asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has received from the Tayside Economic Planning Consultative Group on the effects on the agricultural industry in Scotland of the closure of the Cupar factory of the British Sugar Corporation.

The group drew attention to the value of sugar beet as a cash crop.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received in the last six months on the need to include a replacement for Peel Hospital on the 1972–77 hospital building programme; and what replies he has sent.

Representations have been received during the last six months from the Borders Economic Planning Consultative Group, 10 local authorities, Galashiels Labour Party, and the National Health Service Executive Council for Roxburgh, Berwick and Selkirk. These bodies have all been informed that their representations will be taken into account when the hospital building programme for the period after March, 1972, is being decided.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will introduce financial incentives to promote the eradication of brucellosis.

The Brucellosis (Accredited Herds) Scheme, which is the essential preliminary to eradication, already provides benefits to farmers who rid their herds of this disease. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture indicated in his reply on 10th December to the hon. Member for North Angus and Mearns (Mr. Buchanan-Smith) and the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Sir T. Beamish) we aim to start limited eradication projects in specially selected areas in 1971 and we are meantime looking at the practical requirements.—[Vol. 793, c. 413–14.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many crimes of violence occurred in Scotland and Glasgow, respectively, in 1969; and how these figures compare for each year since 1957.

The information for 1969 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the crimes of violence that occurred in Scotland and Glasgow, respectively, in 1969 consisted of attacks on police.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he is giving to the creation of a Scottish Ports Authority responsible to the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of existing precedents; and if he will make a statement.

I have naturally considered this, but my present view is that a separate Scottish Ports Authority operating independently of a National Ports Authority would be less advantageous to the Scottish economy than the proposals now before Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received in connection with the annual Agricultural Price Review; and what answers he has given.

My noble Friend the Minister of State has received a letter on behalf of farmers in the North-East of Scotland, and the right hon. Member for Kinross and West Perthshire (Sir Alec Douglas-Home) has written to my right hon. Friend about the views of farmers in his constituency. The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society has written to my Department seeking a meeting which will take place on 23rd January.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consider taking steps to give the police the right to search those suspected of carrying offensive weapons.

The existing powers of arrest and therefore of subsequent search, would cover the arrest of any person whom the police have reasonable cause to believe to be carrying a weapon manifestly intended for offensive use.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many kidney machine units are available in Scottish and Glasgow hospitals, respectively; how many patients can be treated in these machines; and how many were actually receiving treatment in the most recent monthly period for which figures are available.

There are six hospital units in Scotland—3 in Glasgow—comprising at present 30 equipped beds—12 in Glasgow—where patients receive maintenance treatment by intermittent haemodialysis in chronic renal failure. The generally accepted basis is three patients per equipped bed, but this cannot always be achieved owing to the need for maintenance of equipment and time lags involved in changes of patients. In December, 1969, 75 patients—36 in Glasgow—were actually receiving such treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the staffing position of kidney units in Scottish hospitals.

The allocation of staff to each hospital unit is determined by the board of management concerned. On 31st December last all kidney units, except one in Edinburgh, were fully staffed according to the allocation approved by the boards.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent in each of the last five years on improvements to the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, and the Peel Hospital, Galashiels, respectively.

Capital expenditure met from the National Health Service (Scotland) Vote on the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, and Peel Hospital, Galashiels, during the five years ending 31st March, 1969, has been as follows:

	Western General Hospital	Peel Hospital
	£	£
1964–65	119,397	2,650
1965–66	112,874	1,439
1966–67	255,791	2,071
1967–68	902,415	9,940
1968–69	1,474,739	19,915
	2,865,216	36,015

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the results of the police experiments in the use of helicopters; and whether helicopters have now been allocated to police forces in Scotland.

The experiments suggest that helicopters can be useful to the police work primarily in searches for suspects and missing persons and to a lesser extent in routine traffic surveillance.Further studies are being made of the economics of using helicopters for police work and a decision whether to undertake more extensive operational trials will be taken in the light of these studies.Scottish forces participated in the experiments but no helicopter has been allocated to police forces in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints he has received from local education authorities and others, following the issue by his Department of the poster headed RU 18.

One only, from the hon. Member himself.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will undertake a review of the building departments of direct labour organisations of local authorities, in the light of the report on the Red Road flats in Glasgow, details of which are in his possession.

I have not seen this report, which was commissioned by Glasgow Corporation. I do not consider that a review such as the hon. Gentleman suggests s necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many multi-storey blocks of flats where remedial strengthening work is necessary this work has not yet been carried out.

Work has been completed on 22 blocks, is in progress on 38, and will start soon on 8. Proposals for work on another 17 are being considered by the local authorities concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the current rate of starts on house building; and if he will make a statement.

I am never satisfied, but the figures for 1969, published today, are not discouraging. The number of houses started, though fewer than in the previous two years, was more than in any year from 1954 to 1964, while for the third year running the number completed established a new record.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now revise the estimates for growth in employment in distribution services in Scotland up to 1970 contained in the Scottish Plan.

I refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply of 17th December.—[Vol. 793, c. 324.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the net increase in police recruitment in 1969; and what were the comparable figures for 1967, 1965 and 1963, respectively.

During 1969 there was a net increase of 12 police officers in Scotland. In 1967, 1965 and 1963 there were net increases of 51; 320; and 211 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what further representations he has received on the question of nurses' pay; and what was the nature of his reply.

Since 17th December representations have been received from one Member of Parliament and 13 other bodies or persons. So far as the terms of my reply are concerned I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend on 17th December, 1969.—[Vol. 793, c. 1366–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities and individuals and other organisations have to the latest convenient date protested against the speed with which they are being asked to formulate their views on the Wheatley Commission proposals; and what reply he has sent.

Eleven, including one from the Association of County Councils.The replies have pointed out that observations are required at this stage only on the basic structure and division of functions; that the four months allowed for consideration of these general issues ought to be sufficient; and that any delay of more than a week or two would seriously impede progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been collected in prescription charges since their re-introduction; how this figure compares with the estimates made at the time; and whether, in view of the recently improved economic situation, he will now abolish such charges.

Prescription charges collected over the 16 months from 10th June, 1968, to 31st October, 1969, amounted to some £1,952,000. It was estimated at the time of their re-introduction that charges from patients would yield about £1,500,000 in a full year.The answer to the last part of the question is "No".

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the recently proposed increases in salaries to officials of Glasgow Corporation are in accordance with Her Majesty's Government's prices and incomes policy; and if he will make a statement.

The Corporation's proposals are being examined at present, and I cannot predict the outcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the shortage of nursing staff in Scottish hospitals; and if he will make a statement.

The number of nurses in the hospital service in Scotland as a whole has continued to increase in recent years. However, the demands on the service are also increasing and there are shortages in certain localities. The boards of management and regional boards, which have immediate responsibility for nurse staffing, are taking all possible steps to deal with the situation. Officers of my Department and regional boards are keeping the position under continuous review.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has now concluded his consultations about the review of the General Teaching Council; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, and I should like first of all to acknowledge the help I have had from all the interested parties who furnished me with their views and took part in the consultations. I have decided as follows. First, to increase the membership of the Council from 44 to 49, by an addition of 5 teacher places: 26 teachers will now be elected by the profession at large, 11 from secondary, 11 from primary, 3 from further education and one from the colleges of education. Second, to abolish the electoral distinction between headteachers and others. Third, to introduce a requirement that if a teacher ceases to serve in the category for which he was elected he must resign his place. I shall shortly be making orders to give effect to these decisions. I do not propose to invite Parliament to make any changes in the functions of the Council or in the relationship between the Council and the Secretary of State that is established by the Teaching Council (Scotland) Act, 1965. At the first practicable opportunity I shall however introduce an amending Bill to require education authorities and other managers to deduct the annual fee for renewal of registration from the salaries of teachers holding posts where registration with the Council is a condition of employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the estimated percentage of the total number of teachers in public, primary and secondary schools who are earning less than £1,000 per year, between £1,000 and £1,500 per year, £1,500 and £2,000, £2,000 and £2,500, and over £2,500, respectively, on the latest date for which figures are available.

I regret I do not have this information in the form asked. I shall write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what grant assistance is available for hill farmers wishing to install electricity or a telephone.

Under the Farm Improvement Scheme, grant of 30 per cent. is available to farmers generally, including hill farmers, towards provision of electricity for agricultural purposes.Grants are not available for telephones.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether teachers dismissed from their schools in Scotland for failing to register will now be re-admitted to their appointments, in view of a recent court decision rendering the actions of the local education authorities null and void.

I am not aware of such a decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many vacancies exist in Glasgow schools for primary, post-primary and secondary teachers; and how many unqualified teachers were employer in Glasgow schools at the latest convenient date.

I am asking Glasgow education Authority to send this information to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that in his recent report the Registrar-General shows that since 1951 the populations of England and Wales and Northern Ireland have increased by 11 per cent. and 9 per cent., respectively, while Scotland shows an overall increase of 2 per cent.; and what are the reasons for the lower rise in the Scottish population.

The reason for the lower rise in Scotland is that a higher proportion of the natural increase of the population has been lost by net migration. This loss he s been halved over the last three years, the 1968–69 figure of 25,000 being the lowest since 1958–59. Latest figures show that the downward trend is continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Scottish local authorities have decided to add sodium fluoride to their supplies of drinking water; how many have refused; how many had not replied by 31st December, 1969; and what further action he proposes taking.

Four authorities are already adding fluoride to part of their water supplies. All local health authorities were asked to review their policy on fluoridation and to report to me by the end of 1969. So far 19 have stated that they do not propose to add fluoride and 11 are in favour of doing so. Twenty-six have not yet replied or have sent only interim replies. I shall consider whether any further action is necessary after all replies have been received.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the technical discussions with Indian officials on the new tariff to be imposed on Indian textiles will start; where they will be held; and if he will make a statement.

It was agreed during discussions between British and Indian officials in New Delhi in December that a meeting at technical level involving the cotton textile industries of the two countries would be arranged as a prelude to further discussions between Governments. The Ministry of Technology is in touch with the industry here and with India about the arrangements for this.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement giving details of his most recent plans for improving the precautions and equipment of trawlers for the safety of their crews at sea.

The implementation of the recommendations in the Holland-Martin Committee's Report continue to receive urgent attention in consultation with the industry and at the moment I have nothing further to add to the answer which I gave on 19th November.—[Vol. 791, c. 309–10.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking to help the British film industry, in addition to his proposals for increasing the subsidy to the National Film Finance Corporation.

The Corporation does not receive a subsidy from the Government. I would refer my hon. Friend to the Films Bill now before Parliament which contains our proposals for the continuation of the quota and levy, the provision of further finance for the National Film Finance Corporation, the continuation of the Corporation's loan making powers for a further period and the extension of those powers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in order to further protect the consumer under the Trades Description Act, he will use his powers to issue definition orders on words such as "showerproof", "shockproof", "water resistant" and "waterproof".

We are examining proposals for definition of the terms "showerproof" and "waterproof" and are ready to consider other suggestions for powers under Section 7 of the Act where the criteria it lays down are satisfied.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further steps he is taking to ensure safety of aircraft and passengers at Heathrow Airport, following the recent and further near collision of aircraft there.

The introduction of measures to promote the safety of traffic at Heathrow is a constant and continuing process. Following the recent incident the Board of Trade and Ministry of Defence are together examining whether any immediate steps should be taken, and a further examination will be made when the outcome of the investigation by the Chief Inspector of Accidents is known.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the British Airports Authority has made grants towards the soundproofing of homes in the vicinity of its airports; and what is the average grant per home.

The British Airports Authority has paid £337,791 up to 30th November, 1969, towards the sound insulation of 3,049 dwellings in the vicinity of Heathrow, out of approximately 60,000 eligible. The average amount paid up to the end of 1968, when the rate of grant was 50 per cent. with a maximum of £100 per dwelling, was approximately £97. The average since, with a grant rate of 60 per cent. and an increased maximum of £150 per dwelling, was approximately £125.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the amount by volume and by value of honey imported into the United Kingdom in the last 12 months to the latest convenient date.

Figures of imports of natural honey for December, 1968, are given on page 25 of the issue of the Overseas Trade Accounts for that month, and for the 11 months January to November, 1969, in the issue for November, 1969.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of exports of telecommunication equipment in the last two available years; and whether he will make a statement.

In the 12 months ended November, 1968, and November, 1969, exports of telecommunications apparatus totalled £106·8 million and £105·5 million respectively. In the 12 months ended November, 1969, exports of telecommunication cables and wires totalled £11·3 million; the figures for the previous 12 months are not on a comparable basis.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the amount of the payment by Her Majesty's Government in each of the three financial years from 1967–68 to 1969–70 to the British Travel Association for the purposes of encouraging holidays at home.

The grant-in-aid to the British Travel Association has not normally included a self-contained provision for encouraging holidays at home. In 1967–68 the grant-in-aid included a special contribution of £300,000 towards a major Home Holidays Campaign. In 1968–69 the Association allocated £106,000 for this type of campaign. The corresponding figure for 1969–70 is not yet available. Expenditure from the grants in aid on these campaigns does not represent the total amount of expenditure which could have had the effect of encouraging holidays at home but could not be precisely quantified.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many organisations in receipt of Government funds have the responsibility for assisting small businesses; and if he will list them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following organisations in receipt of Government funds have particular responsibility for assisting small businesses:

• The British Productivity Council (much of whose work is undertaken through the Local Productivity Associations).
• The Institute of Marketing (through its export marketing partnerships scheme).
• The Overseas Marketing Corporation, Ltd.
• The Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas.
• The Small Industries Council for Rural Areas in Scotland.
• The Industrial Liaison Centres and Low-Cost Automation Centres at Universities and Technical Colleges.
• The Centre for Industrial Innovation at the University of Strathclyde.
• The Small Business Centre at the University of Aston.
• The Crafts Council of Great Britain Ltd.
• The Crafts Centre of Great Britain.
• The Scottish Craft Centre.

Other organisations in receipt of Government funds which assist businesses irrespective of size are included in the booklet "Technical Services for Industry" pub-

			1965	1966	1967	1968
Numbers of hotels
Built	…	…	107	52	52	61
Extended or modernised	…	…			Not available
Thousands of additional beds provided in hotels
Built	…	…	5·3	3·2	3·8	3·25
Extended or modernised	…	…		2·1	1·2	1·65

These figures relate to Great Britain only. No estimates are available for 1964.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the findings of his inquiry into the near

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of investment in new building, extension and modernisation by the hotel and catering industry in each of the years from 1964 to 1968, inclusive.

Estimates of capital expenditure by the catering industry—including hotels and registered clubs—on new buildings, extensions, and improvements to buildings in the years 1964 to 1967 are:

	£ million
1964	57·0
1965	48·6
1966	48·7
1967	50·9

Figures for 1968 are not yet available.Capital expenditure on hotel and catering premises by businesses classified to other industries—e.g. property owning or brewing—is not included in these estimates. Unlicensed hotels and boarding houses and other smaller establishments offering residential accommodation are also excluded.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the number of hotels built, extended and modernised in each of the years from 1964 to 1968, inclusive.

No official figures are available, but for the years 1965 to 1968 the British Travel Association made the following estimates:miss of two airliners over Wembley on the evening of 9th January; and what steps he is taking to ensure that, as far as humanly possible, no further incidents of this kind can occur.

The Chief Inspector of Accidents is conducting an inquiry under the Air Navigation (Investigation of Combined Military and Civil Air Accidents) Regulations, 1969, and in accordance with regulation 15 of those regulations his report will be published unless there are good reasons to the contrary. As regards the second part of the Question I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Wembley, North (Sir E. Bullus) on 20th January.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what inquiries he has made into the recent incident at London Airport which nearly led to an aircraft disaster; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am informed by the Chief Inspector of Accidents, who is investigating the airmiss between an Olympic Airways Boeing 727 and an Indian Air Force Constellation over Greenford on 9th January, that his inquiries are proceeding satisfactorily.He has established that Heathrow Approach Control had marshalled both aircraft by radar on to the commencement of their final approaches and that the Olympic Airways aircraft was on the extended centreline of Runway 23 left at Heathrow, descending from 1,700 feet,

CIVIL AIR TRAFFIC AT THE MAIN SCOTTISH AIRPORTS 1968 AND 1969
(Numbers in thousands)
			1968			1969 (provisional)
			Civil aircraft movements*	Terminal passengers	Transit passengers	Civil aircraft movements*	Terminal passengers	Transit passengers
Glasgow	…	…	44	1,387	22	64	1,617	20
Edinburgh	…	…	42	616	13	39	609	12
Prestwick	…	…	28	362	160	33	311	169
Aberdeen	…	…	8·3	98	16	18	107	22
Inverness	…	…	3·7	50	14	5·6	75	15
Kirkwall	…	…	4·1	59	3·1	5·1	64	7·1
Stornoway	…	…	2·4	32	2·1	2·5	38	5·5
Wick	…	…	2·7	28	31	2·6	28	36
* Landing or take-off, air transport, positioning, test and training, aero-club, private and official flights. Military flights are excluded.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now announce the inclusive tour control prices to apply in the winter period 1970–71.

I have decided to repeat the tariff that has applied last winter and this, except that I am extending it to

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the number of civil aircraft movements at, and the total number of terminal and transit passengers handled by, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Prestwick, Aberdeen, Inverness, Kirkwall, Stornoway and Wick Airports in 1968 and 1969.

Following is the information:cover the eastern Mediterranean area where the new tariff will reflect the lower rates already introduced for the summer season for holidays in Rumania, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey. It will apply to holidays beginning in the period from 16th October, 1970, to 31st March, 1971. I hope that this will give further encouragement to the development of winter travel.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, the number of soldiers and the names of the British regiments now on duty in Northern Ireland and his plans for the future stationing of British troops in Northern Ireland, stating the number of men and the names of their regiments to the latest convenient date.

About 5,500 army uniformed personnel are now serving in Northern Ireland. In addition there are just over 500 men of the Royal Air Force, employed in an internal security rôle.The major units now serving in Northern Ireland are:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement about the recent joint exercises in Kenya; and what other such exercises there are elsewhere are planned.

I assume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to joint exercises with the Kenyans. No such exercises have been held in Kenya recently, though we do hold British Army exercises there from time to time. Our forces have a continuing and extensive programme of exercises which includes joint exercises with certain other Commonwealth countries and also many arranged by international treaty organisations, particularly N.A.T.O.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what warships are expected to join the Fleet in 1970.

We expect to accept six major new warships into service during 1970: one nuclear Fleet submarine, two guided missile destroyers, and three frigates.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what warships are having their commissioning dates postponed due to manning shortages.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many British troops were employed in the logistic support of the United Nations force in Cyprus on 1st October, 1964; and how many are so employed today.

About 160 British troops were employed in logistic units in the British contingent of the United Nations force on 1st October, 1964; about the same number are employed today. In addition, British troops in the Sovereign Bases in Cyprus provide logistic support for both Near East Land Forces and the United Nations force.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many British troops, excluding logistic support troops, were employed in the United Nations force in Cyprus on 1st October, 1964; and how many are so employed today.

The numbers in both cases are about 900.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current estimated cost of keeping an aircraft carrier on station in the Far East; what is the current estimated cost of keeping a force of three carriers with one permanently deployed in the Far East; and how much is included in these figures by way of escort vessels, aircraft, support ships, fuel, dockyards, air stations, training establishments, spares, stores, civilian workers, pay and married quarters.

I regret that the detailed information requested is not readily available.However the hon. Member will be aware that in the Statement on Defence Estimates 1966 the capital and running costs of an aircraft carrier force limited to three ships through the 1970s were put at some £1,400 million over the 10-year period 1966–67—1975–76. At current prices this could represent around £1,700 million.A list of the items making up this estimate was set out in a reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Buckinghamshire, South (Mr. Ronald Bell), on 2nd March, 1966. They included the items specified in the Question, except the cost of escorts and married quarters, and in addition the capital cost of a new aircraft carrier and additional aircraft.—[Vol. 725, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the total number of fast patrol boats, including motor torpedo boats and motor gunboats, in commission and in reserve, respectively, in each of the last 10 years.

	Operational training and trials	Reserve, long refit, conversion and modernisation
1960	2	10
1961	2	10
1962	2	9
1963	2	7
1964	4	5
1965	3	6
1966	3	4
1967	3	4
1968	4	3
1969	4	—

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the total number of submarines in commission and in reserve, respectively, in each of the last 10 years.

The following table shows the number of operational submarines including those employed on training and trials:

1960	34
1961	32
1962	32
1963	36
1964	39
1965	31
1966	36
1967	37
1968	33
1969	29

No submarines are maintained in reserve, but a number of submarines were undergoing modernisation, conversion or long refit during this period.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much land is owned by his Department in England to the nearest convenient date.

464,166 acres on 1st October, 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to transfer more of his Department's research work to Scotland.

There are already six Ministry of Defence Research and Development Establishments in Scotland. They are as follows:

• Naval Construction Research Establishment, Dunfermline.
• Admiralty Reactor Test Establishment, Dounreay.
• Central Dockyard Laboratory, Rosyth.
• Admiralty Research Laboratory Extension, Glen Fruin.
• Admiralty Research Laboratory Extension, Loch Goil.
• Fighting Vehicles Research and Development Establishment range at Kirkcudbright.

With the present general reductions in Defence expenditure, there are no plans to transfer additional work to Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will publish the non-classified parts of the report of the inquiry with the M.E.X.E. establishment at Christchurch.

Publication would not be appropriate, but if there are any particular points on which the hon. Member desires information I will do what I can to help him.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what savings he estimates will accrue from the run-down of the M. E.X. E. establishment at Christchurch.

The savings accruing from the run-down of M.E.X.E. are estimated at over £300,000 a year in running costs, compared with the level of expenditure previously forecast. The full savings will not be achieved until about 1974–75, when redeployment has been effected and certain works completed. This estimate does not include receipts from sale of about 12 acres of land which will be available for disposal at Christchurch.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his department has for consultations with the staff of the M.E.X.E. establishment at Christchurch about the forthcoming run-down and redundancies.

There is well-established Whitley machinery providing for consultation with the staff about the rundown and this will be used to the full. Announcements of our broad plans were made to staff and trade union sides at central and local levels at the beginning of January.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to setting up an army apprentice school in Northern Ireland; and whether he will make a statement.

The Army's training arrangements as a whole are kept under constant review. In view of the available resources and the low level of apprentice and other junior recruiting in Northern Ireland, the cost of setting up an apprentice college there would not be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the figures for increased recruiting for both the Air Training Corps and the Cadet Force in the Beccles area, he will countermand his decision to sell off the Drill Hall, in view of the low price likely to be obtained for it and the excellent facilities it provides for over 70 young people in the Beccles area.

No. Sufficient accommodation is being retained for the Air Training Corps and the Army Cadet Force.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the fact that in the past five years the number of employees in Her Majesty's Dockyards has been run-down by 4,000 and that a further plan to decrease the number by 5,000 is under consideration, he is satisfied that all necessary refits will be able to be undertaken by the dockyards; and if he will make a statement.

No plans for a further run-down exist other than the total reduction of 5,000 by the mid 1970s which was announced in the Statement on Defence Estimates 1969. I am satisfied that H.M. Dockyards will be in a position to carry out their planned programmes subject to a satisfactory outcome of the productivity negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now make a statement on the future of H.M.S. "Hermes".

I have nothing to add to the answer given by my hon. Friend to the hon. and gallant Member for Winchester (Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles) on 3rd December, 1969.—[Vol. 792, c. 1472–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he established the Advisory Committee on Recruiting for the Ulster Defence Regiment; what are the Committee's terms of reference; and who are the members of the Committee.

The Advisory Council for the Ulster Defence Regiment was established with effect from 1st January, 1970. It held its first meeting on 5th January.The terms of reference and composition of the Council are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is aware that the use of the name Ulster in the title of the Ulster Defence Regiment is harmful to the relations between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Eire because three counties of Ulster are situated in the Republic; and if he will introduce amending legislation to alter the title to avoid this difficulty.

I cannot accept that the use of the word "Ulster" in this context is harmful to our relations with the Republic of Ireland, and I do not intend to introduce legislation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will refer to the National Board for Prices and Incomes proposals currently being made by farmers that they should receive higher prices for their commodities.

Such matters are considered during the statutory Annual Review.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been achieved in drawing up new plans to hasten the present brucellosis eradication scheme.

As my right hon. Friend announced on 10th December in reply to the hon. Member for North Angus and Mearns (Mr. Buchanan-Smith) and to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Sir T. Beamish), our aim is to start limited eradication projects in specially selected areas in 1971. We hope shortly to commence preliminary discussions on these projects with interested organisations.—[Vol. 793, cols. 413–414.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why, when the price of white bread has more than doubled over the last decade, farmers' returns on wheat have fallen during the same period; and if he will make a statement.

In the decade 1959–69, the average price of unwrapped white bread has increased by about 80 per cent. and the guaranteed price for wheat has increased by about 5 per cent. There is no direct correlation between these two prices; moreover, home-grown wheat accounts for only about 5 per cent. of the price of a loaf. Guaranteed prices for wheat have been determined at Annual Reviews in the light of all relevant factors, including profitability. Since the introduction of the Government's prices and income policy, increases in bread prices have taken place only when we were satisfied that they were fully justified under the policy and, on appropriate occasions, following consideration by the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the quantities and value of honey produced for sale in the United Kingdom by home producers in the last 12 months to the latest convenient date.

No precise figures are available but on a rough estimate the quantity of honey produced in the United Kingdom in the 1969 season was between 4,000 and 4,500 tons whose retail value might have been some £2½ million to £2¾ million. As most beekeepers are amateurs it is impossible to say how much of this was produced for sale but it is safe to assume that at least one-fifth was produced by whole-time or part-time professionals owning 40 colonies or more.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will seek to amend the Agriculture Act 1968, which makes it an offence to cause or permit farm animals to suffer unnecessary pain or distress, so as to make clear when pain or distress are unnecessary or necessary.

No. It would be impracticable to amend section 1(1) of the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1968, in this way. My veterinary staff are competent to judge whether pain or distress is unnecessary; and in prosecutions for alleged offences under Section 1 of the Act it will be for the courts to decide whether such pain or distress was in fact caused.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will make a statement on the apportionment between producers and distributors of the increased margin available on Channel Island milk as a result of the retail vice adjustments made in August, 1969.

My right hon. Friend has decided that the existing basis of apportionment will continue unchanged until 31st March, 1970, after which date the increased margin will be shared equally between producers and distributors.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the dangers to health of employees in the broiler fowl industry; if he is satisfied with the present regulations regarding health and safety; and if he will make a statement.

Few accidents occur in the broiler fowl industry. The accident rate appears to be lower than in the generality of farming operations, and I have no evidence of any health hazard which would require present regulations for health and safety to be amended.

asked the Minister of Transport how the deep water facilities for large vessels of the supertanker type which exist in the Clyde compare with those available in other ports of the United Kingdom and, from information available to him from international sources, in Western Europe.

The following table of existing crude oil terminals in terms of depth of water at the deepest berth shows how the deep water facilities in the Clyde compare with other deep water facilities at oil terminals in the United Kingdom. Comparable figures for oil terminals in Western Europe are not readily available.

Port and Terminal	Depth of water (ft.) MLWS	Company Served
Tidal: Clyde: Finnart	95	BP
London: Thameshaven	49	Shell, Mobil
Medway: Isle of Grain	45	BP
Southampton:
Fawley 46 ft. 6 ins.Esso
Milford Haven	68	BP
	67	Esso
	57	Gulf
	70	Texaco
Liverpool: Tranmere	45	Shell
Tees	45	Shell, PIP
Humber: Immingham Oil Jetty	50	Conoco, Total and Petrofina
Non-Tidal: Manchester: Eastham (Lock to QEII dock) 807 x 100 x 48 (20-LB Datum MHWS)	48	Burmah, Philips-Tarmac

asked the Minister of Transport 11) whether tenders have been received for the new bridge at Lowestoft; on what date a contract will be placed; and by what date the new bridge will be completed;(2) whether he will give an assurance that the dates proposed for the completion of the new bridge at Lowestoft by his predecessor will be adhered to.

Tenders for the new bridge have been received and are currently being evaluated. We hope to award a contract shortly and the bridge should be completed by the autumn of 1971 as previously announced.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the Scotch Whisky Association about the possibility of Great Britain joining the European Economic Community.

I understand that the Association will shortly be making representations to my right hon. Friend and they will no doubt take that opportunity to express their views on this point.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in framing his Budget proposals, he will give consideration to a reduction in income tax paid by men of 65 years and over and women of 60 years and over wholly dependent upon superannuation and retirement pensions.

I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of purchase tax from which overseas visitors were exempted in the financial year 1968–69 under the duty-free scheme.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the amount of purchase tax paid by overseas visitors to this country in the financial year 1968–69 and not remitted under the scheme for duty-free purchases by overseas visitors.

The information for making such an estimate is not available.

asked the Minister of Technology what study he has made of the effects on the unemployment level in Edinburgh of exclusion from develop- ment district status; and whether he will make a statement.

The Government is keeping a close watch on the level of unemployment in the Edinburgh area. While we propose to designate Leith as an intermediate area when the Local Employment Bill comes into force, we do not consider that further changes would be appropriate in present circumstances.

asked the Minister of Technology what steps are being taken by the British Industrial Development Office in New York to promote industrial development by North American companies in the North-East development area.

The British Industrial Development Office in New York undertakes promotional activities in North America, including visits to companies, designed to seek out those which might consider setting up in the United Kingdom, particularly in the development areas, including North-East England.

asked the Minister of Technology (1) whether he will now announce the Government's decision on the financial contributions required to be made by developers for the connection of electricity and gas to new housing developments; and whether he will make a statement;(2) what bodies outside the Civil Service have taken part in his Department's discussions regarding connection charges for gas and electricity to new housing developments; on what date these discussions first began; how many official meetings there have been in respect of them; on what date the last such meeting took place; and why he has not yet announced a decision on this matter;(3) whether he will now give details of the improvements which he is considering in the present arrangements for making connection charges to developers for gas and electricity on new housing developments; and when he proposes that they shall take effect.

Discussions have been held with the gas and electricity industries and began in 1967. The matter is still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Technology what representations have been made to him regarding the price arid availability of smokeless fuel; and what action he is taking in view of the recent concern.

About 40 letters have been received by the Department on this subject since August, 1969.The Department is in close touch with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, the producers and the trade about supply difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many officers and men of the Royal Navy have been detached on loan to the Federal Nigerian Navy; and for what purpose;(2) if all officers and men of the Royal Navy who are detached on loan to the Federal Nigerian Navy have volunteered for this service.

Seven officers and ratings of the Royal Navy, together with one civilian, have been lent to the Federal Nigerian Navy. All of them have volunteered for this service. Their functions are to assist the Commander of the Naval Forces of Nigeria in the discharge of his responsibilities for the training and develop Went of those forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assurance he has given to officers and men of the Royal Navy on loan to the Federal Nigerian Navy shat they will not be involved directly or indirectly in the Nigerian civil war.

The agreement made with the Federal Government of Nigeria concerning the setting up of a British Training Team for the Naval Forces of Nigeria is on the normal lines of training team agreements with other Commonwealth countries. It contains the standard provision that members of the training team will not take part in hostilities in which the forces of the host country might be involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a consolidated list to date of the regulations and directives issued by the European Economic Community and made available to Her Majesty's Government's representative, together with a brief explanatory note where the purpose of the regulation or directive is not clear from the title.

No. Translated texts of these Regulations and Directives, which now number more than 12,000, are placed in the Library of the House. An index which makes clear the purpose of each regulation and directive is issued at six monthly intervals and is also available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is aware of the recent concern regarding the continued detention of Herr Rudolf Hess; and if he will now take the initiative with other Powers to bring about his release from prison.

Yes, I am aware of the concern regarding Hess's continued detention, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Surbiton (Mr. Fisher) on 19th January.—[Vol. 794, c. 20.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek further initiatives to bring about a peaceful solution in the Middle East following renewed threats against Israel.

Her Majesty's Government are playing a full part in the talks now taking place in New York between representatives of France, the United States, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom. The aim of these talks is to produce as quickly as possible further guidance for Dr. Jarring to enable him to make progress with the parties towards a political settlement of the Arab/ Israel dispute. I believe that the early resumption of Dr. Jarring's mission provides the best hope for progress.I do not accept the implication of the last part of my hon. Friend's Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a detailed list of activities of the Britain in Europe Limited movement financed out of the Foreign Office grant during the financial year 1968–69, giving in each case the names of the delegates concerned together with the organisation they represented and the cost of the trips.

A list of the activities financed during 1968–69 has already been laid in the Libary of the House. I will arrange for additional information on the points suggested to be made available there as soon as practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the functioning of magistrates' courts in Anguilla.

In March, 1969, a magistrate was appointed to accompany Her Majesty's Commissioner at the time of his installation. A session of the court was held shortly after his arrival. An Officer serving on a regional British technical assistance assignment was appointed in April to replace him as magistrate in Anguilla and this magistrate held sessions of the court in April, May and September. Another officer serving similarly on a regional basis has recently been appointed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what changes, based on the experience during the past two winters, he plans to introduce in the information system for alerting the public to the hazards of influenza;

The present practice is for my Chief Medical Officer as soon as the necessary information is available to bring the epidemiological situation to the attention of general medical practitioners and medical officers of health, and to convey to them any relevant recommendations of my advisory committees on vaccination or other matters. After that public statements are issued where circumstances appear to make this desirable. Recent experience does not lead me to think it necessary to alter these arrangements but I am considering the possibility of enlisting the help of selected general practitioners to obtain the earliest information about the occurrence of influenza-like illnesses.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide greater resources to the influenza early warning system so that a number of full-time teams of professionals can be employed at a number of centres throughout the country to help detect the different strains of the virus well in advance of an epidemic instead of relying on a small team of part-time workers, as at present.

Adequate laboratory facilities already exist for the speedy detection of evidence of influenza infections and the isolation and identification of viruses. Thirty laboratories of the Public Health Laboratory Service regularly receive specimens taken by general medical practitioners. Detailed typing of viruses is undertaken by the Virus Reference Laboratory of the Public Health Laboratory Service and by the World Influenza Centre at the National Institute for Medical Research.The present outbreak of influenza in Britain is due to virus A. All strains studied this winter have been indistinguishable from the Hong Kong variant prevalent in Britain in the winter of 1968–69. Early warning of this new variant was given by the World Health Organisation in the summer of 1968. The suggested employment of full-time teams would be unlikely to result in significantly greater or quicker information being available than is provided under existing arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what total allocation has been made to regional hospital

		Current (£000's)			Capital (£000's)
Regional Hospital Board		1969–70 Expenditure	1970–71 Expenditure	Percentage Variations	1969–70 Estimated Capital Expenditure	1970–71 Estimated Capital Expenditure	Percentage Variations
Newcastle	…	43,363	45,221	+ 4·3	4,648	5,352	+ 15·1
Leeds	…	48,435	50,873	+ 5·0	5,048	4,834	- 4·3
Sheffield	…	54,334	56,840	+ 4·6	7,679	7,627	- 0·7
East Anglian	…	20,319	21,527	+ 5·9	3,578	4,091	+ 14·3
N.W. Metropolitan	…	57,486	59,502	+ 3·5	6,581	6,373	- 3·2
N.E. Metropolitan	…	53,297	55,081	+ 3·4	5,545	5,185	- 6·5
S.E. Metropolitan	…	51,898	54,158	+ 4·4	6,331	6,363	+ 0·5
S.W. Metropolitan	…	56,080	58,839	+ 4-9	5,395	5,959	+ 10·5
Oxford	…	24,873	26,148	+ 5·1	4,454	5,353	+ 20·2
South Western	…	47,090	48,987	+ 4·0	5,346	5,562	+ 4·0
Birmingham	…	64,780	68,565	+ 5·8	7,603	9,097	+ 19·7
Manchester	…	63,305	66,416	+ 4·9	9,084	9,047	- 0·4
Liverpool	…	35,309	36,673	+ 3·9	5,026	5,371	+ 6·9
Wessex	…	28,557	30,514	+ 6·9	4,137	5,168	+ 24·9
England Total	…	649,126	679,344	+ 4·7	80,455	85,382	+ 6·1

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what are the highest, the average and the lowest salaries paid to the managers of employment exchanges in England and Wales.

The highest is £3,570 and the lowest £1,008. I regret that the average could only be obtained by a disproportionate expenditure of staff time. I am writing to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the cost of processing an applicant at an employment exchange, showing the

The allocations of current expenditure and the estimates of capital expenditure of regional hospital boards for 1969–70, as shown in Appendix I to the Civil Estimates, Class VI, 11, together with the allocations of current expenditure notified to boards and the provisional estimates of capital expenditure for 1970–71, are as follows:difference between those who are placed and not placed.

Information is not available in the form requested. Simple division of the cost of the adult employment service in the 1968–69 financial year by the total number of registrations produces a sum of slightly under £2. Division of the same cost by the number of placings produces a sum of slightly under £6. These costs exclude the special services for disabled persons and professional registrants but include some related activities which cannot be divorced from placings costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how Great Britain compares with other International Labour Organisation countries in respect of days lost through strikes in the last published year.

Information from the International Labour Office—published in the November 1969 issue of the Employment and Productivity Gazette—shows that in respect of days lost through industrial disputes per 1,000 persons employed, the figures for the United Kingdom for 1968 were better than those for most other major industrial countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if he will take steps to obtain information showing the breakdown by socioeconomic class or income group of those who apply for employment and those who are placed in employment by employment exchanges for the most convenient recent years; and if he will publish such of this information as is already in his possession.

No. The information is not available in respect of past periods and could only be obtained in the future at undue cost and at some inconvenience to the public. A breakdown of the adult unemployed register by occupation is published quarterly in the Employment & Productivity Gazette.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations have been made to him regarding the need to restrict the export of archaelogical material and manuscripts; and if he will reduce the value at which licences are required for exports in order to keep together groups of materials worth less than the present limit of £2,000 and for the purpose of study and for the protection of our history.

In 1968, the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art recommended that export control should be extended to a limited range of documentary material less than 100 years old. Manuscripts, documents and archives over 100 years old are already subject to export control irrespective of their value. I explained in my Answer on 13th March, 1969, that, after careful consideration, the Government had concluded that practical difficulties prevented the Reviewing Committee's proposals from providing the basis of a statutory control. An interdepartmental working party was subsequently established to consider the matter, and their conclusions were published as a Green Paper on 14th January. As I informed the House on 2nd December, a period of three months is now being allowed for interested persons and organisations to submit their views. Pending the expression of these views, no decisions will be taken by the Government on the working party's conclusions. In 1969, the Reviewing Committee recommended that British archaeological material should be subject to export control irrespective of its value. The Government have accepted this recommendation and the new arrangements will come into force on Monday next. 26th January.—[Vol. 799, c.322–;3 Vol. 792, c.264–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress is being made with research into the causes and cure of osteo-arthritis.

Although many difficult problems remain, progress is gradually being made both in the understanding of this condition and in the development of methods of treatment. A great deal of information is now available on the genetic, dietetic, bio-chemical, endocrine and mechanical factors in osteo-arthritis, all of which have been shown to play some part in the causation of this condition. As in any disease process with many different causal factors, prevention may prove almost impossible, but surgery has provided an effective remedy in at least one area—the hip joint. Further research is being conducted in the grafting of cartilage and joints.