asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now take steps to abandon the British Standard Time experiment.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the total rate-borne cost of accident prevention expenditures undertaken by local authorities and necessitated by the introduction of British Standard Time.

It is impossible to say how much expenditure can be directly attributed to this change.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in his discussions with women's organisations about alternatives to prison sentences for women; and if he will make a statement.

The Advisory Council on the Penal System is exploring alternatives to imprisonment for both men and women offenders, and I hope that some of its recommendations may have a particular application to women. The Council has not had discussions with women's organisations, but any proposals put forward will be carefully considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now implement the Police Council's recommendation of early 1968 that an undermanning allowance be paid to the City of Birmingham police.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is

The information available, which is not comprehensive and does not cover children in remand homes, indicates an average of two to three years' retardation in reading ability at the point of admission to an approved school. Some schools have made use of the initial teaching alphabet, usually in individual cases of severe retardation, but there are no central records to show what success has been achieved.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the percentage of reading disability in Borstals and prisons; what use is being made of the initial teaching alphabet; and with what result.

While no standardised information about reading disability in penal establishments in England and Wales is yet available, there is little doubt that a substantial minority of people in custody has a reading age of 10 years old or less. The initial teaching alphabet is being used on a small scale experimentally; it is too early yet to estimate its value.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to amend Section 5(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968, to enable postmen and others to carry an approved dog repellent for self defence.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to compel the police to inform parents when their 17-year-old sons or daughters are taken into custody even if released the same day.

The parents of persons of 17 years of age and over are

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many personal radios are in use in theMetropolitan Police; what is the number needed; and whether he will make a statement.

4,378 sets are at present in use. The total requirement, as at present estimated, is just under 6,000. This is expected to be met within 12 months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will allow ordinary Foreign Office passports to be used as photographic proof of identity by relatives visiting long-term prisoners.

No. This would not be an adequate substitute for the requirement, which applies only to visitorsto prisoners in security category A, to supply photographs for authentication before visits take place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why publication of the revised Home Office Study, "Murder", has been delayed.

The report, entitled "Murder 1957 to 1968", was published on 6th November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he is making towards a scheme for reparations by offenders to victims of crime.

I hope to receive the recommendations of the Advisory Council on the Penal System on this subject in the spring.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he

My right hon. Friend is aware of one unfortunate incident, but he does not think that legislation, which would be necessary to strengthen the law, is called for.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what authority officers of the Metropolitan Police Force were instructed to allow hon. Members to approach the House only on foot during the State opening of Parliament, on Tuesday, 28th October, 1969.

Since 1938 the practice followed by the police has been that immediately prior to the Sovereign's arrival, hon. Members' cars should set down occupants in Bridge Street. Their orders also require however, that all possible facilities should be given to hon. Members' vehicles to pass at any point up to the latest possible moment understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the police assisted an hon. Member to arrive at the House in his car on 28th October last when the Royal Procession was already in sight.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will seek discussions with the Post Office Board, with a view to changing the emergency telephone dialling code from 999 to 111 in the interests of speeding up communications between the general public and the police and other emergency services.

This suggestion has been considered from time to time with the Post Office but technical reasons rule out a change, at any rate for the present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now received evidence of an increase in illegal betting; what representations he has received on the subject from the National Association of Bookmakers; and what steps he proposes to take to reduce illegal betting.

My right hon. Friend is aware that disquiet has been expressed that the law about betting is being evaded and he has brought this to the attention of chief officers of police, who are responsible for the enforcement of the law.

Representations made by the National Association of Bookmakers to my hon. and learned Friend the Financial Secretary earlier this month have been conveyed to my right hon. Friend, but they were not supported by any new evidence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will instruct all electoral registration officers to conduct a pilot survey to establish whether there has been any substantial shortfall in the registration of the 16, 17, 18 and 19 year-olds for the new electoral register; and if he will this year extend the period during which claims for inclusion on the register can be entertained after initial publication of the B and C lists.

Some electoral registration officers have already done this, with mixed results. Anyone aged 16 years 8 months or so on 10th October last ought to have been entered and still can be up to 16th December. That date is fixed by law in order to ensure due publication of the register.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimate of the cost of additional Metropolitan Police provided for the Rugby match between Oxford University and the South African touring team; and if he will take steps to recover this cost from those persons responsible for organising the tour.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Cornwall, North (Mr. Pardoe) on 18th November.—[Vol. 791, c. 282.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Depart

No. The arrangements for each match are worked out by the police force concerned in discussion with the rugby club as part of the duty of the police to preserve the peace. As I recently explained, I have called a conference of chief constables to discuss various aspects of these arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have left the service of the Police Force, apart from normal retirement, between 1st January and 1st July, 1969.

In England and Wales, 1,689.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure that the terms of the agreement with the Northern Ireland Government on measures of reform are being fully implemented.

I am in close touch with the Government of Northern Ireland. The programme of measures that I have discussed with them is being implemented with all speed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many coloured policemen have been recruited during the past year in England and Wales.

Six.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Commonwealth immigrants arriving at British ports or airports were detained in prison in the first six months of 1969 while investigations were made into their eligibility for entry.

62 Commonwealth citizens were detained in prison, 7 in remand homes and 18 in remand centres during this period.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the latest available figures for recruitment into the police force during the year 1969; and what is the total strength of the Metropolitan Police Force and the provincial police forces on the latest date for which figures are available.

From 1st January to 31st October, there were 5,323 recruits to police forces in England and Wales. The strength of the Metropolitan police on 31st October was 20,630. That of the provincial forces was 69,788.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest date to which the figures for the total amount of crime is available; and if he will make a statement.

Provisional figures showing the number of indictable offences known to the police in England and Wales in the six months ended 30th June, 1969, were issued on 12th November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain from the chief constable a report as to what was the cost of providing the police protection against the anti-apartheid demonstrators at Leicester on Saturday, 8th November; and by whom the costs are to be borne.

The club will pay £508 15s. Od., and the estimated additional police costs are £7,550. The latter include £3,120 costs in respect of members of the Leicester police and £4,430 in respect of reinforcements from 10 other forces. It is for the aiding police authorities to decide whether to make a claim to the Leicester police authority for reimbursement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain from chief constables reports as to the extent to which forgery of the new 50-pence coin is taking place; and how the extent of such forgeries compares with those of other coins.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Edinburgh, North (Earl of Dalkeith), on lath November. Fourteen counterfeit 50p coins have so far come to notice and another nine are being examined; but it is too soon to make any valid comparison with the counterfeiting of other coins.—[Vol. 791, c. 280–1.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain a report from the chief constable on what immediate steps will be taken to increase the effective strength of the Liverpool and Bootle police force; and if he will make a statement.

The chief constable informs me that he is taking active steps to secure recruits by means of a vigorous local recruiting campaign, which is complementary to the national campaign.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of Liverpool and Bootle Police regarding the increase in crimes of violence in Liverpool and Bootle and the practice of knife-carrying by groups of young persons in the police area, and on the action he has taken, or is going to take, to eradicate such practices amongst teenagers; and if he will make a statement.

The chief constable has reported a sharp increase in crimes of violence. Some months ago he set up a special task force, and he informs me that this and other measures have

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now introduce legislation to enable persons of the age of 18 years and over to stand as candidates at local elections.

My hon. Friend sees no reason to reopen a matter on which Parliament has so recently pronounced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners now serving sentences have a recorded history of mental instability;

(2) how many prisoners now serving sentences have, in the past or at the present time, been certified as insane in Her Majesty's Penal Institutions, Broad-moor and Rampton, respectively.

Information is not readily available as to the number of prisoners know to have a past history of mental instability but psychiatric treatment is available for mentally unstable prisoners. Grendon Underwood, opened in 1962, was established to provide the special help such prisoners need.

On 14th November, 164 persons subject to sentences of imprisonment were detained in psychiatric hospitals following transfer from prison for treatment for mental disorder under the Mental Health Act, 1959, or earlier statutory provisions. Of those detained in special hospitals 62 were in Broadmoor, 34 in Rampton, and 17 in Moss Side.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now take steps to provide for payment of subsistence allowances to justices of the peace who live within three miles from the courts in which they carry out their duties.

I regret that I cannot yet say when payment will begin.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he recommended to Her Majesty the Queen that she should exercise the Royal Prerogative of Mercy to remit the sentence passed on to Mr. and Mrs. Kroger.

It is not the practice to give details of advice tendered by Ministers to the Sovereign.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain from chief constables reports as to how many policemen and civilians, respectively, have been injured or/and arrested as a result of demonstrations at Springbok rugby matches.

Twenty-three policemen have been injured and 21 other people are known by the police to have been injured. Eighty-one people have been arrested.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up an inquiry into the regulations concerning the welfare of foster children.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home 'Department what representations he has received from electors in the London Borough of Brent on the local authority's proposals to cut down the number of polling stations from 123 to 108; and what replies he has sent.

One representation by electors in one ward was referred to the Home Office by the Brent Borough Council on 13th November and received on 17th November. A considered reply will be sent as soon as the necessary inquiries have been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will refer to the Director of Public Prosecutions the pornographic advertisements for the book entitled "Variations on a Sexual Theme" sent to young persons, a copy of which has been sent to him by the hon. Member for Willesden, West.

I understand that the Director of Public Prosecutions has already considered this circular and does not think it would be appropriate to take any proceedings in respect of it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the owners of gaming clubs and their legal advisers about the manner in which the Gaming Board conducts interviews with applicants for licences; and what replies he has sent.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present strength of the Special Constabulary in England and Wales; how many vacancies exist for special con

MURDERERS RELEASED FROM PRISON 1964–1969 AND YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT SERVED ENGLAND AND WALES
Years of Imprisonment
Year	21	20	15	12	11	10	9	8	7	5	3	1	1/2	Total
1964	—	—	1	—	—	1	7	5	1	—	1	—	—	16
1965	1	1	—	—	—	1	5	10	3	1	—	—	—	22
1966	—	—	—	—	1	2	14	4	1	—	—	—	—	22
1967	—	—	—	—	—	2	7	4	5	1	—	1	—	20
1968	—	—	—	2	3	—	12	5	2	—	—	—	1	25
1969(to date)	—	—	—	1	1	4	11	6	1	—	—	—	—	24
	1	1	1	3	5	10	56	34	13	2	1	1	1	129

On 31st December, 1968, the latest date for which figures are available, the strength in England and Wales was 37,230 and the authorised establishment 100,625. Chief officers of police are responsible for recruitment of special constables, but some recruiting material is produced centrally to assist local efforts. This includes posters, leaflets and films for showing on television.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total amount of unpaid fines at the latest date for which figures are available; for what periods payment of these fines had been in arrears; and what were the corresponding figures for the previous 12 months.

On 30th June, 1969, the arrears in courts in England and Wales outside Inner London amounted to £4,270,434. The corresponding figure for 30th June, 1968, was £3,339,825. These figures include fines the time for payment of which had not expired.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many murderers have been released from life sentences in each of the last five years; and how many years imprisonment had each murderer served before release.

Following is the answer:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when last a murderer was released from a life sentence after serving 20 or more years; how many murderers now in prison have served a continuous sentence of 20 or more years; and if he will give comparable figures for 15 years and 16 years.

The answer as regards England and Wales is that in 1965, two murderers were released, after serving 20 and 21 years respectively: and that one murderer who has served over 20 years and one who has served 17, are stillin prison.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that a large number of people from overseas visit Great Britain each year who have no knowledge of the English language, if he will consider taking steps to give policemen extra emoluments if they speak a foreign language together with a badge to denote the language concerned.

If recommendations on these points were made to my right hon. Friend by the Police Council, in relation to an allowance, and by the Police Advisory Board, in relation to a badge, he would consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain a report from the Chief Constable on the cost to public funds of the employment of police at Newport on the occasion of the visit of the Springboks.

The estimated additional cost to the police fund is £1,372.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement regarding the proposed prison at Stamford Bridge.

I am giving urgent consideration to a letter from the East Riding County Council about this proposal but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of social work staff, child care officers, and family caseworkers, employed by children's departments of each local authority on the last available date, giving the percentage of staff who are professionally qualified caseworkers, those with social science or other qualifications, and those without appropriate relevant qualifications.

In England and Wales, 3,450 whole-time, staff, including 368 trainees, were employed on 31st March last. Excluding trainees, 42·2 per cent. held a recognised professional qualification, a further 4·7 per cent. of the Declaration of Recognition of Experience, and a further 18·2 per cent. a university degree, diploma or certificate in social science. Details will be given in a circular later this month; I will send a copy to my hon. Friend and will place a copy in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reply he has sent to the letter he received from Dr. Searle concerning the use of chloroform in toothpaste; and if he will make a statement.

The reply sent to Dr. Searle explained the circumstances in which chloroform in toothpaste was exempted from the restrictions imposed under the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, 1933, and why my right hon. Friend saw no sufficient reason to modify that exemption.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many capital murders were committed in England and Wales during the four years 1960 to 1964; if lie will give comparable figures for the four years 1965 to 1968; and how many murderers were executed in England and Wales in the four years 1960 to 1964.

The corrected figure for offences of murder known to the police in England and Wales that were

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is now possible to evaluate the results of Scotland Yard's Accident Research Unit; and if he will now order them to be published.

Reports on a number of particular inquiries have been made available within the Metropolitan Police Force and have been circulated to other police forces, to Government Departments, and to certain other organisations particularly concerned. But the results so far do not call for wider publication.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the limit of 6 per cent. for administrative expenses was imposed on totalisators at greyhound and horse-tracks; taking the £ sterling as then having a purchasing value of 20s., to what extent the 6 per cent. would have to be increased as at November, 1969, to ensure the same return to these track operators; and if he will take action to increase this 6 per cent.

The limit which operators of totalisators on dog tracks may deduct from turnover was fixed in 1934; it does not apply to the horse-race totalisator. The return to operators is governed by other factors in addition to the limit. On 12th November my right hon. Friend made an Order under the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries (Amend-

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what is her estimate of the increase in the proportion of gross national product devoted to overseas aid on the basis that the effects of commodity agreements and comparable schemes were taken into account and included in the total of aid; and whether she will provide a comparison, on the same basis, with other western nations, from information available to her from international sources.

I regret I cannot add materially to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for King's Lynn (Mr. Derek Page) on 7th November.—[Vol. 790; c. 183–4.]

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she will announce a date for the achievement of the target of 1 per cent. of the country's gross national product to be devoted to overseas aid, in line with the recommendation of the report of the Pearson Commission.

I am not yet in a position to make any statement on this.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development (1) what proportion of the books under the less expensive book scheme is concerned with agricultural education for the current year; and how this compares with the three previous years;

(2) what was the number of instructional manuals suitable for agricultural education which were issued under the less expensive book scheme during the years 1967 to 1969, inclusive; and to which countries have such books been made available.

Of the 395 titles at present available under the Low-Priced Books Scheme, 7 deal with agricultural subjects and a further 7 with the related subjects

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will ask the Commission for Industrial Relations to prepare a set of model rules for trade unions.

No. The rules of any union must reflect its own situation and the needs and wishes of its members.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will refer the problem of industrial relations in the motor industry to the Commission for Industrial Relations.

I am anxious that the programme of references to the Commission on Industrial Relations should include major industrial relations problems, including those affecting sections of the motor industry. The timing of references, and the specific matters to be referred must be decided in the light of circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will refer to the National Board for Prices and Incomes increases in pay awarded to trade union officials.

I have no reason at present to consider referring increases of pay for trade union officials to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she is aware of the disparity in average incomes in the Northern area compared with those in other parts of the country; and what proposals she has to establish the principle of equal pay for equal work, irrespective of regional habitation.

I am aware that average earnings in the Northern Region are below the national average. Regional differences in earnings are due to various factors such as the different mix of occupations and different labour supply situations. They can be evened out only through long term policies of regional development.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what change there has been recently in the method of counting unemployed persons for the purpose of the monthly returns; and if she will make a statement.

A minor change was made on 19th September to the instructions which employment exchanges follow when making the monthly counts of the unemployed. This was designed to remove ambiguity front the method of counting the temporary registrants (i.e. persons who become unemployed but can be immediately offered suitable employment). The revised instructions clarify the intention to include all those who are unemployed on the date of each count, and should have little or no effect upon the national and regional unemployment figures since previous small errors tended to be self-cancelling.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what steps she is taking to find employment for persons made unemployed by the reduction in work at the English Electric factory in Netherton, Bootle; and whether she will make a statement.

Details of the redundancy programme at the Netherton factory have not yet been finally settled. I understand that there will be no dismissals before the end of the year. My local officers will be making special arrangements to help redundant workers who require advice or assistance in obtaining other employment. The majority of those involved have some skill or technical qualification. If, as we expect, the redundancy is spread over an ex-

	1960–1964		1964–1968
	Earnings in manufacturing	Consumer Prices	Earnings in manufacturing	Consumer Prices	Concept of Earnings used in the basic data
France	8·0	4·1	7·4	3·1	Rates per hour for males andfemales, adults only.
Federal Republic of Germany	9·2	2·7	6·1	2·5	Earnings per hour for males,including family allowances paid directly by employers.
Italy	12·4	5·0	4·7	2·9	Earnings per hour for males andfemales, including the value ofpayments in kind.
Belgium	7·1	2·2	8·0✶	3·7✶	Earnings per day for males ✶Figures relate to 1964–1967 (Average earnings for 1968 not yet available.)
Netherlands	9·7	3·7	9·4	4·4	Rates per hour for males and females, adults only.
United States of America	2·9	1·2	4·4	2·9	Earnings per hour for males and females.
Canada	3·1	1·4	6·3	3·5	Earnings per hour for males andfemales.
Japan	10·0	5·9	12·3	5·3	Earnings per month for malesand females including salariedemployees, and including family allowances and mid and end-of-year bonuses.
United Kingdom	5·6	3·2	6·7	4·0	Earnings per hour for males,adults only.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will publish a table showing, from information available from international sources, the average annual increase in earnings in industry in France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United States of America, Canada, Japan and Great Britain, between 1960 and 1964 and 1964 and 1968; and what these increases represented in real terms, allowing for changes in prices.

The table of figures is given below. I must emphasise that owing to differences in concept, scope, methodology and presentation it cannot be assumed the figures for different countries are comparable. Because of these differences and also because social security systems vary so much from country to country it is not possible to produce a reliable measure of changes in the "real" value of earnings.

The following are the average annual percentage (compound) increases:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will publish a table showing, from the information available from international sources, the average annual increase in prices in France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United States of America, Canada, Japan and Great Britain, between 1958and 1964 and the latest available date.

The table of figures is given below. I must emphasise that owing to differences in concept, scope, methodology and presentation it cannot be assumed the figures for different countries are comparable.

The following are the average annual percentage (compound) increases:

	1958–1964	1964–1968
France	4·3	3·1
Federal Republic ofGermany	2·2	2·5
Italy	3·6	2·9
Belgium	1·7	3·5
Netherlands	2·9	4·4
United States of America	1·2	2·9
Canada	1·3	3·5
Japan	4·7	5·3
United Kingdom	2·4	4·0

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the number unemployed in the London area; what proportion of these are aged 21 and under and 25 and under, respectively; and which are the three localities in England with the highest proportion of unemployed persons aged under 21 and under 25, respectively.

MEN
Basic Non-Graduate Burnham Scales
October	Industrial earnings per week Men (21 years and over)	Per annum	Minimum Equivalent Per week	Col. (4) as percentage of Col.(2)	Per annum	Maximum Equivalent per week	Col. (7) as percentage of Col. 2
(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)	(7)	(8)
	£ s. d.	£	£ s. d.		£	£ s. d.
1959	13 11 1	520	10 0 0	73·8	1,000	19 4 7	141·9
1960	14 10 8	520	10 0 0	68·8	1,000	19 4 7	132·3
1961	15 6 10	520	10 0 0	65·2	1,000	19 4 7	125·4
1962	15 17 3	570	10 19 2	69·1	1,170	22 10 0	141·8
1963	16 14 11	630	12 2 4	72·3	1,250	24 0 10	143·6
1964	18 2 2	630	12 2 4	66·9	1,250	24 0 10	132·7
1965	19 11 9	730	14 0 10	71·7	1,400	26 18 6	137·5
1966	20 6 1	730	14 0 10	69·1	1,400	26 18 6	132·6
1967	21 7 6	800	15 7 8	72·0	1,500	28 16 11	134·9
1968	22 19 11	800	15 7 8	66·9	1,500	28 16 11	125·4
1969	23 18 3	860	16 10 10	69·2	1,600	30 15 5	128·7

The numbers registered as wholly unemployed, except casual workers, are analysed in January and July each year by broad age bands which distinguish those under 20 and those under 25 years of age but not those aged21 and under, and 25 and under. At 14th July, 1969, there were 54,331 persons registered as wholly unemployed in the Greater London area. Excluding the casual workers, 8·7 per cent. were under 20 and 21·8 per cent. were under 25years of age. At that date the regions of England with the highest proportions of these wholly unemployed in those age groups were Northern, North Western and Yorkshire and Humberside.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will tabulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the top and bottom points on the basic Burnham scale at 1st October on each of the years from 1959 to 1969, average industrial earnings at the same dates, and the percentage of average industrial earnings which the top and bottom points on the Burnham scale represented on those dates.

In the following tables "average industrial earnings", as measured by the results of the Departments April and October earnings enquiry, are compared with the top and bottom points of the basic non-graduate scale. No results are yet available from the October, 1969 enquiry into the earnings of manual workers.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the percentage increase in average industrial earnings between 1st October, 1964, and 1st October, 1969, and the percentage increase at the lowest and the highest points of the basic Burnham scale.

The latest available figures of average industrial earnings relate to a week in April, 1969.Between October, 1964 and April, 1969 in the industries covered by my Department's half-yearly enquiry the average weekly earnings of men, 21 years and over, rose by 32·1 per cent. and those of women, 18 years and over, by 31 per cent. Between 1st October, 1964, and 1st April, 1969, for both men and women teachers the basic non-graduate Burnham scale rose by 36·5 per cent. at the minimum point and 28 per cent. at the maximum point: this scale did not alter between 1st April, 1969, and 1st October, 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are his plans for displaying to the public the London Transport relics presently housed at Clapham when that museum closes down.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of November

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice he has received from the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries in relation to the projected move of the transport records and relics out of London.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 13th November to the hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Ridley).—[Vol. 791; c. 129–30.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the nature of the consultations which took place between his Department and the British Broadcasting Corporation prior to the Corporation's decision to proceed with a television series of programmes on sex education for children under 10 years of age.

There were no such consultations.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the percentage of part-time teachers employed in the County Borough of Sunderland; and what are the corresponding percentages for the Northern Region and England, respectively.

Part-time qualified teachers, in terms of full-time equivalent, were at 1st October, 1969, 3·2 per cent., 4 per cent. and 5·4 per cent. respectively of all qualified teachers.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the amount of the grants made by the University Grants Committee for new construction in the Northern Region for 1969–70.

The University Grants Committee has allocated £572,000 for building projects to start in 1969–70 at the Universities of Durham and Newcastle.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what financial steps he is taking to safeguard the future of the Tyneside Film Theatre in view of its contribution to education among schoolchildren and the opportunity it gives to creating an interest in the complex of knowledge for use in leisure time.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children were taking school meals for which they paid part of the cost in 1960, 1964, 1968, and the current financial year, respectively.

Following are the number of children taking school meals for which charges were paid (England and Wales):

1960	…	3,161,000
1964	…	3,808,000
1968	…	4,179,000
1969(provisional)	…	4,569,000

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how

Actual figures for 196970 are not yet available but the provisional number is 594,000. In 1960 it was 247,000 and in 1964 281,000. All figures relate to England and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much of the subsidy of £81 million for school meals in the current financial year is accounted for by the cost of giving free school meals to those children whose parents cannot afford to pay; what was the subsidy and what was the cost of free school meals in 1960 and 1964;and what was the cost of free school meals as a percentage of the subsidy in each of those three years.

£8·4 million and 10·4 per cent. Equivalent figures for earlier years follow:

		(1)	(2)	(3)
		Subsidy	Cost of Providing Free Meals✶	Col. (2) as Percentage of Col. (1)
		£m	£m
1960–61	…	38	2·4	6·3
1964–65	…	54	2·8	5·2
✶ This cost is taken as the cost of remitting the charge, since the difference between the charge and the full cost of the meals is a subsidy applicable to all meals.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to publish the Report of his Advisory Committee on the use of D.D.T. in agrculture, horticulture and the home.

The Report of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and other Toxic Chemicals on its further reviewing certain persistent organochlorine pesticides, which includes D.D.T., is expected to be published before the House rises for Christmas.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether Her Majesty's Government propose to make a contribution towards the purchase of a freehold site for the Polish Centre by the Polish Cultural Fund, inview of the debt Great Britain owes to Polish ex-servicemen who served under British command but are unable to return to Poland.

I received today an inquiry about a bridging loan or a grant in connection with the acquisition of an extension to a site which has already been acquired by the Polish community for a collective Cultural Centre. The inquiry is being considered, but I cannot be hopeful of the outcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total number of full-time registered students in universities in the United Kingdom at 31st October, 1969, the total number in colleges of education at the same date, the total number of full-time students in other institutions of higher education at the same date, and the corresponding figures for October, 1968, and October, 1964.

The information for the United Kingdom is given in the following table:

	Number of full-time and sandwich students
	Oct. 1964	Oct. 1968	Oct. 1969✶
Universities	158,000†	218,200	226,200
Colleges of Education	72,000	122,300	128,500
Advanced Further Education	44,000	83,700	93,000
Total	274,000	424,200	447,700
✶ The October 1969 figures are provisional.
… This figure, which includes students at the then colleges of advanced technology and the Heriot Watt College and Scottish College of Commerce, contains an estimated element.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has received for the improvement of Ashley Primary School; and whether he will make a statement.

The Staffordshire Local Education Authority proposes to transfer the pupils from Hugo Meynell Church of England Primary School to better accommodation at present occupied by Ashley Secondary School. My right hon. Friend hopes to reach a decision on this proposal early in the New Year when the notices published under Section 13 of the Education Act, 1944, have run their course.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will appoint a new Chairman of the Scottish Economic Planning Council.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Moray and Nairn (Mr. Gordon Campbell) on 19th November.—[Vol. 791, c. 1288.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable on the steps being taken to ensure that the Springbok Rugby match at Murrayfield on 6th December takes place without violence or hindrance outside or inside the ground.

I have invited the Chief Constable of Edinburgh, along with the chief constables from the other areas concerned, to attend the conference on Monday, 24th November which was announced by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 14th November and at which my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland will be present.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the effect of the fire prevention campaign held in September; and if he will make a statement.

I opened the campaign in Glasgow and subsequently my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Mr. Buchan) visited six other Fire Brigade areas. We congratulate all Scottish Fire Brigades on the efforts they made during the campaign period; some publicity material is still being shown in remoter stations. It is, of course, difficult to measure statistically the success of a campaign aimed at fire precautions in the home, but firemasters

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the absence of any limit on the number of 50p coins that travellers may take out of the country and the ease with which foreign button manufacturers can legally copy them, he will establish the necessary machinery to check on the 50p coins brought into the country.

The 50p coin cannot be copied legally in any country which is a party to the 1929 International Convention for the Suppression of Counterfeiting Currency, to which most countries are parties. Imitation coins imported into the United Kingdom are liable to seizure, and Customs and Excise officers are alert to take the necessary action.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to make arrangements to compensate innocent recipients of forged 50p coins.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what sum the standard rate of income tax requires to be raised in order to increase the British contribution to overseas aid from 0·42 per cent. of the gross national product to 1 per cent.; and what is his estimate of the increase required on the basis that credit is given for the private flow of 0·41 per cent. of the gross national product.

On 1968 figures, and on the arbitrary assumption that the whole target was due to be met by official aid, the reply to the first part of the question would be about 10d. On the second part, assuming a private flow of 0·41 per cent., the standard rate increase required would be about 3d.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has made

I regret that the information on which estimates could be based is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total amount raised in duties on imported wines and spirits in each of the years 1960 to 1969.

Net receipts in 1968–69 of Customs duty on imported wines were £54·5 million and on imported spirits £67·1 million. Comparable figures for earlier years were published in Table 4 in the 59th Report of the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise (Cmnd. 3873).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will invite the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund on an official visit to the United Kingdom.

I am looking forward to meeting M. Schweitzer again at the beginning of December when he will be in London in order to deliver the Stamp Memorial Lecture.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many estates were assessed for estate duty during the nearest convenient year; and how many of them exceeded £20,000.

In the year ended 31st March, 1969, 81,000 and 18,000 respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present yield of a 6d. income tax.

If the hon. Member means the yield of an increase of 6d. in the Standard Rate the figure is £185 million for 1969–70

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the highest income level below which a household of two parents and two children under 16 receives a net bonus as a result of social security benefits; and what percentage of taxpayers is in receipt of income at or below that level.

I am not sure what the hon. Member has in mind. If he will write to me explaining his point in more detail, I will see what information I can give to him about it.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what progress is being made by the Countryside Commission and local authorities over the establishment of a Wolds Way in East Yorkshire.

The Countryside Commission has approved in principle a proposal for a long distance route from Filey across the Yorkshire Wolds to the Humber. Proposals on the actual line of the route are expected to be put shortly to the Commission by the East Riding County Council which is carrying out a survey with the help of the Ramblers' Association. Before submitting its report to my right hon. Friend for approval, the Commission is required to consult formally all the local authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will seek powers to control rents charged by local authorities in cases of transfer.

There is at present no control over rent increases which occur when a local authority house is relet to an incoming tenant, and the Rent (Control of Increases) Bill does not include a power to exercise such a control.I would refer the hon. Member to the remarks that I made upon this subject

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table similar to that given in page 326 of National Accounts Statistics Sources and Methods, giving actual figures for the year 1968–69 and estimates for the year 1969–70.

Firm figures for the year 1968–69 are not yet available, but the estimated figures are as follows:

HOUSING SUBSIDIES (UNITED KINGDOM)
Central Government	£million
Permanent housing:
Subsidies to local authorities	131
Subsidies to public corporations	13
Temporary housing:
Annuities less Receipts from local authorities	−1
Emergency housing: net payments to local authorities	1
Net subsidies	144

Local Authorities	£million
Emergency housing:
Expenses less Rents, etc	1
less Receipts from central government	−1
Other housing:
Loan charges	519
Payments to central government for temporary houses	1
Other expenses	206
less Rents, etc.,	−504
less Subsidies from central government	131
Net subsidies	91
Combined public authorities	235

Estimates cannot yet be given in this form for the year 1969–70.