asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he proposes to have with his fellow North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Ministers about the military rôle of Greece in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what systematic progress-chasing he has done on the recommendations of the Report of the Select Committee of the defence research establishments.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he will reply to the report of the Select Committee on Science and Technology on Defence Research.

The Government observations on the Select Committee's Report on Defence Research will be published next week as a Command Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the latest recruitment figures for the three Services.

Recruitment for the three Services for September 1969 was:

		Adults and Young Servicemen	Boys including Apprentices
R.N. and R.M.	…	203	867
Army	…	1,817	2,008
R.A.F.	…	873	617

Further details may be obtained from the Statement now available in the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is now in a position to make a statement about the future use of installations at the Royal Naval Air Station, Arbroath.

I have at present nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 15th October.—[Vol. 788, c. 398.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence over how many miles of sand beach in Carmarthenshire his Department exercises rights.

About 8¾ miles.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much land in Wales is owned by his Department.

About 52,900 acres, including 1,600 acres on lease.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement about the future of Heathfield Camp, Honiton.

The camp will be required for an infantry battalion till the end of next year. No decisions have been taken on the position after that.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if it remains Government policy to disband six infantry battalions following the deployment of troops in Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will halt the rundown in the number of infantry battalions in the Army.

On present plans there remain eight infantry battalions to be reduced. The deployment of troops to Northern Ireland has not affected our policy in this respect, and we do not propose to halt or delay the rundown.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost to public funds of medical treatment given to personnel of the Beira patrol in Beira.

Detailed records of medical expenditure in Beira are not readily available. Disproportionate effort and expense would be required to obtain the information requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present strength of the Beira patrol; and on what port it is proposed to base it in the 1970s.

The Beira patrol at present consists of two frigates or destroyers and one Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker, with air reconnaissance. The ships are not based on any port in the area but are supported by ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has for altering the regulations governing the issue of rum in the Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) on 15th October.—[Vol. 788, c. 84.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has for fitting stabilisers to the minehunters at present in commission; and if he will make a statement.

Minehunters normally employed on fishery protection duties are fitted with stabilisers, but there are no plans to fit any more. A number of minesweepers are so fitted, and others will be fitted as convenient. Any further new mine countermeasures ship design will incorporate stabilisation.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations are held by his Department with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or similar bodies with a view to finding old Army horses a home before a decision is made to destroy them; and if he will make a statement.

I am glad to report that progress is being made in the discussions which are taking place with the R.S.P.C.A. about the disposal of Army horses.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the 6,000 Reserve officers and 54,000 Reserve other ranks required to bring the British Army of the Rhine up to war establishment, include the requirements of Reserves to bring the 3rd Division, the Parachute Brigade and the Special Air Service Regiment, which are earmarked for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, up to war establishment also.

The number of reservists required to bring all British Army units, include the 3rd Division, on to a war footing is now about 6,800 officers and about 61,800 soldiers. No reservists are required for the Parachute Brigade or for the S.A.S. Regiment.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for improving the effectiveness of the Royal Naval Reserve.

The Royal Naval Reserve is a highly efficient and effective body of men and women of whom we are proud. Their training is kept under continuous review to ensure that they are always at maximum effectiveness.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what alterations he plans in the size of the staff, scientific and other, at the Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment at Portland; and if he will make a statement.

Her Majesty's Government's intention to reduce the staffs of Research and Development Establishments was announced in the supplementary Defence White Paper issued in July, 1968. The Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment will take an appropriate share of the reduction.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has for the Armed Services to assist in the survey for a possible airfield in the Falkland Islands.

A survey has already been carried out. The Armed Services were not asked to assist.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the arrangements for the future defence of the Falkland Islands and their dependencies.

Our general arrangements for the defence of the Falkland Islands remain unchanged. At present our forces there consist of a troop of Royal Marines with associated hovercraft, supported as necessary by H.M.S. Endurance when in those waters. There is also a small local defence force. Together these are considered adequate to deal with any situation foreseen at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the total capital cost of the work shortly to be carried out on the runways and taxiways at the Royal Air Force Station, Wyton.

Competitive tenders have not yet been invited for this work, but we expect that the cost will be something over half a million pounds.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the United States Government's decision to scrap their whole stock of germ warfare weapons, he will take similar action.

This country has no stock of these weapons so the question of scrapping does not arise. As my right hon. Friend said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bebington (Mr. Brooks) on 1st May, 1968, we neither develop nor produce bacteriological weapons and no question of a rôle for them in our deterrent strategy arises.—[Vol. 763, c. 187.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what action he has taken about nine houses situated at Avenuepark Street, Glasgow, consequent upon the refusal of the local authority to accept them for housing citizens in need of accommodation; whether these houses have since been advertised for sale; and with what result.

These dwellings are owned by the Territorial, Auxiliary and Volunteer Reserve Association for the Lowlands of Scotland. When Glasgow Corporation decided not to purchase them, they were advertised for sale. One offer was received last week, and the Association is considering it.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the number of Royal Naval establishments in the United Kingdom and overseas which are included in his programme to be closed down, or transferred to other areas; and what is the anticipated cost or saving of money from the proposed reorganisation.

We have announced details regarding 37 establishments. The total savings cannot easily be separated since in many cases the changes form part of a complex of decisions.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence in view of the successful trials of the Sea King helicopter, how many are going to be ordered for the Royal Navy.

An initial order for the Sea King was placed in 1966. Deliveries to the Royal Navy commenced in August this year and production is well on schedule. But I am not prepared to reveal the exact numbers on order.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to reduce the dangers of carrying military explosives by rail.

The carriage of military explosives by rail is governed by a Statutory Instrument (No. 19 of 1969). There are also detailed Ministry of Defence regulations laying down precisely how the Statutory Instrument should be implemented.These regulations have been carefully reviewed this year and this review has confirmed that, in general, the regulations do serve to ensure that military explosives travel by rail under the safest practical conditions. All concerned have been reminded that these regulations must be strictly adhered to. It has also been decided that railway wagons carrying complete loads of military explosives should in future carry a special label showing the fire fighting class symbol appropriate to the explosives in the wagon. These labels are in production now and when in use will help firemen called in to deal with an emergency.In order to reduce still further the possibility of axle boxes over-heating the British Railways Board are restricting the maximum weight of explosives which may be loaded into certain types of wagon. Close examination and certification of wagons ensure that vehicles selected for this traffic will meet the required constructional standard.Military ammunition and explosives are of course subjected to stringent tests for safety in transit before being accepted for use by the Services and it is a fact that there is no known case of a fatal accident in this country over the last 25 years as a result of a rail accident involving wagons with military ammunition and explosives.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why parents of a British soldier who dies overseas are prevented from knowing the circumstances of his death when his wife and next of kin is a foreigner.

The hon. Member is mistaken: in these circumstances a Serviceman's parents will be given a broad statement of the circumstances of his death on request.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the strength of the Territorial and Auxiliary Volunteer Reserve on the latest date for which figures are available; by how much this was short of establishment; how this compares with the overall strength of the volunteer reserves 12 months and five years earlier; and on what grounds he is satisfied with the present strength.

The strength at the end of September was 46,840. This is 12,200 short of the corresponding establishment; 4,600 less than the overall strength of the volunteer reserves twelve months ago; and 75,800 less than that strength five years earlier. I regard recruiting as more than satisfactory in that the strength has increased during this year by as much as 6,500.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total estimated tonnage, excluding equipment, and value at constant 1959 prices and at actual cost of new naval construction for the Royal Navy and for overseas order, separately, undertaken in United Kingdom shipyards in each financial year since 1959–60.

Tonnage figures excluding equipment are not readily available, and the details given below are therefore for deep displacement tonnage (ships fully equipped and ready for sea).The following are the details for new construction of Royal Navy ships (excluding small craft):

Financial Year		Tonnage	Estimated Actual Cost	Estimated Cost at 1959 Prices
			£m.	£m.
1959–60	…	37,440	28·7	28·7
1960–61	…	41,822	52·4	52·4
1961–62	…	17,600	25·6	25·6
1962–63	…	33,200	58·2	58·2
1963–64	…	36,950	73·9	73·3
1964–65	…	18,200	28·5	27·9
1965–66	…	23,260	23·8	22·8
1966–67	…	40,060	78·6	72·1
1967–68	…	31,900	79·5	71·2
1968–69	…	18,240	84·0	70·5

In the case of overseas orders, the following details relate to Government-to-Government contracts and do not include orders placed by foreign Governments directly with British firms.

Financial Year		Tonnage	Estimated Actual Cost	Estimated Cost at 1959 Prices
			£m.	£m.
1959–60	…	5,859	7·3	7·3
1960–61	…	15,536	19·9	19·9
1961–62	…	—	—	—
1962–63	…	5,230	8·0	8·0
1963–64	…	2,615	4·1	4·1
1964–65	…	—	—	—
1965–66	…	2,000	3·6	3·3
1966–67	…	2,000	3·3	3·0
1967–68	…	2,000	3·6	3·3
1968–69	…	6,000	10·1	8·8

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the value of new equipment, weapons, radar and other such devices installed in new naval construction in United Kingdom shipyards for the Royal Navy and for overseas orders, separately, in each financial year since 1959–60 at 1959 prices and at actual cost.

The following information refers to the cost of weapon systems including radar.The figures for Royal Naval new construction are:

Financial Year			Estimated Actual Cost	Estimated Cost at 1959 Prices
			£m.	£m.
1959–60	…	…	3·4	3·4
1960–61	…	…	8·3	8·2
1961–62	…	…	5·0	4·8
1962–63	…	…	11·5	11·0
1963–64	…	…	11·7	11·0
1964–65	…	…	6·3	5·8
1965–66	…	…	3·6	3·2
1966–67	…	…	16·1	13·9
1967–68	…	…	13·0	11·2
1968–69	…	…	9·6	8·0

The costs of weapon systems for overseas orders refer only to Government-to-Government contracts. They are as follows:

Financial Year			Estimated Actual Cost	Estimated Cost at 1959 Prices
			£m.	£m.
1959–60	…	…	1·4	1·4
1960–61	…	…	3·9	3·9
1961–62	…	…	—	—
1962–63	…	…	1·6	1·5
1963–64	…	…	·80	·75
1964–65	…	…	—	—
1965–66	…	…	·34	·30
1966–67	…	…	·34	·30
1967–68	…	…	·34	·30
1968–69	…	…	1·0	·09

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the value of naval refits, repairs and conversions including equipment for 'the Royal Navy and for overseas orders, separately, undertaken in United Kingdom shipyards in each financial year since 1959–60 at constant 1959 prices and at actual cost.

The value of naval refits, repairs and conversions, including equipment, undertaken in United Kingdom shipyards, including H.M. Dockyards, is:

Year	Actual Cost £m. R.N.	Actual Cost £m. Overseas Orders*	At 1959 Prices £m. R.N.	At 1959 Prices £m. Overseas Orders
1959–60	32·894	1·150	32·894	1·150
1960–61	33·911	0·110	32·961	0·107
1961–62	38·999	0·450	36·698	0·423
1962–63	38·462	0·820	35·539	0·756
1963–64	44·041	0·305	38·756	0·268
1964–65	43·413	0·590	35·599	0·484
1965–66	46·881	0·970	34·739	0·719
1966–67	45·818	1·350	32·943	0·971
1967–68	53·160	1·175	37·425	0·827
1968–69	63·215	1·110	42·354	0·744
* Does not include work undertaken in commercial yards on a Government-to-firm basis on which the information is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future use of Minley Manor, near Camberley.

I have nothing to add to my statement on 25th June, 1969.—[Vol. 785, c. 1483.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what, in view of the defensive nature of the Nimrod and the importance to the United Kingdom of the sea routes round the Cape of Good Hope, is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to the sale of these aircraft to the Union of South Africa.

As the hon. Member will know, our policy on the export of arms to South Africa is based on support of resolutions passed by the United Nations Security Council in 1963 and 1964.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the bakery industry to be allowed to increase the price of bread by another 2d. per loaf; and whether, in the light of the last increase in February, he will refer this to the National Board for Prices and Incomes before giving a decision.

The major plant bakers cooperate with my Department by giving early warning of proposed price increases on bread. We are in regular touch with them about matters affecting their costs and prices but cannot at this stage comment on reports about the possibility of any increase in bread prices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the effect to the long-term fertility of the soil caused by modern farming practices and in particular continuous corn growing.

I am concerned that we should be well informed about any effect which modern farming methods may have in the long term on the fertility and structure of the soil. I have therefore asked the Agricultural Advisory Council to look into the problem urgently. The Council's remit will be to advise whether, and, if so, the extent to which, present practices are having adverse effects on soil fertility and soil structure; whether it considers that the National Agricultural Advisory Service has all the information necessary to advise on methods of preventing any such damage or remedying it after it has taken place; and whether any further steps are necessary to get this advice across to farmers. The Council's conclusions will be published.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the annual cost of administering the investment grants on tractors and harvesters.

The estimated cost in England and Wales of administering the investment grants on tractors and harvesters in the current year is £300,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has for allowing an increase of 2d. a pint on the price of beer; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 28th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Wallsend (Mr. Garrett).—[Vol. 792, c. 157.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the annual cost of administering the farm and hill land improvement schemes, the field drainage and water supply schemes, and the ploughing, orchard grubbing, scrub clearance, and investment grant schemes, respectively.

The estimated costs in England and Wales of administering these schemes in the current year are as follows:

	£
Farm Improvement Scheme	*1,500,000
Field Drainage and Water Supply	*1,500,000
Ploughing Grants	80,000
Scrub Clearance	5,000
Orchard Grubbing	5,000
Investment Grants on Fixed Equipment	60,000
Hill Land Improvement	*200,000
*Includes a substantial element of work connected with technical inspection, examination and advice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Church of Scotland, in relation to legislation to change the marriage law, about the desirability of retaining the legal validity of banns proclaimed in a church of the Church of Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

The General Administration Committee of the Church of Scotland has expressed the view that proclamation of banns should continue to be a valid preliminary to marriage unless there is an effective alternative procedure for preventing bigamous and illegal unions. Consultations with the Church on this and other aspects of the Kilbrandon Report are proceeding and I shall of course take account of its views in considering what action should be taken on that Report.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many young people are in intermediate approved schools because of truancy at the latest convenient date; and how long is the average period of detention;(2) how many school children are in junior approved schools because of truancy at the latest convenient date; and how long is the average period of detention.

At 31st March, 1969, there were 26 boys and 7 girls in intermediate approved schools and 13 boys and 2 girls in junior approved schools who had been brought before the courts by education authorities because of irregular attendance at school. The reports supplied to the courts on their social background indicate that in many cases there are other problems in addition to truancy. The average period of detention of truants released in the year ending 31st March, 1969, from intermediate schools was 12 months for boys and 13 months for girls; and from junior schools was 21 months for boys and 17 months for girls.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many teachers have so far been dismissed from teaching for non-registration with the General Teaching Council since registration was made compulsory.

28 teachers have been dismissed, 25 because they did not register in 1968–69 and 3 in the present session. Six of these teachers subsequently registered of whom 5 were reinstated by their employing authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he is taking to reduce the shortage of nurses in Scotland.

The number of nurses in the hospital service in recent years has shown a gradual increase. Any shortages are in particular areas. Immediate responsibility for nurse staffing rests with boards of management and regional boards; but officers of my Department and of regional boards are keeping the matter under continuous review.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make proposals to ensure that nurses' salaries and conditions are adjusted to keep pace with the rising cost of living.

Pay and conditions of service for nurses are matters for the Nurses and Midwives' Whitley Council, which has before it a claim for increased pay and improved conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now consider an increase in grants and loans for the building of croft houses in view of the increased cost of building since the present financial aid levels were fixed; and if he will make a statement.

I am considering representations which have been made to me by the crofters' unions for an increase in the level of these grants and loans, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what decision he has reached on the recommendation by the Scottish Law Commission that Scottish criminal procedure should be examined by a departmental committee.

My noble Friend the Lord Advocate and I have decided to appoint a Departmental Committee to consider Scottish criminal procedure, with the following terms of reference:—

"To examine trial and pre-trial procedures in Scotland (including appeal procedures) for the prosecution of persons accused of crimes and offences; and to report whether, having regard to the prevention of crime on the one hand and to the need for fairness to accused persons on the other hand, any changes of law or practice are required."

We are very glad that Lord Thomson, a Lord Commissioner of Justiciary, has accepted our invitation to serve as Chairman of the Committee. The full membership of the Committee will be announced later.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to introduce legislation concerning the marriage law in Scotland.

As indicated in the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Dewar) on 16th July last, I am seeking the views of interested organisations on the proposals contained in the Kilbrandon Report on the Marriage Law of Scotland. I do not propose to reach any conclusions on this Report until these consultations have been completed.—[Vol. 787, c. 603].

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the cost per annum to keep a young person in an approved school.

The average cost for 1969–70 is estimated at £1,123.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people, who have been certified as mentally retarded, are in penal institutions because of lack of appropriate accommodation and treatment.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state from information received from Her Majesty's inspectors, how many local authorities have carried out experiments of teaching French in primary schools; what teaching methods were used in the experiments; and how many periods per week were devoted to this teaching.

I am sending my hon. Friend copies of the Scottish Education Department's Circular No. 738 dated 15th October, 1969, and of the report "French in Primary Schools", prepared by members of H.M. Inspectorate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has to divert aircraft from overflying Horsham; and if he will make a statement.

We are seeking to improve the arrangements for diverting Gatwick aircraft to the west of Horsham, but there are some difficult air traffic control problems to be overcome in a busy airway. The other traffic in this airway does not cause significant disturbance in Horsham as it is over 4,000 ft., most of it much higher, and is spread over the 10 mile width of the airway.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the quantities of exports of steel from Great Britain, generally, and to Sweden, respectively, during the three months August, September and October, specifying in each case the quantities of each type of steel exported; and what are the quantities of steel imported, generally, and from Sweden, respectively, during the same three months and giving the same specific quantities.

Exports of steel in total were 948,000 tons, of which 50,000 tons went to Sweden. Imports were 530,000 tons, of which 34,000 tons came from Sweden. To provide the figures in the detail requested would involve an undue expenditure of time and money.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his talks with the trawling industry on the purchase by his Department of a permanent mother ship to replace the "Orsino".

My Department is discussing with the trawling industry the relative merits of providing a fishery support ship by continuing to charter a trawler, by buying an existing vessel or by ordering a purpose built ship. These discussions are still at an early stage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will refer to the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration the involvement of the General Electric Company in a contract to supply transforming equipment for the proposed Cabora Bassa Dam in view of the breach of sanctions against Rhodesia.

No. No such breach of sanctions has occurred according to my information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take action under his existing powers to compel the manufacturers of pet foods to put on the labels of their tinned foods a full and detailed list of contents similar to that now placed upon tins of food for human consumption.

I do not believe that sufficient practical use would be made of this information to justify the technical difficulties and extra costs which the imposition of statutory requirements would involve.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the value of exports to, and imports from, Nigeria for 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968 and in 1969 to the most convenient date, respectively.

The figures are given in Table IV of the Overseas Trade Accounts for December 1966, 1967 and 1968 and October, 1969.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the loss to the balance of payments of the London dockers ban, for a year, on the use by British ships of the recently completed container terminal at Tilbury.

The full effect on the balance of payments cannot be computed. I understand that the additional overseas costs arising from transshipment at Continental ports are now running at about £2 million a year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the defence forces of the Union of Arab Emirates.

As I said in my reply to the hon. Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) on 15th October, 1969, General Willoughby made certain recommendations to the Supreme Council of the Union of Arab Emirates as to the form their forces should take. The Supreme Council has not yet taken a decision on these recommendations.—[Vol. 788, c. 103–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in view of the fact that the foreign exchange costs of the British Army of the Rhine will rise by 8 per cent. as a result of the revaluation of the German mark, if he proposes to renegotiate the offset agreement; and if he will make a statement.

As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster told the House on 24th November, the amount of German purchases made in this country under the relevant articles of the current Anglo-German offset agreement will rise by 9·3 per cent. in sterling terms, in other words by a larger amount than the expected increase in costs. In these circumstances, it would not be to Her Majesty's Government's advantage to seek to renegotiate the agreement.—[Vol. 792, c. 21–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the discussions he has had with the West German Government on offset costs.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the then Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on 23rd July. We have had no general negotiation on B.A.O.R. offset costs with the Federal Government since then. There has been discussion of the offset problems connected with the proposal to return 6 Brigade to Germany but, as my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster told the House on 28th November, discussion with our allies on this proposal is continuing and it would be premature to make a statement.—[Vol. 787, c. 1727–8; Vol. 792, c. 177.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will state the total damage to British commercial, industrial and private property in Nigeria in financial terms, attributed to Federal and rebel forces, respectively.

Damage to British commercial, industrial and private property in Nigeria is considerable, but no accurate assessment of the total damage can yet be made. Nor is it possible to allocate responsibility for damage between the Federal and rebel forces.

asked the Minister of Technology what action he is taking to make the provisions about attracting industry to the development areas known abroad.

The British Industrial Development Office in New York encourages industrial investment by North American companies in the United Kingdom and especially in the development areas and Northern Ireland. In other countries this is done by commercial posts.

asked the Minister of Technology in what way publicity is given abroad to industrial development in the North-East Development Area.

North-East England benefits from the measures which the Government takes abroad to promote the development areas in general. These measures are supplemented by promotional activities abroad undertaken by the North-East Development Council.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the total amount of money advanced from public funds by way of loan to slate quarrying companies in Wales since 1960.

This information could not be made available without disproportionate effort.

asked the Minister of Technology how much was spent during the past 12 months by the Royal Aircraft Establishments at Farnborough and Bedford on design problems relating to the use of anisotropic materials.

£175,000, all at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough.

asked the Minister of Technology if the Beagle Aircraft Company is entering an aircraft in the Britain-Australia air race later this month.

No.

asked the Minister of Technology if the Government propose to meet in full all agreed claims for compensation arising from damage to property or persons caused by the testing of Concorde over land.

Appropriate compensation would be paid for all accepted claims of damage to property or persons arising out of any testing of Concorde over land.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will give, for the most convenient stated date nearest to the date since the passage of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, 1946, the number of pits then in existence, the number of miners employed in the pits, the average wage level in the industry, and similar details for the administrative staffs, the composition of the Board together with their salaries and expenses and similar details for the latest and most convenient stated date.

The number of pits and the number and pay of wage-earners are published in the Annual Report and Accounts of the National Coal Board. I am writing to my hon. Friend giving the information relating to Board members and administrative staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many kidney machines are available in National Health Service hospitals; how many patients could be treated by these machines in a normal 12-month period; how many were actually treated in the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will make a statement on the shortage of staff in artificial kidney units in the hospitals; and what steps he will take to make good these shortages.

The numbers of hospital places equipped to provide intermittent haemodialysis for chronic renal failure and the numbers of patients under treatment in June, 1968, and June, 1969, were as follows:

			30th June,	30th June,
			1968	1969
Places	…	…	162	238
Patients	…	…	307	390

There were also 115 and 289 patients on home dialysis at the respective dates but still under hospital supervision. Each hospital place might be sufficient for maintenance of three patients, including those being trained for home dialysis and those being prepared for renal transplantation. The occurrence of infection may impede the work of a unit or recruitment of suitable patients may only be possible over an extended period so that the full theoretical capacity cannot be used at any one time.I am aware of Press speculation on the interpretation of these figures. Further inquiries are being made. Finance for the recruitment of staff was provided when each unit was established, but recruitment for this work has been difficult in some units.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of low-paid workers eligible for free prescriptions; and how many have claimed this right over the last six months.

It is not possible to make an estimate of the number of low-paid workers eligible for free prescriptions; nor can the number who have claimed this right over the last six months be given, as the figures of claims received from persons not in receipt of supplementary benefit do not distinguish between those persons who were in employment and those who were not, such as retirement pensioners.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of low-paid workers eligible for free dental treatment, dentures and spectacles; and how many have claimed this right over the last six months.

An estimate cannot be made from the information available; nor can the number of low-paid workers who have claimed help of this kind over the last six months be made as the figures of claims received from persons not receiving supplementary benefit do not distinguish between those persons who were in employment and those who were not, such as retirement pensioners.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated number of nurses currently employed in the National Health Service: and by what number this falls short of agreed establishment figures.

The latest available figures of qualified nurses, in whole-time equivalent terms are:

In hospitals at 31st March, 1969	111,202
Employed by local health authorities at 30th September, 1968.	16,603

There is no generally accepted basis for estimating the numbers required but there is general agreement that, taking the service as a whole, at least the present total numbers are needed to maintain present levels of work, and more for improving and developing the service.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the number of nurses recruited annually to 'the National Health Service since 1964, what has been the corresponding number of these who have left the service; and how many of these entered other employment.

Information is not available in the form requested, but the net effect of the numbers entering and leaving employment in the National Health Service—including local health authority services—is shown by the following total numbers of qualified nurses in post at 30th September:

1964	…	…	…	110,948
1965	…	…	…	121,273
1966	…	…	…	133,199
1967	…	…	…	139,013
1968	…	…	…	143,629

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the increase in the incidence of leukaemia amongst young children.

The most reliable estimates of incidence are yielded by the rates of mortality.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice he has given to local government officers who have notified him of their concern about the effect of the proposed earnings-related contributory national pension scheme on existing public service pension arrangements and what consultations he has had about this matter.

For the advice my right hon. Friend gave to local government officers I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend's reply to a similar Question by the right hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter) on 20th October. I met representatives of the National and Local Government Officers Association on several occasions. In addition both my right hon. Friend and I have met deputations from local branches and last week my right hon. Friend addressed a national meeting of the Association.—[Vol. 788, cc. 739–41.]

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what progress has been made in considering the recommendation of the Fulton Committee that a method of amending Civil Service superannuation terms otherwise than by legislation should be considered.

It has been agreed in principal between Staff and Official Sides that subject to Parliamentary approval, the Civil Service superannuation scheme should be put on to a non-statutory basis under general enabling powers. There will be detailed discussions on the precise form of the new arrangements. Subject to the satisfactory outcome of these discussions, the necessary legislation will be presented to Parliament in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek to bring about an immediate meeting of the Burnham Committee in order to reach a settlement of the teachers' pay claim.

The Committee has arranged to meet on 15th December.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will authorise an increase in the grant made by the Arts Council to the Yorkshire Opera Company, in view of the work the company is doing in Yorkshire and in other parts of the country.

Any increase in the grant to this company is entirely a matter for the Arts Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will list the number of stoppages, due to industrial disputes, per million workers covering the same countries and years as shown in the table on page 1124 in the current issue of her Department's Gazette.

The information for which the hon. Member asks is not included in the material supplied to the Department by the International Labour Organisation on which the table in the Gazette is based, and cannot be calculated from the material available with sufficient accuracy to give a reliable picture.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide figures of total expenditure on cash grants by all English and Welsh children's departments for each year under Section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1963, and detailed information for each children's authority for the most recent year available.

The financial assistance provided by local authorities in England and Wales during the 12 months ending 31st March under Section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1963, totalled:

		£
1965–66	…	88,000
1966–67	…	148,500
1967–68	…	198,000
1968–69	…	(Returns incomplete)

These sums include direct cash grants, loans and payments of fares, arrears of rent, household necessities and fuel supplies The amounts paid out in 1967–68 by individual authorities (grouped by Home Office regions) were:

			£
Derbyshire	…	…	3,292
Herefordshire	…	…	812
Leicestershire	…	…	1,575
Lincs (Holland)	…	…	181
Lincs (Kesteven)	…	…	786
Lincs (Lindsey)	…	…	743
Northamptonshire	…	…	578
Nottinghamshire	…	…	1,407
Rutland	…	…	31
Hunts & Peterborough	…	…	359
Salop	…	…	216
Staffordshire	…	…	1,183
Warwickshire	…	…	1,205
Worcestershire	…	…	80
Birmingham	…	…	2,357
Burton-on-Trent	…	…	6
Coventry	…	…	5,250
Derby	…	…	448
Dudley	…	…	617
Grimsby	…	…	310
Leicester	…	…	—
Lincoln	…	…	253
Northampton	…	…	64
Nottingham	…	…	325
Solihull	…	…	12
Stoke-on-Trent	…	…	391
Walsall	…	…	75
Warley	…	…	227
West Bromwich	…	…	803
Wolverhampton	…	…	287
Worcester	…	…	588
Bedfordshire	…	…	93
Berkshire	…	…	678
Buckinghamshire	…	…	4,224
Cambs & Isle of Ely	…	…	340
Dorset	…	…	1,128
Essex	…	…	1,517
Hampshire	…	…	2,349
Hertfordshire	…	…	5,384
Isle of Wight	…	…	869
Norfolk	…	…	850
Oxfordshire	…	…	2,222
Suffolk (East)	…	…	648
Suffolk (West)	…	…	354
Bournemouth	…	…	782
Great Yarmouth	…	…	—