asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will make a statement on the dispute with the Government of Malta about aid promised by Her Majesty's Government for the second five-year plan.

All I can say at present is that we have proposed to provide half the £23 million available by grants and half by loans; we have also offered a short-term interim arrangement to maintain the flow of aid. So far we have not been able to reach agreement with the Malta Government on either offer.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will make a statement on the progress of the current farm resettlement scheme in Kenya; and whether the 400,000 acres will be taken up within the four-year period of the scheme.

According to our latest information, 224,000 acres have so far been purchased. Letters of intent for purchase under the third phase of the programme of the Agricultural Development Corporation have recently been issued, totalling about 50,000 acres. Together with anticipated further transfers through the Land Bank, it is expected that the total acreage transferred under the current schemes by March 1970 will amount to 320,000 acres.As the hon. Member will recall, the scheme involved the purchase of up to 100,000 acres per annum.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what was the total amount of aid repaid to Great Britain during the last 12 months for which figures are available.

In 1968 capital repayments totalled £30 million.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what is the cost to public funds of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation; what is the strength of its establishment, and its salary bill; and what are its practical achievements to date.

U.N.I.D.O., which was established only in 1967, forms part of the United Nations Organisation, and its administration and research budget forms part of the United Nations Budget. The U.N.I.D.O. budget for 1969 amounts to about £4·6 million ($ U.S. 11 million). Britain's assessed contribution is 6·62 per cent., or £303,400.U.N.I.D.O.'s establishment of professional and general service posts for 1969 is 270 and 321 respectively: the bill for their salaries together with wages this year is estimated at £2·5 million ($ U.S. 6 million).The organisation is developing a wide range of industrial services designed principally for the benefit of developing countries. It provides from its budget and from voluntary contributions a series of technical meetings and research activities, and carries out technical assistance activities financed by the Special Industrial Services Trust Fund (with 285 projects approved up to the end of 1968), by the United Nations regular programme and by the United Nations Development Programme (which has 22 major and many smaller technical assistance projects).

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will have a departmental examination of the prices paid by the National Health Service for an iron deficiency drug, details of which have been sent to him, manufactured by two British companies who have been charged in a United States Government anti-trust suit with having too tight a grip on the manufacture and sale of their products.

The price satisfies the provisions of the current Voluntary Price Regulation Scheme and will in due course be examined under new arrangements recently agreed with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. The American litigation relates to matters that have no bearing on the price to the National Health Service and no special examination is called for on this account.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state the number of polio victims in and out of hospital; how much it costs to keep them; how many of them are earning; how the costs to the State of their maintenance compare with the actual costs; and if he will state his plans for the future in this sphere of the health service.

In 1967 there were 1,280 admissions to hospitals of patients suffering from the late effects of polio; 40 per cent. of these were children under age 15. A special survey in April, 1967, of hospital patients classified as younger chronic sick aged 16–60 showed 78 with disabilities due to polio. Information about adults living at home who have had polio will become available next year from detailed analysis of the Government Social Survey of the chronic sick and handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek to amend the Terms of Service for Medical Practitioners, National Health Service Regulations 1966, Part I, Schedule I, under which patients may be removed from a doctor's list without any reason being given.

No. It is better for both patient and doctor to be free to make a change without giving a reason.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that routine examination of foods likely to cause infection is strictly enforced and to tighten bacteriological control in the manufacture and sale of perishable foods.

These are matters for the local authorities, who already have the necessary powers to check the fitness of food and to see that it is kept free from contamination during manufacture and sale.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list in the Official Report industries with the highest incidence of nystagmus between the years 1960 to the nearest available date in 1969; and what new measures he proposes to introduce to combat the disease; (2) how many claims have been submitted for industrial injury benefit for nystagmus between the years 1960 to the nearest available date in 1969; and how many have been accepted.

Available statistics relate only to successful claims. From 1959 until June, 1968, the latest date for which figures are at present available, there were 315 successful claims to injury benefit for nystagmus. Of these all but two were in respect of employment in the coal mining industry. The question of measures for prevention is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Power.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much illness is caused to the population in general and point duty policemen in particular by diesel fumes from vehicle exhaust.

I have no evidence that diesel fumes cause illness.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will re-examine Article 27 of the International Sanitary Regulations, and introduce legally enforceable controls over the movements of any unvaccinated persons during the 14 days' period.

No, the existing controls, which accord with international practice, adequately safeguard the public health.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will institute a national post-abortion morbidity survey.

I expect to receive shortly data for 1968 on complications arising within seven days of terminations performed under the Abortion Act 1967. I am examining whether longer term studies would be practicable and likely to be of value.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has for a review of the present scale rate of supplementary allowance of £4 11s. for a person living alone.

I would remind the hon. Member that draft regulations providing for increases in the scale rates of supplementary benefit were debated and approved by this House on 3rd July. The new rates come into effect on 3rd November when the rate for a single householder will be increased by 5s. to £4 16s., plus provision for rent.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total amount of family allowances remitted overseas in respect of children of United Kingdom residents during the last year for which figures are available.

About £38,000 in 1968–69.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in the light of the recent survey in the Manchester area by the Child Poverty Action Group, a copy of which has been sent to him, which showed that a high proportion of post offices was unable, when asked, to produce the appropriate forms for applicants for welfare benefits, what discussions he is having with the Post Office Corporation to ensure that the service provided, in this field, by the Corporation is satisfactory.

Inquiries were begun by the Post Office immediately after this report was made known. They are not yet complete, and I will write to my hon. Friend when they are.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons are in receipt of a pension or benefit of 6d. per week or less; and how much it costs to administer each such pension including the cost of printing the relevant pension benefit book, postage, and allocation of overheads in the relevant departments on a proportionate basis of time involved.

Pensions at the rate of 6d. a week awarded under the graduated pensions scheme introduced in 1961 are usually paid together with a flat-rate retirement pension. About 300,000 are paid in this way. All 6d. pensions payable by themselves have to be commuted, unless they are earned by married women who will qualify for a fiat-rate retirement pension later on through their husband's insurance. Such pensions, of which there are about 2,000, are paid meanwhile either by four-weekly orders issued in books covering up to a year or, at the claimant's request, once a quarter. The total cost of paying one of these benefits for a year by monthly order is estimated at 9s. 0d.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the police will be included in the definition of occupational pension in his forthcoming legislation.

Yes, if what the hon. Gentleman has in mind is whether the police pension scheme will be able to qualify, on the same conditions as other occupational pension schemes, for partial contracting out of the national superannuation scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give an assurance that in his forthcoming legislation the rights of present serving police will be honoured.

The new national superannuation scheme to be contained in the forthcoming Bill is concerned only with State pension provision. Any necessary re-alignment of the police pension scheme will be for my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Secretary of State for Scotland, in consultation with the Police Council for Great. Britain.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the Form FW 66, on which families with three or more holders of cheap milk tokens could apply for free milk, was withdrawn the day after the scheme came into operation; why no advice was issued publicly when the form was withdrawn regarding alternative action by eligible persons who had not yet claimed this benefit or been automatically identified by the Welfare Foods Service; and if he will make a statement.

I think my hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. This form was needed only for temporary use between February and May, 1968, at the beginning of the new scheme. Advice on how to get free milk is given to every mother from the time she first becomes pregnant.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a further statement on the application for a Service pension made by Flight Lieutenant W. N. Cockayne (retired) of Fowey, Cornwall, details of which have been sent to him.

Since my hon. Friend last raised this case with me in the House, Flight Lieutenant Cockayne has made a further claim for a war pension in more precise terms. This claim is being dealt with and in the very near future Flight Lieutenant Cockayne will be examined by a consultant who is quite independent of my Department and the claim will be decided in the light of his advice.I have written to my hon. Friend giving him fuller details of the position.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek to amend the law to enable persons who fall short of the necessary quota of annual contributions to receive pension at the full rate on paying six times the amount the contribution is in arrears.

The regular payment of contributions is an important aspect of the national insurance scheme and there are already generous time limits within which arrears of national insurance contributions may be paid. The purchase of retirement pension by lump sums paid when retirement age had already been achieved would be inconsistent with the structure of the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will amend Regulation 5 of the Supplementary Benefit (General) Regulations 1966 so that beneficiaries entitled to increases of 2s. or less are no longer denied such increases, especially in cases where the increased entitlement arises from increases in rent or rates.

We have no plans to amend the regulation to which my hon. Friend refers. Its object is to give beneficiaries a stable rate of benefit during the currency of an order-book, unaffected by relatively small changes in their circumstances, and to avoid the need for the recall and alteration of order-books to take account of these small amounts. The regulation operates in respect of downward changes as well as upward.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his discussions on the proposed new Government superannuation scheme include the question of the future of police pensions; and if he will make a statement.

These discussions have been concerned only with the proposals for the new State scheme, including the arrangements for partial contracting out. Any adaptation of the police pension scheme in the light of the new State scheme is a matter for my right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State of the Home Department and the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much he estimates the rate of retirement pension could be increased by the allocation of £190 million, and £340 million, respectively.

If annual sums of this order were available solely for the purpose of increasing retirement pensions the standard single pension rate, at present £4 10s. and shortly to be raised to £5 a week, could be increased by a further 11s. and £1 a week respectively. But it would clearly be inequitable to restrict a review of benefit rates to retirement pensions alone.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from the National and Local Government Officers Association concerning his proposals for earnings-related social security; what reply he has made; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a similar Question by the right hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter) today. It is too early to say how individual occupational pension schemes will adapt themselves to the new State scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he has taken, and is taking, to ensure that potential beneficiaries of the schemes for the abatement of prescription charges, for free welfare foods and free milk, and especially low-paid workers in the Manchester area and elsewhere, are fully informed of the rules of entitlement and aware of the methods of claiming entitlement; and if he will make a statement.

So far as welfare foods including milk are concerned the milk token book issued to every expectant mother draws attention to the availability of free foods for herself and her young children and advises parents to get any help they need from the local office of my Department. In addition books issued to expectant mothers and the first book for each child contain a leaflet indicating the income level below which the foods can be obtained free. In this way the possibility of getting free foods is brought to the notice of all prospective beneficiaries at the very time when the need for extra expenditure arises.With regard to prescription charges an application form and leaflet explaining the income levels qualifying for free prescriptions and how to apply is available in post offices. As regards post offices in Manchester I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to him on 16th October. In addition, over half the prescriptions dispensed are for people (including all children under 15) who are exempt from charges in any case.—[Vol. 788, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of low-paid workers, in the Manchester area and nationally, who are entitled to abatement of prescription charges, free welfare foods and free milk, but who have so far failed to apply; and if he will make a statement.

Information is not available on which to base any reliable estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated number of nurses required to keep the major National Health Service hospitals of the United Kingdom in working condition; how many wards have had to be closed because of the present shortage of nurses; and whether he will undertake a campaign to secure the recruitment of young women for this work.

There is no generally accepted basis for estimating the numbers required, but there is general agreement that at least the present total numbers are needed to maintain present levels of work, and more for improving and developing the hospital service. Existing staff also need to be deployed more effectively. No information is collected centrally about temporary closure of wards for lack of staff or other reasons. Local recruitment campaigns are considered the most effective; my Department is conducting a general publicity campaign in support of local action.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will give an assurance that any plans for improving hospitals for the mentally sub-normal in the region will be in addition to and not at the expense of the provision of the new District General Hospital for Redditch.

The new district general hospital for Redditch is not due to start for some years yet so I cannot say whether it will be affected by improvements to services for the mentally handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice he gives to regional hospital boards concerning the facilities which may be provided in recreation halls at psychiatric hospitals.

Boards have been given general advice stressing the importance of recreational facilities and creative use of leisure. The specific facilities needed at particular hospitals are for the hospital management committee to consider.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, as the waiting time for gynaecological operations at the Leicester General Hospital has now increased to approximately three years, and, following previous representations, is still deteriorating, he will now take action to arrest this decline in the service provided to citizens of Leicester and the vicinity.

Although the service is under considerable pressure the fact is that 97 per cent. of patients on gynaecological waiting lists in the Leicester area have had to wait less than 3 years and urgent cases are admitted without delay. Planning of the development of Leicester Royal Infirmary is proceeding

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why the new day unit for geriatric patients at Leicester General Hospital which was completed in July this year has not yet been brought into use; and when it will be operational.

Delays in the delivery of essential equipment are the main reason why the opening of this unit, scheduled for August, was delayed. It is hoped that it will become operational during November.

asked the Attorney-General what was the amount spent in the last year on advertising the Legal Aid and Advice Schemes; whether he is satisfied that this expenditure ensures adequate publicity for the schemes; and what plans he has to increase the amount spent in this direction.

It is estimated that £850 was spent in the year 1968–69 on direct advertisement of the civil Legal Aid and Advice Schemes. Further publicity was also given in talks to special service and other welfare organisations and in Press releases, the cost of which cannot be quantified.My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor did not think that this expenditure was sufficient to bring the schemes to the notice of all who might benefit from them and the cost of direct advertisement will be increased to over £3,000 this year. The Legal Aid Advisory Committee has the need for further publicity under consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will bring to the attention of British Rail the details of the train crash at Gifhorn, near Hanover, during the month of July which was probably caused by deformed rails resulting from a heatwave; and whether his experts concerned with rail safety are satisfied that similar conditions cannot arise in this country as a result of the greater use of continuous rail.

The British Railways Board tell me that they have been in close touch with the German Federal Railways in connection with the accident at Gifhorn near Hanover, and they have also received full details of a second passenger train derailment caused by distorted track this summer on German Railways. These two accidents occurred on track formed of rails welded into lengths of 30 metres, with conventional joints between the rail lengths; such track differs fundamentally from the continuous welded rail used by British Railways. Details of derailments caused by heat-distorted track in this country and the measures being taken to prevent further accidents from this cause were given in reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for Meriden on 13th October.—[Vol. 788, cc. 26–27.]

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has received for the extension of the Victoria Line of London Transport and its connection with the Central Line.

None. London Transport have considered the possibility of extending the Victoria Line to connect with the Central Line in Essex but have concluded that other extensions of the underground network should take priority.

asked the Minister of Transport how many railway accidents happened during the past 12 months; how this compares with the number of accidents during the preceding 12 months; who bears the cost; and whether any proportion falls upon public funds.

The provisional number of railway accidents reported to my right hon. Friend during the 12 months ending 30th September was 1,403; the number for the previous months was 1,366. These figures comprise collisions, derailments, fires and other accidents which involved passenger or goods trains.The Railways Board and other railway operators bear the cost of accidents as part of their working expenses. No part of these costs falls directly upon public funds.

asked the Minister of Transport when he estimates that electrification of the West Coast railway route between Crewe and Glasgow will be embarked upon; and when the job will be finished.

I hope shortly to be able to give the British Railways Board a decision on whether, and when, this scheme should proceed, and at what rate.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will restrict the speed limit on Southgate Avenue, Crawley, to 30 miles per hour.

There is already a 30 m.p.h. limit on Southgate Avenue. A 40 m.p.h. limit is however more appropriate for this and other similar main roads in Crawley under the new criteria for speed limits recently announced. My right hon. Friend has therefore directed the local authority to revise the limit on these roads.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now introduce legislation to strengthen the Road Safety Act, 1967, in respect of breathalyser tests.

Although the Road Safety Act, 1967, is still having an important effect in preventing accidents caused by drinking and driving. I am examining its working very closely in the light of recent judicial decisions.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will encourage the use of the "holiday routes" system in use this summer in order to assist long-distance traffic to avoid big towns and thus to reduce congestion.

The "Holiday Routes" system introduced in the South-West of England in the holiday season was well used this summer and will operate again in 1970. We are still examining its effects.

asked the Minister of Transport if he makes it a condition of his approval of driving schools that seat belts should not only be fitted but actually used by both instructor and driver under instruction whenever the vehicle is on the public highway.

The Ministry's scheme for the approval of driving instructors applies only to individual instructors; it does not extend to driving schools. A requirement to use seat belts is not a condition for inclusion on the Ministry's Register of Approved Driving Instructors. To require instructors and pupils to use seat belts throughout all phases of tuition would present difficulties, but we have drawn the attention of instructors to the general advantages of wearing seat belts.

asked the Minister of Transport what discussions he has had regarding increasing the weight limit of heavy articulated lorries from 32 tons to 44 tons; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked by the vehicle manufacturers and operators to consider such an increase in gross weight limits with no significant change in dimensions or overloading of bridges and roads. My Department is looking into the safety aspects of this proposal and is discussing its technical implications with the industry.As soon as there is something positive to discuss I will consult other interests including those concerned with safety and amenity. If changes are proposed following these discussions, which may take several months, I shall give ample opportunity for public debate about them.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement regarding the manufacture and date of introduction of tachographs for commercial vehicles.

I have at present nothing to add to the statement by my predecessor on 25th July in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Rutherglen (Mr. Gregor Mackenzie).—[Vol. 787; c. 593–4.]

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on progress made with the projected through road from Shoreham Harbour to Newhaven Harbour; and what approach roads from it to Brighton coast roads are included in his plans.

Proposals to deal with traffic needs in the area must await the results of the Brighton Transportation Study which are expected around the end of the year.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to receive the final report on the feasibility study on the link road between the Calder Valley and the M6.

We hope to receive the report by the end of next month.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will seek to amend the Road Traffic Regulations Act, 1967, so as to provide for the payment of compensation for injurious affection resulting from a traffic regulation order.

By common law highways are for the movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and traffic regulation orders are made to ensure that the roads concerned are safely available for this purpose. In these circumstances it is not considered appropriate to pay compensation in respect of measures taken to ensure the proper use of the highway.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) when it is now planned that work should begin on the Belford bypass;(2) when it is now planned that work should begin on the Felton bypass.

Bypasses of Belford and Felton were included in the trunk road preparation pool on 1st July, 1969 with a view to inclusion in the road programme in the early 1970s. They will be considered for allocation to a specific programme year, in the light of resources available, when preparation has reached the stage at which their cost and benefits can be accurately assessed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what means he ascertains the use made of Government subventions to Zambia.

By the submission of audited statements by the Government of the Republic of Zambia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to the installation of a £150 million dam in Mozambique and its effect on economic development in Rhodesia; and if he will make a statement.

If the hon. Member is referring to the project for a hydroelectric scheme at Cabora Bassa in North-West Mozambique, it is too early to say what effect, if any, this project may have on Rhodesia's economic development.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many prosecutions are pending against British companies for evasion of the Rhodesia sanctions policy.

Two.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what details he has been given by the Soviet Government of the charges to be brought against Mr. Nikolai Scharegin.

Our embassy in Moscow was told on 26th September that Mr. Scharegin was to be tried for an offence. We have not been informed about the nature of the charges, In response to our repeated enquiries the Soviet authorities have told us that we shall receive the necessary information in due course; we are continuing to press for this.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new initiatives he now proposes to take to seek a way to end the Nigeria-Biafra war; and if he will visit both sides and make an appeal.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, South (Mr. Winnick) on 13th October. There is at present intense diplomatic activity on the part of African States themselves, directed to promoting discussions between the parties to the conflict. Both sides know of our readiness to help but it would be inappropriate to risk crossing wires at this moment by my right hon. Friend taking the sort of initiative contemplated in the hon. Member's Question. —[Col. 13, Vol. 788.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what up-to-date information he has on the present amount of food shipments into Biafra.

Accordingly to the most recent public statements which I have seen from the organisations concerned, the Joint Church Aid bodies are transporting about 165 tons of medical and food supplies into the area still under rebel control each night, and the French Red Cross are reported to be transporting an average of about eight tons of relief supplies per night.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why he has imposed restrictions on the publication of official papers relating to the transfer of power in Burma in 1948.

The official documents relating to the transfer of power in Burma in 1948 fall within the thirty-year rule. They may not therefore be published without the authority of the Government.As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister informed the House on 30th June, 1967, the official documents relating to the transfer of power in India are being published as an official series before the documents themselves are opened under the thirty-year rule. After careful consideration the Government have decided that a similar scheme would not be appropriate in the case of Burma. In view however of the great historical interest of the subject they have invited those people who played a prominent part in the events leading up to the transfer of power in Burma to write their recollections. Their manuscripts will be made available to hisorians when the official documents are opened to the public.—[Vol. 749, col. 147–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to introduce legislation on fire in hotels; and, in the meantime, what steps are being taken to assist hotel management in carrying out their responsibilities for training staff, especially foreign staff, in the use of fire-fighting equipment and the installation of alarm systems.

Legislation designed to strengthen and rationalise the law relating to fire precautions in places of public resort and certain residential establishments, including hotels, will be introduced as soon as Parliamentary time permits. Advice on all fire prevention matters is freely available to hotel managements on request from fire authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of accused persons tried at the Old Bailey in 1968 and 1969 to the latest convenient date had to wait longer than the eight weeks recommended by the Streatfeild Committee as the period within which a person should be brought to trial.

In 1968, 66 per cent. and, during the first nine months of 1969, 58 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of persons convicted of murder who escaped from prison during the last 12 months; what were the corresponding figures for 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1968; and how many remain at large.

The answer, for England and Wales, in respect of the last 12 months, and 1965, 1967 and 1968, is "None". Three—two women and one man—escaped in 1966, one of them from an open prison. Two were recaptured within a few hours. The third surrendered to the police after a month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of indictable offences during 1967 and 1968 committed by persons convicted of murder and subsequently released; and how many of these offences involved the use of firearms.

Twelve such cases were reported to me in 1967 and two in 1968; none involved the use of firearms.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of persons convicted of offences involving the use of firearms who escaped from prisons in the last 12 months; what were the corresponding figures for 1950 and 1960; and how many of those who have escaped during the last 12 months committed indictable offences whilst on the run.

Three men convicted of offences involving the use of firearms escaped from prisons in England and Wales in the 12 months ended 30th September. Two have been recaptured. Neither was charged with offences committed whilst at large. Corresponding information for 1950 and 1960 is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the report of the committee appointed by Her Majesty's Government to examine the law of adoption and the position of foster children; and whether he will make a statement.

The committee was appointed in July and it is too early to say when it is likely to report. It has to consider a number of complex and difficult issues requiring thorough examination.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sales of virtually the whole of the electoral registers for the United Kingdom have been made; and how many of significant areas being larger than single constituencies in each of the last three years.

The only information available centrally consists of the total figure supplied by each electoral registration officer for receipts from sales of registers for the constituency or constituencies within his own registration area. If this would assist the hon. Member, I will send it to him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade by what date he now expects to publish the White Paper on the Edwards Report, which will enable the independent airline operators to proceed with development plans.

Soon, but I cannot yet give a precise date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the value of the largest grant made in respect of an individual investment or programme of investments under the terms of the Industrial Development Act to date; and what has been the highest ratio between an individual payment of investment grant and the number of jobs which has resulted from that investment.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 13th October.—[Vol. 788, c. 36–7.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of exports of dogs and cats in the most recent year for which figures are available.

The information is not available, except for greyhounds.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now redefine the area of the Highlands and Islands to conform with the facts of geography, while not disturbing the present delineation of the crofting area for the purposes of crofting legislation.

This is one of the matters to be considered in my examination of the Report of the Royal Commission on Local Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the existing local authority capital debt per head of population in Scotland, in the cities of Scotland, in the counties of Scotland and in Glasgow, respectively.

Loan debt per head in May, 1968 was approximately:

	£
Scotland	296
Counties of Cities	314
Counties	236
Glasgow	336

These figures exclude the debt of joint committees and boards which exercise borrowing powers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the most recent figures of rate burden per head of population in Scotland, in the cities of Scotland, in the counties of Scotland and in Glasgow, respectively.

Complete information for 1969–70 is not yet available. For 1968–69, the figures were—Scotland £30 12s.; Cities £38 15s.; Counties £23 11s.; and Glasgow £43 9s. After deducting rates paid in respect of industrial and commercial properties, the average rate burden per head of population was—Scotland £14 3s.; Cities £15 12s.; Counties £12 4s.; and Glasgow £15 11s.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many killings, including both murders and those cases where the charges were reduced to culpable homicide, were reported in each of the five years prior to and after 1964.

The numbers of cases of murder and culpable homicide made known to the police in Scotland during each of the years 1959 to 1968 are shown in the table below. The figures have been corrected up to—but not beyond—the end of each year. In a few cases there may have been subsequent changes by later judicial determination, e.g., where a charge of murder has resulted in a conviction for culpable homicide or some lesser offence.

MURDER AND CULPABLE HOMICIDE IN SCOTLAND 1959–68
Number of cases made known
	Murder	Culpable homicide
1959	13	20
1960	16	19
1961	14	23
1962	27	31
1963	16	30
1964	27	24
1965	32	31
1966	30	56
1967	41	29
1968	41	32

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects the Longannet coal-fired power station to be in operation; when he expects the Hunterston B nuclear station to be in operation; and what he estimates will be the cost per unit sent out from each.

Generation of electricity is expected to start at Longannet about the end of this year and from Hunterston B early in 1973. On the basis of a 30-year life with interest at 8 per cent. the South of Scotland Electricity Board estimate that the cost of electricity to be sent out from Longannet will be 0·60d. per unit. I gave the estimated cost of electricity to be sent out from Hunterston B in reply to my hon. Friend on 1st April, 1969.—[Vol. 781, c. 79–80.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which Scottish nuclear power station will be producing the cheapest electricity in each of the years between 1969 and 1972, inclusive, and which coal-fired station; and what will be the costs per unit sent out by both.

Hunterston A will be the only nuclear power station owned by the Scottish Electricity Boards operating in 1969–72. The cost per unit sent out from that station in 1968–69 was 1·055d. The slurry burning station at Methil is likely to be the coal-fired station producing the cheapest electricity in 1969; its unit cost in 1968–69 was 0·619d. The coal-fired station producing the cheapest electricity in 1970–72 is expected to be Longannet, with an estimated unit cost of 0·60d. per unit.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what will be the effect on the estimated costs of electricity sent out from the Hunterston B nuclear power station of the recent decision to charge interest, including interest during construction, at the new rate of 10 per cent.

The increase in the test discount rate to be used by the nationalised industries for appraisal of future investment projects has no effect on the costs of existing stations or of stations under construction.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the sum of £558 million now deposited under the import deposits scheme ha estimates has been provided from overseas.

Estimates suggest that finance provided from overseas may be in the region of 30 to 40 per cent., but this range is very uncertain.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total net yield of company taxation 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 current financial year;(2) if he will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total net yield of income tax and surtax in each of the financial years 1958–59 to 1968–69, inclusive, the

TABLE
	1958–59	1959–60	1960–61	1961–62	1962–63	1963–64
Income Tax and Surtax* £m.	2,485	2,397	2,618	2,944	3,005	2,927
Income Tax and Surtax as percentage of Government Revenue §	46·5	44·2	45·5	45·9	45·4	43·5
Income Tax and Surtax as percentage of Gross National Product║	12·1	11·0	11·3	12·0	11·6	10·5
Taxes on income borne by the personal sector† £m.	1,725	1,789	2,064	2,305	2,470	2,531
Taxes on income borne by the personal sector as percentage of Government Revenue§	32·3	33·0	35·8	36·0	37·3	37·6
Taxes on income borne by the personal sector as percentage of Gross National Product║	8·4	8·2	8·9	9·4	9·6	9·1
Company Taxation‡ £m.	944	791	761	947	897	757
Company Taxation as percentage of Government Revenue§	17·7	14·6	13·2	14·8	13·6	11·2
Company Taxation as percentage of Gross National Product║	4·6	3·6	3·3	3·8	3·5	2·7

	1964–65	1965–66	1966–67	1967–68	1968–69	1969–70 (Estimates)
Income Tax and Surtax* £m.	3,272	3,887	3,480	4,053	4,561	5,121
Income Tax and Surtax as percentage of Government Revenue §	43·6	46·2	37·8	39·4	38·2	37·3
Income Tax and Surtax as percentage of Gross National Product║	11·0	12·2	10·4	11·5	12·3	N.A.
Taxes on income borne by the personal sector† £m.	2,904	3,572	3,704	4,123	4,730	5,254
Taxes on income borne by the personal sector as percentage of Government Revenue§	38·7	42·5	40·2	40·1	39·6	38·3
Taxes on income borne by the personal sector as percentage of Gross National Product║	9·7	11·2	11·1	11·7	12·8	N.A.
Company Taxation‡ £m.	762	713	881	1,055	1,097	1,445
Company Taxation as percentage of Government Revenue §	10·1	8·5	9·6	10·3	9·2	10·5
Company Taxation as percentage of Gross National Product║	2·6	2·2	2·6	3·0	3·0	N.A.

The figures are given below. Prior to the introduction of corporation tax, companies paid income tax under Schedule D. There is thus an overlap between the figures of income tax and surtax, on the one hand, and tax on companies, on the other. To avoid this overlap an additional set of figures—taxes paid by persons—is also given.Following are the figures:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why travellers between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland are not given the opportunity of purchasing cigarettes, tobacco, wines and spirits and other goods at duty-free prices.

There has for many years been an understanding between the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic that neither will permit ships or aircraft plying between the two countries to load duty-free goods for consumption or sale on board. My right hon. Friend sees no sufficient reason for departing from that position.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations have been made to the Inland Revenue regarding an increase in the depreciation allowances on textile machinery; and what steps he intends to take in the light of such representations.

This matter is under discussion between the Textile Council and the Inland Revenue.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish as an additional column in the Annual Review White Paper's table on the cost of agricultural support the figures giving the effect of the determinations, now normally printed in a footnote, so as to enable comparisons readily to be made between the pre- and post-Review estimates.

I shall be glad to adopt this useful suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what steps she has taken to bring to an end the strike of dockworkers at the port of Preston which has continued for seven weeks.

The employers and the Transport and General Workers' Union have made continuous efforts to bring this unofficial strike to an end and my Department could not usefully intervene. I understand that the men have now voted to resume work.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many strikes occurred in the first nine months of 1969; how many hours were lost as a result of these strikes both by those on strike and those laid off in consequence; and what were the comparable figures for the first nine months of each of the previous four years.

Following is information available:

Period 1stJanuary—30th September	Number of stoppages beginning in period	Number of working days lost in all stoppages in progress in period
1969 (provisional)	2,181	3,989,000
1968	1,759	3,907,000
1967	1,578	1,751,000
1966	1,534	2,043,000
1965	1,875	2,511,000

Official statistics measure loss of time in terms of "Working days lost", but no separate figures can be given for days lost by workers directly involved and those thrown out of work at the establishments where the disputes occurred. The statistics do not include workers laid off at other establishments.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of Service personnel in each of the three Armed Services now stationed in Germany, and what were the comparative figures in October, 1964.

The total numbers of personnel serving in B.A.O.R., Berlin and R.A.F. Germany were as follows:

	Army	R.A.F.
(1) On 1st October, 1964	53,981	8,648
(2) On 1st October, 1969	56,606	6,488

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he is taking to assist the Tyne-mouth Water Undertaking meet the demand for water supplies to industrial development in the Newbiggin-by-the-Sea area of Northumberland, in view of the high rate of unemployment and need to encourage the development of new industry; and whether he will make a statement.

Representatives of the Tynemouth water undertaking and officials of this Department are due to meet on 21st October. If it proves that the water undertaking are in need of assistance then, of course, I shall do all I can to help.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what percentage of tenants applying to rent officers for a reduction in rent are successful, according to the latest available figures.

From the start of rent regulation up to the end of June, 1969, in cases where the bases of the registered rent and of the previous rent were comparable, 86·7 per cent. of applications by tenants for the registration of a fair rent resulted in a reduction of the previous rent.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what has been the response to his recent Press advertising campaign to inform the public of the services of rent officers.

Evaluation of the results of this campaign will, I hope, be completed shortly and I will then make a statement.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is his estimate of the number of ratepayers, in the city of Manchester and nationally, who, although entitled to rate rebates, have so far failed to apply; what steps he has taken, and is taking, to improve the position; and if he will make a statement.

There is no reliable estimate of the number of ratepayers entitled to rate rebates who have not applied for them either nationally or for the city of Manchester; but, in view of the extensive publicity given to the rebate scheme around the beginning of each rebate period by the Department, by local authorities and by other bodies, and of the major publicity campaign last autumn, I do not believe that there is now a significant number of ratepayers entitled to rebates who are not receiving them.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what action he plans to take on the resolution dealing with compulsory powers for local authorities to ensure easy access to all buildings for the physically handicapped, submitted to his Department by the British Federation of University Women; and whether he will make a statement.

I sympathise with the objectives of this resolution and I have advised public authorities to take into account the needs of the disabled when planning new public buildings although I am sure that most local authorities are doing this.I shall certainly take every opportunity of reminding them of their obligations to the disabled.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what percentage of houses in England are without hot water, fixed baths and internal water closets.

The estimated percentages of dwellings in England without hot and cold water at three points, without a fixed bath, and without internal water closets in 1967 were 21, 13 and 18 respectively, while 11 per cent. of dwellings lacked all three.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has considered the submission of the Newbiggin by the Sea Urban District Council concerning the need for a fund to meet the local demand for house purchase, as set out in a letter of 9th October, 1969; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has considered the council's request for a further allocation, but regrets that he is unable to accede to it.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will withhold permission for the building of any more nuclear power stations until the first commercial scale advanced gas-cooled reactor station has operated long enough for the running costs to be proved.

No. The Government have been satisfied that the A.G.R.s will generate base load electricity at lower cost than conventional stations. To withhold permission for the construction of further A.G.R.s would delay unacceptably the reduction of the cost of electricity and the further development of nuclear power.

asked the Minister of Technology why Ministerial consent was refused to the Central Electricity Generating Board for conversion of the 252 megawatt oil-fired station at South Denes to natural gas; and if he will calculate the amount of the saving to the balance of payments that would have accrued in the year 1969–70 as a result of conversion, assuming that the station's load factor remains the same as in the previous year.

Consent has not been refused. The Board's application would be reviewed if they were to agree terms with the gas industry for a supply of natural gas. The net overall effect on the balance of payments is not determinable as it would depend on such factors as the fuel substituted elsewhere for the natural gas taken by the station.

asked the Minister of Technology what was the total cost, including loss of revenue, of the delays to the Winfrith S.G.H.W. reactor reported in Paragraphs 151 and 152 of the 1968–69 Report of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.

The cost of rectifying the plant was about £6,000; the further cost arising from fuel failures is not easily assessed. The estimated revenue that might otherwise have been obtained is £200,000. A load factor of 45 per cent. for the first year of operation of this prototype reactor is considered to be a very satisfactory achievement.The prototype S.G.H.W. reactor at Winfrith was not constructed solely to generate electricity, but to afford an opportunity to solve any development problems that might be thrown up. Achieving a high standard of water purification was part of the development programme. The time lost as a result of malfunctioning of the purification plant enabled other desirable experimental and engineering work to be carried out.

asked the Minister of Technology what was the total cost including any loss of revenue, of the delays to the Dragon reactor reported in Paragraph 150 of the 1968–69 Report of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority.

The Atomic Energy Authority operate this experimental reactor on behalf of the O.E.C.D. Dragon Project. The reactor is not used for the production of electricity and its irradiation space is not sold; there is, therefore, no revenue. I am informed by the management of the Dragon Project that the necessary cost of replacement of a complete set of heat exchangers, to which reference is made in the A.E.A's Annual Report, was of the order of £60,000.

asked the Minister of Technology (1) what progress has been made towards the implementation of scientific and technological agreements with the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; what consideration has been given for the setting up of joint consultative machinery for furthering the promotion of scientific and cultural exchanges between the two countries; and if he will make a statement;(2) what progress has been made towards the implementation of scientific and technological agreements with the Government of Bulgaria; what consideration has been given for the setting up of joint consultative machinery for furthering the promotion of scientific and cultural exchanges between the two countries; and if he will make a statement;(3) what progress has been made towards the implementation of scientific and technological agreements with the Government of Czechoslovakia; what consideration has been given for setting up of joint consultative machinery for furthering the promotion of scientific and cultural exchanges between the two countries; and if he will make a statement;(4) what progress has been made towards the implementation of scientific and technological agreements with the Government of Hungary; what consideration has been given for the setting up of joint consultative machinery for furthering the promotion of scientific and cultural exchanges between the two countries; and if he will make a statement;(5) what progress has been made towards the implementation of scientific and technological agreements with the Government of Poland; what consideration has been given for the setting up of joint consultative machinery for further- ing the promotion of scientific and cultural exchanges between the two countries; and if he will make a statement;(6) what progress has been made towards the implementation of scientific and technological agreements with the Government of Roumania; what consideration has been given for the setting up of joint consultative machinery for furthering the promotion of scientific and cultural exchanges between the two countries; and if he will make a statement;(7) what progress has been made towards the implementation of scientific and technological agreements with the Government of Yugoslavia; what consideration has been given for the setting up of joint consultative machinery for furthering the promotion of scientific and cultural exchanges between the two countries; and if he will make a statement.

Her Majesty's Government have within the past 2½ years signed technological agreements with all the States mentioned by my hon. Friend. Our object in all these agreements has been the promotion of closer contacts with the States concerned, particularly in areas where British industry can benefit.A number of more detailed joint arrangements have been instituted as a result of the agreements, chiefly in the form of joint working parties in particular industrial fields. Furthermore, all the agreements provide for annual reviews and my right hon. Friend has participated in such reviews with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, with Yugoslavia, with Hungary and with Roumania respectively.Cultural agreements and other inter-Governmental arrangements in this field are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what reports have been submitted by the Aerodrome Works Development Advisory Committee; and if he will make a statement.

None. The Aerodrome Works Development Committee is composed of members from the Ministry of Public Building and Works, Ministry of Technology, Royal Aircraft Establishment Farnborough, Board of Trade, Ministry of Defence (Navy and Air), and the British Airports Authority. The Committee does not issue formal reports; its main aims are to ensure that its members are aware of current research related to the technical development of aerodromes; that necessary research is not either duplicated or omitted; and that any further research required is initiated. The question of whether the Committee's activities should be made more widely known is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the members of the Government-appointed panel from which Welsh local authorities can appoint an inspector to hold an inquiry under a proposed Traffic Order are Welshmen, live in Wales, and are Welsh-speaking, respectively.

Of the 15 members of the panel of inspectors for England and Wales, three live in Wales. These three are all men who have long experience of public administration in Wales, but ability to speak Welsh was not a condition of their selection and I do not know the extent of their knowledge of the Welsh language.