asked the Secretary of State for Defence what further measures the Government have in mind to stimulate and encourage recruiting.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State told the House on 16th June of the major improvements in pay and allowances which the acceptance of the recommendations of the Report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes would bring.We have also increased our recruiting publicity, modernised our recruiting organisation, and increased the opportunities, for the public to see the Forces at work.Reviews of engagements continue to find ways of attracting more recruits.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what further inter-Service exercises are planned to develop operational plans and techniques.

As was explained in the Statement on the Defence Estimate 1969 (Cmnd. 3927), there is a continuing and extensive programme of inter-Service and inter-national exercises. They serve both to train units and to practise and develop methods and techniques.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will publish in HANSARD as detailed information as may be readily available showing the extent to which the Government have since October, 1964, been able to reduce the costs and manpower figures of the defence services; and to what extent the Government's forward planning or defence cuts are likely to save sterling and costs on the balance of payments.

Full details of the financial savings on the Defence Budget were given to my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, North (Mr. Moyle) on 28th February, 1969. We will have saved £2,000 million on the programme we inherited during the five years up to and including the present financial year. Compared with October, 1964, the active military and civilian strength of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Services has declined by a total of over 100,000 or 12½ per cent. On the latter part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to Chapter 5, paragraphs 12 to 14, of "The Task Ahead" published earlier this year.—[Vol. 778, c. 378.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will give a detailed statement showing to what extent the Government's policy of reducing the size and money costs of his Department have affected his head office in Whitehall and other home establishments; and if he will give figures to show the reduction in manpower and financial costs since October, 1964, to the latest convenient stated date.

The initial impact of the Government's defence economies has been felt mainly in the level of our forces serving overseas and of their local support; and the rate of reduction of home establishments has been affected by the return of forces to this country. Nevertheless, considerable savings have already been made in home establishments and the Whitehall headquarters, whose total active strength, both military and civilian, in the summer of 1969 was about 34,000 below the comparable figure in October, 1964. At today's price levels, this represents a reduction of about £45 million a year in personnel costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has now reached a decision one the role of aircraft carriers after 1971.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Faversham (Mr. Boston) and other hon. Members on 7th May.—[Vol. 783, c 440–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will overhaul the recruiting procedures for apprenticeship in the Royal Air Force to prevent a repetition of the defect in those procedures made in the case of a constituent of the right hon. and learned Member for Hertfordshire, East, particulars of which are in his possession.

I am well aware of the case referred to by the right hon. and learned Gentleman and I have arranged for the recruiting procedures to be adjusted to avoid any recurrence of the defect.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the requirement of sleeping bags will have been supplied to units of the British Army of the Rhine by the end of October, 1969.

The general policy is that units in B.A.O.R. are issued with sleeping bags as and when they are needed, for example on exercises. Otherwise the bags are held centrally. At the end of October these central stocks in B.A.O.R. will be at the required level.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many sleeping bags are required to make good the shortage in the requirements of the 4th Division.

The requirements vary, but 1,700 sleeping bags are in process of issue to 4th Division now, and this will raise their stocks to the maximum authorised level.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied that information about the procedure for registering as a Service voter is being promulgated within the forces; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. All service units have been given detailed instructions about the registration procedures for Servicemen—and for their wives if accompanying their husbands abroad. Posters for notice boards, and supplies of individual registration forms together with instructions for their completion have also been issued. Unit commanders were instructed to ensure that all eligible persons were given the opportunity and full facilities to register.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has received recent communications from the United States Government on the subject of the effectiveness of the Polaris nuclear submarine and missiles; and if he will make a statement.

The United States' Navy provide us with a continuous flow of data and reports on the Polaris system. I have no reason to doubt the continued effectiveness of the Polaris weapon or the submarine.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the United States authorities as to their possible discontinuance of the Polaris programme.

We are in constant communication with the United States, authorities on all aspects of the Polaris programme. As for discontinuance of the programme, I think the hon. Member will find that the United States' Government's publicly announced programme calls for the deployment of Poseidon missiles in 31 submarines and for the retention of Polaris missiles in 10 others.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the full report of the tests on C.S. carried out by his Department last year, together with a scientific assessment of the results.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence where the equipment used by the Army to discharge C.S. devices in Belfast was made.

In the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what quantity of C.S. devices is now held by military units in this country.

It is not the practice to give this kind of information.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if it is the intention to follow the closure of the foundry in Chatham Dockyard with the closure of the pattern and/or any other parts of the establishment.

The closure of the foundry results from a review of production facilities in the Royal Dockyards as a whole with the aim of rationalising capacity and reducing overheads. This review is a continuing one and I cannot at this stage prejudge what its effects may be on other production facilities in the Royal Dockyards. I can, however, give the assurance that the trade unions will continue to be fully consulted as they were on the closure of the foundary at Chatham.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if it is the intention to close down Departments in Chatham Dockyard that are an essential part of the organisation and equipment of a dockyard engaged in the construction, repair and refit of conventional naval vessels.

All facilities which Chatham Dockyard needs to fulfil its role in the overall Dockyard organisation will be retained.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if it is the intention that Chatham Dockyard shall be turned over entirely to the servicing of nuclear submarines.

No. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Royal Navy made this clear in the defence debate on the Navy Estimates on 10th March of this year, and my late right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence for Administration repeated the assurance on 20th March.—[Vol. 779, c. 1037; Vol. 780, c. 815.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present labour force at Chatham Dockyard; what will be the total labour force there when the Government's full plans for its future have been implemented; and when that will be.

The present labour force at Chatham in the General Manager's Department is 5,451 industrials and 1,470 non-industrials. The fall in this labour force, following the reduction in overall Dockyard numbers by the mid-1970s, announced in the Statement on Defence Estimates 1969, is expected to be small.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many men will be affected by the closure of the foundry and any other parts of the establishment of Chatham Dockyard that are to be closed down in future.

About 40 industrials, including 18 founders, are affected by the closure of the foundry.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if all the established men in Chatham Dockyard who will be affected by closures will be given alternative employment there without loss of income or status.

Retraining schemes for the men from the foundry are being discussed with the unions with this aim.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether Hercules aircraft of the Royal Air Force are able to make a non-stop crossing of the North Atlantic with a full payload.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what vocational training is given to electrical mechanics during three years after injury at naval football matches and before being prematurely discharged; and what administrative arrangements are made with the Department of Employment and Productivity for Government resettlement courses for civilian employment for these injured ratings.

All personnel of the Royal Navy who are invalided for reasons beyond their own control may apply for pre-release vocational training it they so wish. Arrangements are also made for the appropriate employment exchange to be notified of their leaving the Service. They are all given the opportunity to indicate whether they would like post-release vocational training under the Government Training Scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what have been the results of his efforts to attract more officers into the Armed Forces during the year ended September, 1969; and whether he will make a statement.

During the year ending 30th September, 1969, the numbers of men and women entrants from civil life for commissioned service with the Armed Forces were 1,729 and 353 respectively. These figures are still provisional. The figures for the comparable period in 1968 were 1,686 and 349.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for further measures to enable the Fleet to operate independently of shore bases.

We are continuing to study how an adequate level of logistic support afloat for the Fleet can best be maintained in the future.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, without revealing operational plans, he will give assurances that war and contingency stocks of ammunition and equipment are being maintained at a satisfactory level.

Yes.

asked the State for Defence whether he will make a statement about recruiting for the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve.

The recruitment position of the TAVR is not unsatisfactory. Its strength on 31st August was 46,589. At the beginning of 1969 its comparable strength was 40,411. There has thus been an increase during this year of 6,178. The number of direct transfers from TAVR III, now disbanded, was 3,415.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are made for personnel of the Beira patrol requiring hospital treatment.

There are no special arrangements for the Beira Patrol.Any urgent medical cases which could not be dealt with by the medical staff on board would be taken to the nearest port having suitable medical facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will give an assurance that those ranks and ratings of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines who wish to do so will continue to draw the traditional rum ration.

I cannot give the assurance that the hon. Gentleman asks for. The question of the abolition of rum is, however, not a new issue. It has been discussed over many years.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that in France over 30 per cent. of current field drainage is done in plastic pipes whereas only 3 per cent. in Great Britain was improved by this technique last year; and what steps are being taken by his Department to bring to the notice of farmers the cost advantages of using plastic pipes for drainage.

I think the comparison the hon. Member is seeking to make is with the Netherlands, where there are special circumstances, and not France. Our technical staff give advice on all aspects of drainage techniques including costs. Where the circumstances are such that there is financial benefit from using plastic pipes, the contractors concerned can also be relied on to publicise the advantages.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farm amalgamation grants have been paid up to the present date.

By the end of August 734 amalgamations had been approved in the United Kingdom under the farm structure scheme. It is estimated that, on completion of the approved land transactions and remodelling works, the amalgamators will be entitled to grants totalling approximately £1·2 million.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the annual amount spent on food by the people of the United Kingdom in each year between 1964 and 1968, respectively.

The estimated expenditure on food in the United Kingdom, as published in the Blue Book on National Income and Expenditure, 1969, is:

	£ million
1964	5,495
1965	5,691
1966	5,972
1967	6,152
1968	6,358

The figures include the cost of food to catering establishments as well as household expenditure on food, but exclude the net cost to public authorities of school meals, welfare foods and milk provided under the national milk schemes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration has been given to the compulsory slaughter of cows known to have brucella in their milk whether or not they are in a herd being tested under the Ministry scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Our immediate objective is to sustain the present encouraging progress in building up an adequate register of brucella-free herds through the voluntary Brucellosis (Accredited Herds) Scheme. I am concerned that available veterinary resources should not be diverted from this key task. As my predecessor explained, in reply to the hon. Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Kitson) on 2nd November, 1966, the establishment of this Register is an essential preliminary to any wider measures towards eradication of brucellosis, including compulsory slaughter.—[Vol. 735, c. 96.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether his veterinary service is proposing to carry out experiments with Blue Tongue at Pirbright.

The Animal Virus Research Institute at Pirbright is not operated by my veterinary staff. Oversight of the Institute's research programme is a matter for the Agricultural Research Council; but my consent, and that of the Secretary of State for Scotland, is required before the Institute starts fresh work in this country on viruses capable of setting up infectious diseases in animals.Blue Tongue disease has never occurred in this country. My right hon. Friend and I have informed the Agricultural Research Council and the Institute that we are not prepared to expose the livestock industry to the risk of introducing the virus into this country, even for research purposes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the number of salmon taken in rivers in England and Wales during the months of January to April, inclusive, in the years 1965 to 1969, inclusive.

I regret that the information available is not sufficiently comprehensive to permit of such an estimate.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will state the number of River Hull wharves within Hull city boundary, and the number over which flooding occurred on 29th September, 1969; and what action his Department is taking to get the defective wharves raised to prevent further flooding;(2) by how much the River Hull high tide, on the morning of 29th September, 1969, exceeded the height of the Hull Corporation 1925 Act level; and what action his Department is taking to ensure a sufficiently high level of wharves to prevent further flooding.

The exceptional tide on 29th September was about 9 inches above the level prescribed in the Hull Corporation Act, 1925. It is not known how many of the 90 or so wharves within the city boundary were overtopped; but overtopping was extensive. I understand all wharf levels now meet the requirements of the Act; any raising of the statutory levels is a matter for the corporation to consider in the first instance in consultation with the Yorkshire Ouse and Hull River Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give figures showing the result of the Highland Fling Exhibition held under his direction in conjunction with the Highlands and Islands Development Board and other efforts to stop the drift south from Scotland to England of population, particularly skilled workers; and if he will state his plans to counteract the effects in that direction of the proposed Channel Tunnel and other schemes tending to increase the drift from Scotland.

While it is impossible to isolate or quantify the direct results of the Highland Fling Exhibition, the Board considers that it was very successful. Overall, the Government's policies have cut the net migration loss from Scotland to the rest of the United Kingdom by half compared with five years ago.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details to the latest convenient date of the working and results of the implementation of the recommendations of the Guest Committee, Command Paper No. 2021, on the construction of the licensing courts in Scotland and other related licensing matters.

As I said in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Clark Hutchison) on 28th January last I do not propose legislation at present on the Report's recommendations on licensing courts and courts of appeal. The other main recommendation requiring legislation was effectually implemented in the Licensing (Certificates in Suspense) (Scotland) Act, 1969. This Act has given rise to no difficulties in operation.—[Vol. 776, c. 318.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many qualified male and female applicants did not obtain places in teacher training colleges at the beginning of this session.

I am informed by the colleges that, of the candidates who applied timeously and were regarded as suitable, 9 men and 46 women have not been accepted, all for the three-year physical education course.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will inquire into the need for nursery school accommodation in Castlemilk and other major housing developments; and if he will make a statement.

In view of the other demands on capital investment it has not been possible for me to authorise the building of new nursery schools generally. I have, however, approved the building of one nursery school in Castle-milk and one in Easterhouse to replace schools in redeveloped areas. In addition, I hope to approve the provision of additional nursery school places in areas of special social need under the urban programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the number of salmon taken in Scottish rivers during the months of January to April, inclusive, in the years 1965 to 1969, inclusive.

The numbers of salmon taken by all methods, including coastal nets, in these months in the years 1965 to 1968 are shown in the table below. Statistics for 1969 are not yet available but reports received so far indicate that catches were very low in the early part of the season.

TABLE
NUMBER OF SALMON* CAUGHT IN SCOTLAND
January to April—1965 to 1968
Year	Rod and Line	Net and Coble	Fixed Engine	Total
1965	18,637	22,195	16,163	56,995
1966	16,395	21,954	12,076	50,425
1967	15,195	20,854	5,622	41,671
1968	14,169	20,074	9,097	43,340
*Excluding grilse, of which very few are taken in the months concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has yet received the report and recommendations of the team from Aberdeen University under Professor Gaskin to make a study of the economic potential of North-East Scotland commissioned by him following the White Paper on the Scottish Economy 1965–70, Command Paper No. 2864; and in consequence if he will state his plans to stop the trend south of population from North-East Scotland and to develop trade communications between North-East Scotland and Europe on lines at least equal to the communications between South-East England and Europe.

Since the publication of the Gaskin Report on 23rd May the local planning authorities in North-East Scotland have been considering its recommendations to further the development of the whole region, which of course already has development area status. Industry in the North-East also has available to it the very comprehensive export services of the Board of Trade and the Export Council for Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many teachers have not registered with the General Teaching Council.

The number of teachers in service in the schools who have not registered is 438.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state his plans to make further provision for contributions by local authorities in Scotland towards the expenses of the National Mod.

I consider that the National Mod (Scotland) Act gives all the necessary power to Scottish local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the January, 1968, windblown timber he estimates will have been cleared by the end of the present calendar year, giving the proportion for private and Forestry Commission woodlands, respectively.

The Windblow Action Group estimates that 80 per cent. of the windblown timber in private woodlands and 70 per cent. in Forestry Commission woods will have been cleared by 31st December.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action has been taken to implement the recommendations contained in the Report of the Committee on Sheriff Court Records; and if he will make a statement.

The principal recommendations made in the Committee's report, which was published in March, 1967, were that all records of earlier date than 1860 should be preserved; that records of a later date than 1860 should be subject to a process of weeding so as to preserve only the essential papers; and that principal categories of sheriff court records, as defined by the Committee, should be kept for a period of 25 years for transmission at the end of that period to the Keeper of the Records of Scotland. The Committee also recommended that the records of one representative sheriff court district should be preserved substantially intact as a national sample of the development of sheriff court procedure and administration and it was subsequently decided that the Linlithgow District of the Sheriffdom of the Lothians and Peebles should be designated for this purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will publish lists of registered caravan sites graded according to amenities provided, for the use of holiday-makers from within and without the United Kingdom.

It will be open to the Tourist Boards established under the Development of Tourism Act, 1969, to publicise caravan and other facilities for tourists as they see fit.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he appreciates that the National Film Finance Corporation is having to reject opportunities for lucrative investment in British films and that the decline in United States investment means that failure to place the National Film Finance Corporation in funds will entail a sharp decline in British film production and loss of dollar earnings; and if he will take urgent action.

As my predecessor announced on 5th August, the life of the National Film Finance Corporation will be extended. Detailed proposals will be made known shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number and total capital value of public companies whose controlling interest is held by persons or institutions with a foreign domicile; and what were the corresponding figures for 1964 and 1966.

The following is the information:

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 with a prospective tenant are still proceeding.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present annual rate of fixed investment in British industry as a proportion of gross national product.

At current prices fixed investment by manufacturing industries, the distributive and service trades and the shipping industry accounted for 8·5 per cent. of gross national product over the year July, 1968 to June, 1969 inclusive.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress was made in resolving the frozen fish fillets dispute with Norway and Denmark during the London talks of 25th and 26th September.

The meeting with our Scandinavian partners and Iceland at the end of September was one of a series of negotiations on the E.F.T.A. regime for frozen fish fillets from 1st January, 1970. There are to be further discussions next week and I am unable at this stage to anticipate the outcome of these negotiations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will seek powers to ensure that every consignment of C.S. exported is accompanied by operating instructions in the language of the country of destination.

We have the powers but see no reason to adopt my hon. Friend's proposal if, by operating instructions, he means instructions as to the circumstances and quantities in which C.S. equipment should be used. This method of riot control has been practised for many years in a large number of countries, and we are advised that the procedures are well known.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the value of C.S. exports in 1969 to the latest convenient date; and by how much this amount exceeds or falls short of the comparable amount in 1968.

C.S. gas is not separately distinguished in the trade statistics.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek to amend the Companies Act to compel companies in receipt of development grants to disclose in their annual returns details of expenditure of such grants in order to disclose any wasteful expenditure.

No, Sir. The conditions attaching to investment grants and building grants are designed to ensure that these grants are used effectively for the purposes which the legislation intended.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consultations took place with the Commonwealth countries concerned prior to his announcement of the decision to impose a tariff of 15 per cent. on the import of cotton textiles.

It is not intended to introduce a tariff on imports from the Commonwealth Preference Area until 1st January, 1972. This gives ample time for all necessary consultations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the implementation of those recommendations of the Holland-Martin Report which do not require legislation.

Discussions on the implementation of the recommendations in the Holland-Martin Report were initiated at a meeting with both sides of industry on 13th August. At this meeting it was agreed to put in hand as a matter of urgency discussions between Government Departments and the industry, and within the industry itself, on the implementation of each category of recommendations. These discussions are now proceeding. About three-quarters of the recommendations do not require legislation, and in the course of the discussions it is intended to seek agreement on the action needed to implement them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state his plans for improving trade relations between North-East Scotland and Scandinavia following from the visit of the Prime Minister to Scandinavia last July.

I hope that firms in North-Eastern Scotland will make increasing use of the comprehensive export promotion services of the Board of Trade and the Export Council for Europe. In particular I hope that they will be well represented in the British Trade Drive in Finland throughout 1970 and at the three British Shopping Weeks recently announced for Sweden in 1970.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he is unable to list the exports of all types of coin- or disc-operated amusement machines and parts, including fruit machines, &c., and coin-operated gramophones; and whether in future in addition to the details of imports of these types of machines he will arrange for figures of exports to be published in the Annual Statement of Trade of the United Kingdom.

Separate export headings for these items have not hitherto seemed justified by the amount of trade involved. However, beginning with 1970, separate figures will be published in the Annual Statement of Trade and, if their size warrants it, in the monthly accounts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consideration he has given to the possibility of devolving the operation of the Highlands and Islands airports to a more locally-orientated organisation supported by Government grant; and if he will make a statement.

We are considering this and other related suggestions made in the Edwards Report. As the Report recognises, the future of these airports cannot be considered in isolation from that of the air services which they help to support.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that airlines do not operate in a free market, he will accept the recommendation of the Edwards Committee that airport charges should be approved by the authority responsible for fixing airline fares and rates.

I am afraid that my hon. Friend must await the publication of the Government's White Paper to learn our views on this.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how the amount of aircraft noise suffered by residents under the glide-path and takeoff areas at London Airport, Heathrow, compares with that endured elsewhere in the country in terms of the numbers of persons affected and the frequency of noise impact from passenger- and cargo-carrying aircraft.

Many more people live near Heathrow than any other United Kingdom airport, but statistics of the number of persons affected by take-off and approach flight paths are not available. 228,693 air transport movements took place at Heathrow in 1968 which is more than six times the number at our next busiest airport.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what report he has received from his Chief Inspector of Accidents on the cause of the crash of the British Midland Viscount aircraft at Manchester Airport earlier this year; and if he will now make a further statement.

The Chief Inspector of Accidents has not yet submitted his report; his investigation is continuing. However, he has established that the co-pilot was carrying out an exercise involving a simulated engine failure during take-off under the supervision of an experienced training captain. Shortly after an apparently normal lift-off control of the aircraft was lost, with the result that it rolled on to its back, diving to the ground in an inverted attitude. So far no explanation for the aircraft getting beyond the control of the pilots has been found.A detailed examination of the wreckage has failed to reveal any technical defect or pre-crash mechanical failure. It is now known that the flight data recorder was not functioning during the take-off. The absence of any evidence from this important source is severely hampering the investigation.The Chief Inspector is in consultation with the manufacturers and the Royal Aircraft Establishment in an endeavour to determine reasons for the loss of control occurring shortly after the aircraft became airborne. However, from the limited evidence available he considers that at present it appears unlikely that a complete explanation of the cause of this accident will be established. In view of the difficulties facing the investigators, it will be some time before he will be in a position to submit his report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is yet in a position to state the result of his consequent plans resulting from his communications from and interviews with the National Union of Seamen on the findings of the committee on containerisation.

My hon. Friend the Minister of State had a very useful talk with officials of the National Union of Seamen in July. I will take full account of the union's views when I receive the report of Lord Rochdale's Committee of Inquiry into Shipping.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what proposals have been made by the local authority for a large-scale clearance to provide more sites for industrial development in Sunderland.

No proposals of this kind have been submitted to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what his proposals are for the introduction of the requirement that graduate teachers must be professionally trained; and whether he will make a statement.

There has been some misunderstanding about the plans which my right hon. Friend announced during the Recess and I am grateful to my hon. Friend for the opportunity to make them clear to the House.My right hon. Friend intends that a person acquiring after 1st January, 1970, a degree (or one of the other qualifications which at present by themselves confer qualified teacher status) will not be acceptable as a qualified teacher in a maintained primary school unless he has in addition satisfactorily completed a course of professional training for teaching, and that this reform will be extended to cover also maintained secondary schools in the case of persons acquiring those qualifications after 1st January,1974. Thus the graduates of 1969 and 1973 will be the last who will be able to teach untrained in maintained primary and maintained secondary schools respectively.The critical date for this purpose is that of the acquisition of the degree or other qualification, and not that of appointment to a teaching post. A person already in possession of one of these qualifications, whether or not now in teaching service, will remain eligible untrained for qualified teacher status and for appointment to any maintained school in which he can secure a post.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what Government resettlement courses are available for naval electrical mechanics injured in Service football matches and prematurely discharged from the Royal Navy, in order to make use of their years of special naval training and experience in civilian employment.

Men discharged from the Royal Navy on health grounds who need resettlement training may be admitted to any of the courses provided under the Government's Vocational Training Scheme for which they are suitable. The training may be given at a Government training centre, at a technical or commercial college, in an employer's establishment, or, in the case of the severely disabled, at a residential training centre.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will tabulate in the Official Report the total net yield of taxes on alcohol, tobacco and gambling in each of the financial years 1958–59 to 1968–69, inclusive, the percentage of total government revenue which this represented in each of those years, and also its percentage of the gross national product, together with estimated corresponding figures for the curent financial year;

			1958–9	1959–60	1960–1	1961–2	1962–3	1963–4
Alcoholic Drink
Net receipts (1) (£ million)		…	410·5	388·7	407·3	443·7	467·1	499·4
Percentage of Government Revenue (2)	…	…	7·7	7·2	7·1	6·9	7·1	7·4
Percentage of G.N.P. (3)	…	…	2·0	1·8	1·8	1·8	1·8	1·8
Tobacco
Net receipts (1) (£ million)		…	737·1	789·6	826·3	870·7	879·2	893·2
Percentage of Government Revenue (2)	…	…	13·8	14·6	14·4	13·6	13·3	13·3
Percentage of G.N.P. (3)	…	…	3·6	3·6	3·6	3·5	3·4	3·2
Gambling
Net receipts (1) (£ million)		…	33·7	39·5	41·2	37·7	31·4	33·3
Percentage of Government Revenue (2)	…	…	0·6	0·7	0·7	0·6	0·5	0·5
Percentage of G.N.P. (3)	…	…	0·2	0·2	0·2	0·2	0·1	0·1
Purchase Tax (4)
Net receipts (1) (£ million)	…	…	493·1	509·7	506·0	528·1	566·8	590·9
Percentage of Government Revenue (2)	…	…	9·2	9·4	8·8	8·2	8·6	8·8
Percentage of G.N.P. (3)	…	…	2·4	2·3	2·2	2·1	2·2	2·1
Alcoholic Drink			1964–5	1965–6	1966–7	1967–8	1968–9	1969–70
Net receipts (1) (£ million)		…	575·2	627·9	688·7	748·3	788·0	844·0
Percentage of Government Revenue (2)	…	…	7·7	7·5	7·5	7·3	6·5	6·1
Percentage of G.N.P. (3)	…	…	1·9	2·0	2·1	2·1	2·1	n.a.
Tobacco
Net receipts (1) (£ million)		…	984·9	1,015·4	1,025·8	1,044·7	1,105·0	1,125·0
Percentage of Government Revenue (2)	…	…	13·1	12·1	11·1	10·2	9·2	8·2
Percentage of G.N.P. (3)	…	…	3·3	3·2	3·1	3·0	3·0	n.a.
Gambling
Net receipts (1) (£ million)	…	…	32·4	33·2	50·1	67·9	100·0	109·0
Percentage of Government Revenue (2)	…	…	0·4	0·4	0·5	0·7	0·8	0·8
Percentage of G.N.P. (3)	…	…	0·1	0·1	0·1	0·2	0·3	n.a.
Purchase Tax (4)
Net receipts (1) (£1 million)		…	650·4	648·1	692·5	805·7	985·7	1,127·0
Percentage of Government Revenue (2)	…	…	8·7	7·7	7·5	7·8	8·2	8·2
Percentage of G.N.P. (3)	…	…	2·2	2·0	2·1	2·3	2·7	n.a.
Notes
(1) United Kingdom including Isle of Man.
(2) Taxes on income, expenditure and capital.
(3) Gross National Product, at factor cost, at current prices.
(4) Estimated amounts charged by registered traders in the period—the basis used in the national income accounts.

The following is the information.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to release unrequired balances currently held in many disaster funds still in existence in this country, and thereby establish one National Disaster Fund from which moneys can be made available immediately in the case of future disasters.

There are no substantial balances lying idle in existing disaster funds. In the few cases where a fund cannot be wholly spent on the purpose for which it was intended, those purposes have been extended so that the balances can be used. The question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated value of the switch of funds, over the last 12 months, from capital investment to Government securities attributable to high rates of interest; what is the corresponding estimate for the period October, 1966, to October, 1967, and October, 1967, to October, 1968; and if he will make a statement.

There is no statistical evidence that points to a connection between the level of capital investment and the level of sales of Government securities to the public.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the establishment of the review board for Government contracts.

The Board was set up on the 1st August. The Chairman is Sir William Lawson, and the other members are Viscount Caldecote, Sir Robert Hall, Mr. St. John Elstub and Mr. R. A. Barr. They were appointed by the Government after consultation with the Confederation of British Industry, and will be acting in an independent and personal capacity, within terms of reference agreed between the Government and the Confederation of British Industry.As I indicated in my written reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Hooley) on 17th July, 1968, the Board will have three functions. First, it is to make an interim report, within the next twelve months, on some of the complex accounting issues which have a bearing on the agreed target rate of return of 14 per cent. on capital employed for non-competitive Government contracts. Secondly, it will carry out a general review covering industry's average earnings in the period 1st January, 1969, to 31st December, 1971, and at three-yearly intervals thereafter, on Government contracts to which the revised profit formula applies, and make recommendations for future action. Thirdly, it may be asked to review certain individual Government profit formula risk contracts placed under the new standard conditions, to assess whether the price negotiated was fair and reasonable, and in the light of this assessment determine whether any financial adjustment should be made, and, if so, how much. Either party to such a contract will be able to refer it to the Board if post-costing suggests that a profit of 27½ per cent. or more on capital employed or a loss of 15 per cent. or more has been made. In exceptional cases, the Board might be asked to review individual contracts, referred to it by either side, within these percentages.The general expenses of the Board will be met out of moneys provided by Parliament. A Supplementary Estimate will be presented in due course; any essential expenditure incurred before Supply is granted will be met by an advance from the Civil Contingencies Fund.—[Vol. 768, c. 247–8.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the light of the recent official investigations which have shown an under-recording of British exports, he will now publish in HANSARD a table of figures giving the United Kingdom balance of payments from 1962 to 1968 with allowance for the net under-recording of exports and balance of current and long-term capital transactions.

These figures have been published in the 1969 Pink Book on the United Kingdom Balance of Payments and in Economic Trends for September, 1969, copies of which are available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries have, in view of the constitutional and governmental changes during the last two years, given notification that they accept the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice; what countries now accept that compulsory jurisdiction; and what countries have requested it during the last two years.

Only Mauritius and Swaziland have, following constitutional changes, within the last two years notified acceptance of the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice. The list of Governments which now accept that compulsory jurisdiction is as given in reply to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Dodds-Parker) on 20th December, 1968, with the addition of Swaziland. So far as Her Majesty's Government are aware, no government has instituted proceedings against another by virtue of that compulsory jurisdiction during the last two years.—[Vol. 775, c. 501.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action has been taken, in conjunction with other Governments, through international bodies or otherwise, against piracy in the air; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 13th October to the hon. Member for Wembley, South (Sir R. Russell).—[Vol. 788, c. 27–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action has been taken on the Willoughby Report; and whether he will make a statement about British support for the defence of the Union of Arab Emirates.

General Willoughby presented his report to the Supreme Coun- cil of the Union of Arab Emirates at the end of April. A sub-committee was appointed to examine it and has made its own report. The Supreme Council has not yet taken a decision on the Willoughby Report.Her Majesty's Government remain responsible for the defence of the Protected Gulf States until our withdrawal by the end of 1971 when our treaties of protection will be terminated.Thereafter, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence said on 13th November last, defence will be primarily the responsibility of the States in the area.—[Vol. 773, c. 397–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the heavy arrears of unpaid fines, he will take steps to make it possible for courts to order attachment of salary at the time of the imposition of the fine.

In general, I think it is right that attachment of earnings should, as provided in Section 46 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1967, be confined to cases where there has been default; but my right hon. Friend is considering, in consultation with my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor, the Payne Committee's recommendation that there should be power to make an attachment order by consent of the defendant at any time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of the time of the inspectorate set up under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 is spent on watching experiments on living animals;(2) how the Inspectorate set up under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 apportions the time available for watching experiments as between the various kinds of animals used.

How inspectors apportion their time during visits to premises registered for experiments on living animals is determined by the circumstances of each case. It is not possible to say what proportion is spent watching experiments in general or those on various kinds of animals in particular.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the number of experiments without anaesthetics on dogs in 1968, licensed under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876, was so much greater than on cats; and what was the nature of those experiments.

The purposes of experiments performed on dogs and cats vary considerably. But many consist of the screening of food additives or the testing of drugs intended for use by man; and dogs have been more frequently used in these experiments than cats because their physiology more closely resembles that of man.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that in 1876, when the annual number of experiments on living animals was 300, his predecessor appointed two inspectors under the Cruelty to Animals Act, why there are now only 10 inspectors to supervise more than 5 million experiments.

Arrangements have already been made to increase the number of inspectors to 12. The task of inspectors is not to supervise experiments, but to ensure that those licensed to perform them understand and comply with their responsibilities under the Cruelty to Animals Act. With the change in the nature of experimental work, the great bulk of which now consists of dietary tests or routine innoculations, no valid comparison can be made between the inspectorate's present strength and its strength in 1876.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the 588 horses, asses and mules used in 1968 in experiments licensed under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 were horses or mares; what types were used; what were the principal sources from which they were obtained; and where these experiments were carried out.

The annual returns submitted by persons licensed under the Act show the number of experiments performed on horses, asses and mules, but do not give separate figures for each species or show the source from which the animals are obtained. Some licensees are authorised to perform experiments in more than one registered place, but they are not required to distinguish in their annual return the number of experiments performed at each place. I regret therefore that the information asked for is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the £15 fee charged by his Department for changing the nationality of a child of United Kingdom parents born on a foreign-registered ship is calculated; and if he will seek to provide that the fee can be waived at his discretion in cases where the responsible parent is in receipt of supplementary benefit.

The fee for registering an alien minor child as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies takes account of the average cost of making enquiries and dealing with such registrations. The fee is prescribed by Regulations and my right hon. Friend has no proposals for enabling it to be waived. A child born on a foreign-registered ship to married parents who are citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies would itself be such a citizen from birth.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what financial support is being provided during the current year towards the work of the community relations councils by those local authorities within whose areas substantial numbers of coloured population are residing; which of these authorities are at present providing little or no such support; and whether his Department proposes to advise them to do so.

I understand that, of the fifty-two community relations councils which employ full-time officers, fifty are receiving financial or other material support from their local authorities; and that two local authorities have so far been unwilling to provide any assistance. I am sending details to the hon. Member. The Government has always taken the view that, to be fully effective, these councils must have the support of their local authorities; and I hope that as the scope and number of the councils expand, local authorities will continue to provide this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total amount paid out of public funds for compensation for personal injuries suffered by members of the public arising out of criminal actions in the United Kingdom during the last convenient 12 month period.

£1,672,958 was paid in compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme during the financial year 1968–69. The Scheme applies only to Great Britain; any question about payments under corresponding provisions in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Northern Ireland Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the difficulties encountered in the use of breathalysers on account of the 20 minute delay period necessary between the last drink and the time at which they are applied.

I take it that my hon. Friend has in mind the effects of the decision of the High Court in the case of Webber v. Carey. As leave to appeal to the House of Lords in that case has now been granted, it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this stage.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what schemes of aid and technical assistance she is proposing for Somalia in the coming financial year.

Since diplomatic relations were resumed with Somalia in 1968, a Technical Assistance Programme has been built up which it is estimated may amount to about £200,000 in the coming financial year, though this will in part depend on housing being available for our personnel in Somalia. This includes the training of Somali students in Britain, and the provision of a British veterinary team which has already begun to work in Somalia. A grant of £56,000 will also be made to help Somalia to fulfil its pensions obligations to officers of the former British Somaliland Protectorate.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether he will make a statement on the requests which he has received from hospital broadcasting associations for reduced line rentals; and what reply he has sent.

Circuit rentals are now a matter for the Board of the Post Office, which became a public corporation on 1st October.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now review the pay and professional status of qualified nurses with a view to giving greater recognition to their services; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 13th October to my hon. Friend the Member for Hudders-field, West (Mr. Lomas).—[Vol. 788, c. 21.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will issue new advice to regional hospital boards on confidentiality to enable more information about future plans and current spending to be given to the general public;(2) whether he will issue general advice to regional hospital boards about the conduct of their public relations and their dealings with the Press, radio and television;

Boards are aware of the importance I attach to the cultivation of good communications with the public, Press and broadcasting media on all matters of public interest. I am considering what further arrangements may be needed to help to improve their public relations. It is however desirable to have general rules to control premature disclosure of business while under preliminary and confidential discussion; a model standing order on confidentiality of proceedings in Committee was recommended to hospital authorities by my Department in 1956.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress he has made in the negotiations for revised arrangements for settling the prices of drugs for the pharmaceutical services.

I have reached agreement with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry on the terms of a revised price regulation scheme. I will announce details shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a firm date for reconstruction work to begin on the Elton Moss Bridge in the Parish of Elton.

The bridge is owned by the British Waterways Board. I am advised that provided no difficulties arise on land acquisition reconstruction work will start early in December.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will modernise, amend and supplement the steps he took under and since the Report of the Committee on the Problem of Noise, Command Paper No. 2056, and the Conference on the Reduction of Noise, H.M.S.O. 1907, so as to reduce the noise made by motor cars and motor cycles on roads in residential areas.

The next step towards more effective noise control will be taken in April when all new vehicles built must comply with the noise limits we gave notice of in 1968. We are now discussing with the motor industry a plan for further progressive reductions of noise during the 1970s.