes effective on 14th July.

We have received one such application. It is being considered in accordance with the criteria for price increases contained in Cmnd. 3590.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now make a statement on the retail price of milk, following the withdrawal of the halfpenny from circulation.

I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Edward Rowlands).—[Vol. 786, c. 232–3.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he has given to the policy of factory rationalisation announced by the British Sugar Corporation; what additional factory closure there will be besides that at Cupar, and how soon; and whether the rationalisation plans involve any change in the total acreage of sugar beet.

The British Sugar Corporation has kept the Government informed about its plans for rationalising its factory structure. I am satisfied, as is my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, that rationalisation is desirable in the national interest. I cannot at present say what further closure there will be in addition to that at Cupar. I understand that the British Sugar Corporation has still to complete certain economic studies, but that it will make a further announcement as soon as possible. As the Corporation has already said, at least three seasons' notice will be given to growers who may be adversely affected. The rationalisation plans do not involve any change in the total acreage of sugar beet, which is, of course, a matter for determination at the Annual Review.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of recent railway derailments and the policy further to increase speeds of passenger trains, what research co-operation he has initiated between Government agencies responsible to him, including the Development of Scientific and Industrial Research and British Railways and its associates.

The British Railways Board is engaged in a programme of research into, among other relevant matters, train stability, both passenger and goods, particularly at high speeds. The Ministry of Transport is contributing half the cost of this work. There are standing arrangements for co-operation between the Board and Government research establishments.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give details of the time limits under his regulations within which arrears of contributions, due to a person being out of work for any length of time, must be paid before the weekly amount of pension will be of a lesser rate; and if he will make a statement.

Contributions may be credited in respect of a period of unemployment if the necessary conditions are satisfied. If they are not, then contributions which a person is liable or entitled to pay in respect of this period are taken into account for pension purposes if paid before pension age (65 for men, 60 for women) and before the end of the sixth contribution year following that in which they were due. Additionally contributions for the year in which pension age is reached and for the preceding year are counted if paid up to one year after the 65th (60th) birthday. In certain circumstances contributions paid after these dates may be treated as having been paid on the due date, if the failure to pay at the proper time was due to ignorance or error on the part of the insured person which was not due to any failure on his part to exercise due care and diligence. These time limits are necessary to protect the National Insurance Fund and we have no plans to vary them.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present pay for a part-time audiological technician for a three-hour session; when the last pay award was made; what is the time it takes to train an audiological technician; and if he will make a statement.

For a trained technician (Grade I) choosing part-time work without entitlement to annual and sick leave, 25s. 6d. (28s. 6d. in London) operative from 1st January, 1968. Grade I may be obtained after two years' service during which courses of training are provided lasting 3 months in the first year and 9 months in the second. A pay claim is being considered in the Whitley Council.

asked the Attorney-General, in view of the growing number of people with modest incomes excluded from the operation of the Legal Aid and Advice Act due to the fall in the value of money, what plans he has to extend the scheme to cover those now excluded; and if he will make a statement.

In its 17th Report, the Legal Aid Advisory Committee made proposals for increasing the financial limits of the Legal Aid Scheme at an estimated cost of £170,000, and of improving the Legal Advice Scheme at an estimated cost of £236,000. I regret that in my reply to the hon. Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Oakes) on 27th June this latter figure was incorrectly given as £360,000. In present economic circumstances effect cannot yet be given to either of the Committee's recommendations.—[Vol. 785, c. 314.]

asked the Attorney-General, in view of the increased office expenses being borne by solicitors, whether he will take steps to abolish the 10 per cent. levy made upon legal fees under the Legal Aid and Advice Scheme.

No. The remuneration of solicitors is under con tinuous review by the National Board for Prices and Incomes and solicitors' office expenses fall to be considered in the course of that investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what funds he has provided for marine science research vessels and instrumentation.

Funds allocated by the Natural Environment Research Council for the current year in respect of marine science research vessels, their support, and instrumentation, total approximately £1,536,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science to what extent the availability of scientists rather than finance is the limiting factor in the development of the British marine science programme.

The growth of the marine science programme has been as fast as is consistent with thorough planning, but the Natural Environment Research Council has noted some difficulty in recruiting high class physicists and mathematicians, and a greater difficulty in recruiting supporting technicians.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he has taken to expand the work on marine science being undertaken by the Natural Environment Research Council; and in what ways this is increasingly orientated towards economic objectives.

By providing the Natural Environment Research Council with additional funds. The Council's allocation of funds for marine research from 1967 is as follows:

1967–68	£1,930,000
1968–69	£2,410,000
1969–70	£3,230,000

Examples of increased economic orientation are the geological survey of the United Kingdom continental shelf with a view to locating areas of potential minerals significance; research on tides, waves, and sea-bed sediments that bear on the efficiency and safety of shipping; and research on biological processes affecting the productivity of fisheries, both natural and cultivated.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what arrangements his Department makes for youth exchange programmes between the United Kingdom and the member states of the European Economic Community; what are the names of the voluntary organisations engaged in such programmes which receive assistance from his Department; and what is the number of young people involved and the cost to his Department.

My right hon. Friend's powers relate to the education of the people of England and Wales and do not extend to grant-aiding youth exchange programmes between voluntary organisations in England and Wales on the one hand and the countries of the European Community on the other. The Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges, which advises on opportunities for education travel and exchanges, particularly with Western Europe, is financed by the Department of Education and Science, Scottish Education Department and Ministry of Education, Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in future negotiations for entry into the European Economic Community, the British Government will propose the establishment of a major community youth exchange programme between member and applicant states; and if, in anticipation, the British Government will now consider extending its present programme to countries other than the Federal Republic of Germany.

It is too soon to foresee the course of future negotiations for the entry of the United Kingdom into an enlarged European Economic Community. But Her Majesty's Government are aware of the importance of youth exchanges as a way of generally strengthening links between this country and Western Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government have yet commenced discussions with the Government of the Republic of Italy to implement the section of the joint declaration of the two Governments which recommended the full participation of the younger generation in building Europe; and if he will propose the early development of a youth leadership exchange programme based upon the existing Anglo-German youth exchange.

No discussions have yet been held with the Italian Government. I would refer my hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary's reply to the hon. Member for Lewisham, South (Mr. Carol Johnson) on 9th June.—[Vol. 784, c. 183–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the outcome of the constitutional talks with St. Vincent.

I would refer the hon. Member to the final Report of the Conference, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Subject to the Legislative Council's approval of the outline of the revised Constitution, St. Vincent will become an Associated State on 27th October, 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the occasions his Department has sought the views of the major political parties on legislation affecting Parliamentary constituencies or the representation of the people over the past 25 years, including legislation arising out of all-party conferences.

During the last 25 years there has been consultation on these matters whenever necessary.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will refer to the National Board for Prices and Incomes the 25 per cent. increase in the price of House of Commons Christmas cards in 1969.

No.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what information he has from international sources as to the annual amount of official overseas aid expressed per capita of the donor population, given by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France, West Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for 1966, 1967 and 1968.

The information available from international sources on net official financial resource flows to developing countries and on the populations of the donor countries concerned provides the following rates for 1965–67. The information for 1968 has not yet been received and that for resource flows for the U.S.S.R. for any year is not published. I am informed that unofficial estimates for the U.S.S.R. suggest a rate of £0·2 in 1966 and 1967.

FLOW PER CAPITA OF NET OFFICIAL FINANCIAL RESOURCES (£) 1965–67
	1965	1966	1967
United Kingdom	3·2	3·3	3·2
U.S.A	6·7	6·6	6·7
France	5·5	5·4	5·9
West Germany	2·9	2·9	3·3
Netherlands	2·0	2·7	3·2
Belgium	3·8	3·0	3·7

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether he will review the number and positioning of post-boxes in the Woodhouse Park, Benchill, Baguley and Northenden areas of Manchester to see to what extent they cater adequately for public needs; and if he will make a statement;

A new Crown post office was opened in the Civic Centre of Wythenshawe towards the end of last year. The Wythenshawe area, including Woodhouse Park, Benchill, Baguley and Northenden, is well served by 60 posting boxes. Postal collection and delivery arrangements have been thoroughly overhauled in recent months. I am satisfied that the facilities provided are adequate, but we shall keep a close watch on future needs in this fast growing area.

asked the Postmaster-General what action he proposes to take on the main recommendations contained in the departmental paper, A survey of the new inland letter service, introduced on 16th September, 1968.

I have taken full account of views expressed by the Staff Side of the Post Office Departmental Whitley Council and the Post Office Users' Council. The recommendations in the technical section of the report will be adopted wherever they will help to maintain or improve the present standards of the service and improve its productivity. I have decided to maintain the aims and objectives of the letter services and not to change the present titles.

asked the Minister of Power what proportions of the timber currently being used by the National Coal Board are imported and home grown, respectively.

In 1968 73·5 per cent. was home grown and 26·5 per cent. imported.

asked the Minister of Power if he will list the nuclear power station constructions that have been delayed. stating the time likely to be involved and the reason for the delays; and what are the additional costs involved.

Two of the C.E.G.B.s nuclear power stations currently under construction are expected to be affected by delays. They are Dungeness "B", in respect of which I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 4th February [Vol. 777, c. 200] and the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Ashton) on 15th April [Vol. 781, c. 242]; and Wylfa, which is now expected to come into operation early in 1970 and which has been delayed because of mechanical problems, and other difficulties outside the control of the C.E.G.B. As regards Wylfa, I would also refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Ince (Mr. McGuire), on 23rd April.—[Vol. 782, c. 97.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the facts that 2½ per cent. Treasury Stock is today quoted at 27½ per cent., that money values have subsequently fallen to one third, and the investor today has only £9 real value for his original £100 investment, if he will now take steps to compensate the original subscribers who still hold the stock.

No.