asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the percentage increase in school building costs since cost-limits were last raised in 1966 in the whole country, and in London, respectively.

No separate index of school building costs, either for the whole country or for London, is maintained. The Ministry of Public Building and Works index of the costs of new construction increased by about 15 per cent. between the third quarter of 1966 and the third quarter of 1969. Part of this increase was anticipated when the cost limits were last fixed, and an increase in the cost limits of less than 15 per cent. is required to restore the 1966 position.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools have been built during the last five years; and what was the corresponding figure for the previous five years.

3,421 and 2,027 respectively—an increase of 68·8 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many full-time teachers were engaged in further education in 1963; and what is the estimated figure for 1969.

28,562 in 1963. The estimated figure for 1969 is 47,900, an increase of 67·7 per cent. These figures relate to grant-aided establishments for further education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what reports he has received from local education authorities about the number of primary school classes with over 40 pupils in the present school year, following his recent circular; and if he will make a statement.

Latest information from about three-quarters of local education authorities suggests that about 6 per cent. of primary school classes now contain more than 40 pupils compared with 9·5 per cent. in January, 1969, and 10·8 per cent. in 1968. This is a big step towards the elimination of classes of 40 and over. I congratulate the local education authorities on the results they are achieving in our new drive.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further steps he now proposes to take to ensure harmonisation in student grants paid by different local authorities.

Awards made by local education authorities under Section 1 of the Education Act, 1962 for first degree and comparable courses are at uniform rates and subject to uniform conditions. So far as authorities' discretionary awards are concerned, I propose, in consultation with the local authority associations, to give authorities further advice in a circular later this year, with the aim of reducing variations of practice in administering these awards.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what departmental studies have been undertaken to examine the implications for public expenditure of the present grant system for students and postgraduates in higher education; and what conclusions have been reached.

This question is being studied in the context of provision for higher education in the 1970s. No conclusions have yet been reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will take new measures to ensure that all parents pay the amounts assessed towards student maintenance.

In 1968 my Department asked local education authorities to ensure that parents are made aware of the importance of contributing towards students' costs to the full extent assessed. I am sure that authorities are doing all they can to make the position clear to parents. I would add my own weight to the plea that all parents ensure that their children receive in total the equivalent of a full grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the present real value of the standard rate of maintenance grant for students in universities compared with the grant in April, 1965.

	Rates current in the academic year 1964–65
	as then awarded	revalued to December, 1969 prices	Rates current in the academic year 1969–70
	£	£	£
The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge (students in residence or lodgings).	345	420	395
Universities in the London area Students in—
residence	335	408
lodgings	330	402
Other Universities and Colleges: Students in—
residence	320	389	360
lodgings	300	365
All students living at home	240	292	290

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will introduce legislation to remove the means test on the income of parents whose children have been granted places at British universities, in view of the fact that there is no means test applied to parents whose children attend State schools.

No. This would be unfair unless applied to student awards throughout higher education, and then it would cost about £35 million-£40 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the increase in funds available to regional arts associations during the past five years.

In 1963–64 the Arts Council gave grants totalling £27,320 to the three regional arts associations then

Rates of maintenance grant vary, and, with permission, I will circulate a table in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Using as a yardstick the change between the average of monthly Retail Price Indices for the academic year 1964–65 and the Index for December, 1969, the real value of awards for students in halls of residence of provincial universities has fallen by over 7 per cent. The fall is less for students resident in halls elsewhere. For students in lodgings attending the Universities of Oxford or Cambridge, the fall is 6 per cent.; for those in lodgings elsewhere it is under 2 per cent. For students at home the fall is very slight.Following is the information:In existence; there are now nine regional associations and between them they will receive about £240,000 in the present financial year, an increase of more than 750 per cent. on 1963–64.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the increase in the number of pupils taking the Certificate of Secondary Education since its introduction in 1965.

In 1965, when nine regional boards held examinations, there were 65,000 candidates. Since all 14 boards became operative in 1966 numbers have risen from 142,000 in that year to 207,000 in 1968—an increase of over 200 per cent. since 1965.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many comprehensive schools were in operation in 1963–64; and what is the figure at the latest available date.

The number of comprehensive schools rose from 195 in January, 1964 to 962 in January, 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many comprehensive schools there now are in England and Wales; and how many employ methods of ability selection by the streaming and setting of classes, respectively.

On the first point, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon Friend, the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Molloy). On the second point, precise information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of school leavers obtained two or more A level passes in 1963–64; and what was the percentage for the last available year.

The proportion of school leavers with two or more A level passes in 1963–64 was 8·2 per cent. In 1967–68 this had risen to 12·2 per cent.—a proportionate increase of almost 50 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how

DEGREE RESULTS OF MATURE STATE SCHOLARS COMPLETING FIRST DEGREE COURSES IN THE YEARS 1965–69
Year of completion of course			Number of Students*	1st Class Honours	2nd Class Honours	Other Honours	Pass	Failed
1965	…	…	30	1	22	6	1	0
1966	…	…	20	3	13	3	1	0
1967	…	…	24	1	14	6	3	0
1968	…	…	23	6	16	0	0	1
1969	…	…	15	1	12	2	0	0
Total	…	…	112	12	77	17	5	1
* Excluding seven students who discontinued their courses for academic or health reasons.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will hold a public inquiry into the question of the future housing of transport relics and records.

I have received 25 and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has had 14.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the current expenditure on building improvements at the Bishop Auckland Technical College; and when they will be completed.

The tender price was £199,987, and the work should be completed next month. The project was given a high priority because of its importance in the life of the area, and its inclusion in the 1967–68 programme was fully justified on the evidence submitted.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, if he will publish an analysis of the academic achievements of all State mature scholars who have completed their university courses in the last five years.

With permission, I will circulate an anlysis in the OFFICIAL REPORT. As the figures show, the results achieved by mature students are excellent and fully justify this expenditure.Following is the information:

Since the White Paper on Railway Policy was issued in 1967 there has been adequate time for discussion. A firm decision has now been taken on this and we must now concentrate on making the museum at York something of which the whole country can be proud.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has yet reached a decision on the proposal to close the primary schools at Wath and Kirklington; and if he will make a statement.

No. I am considering the objections and the local education authority's comments on them. I hope to reach a decision before long.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what provision he will now make for the replacement of unsatisfactory primary school buildings in the North Riding of Yorkshire.

The North Riding has submitted for a start in 1971–72 a list of projects for the improvement or replacement of old schools. These proposals will be considered with those made by other authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has held recently with Essex County Council about school building in the county; and if he will make a statement on plans and provisions for the period 1970 to 1973.

Discussions have taken place about major projects which are expected to start in the two years 1970–72 and my right hon. Friend has authorised 66 projects estimated to cost nearly £7 million. Allocations for minor works totalling £0·8 million in 1970–72, and for building for raising the school leaving age totalling £2–9 million in 1970–73, have also been announced. We will shortly invite the authority's proposals for major projects to start in 1972–73.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has to introduce legislation to implement an increase in the pay of schoolteachers.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the latest position on the question of teachers' pay.

I refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Christopher Price), my right hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey), my hon. Friends the Members for Lewisham, West (Mr. Dickens), and West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis), and the hon. Member for Rutland and Stamford (Mr. Kenneth Lewis) in the House this afternoon.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science to what extent in preparing figures for public expenditure in education in the years 1968–69 to 1973–74, he took into account the need for substantial increases in teachers' salaries in that period.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 20th January.—[Vol. 794, c. 89.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the total cost to date of the Donnison Committee.

The estimated total cost of the Public Schools Commission's Second Report is about £62,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he proposes to accept the invitation from the Governors of Beverley School, Kingston-upon-Thames, and from the Education Committee of the said Royal Borough, to pay an official visit to Beverley Boys School.

I told the town clerk and the right hon. Gentleman on 12th January that, because of other commitments, I could not accept the invitation to visit the Beverley School.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what reply has he given to the representations made to him on 7th December 1969 with regard to comprehensive education in Rea ding, and contained in a document entitled, "Secondary Education in Reading?.

My right hon. Friend has told the Reading Labour Group that he will bear its views in mind in his consideration of the proposals submitted by the Reading local authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has noted the small number of women graduate physics teachers as pointed out in the Royal Society's report, details of which have been sent to him; and what steps he is taking to increase the number and to increase the utilisation of the present number.

Yes. In my written reply on 22nd January to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Garston (Mr. Fortescue), I set out the steps my right hon. Friend is taking to increase the number of science teachers, both men and women. The utilisation of teachers is a matter for heads of schools and for local authorities. I have no reason to think that graduate women physics teachers are under-used.—[Vol. 794, c. 172–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what his future policy will be with regard to corporal punishment in schools.

My view is that the decision whether or not to administer corporal punishment is, and should continue to be, one that is best left to the professional judgment of the teacher.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has noted the high average age of mathematics teachers as pointed out in the Royal Society's Report, details of which have been sent to him; and what steps he is taking to step up recruitment.

Yes. For the steps we are taking I refer my hon. Friend to my written reply to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Garston (Mr. Fortescue) on 22nd January. There are many mathematics graduates over 50, but there are also many under 30, and recruitment is going fairly well. 29 per cent. more mathematics graduates went direct into teacher training or into school in 1968 than in the previous year.—[Vol. 794. c. 172–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make available for autistic children educational facilities extended beyond the normal school leaving age.

Local education authorities already have adequate powers to provide suitable education at schools for pupils up to the age of 18. These powers apply equally to the provision of special education for handicapped pupils, including autistic children. Local education authorities also have a duty to provide facilities for further education for persons over compulsory school age, and autistic adolescents may in suitable cases continue their studies at a college of further education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will initiate a publicity campaign among older children of school age to prevent them commencing smoking, in view of the fact that cigarette smoking kills over 50,000 people a year and causes about 20 times more working days to be lost through sickness than are lost through industrial disputes.

The Health Education Council is preparing a campaign to persuade young people, including older school pupils, not to start smoking. I understand that it will start in about a month's time and will use the mass media as well as other publicity material.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether technical colleges which make facilities available to industrial training boards for training purposes are entitled under his regulations to require the boards to provide the necessary capital equipment.

Technical colleges cannot require industrial training boards to provide capital or other equipment for any purpose. Where they provide training of a kind for which industry is normally responsible, they are advised to make an economic charge for the service. This charge includes an amortisation element in respect of buildings and capital equipment. Colleges and industrial training boards may make mutually acceptable arrangements for the gift or loan to the college of special equipment needed to provide suitable training courses.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the total number of places taken and paid for by local education authorities in England and Wales at independent schools; how many of the local education authorities taking such places have spare capacity within appropriate schools under their own control; what guidance he has given to local education authorities on methods of selection for their places at independent schools; and whether he will make a statement.

In January, 1969, 25,683 day and boarding places in independent schools (including 4,394 for children needing special educational treatment) were paid for in full by local education authorities in England and Wales. Authorities may pay the full fees of a pupil at an independent school without regard to parental income only where they are satisfied that there is a shortage of places in maintained schools to meet the pupils' needs. I have no information about spare capacity in schools maintained by those authorities which take up places at independent schools. The methods of selection for pupils to fill places taken up by authorities at independent schools is a matter within each authority's discretion.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the allocation by Portsmouth City Council of places for secondary education at independent fee-paying schools within the city.

It is for the authority to satisfy itself within the terms of subsection 2(a)(ii) of section 6 of the Education Act, 1953, that the places it pays for without regard to parental income are needed by reason of a shortage of places in maintained schools which are reasonably accessible to pupils and which would provide education suitable to their age, ability and aptitude. It is also for the Portsmouth L.E.A. to consider whether it should continue to take up so many places at independent schools if there are spare places in suitable maintained schools, and it is for it to determine which pupils shall be offered places at maintained or non-maintained schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the numbers of nursery schools in 1955 and at the latest available date.

The number of maintained nursery schools in England and Wales was 464 in January, 1955 and 470 in January 1969. Over the same period the total number of children under compulsory school age in all maintained schools increased from 200,000 to over 250,000. Another 10,000 full-time places in nursery schools and classes, providing for up to 20,000 children, will be provided under the first two phases of the urban programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek such powers as are necessary to enable him to provide special financial assistance to educational authorities to replace existing text books and to purchase new measuring and other equipment rendered necessary by the change over to decimal and metric systems.

No. Authorities are expected to meet these costs as part of the normal process of replacing books and equipment. In the case of decimal currency the impending changes have been known to local authorities and schools since 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) to whom the grant in relation to the Community Association was sent; who received such grant; and who controlled the expenditure of such grant;(2) what grant his Department has made to the Community Association of Bethnal Green for improving facilities in the premises they occupy at Oxford House; and what terms of lease were agreed as a pre-condition for advancing any grant.

A grant of £447 was paid to the Community Association in 1957 on the basis of an agreement to lease. A further grant of £10,000 was offered in 1967 of which £7,148 has been paid. Payments were made to the Midland Bank for use on the Community Association project, which I understand was supervised by the Oxford House Council on behalf of the Community Association.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of the fact that the British Museum contains over 24 million items, being added to at the rate of 2,000,000 a year, what arrangements exist to sort out and dispose of out of date and surplus material.

The museum's powers of disposal are set out in Section 5 of the British Museum Act, 1963. Broadly, the trustees can dispose of items in their collections, other than duplicates, only if objects are found to be fakes or if they have become useless by reason of damage or deterioration.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in how many deaths from cancer of any form over the last 10 years, the cooperation of relatives has been sought to try to identify environmental, diet, or other factors which might have contributed to the deceased's terminal illness; what proportion of the total deaths from cancer over the last 10 years this represents; where such research is carried out; and what proportion of the total cancer research budget for which Her Majesty's Government is responsible or sponsors is spent on this form of research.

This information is not available. A wide range of epidemiological studies relating to cancer have been, and are being, undertaken under the auspices of the Medical Research Council and in university departments. During the course of these investigations retrospective inquiries are made as necessary with the purpose of identifying possible factors which may have contributed to the onset of the disease.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is proposing to take to maintain Anglo-American cultural relations, in view of the reduction in the Fulbright programme.

The future of the Fulbright programme is, I understand, currently under review in the United States of America and Her Majesty's Government is also considering the matter. As for Anglo-American cultural co-operation in general, it is already diverse and extensive.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make further assistance available to the Centre for the Study of Human Development; and whether he will make a statement.

The allocation of funds to the University of London Institute of Education, of which the centre forms a part, is a matter for the university itself and I cannot comment on its decisions. I understand that an application for support for a particular project has recently been made to the Social Science Research Council and is now being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will seek to ensure that those pursuing courses in the Open University will be permitted to make use of such university library facilities as lie within their neighbourhood; and if he will make a statement.

Universities are autonomous institutions and only they can decide, after taking into account the needs of their own staff and students, how far their facilities can be made available to others. This is a matter for consideration between the authorities of the Open University and of any other universities concerned. I hope that discussions will take place in a friendly and co-operative atmosphere.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total minor capital works allocation to Southampton Local Education Authority in each of the years 1964 to 1969.

Following is the information:

Financial Year			Allocation (£000)
1963–64	…	…	45
1964–65	…	…	55
1965–66	…	…	76
1966–67	…	…	119
1967–68	…	…	89
1968–69	…	…	105
1969–70	…	…	130

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will approve a revised salary scale for the Principal of the Northern College of Music.

I told the joint committee of local education authorities responsible for the college on 29th January that I was now willing to approve a rather higher scale.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of teachers of science and mathematics, respectively, in secondary schools have honours degrees in their specific subject.

The statistics distinguish between good honours and other, not honours and other, degrees. In March, 1968, 46·1 per cent. of science graduates and 43·3 per cent. of mathematics gradu- ates in maintained secondary schools in England and Wales held first or second-class honours degrees.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is aware of the evidence of Professor Sternglass in the Proceedings of the Health Physics Society of America and in the Bulletin of the United States Atomic Scientists, details of which have been sent to him, that half a million children have died as the result of fall-out from atomic weapon tests, including 100,000 in the United Kingdom; and if he will cause the Medical Research Council to investigate the matter and report.

Professor Sternglass's views regarding infant mortality in this country and elsewhere have already been assessed by an expert committee of the Medical Research Council. This committee has concluded that by normal scientific criteria the evidence he has collected does not prove, or even support, his hypotheses.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps in conjunction with appropriate local authorities to mark the centenary of Charles Dickens.

Both the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum are holding special Dickens exhibitions in the coming year. Local celebrations of the centenary of a national figure are a matter for the local authority and other agencies in the area concerned. The Arts Council has on occasion made grants towards the cost of particular events. I understand that the Dickens Birthplace Museum in Portsmouth will reopen to the public on 12th June next during the city's celebrations to mark the centenary of the author's death.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will state from information available to him from international sources which countries in Europe operate a discriminatory system of charges for residence for students in higher education as between home and foreign students; and what is the relative level of charges in such cases.

This information is not readily available, and in view of the differing financial arrangements, would be unlikely to produce reliable comparisons between different countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what he estimates will be the average annual increase, in percentage terms, in expenditure on higher education during the next five years.

About 4½ per cent, per annum, at constant prices, up to 1971–72, for Great Britain as a whole and taking universities, teacher training and further education together. I cannot yet make a forecast for the later years.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many young people within the scope of the Distributive Industry Training Board are currently attending part-time day release classes; what are the comparable figures for the past three years; what is the number of courses for qualifications in the distributive trades at present being offered in local authority colleges; and what proposals he has for increasing this number.

In 1968–69, the latest year for which figures are available, 10,227 young people under 18 attended part-time day release courses relevant to the distributive industry. This represents 3–4 per cent. of the total number of young people employed in the industry. Corresponding figures for the three previous years were:

• 1967–68–10,291–3·3 per cent.
• 1966–67–10,857–3·2 per cent.
• 1965–66–12,048–3·4 per cent.

In 1968–69 a total of 662 courses leading to 52 different qualifications of relevance to the distributive industry were provided in local authority colleges. I anticipate that the growing activities of the Dis- tributive Industry Training Board in the field of training and associated further education will lead to a significant increase in the number of young people in the industry being released for courses of further education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by what dates he plans to make the admission of children to school at four years of age compulsory in all areas; and if he will take steps in the meantime to encourage admission at this age on a voluntary basis, particularly in education priority areas.

In January. 1969 there were about 876,000 four-year-old children in England and Wales, of whom nearly one-third were in school.My right hon. Friend has no plans to make attendance at school compulsory from the age of four but I attach great importance to nursery education on a voluntary basis. Well over 10,000 additional full-time nursery places have been approved so far in areas of social deprivation under the urban programme, and further progress will be made as fast as resources allow.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has now considered the recommendations of the Select Committee for Education and Science in its report on Student Relations; and if he will make a statement.

As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Christopher Price) on 29th January, I expect in February or March to publish a reply to those recommendations addressed to the Government.—[Vol. 794, c. 382.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what Government or Government-sponsored research has been done on the hazards of radiation arising from the use of colour television sets.

The Radiological Protection Service is engaged in an extensive investigation on behalf of the Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee; but studies already completed indicate that radiation from colour television sets now available in this country is well below nationally and internationally recommended limits.

	ENGLAND AND WALES FINANCIAL YEARS
	Net Public expenditure	1964–65 Number of students (b)	Col. (1)÷ Col.(2)	Net Public expenditure	1968–69 (a) Number of students (b)	Col. (4)÷ Col. (5)
	(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	(5)	(6)
	£ Mill.	000	£	£ Mill.	000	£
Universities:
Current (c)	106·2	119·3	807	192·2	183·2	1,049
Capital (d)	50·9		427	65·8		359
Total	157·1		1,317	258·0		1,408
College of Education:
Current (c)	39·8	60·4	659	79·5	103·3	770
Capital (c)	9·8		162	8·8		85
	49·6		821	88·3		855
Footnotes:
(a) partly estimated;
(b) estimated for financial years from returns for academic years, part-time students are each counted at 0·5 and full-time students as 1·0, whatever the levels of subjects of their studies;
(c) excluding loan charges, but including student maintenance;
(d) much of capital expenditure is intended to provide for future expansion, not for present numbers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now grant an undermanning allowance to the Birmingham City Police.

My right hon. Friend is considering this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will obtain from the chief constable a report as to the reasons for the explosion which demolished a dwelling-house in Worcester Road, Malvern Link, Worcester, during December, 1969.

The police investigation concluded that the explosion

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were university costs to public funds per student in 1964–65 and 1968–69 at current prices; and what were the costs in colleges of education for the same years.

Following is the information:resulted from a gas leak. There is no evidence that the incident was caused by any criminal act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total value of former Civil Defence and Auxiliary Fire Service vehicles and other equipment taken into Home Office stores in 1968; what was the total value of such vehicles and other equipment since sold; what were the total proceeds of sale; what is the annual cost of maintaining in serviceable condition vehicles and other equipment remaining in Home Office stores; and what steps are taken to maintain them in serviceable condition.

The purchase price less depreciation of vehicles and equipment in Home Office Stores at the end of 1968 was £37·3 million. The purchase price less depreciation of vehicles and equipment disposed of to date was £2·1 million, the proceeds of sale being £0·5 million. The annual maintenance and storage costs of the equipment to be retained permanently is £0·9 million. The vehicles and equipment are being held in proper storage conditions and are subject to periodical inspection, maintenance and repair.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department will review the charges payable for public music and dancing licences issued under the Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1890; and whether he will consider introducing legislation to provide concessionary rates for halls used or owned by charitable organisations.

My right hon. Friend is willing to re-examine the level of these charges. The legislation envisaged in the second part of the Question would involve a comprehensive review of the law, and I regret that there is no immediate prospect of this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will, under the Prices and Incomes Act, obtain information as to the wages and conditions of persons employed by private companies as security agents, in order to compare them with those of police constables.

Negotiations on police pay are the responsibility of the Police Council for Great Britain, which already has a standing agreement on the method of comparison to be adopted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the effects of the Gaming Act, 1968, on small bridge clubs; and if he will introduce legislation to exempt them from the provisions of the Act.

If contract bridge is played for winnings in a proprietary club after 1st July, 1970, the club will need a licence under the Gaming Act to allow table money to be charged. Representations have been made that this procedure is too cumbersome and the fees too large for small clubs. My right hon. Friend is studying these objections.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on his plans for the implementation of the immigration appeals procedure.

Preparations for implementing Part I of the Immigration Appeals Act, 1969, are well advanced. An Order in Council under Section 14 of the Act, providing rights of appeal for aliens, was made yesterday and will be laid before the House next week. My right hon. Friend has been consulting the Council on Tribunals about the rules of procedure to be made under Section 11 and the regulations to be made under Section 6. He hopes to be able to make these rules and regulations later this month, and at the same time to make orders under Section 24(5) of the Act and Article 1 of the Aliens (Appeals) Order fixing the date on which statutory rights of appeal will be introduced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, without incurring disproportionate expenditure of time and effort, he will give for any stated period of time the number of prosecutions which were instituted by the police for pausing for three minutes in Lordship Lane, N.17; and how many automatic ticket fines were imposed for this offence, for any stated period, in this area.

The records are not kept in a form which would enable information of the kind for which my hon. Friend asks to be extracted without disproportionate effort. The law makes no provision for fines to be imposed automatically.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity when the legislation to provide for the merger of the Monopolies Commission and the National Board for Prices and Incomes will be introduced.

I cannot yet add to the information which I gave to the House on 22nd January.—[Vol. 794, c. 686.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will introduce new or amending legislation to discourage the further growth of voluntary absenteeism.

No. I do not consider absenteeism an appropriate subject for legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many of the men employed by the British Steel Corporation at the Redpath Dorman Long steel plant in Edinburgh at the time of its closure in May, 1969 are still registered as unemployed.

On 10th November, 1969, which is the latest date for which a record is available, 24 of the 241 workers discharged as a result of the closure of the Redpath Dorman Long steel plant were still registered as unemployed. The number registered as unemployed at a date later than 10th November, 1969 cannot be provided except at a disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what action she is taking, in view of the concern in Wales, to find alternative employment for those affected by the closure of the Central Electricity Generating Board's established centre in South Wales.

If my hon. Friend is referring to the closure of the Central Electricity Generating Board's office at Gabalfa, Cardiff, the C.E.G.B. advises me that nearly all the staff have been, or will be, transferred to other establishments of the board in or near Cardiff or to the regional office in Bristol or offered alternative employment in the electrical supply industry. My officers will be glad to help and advise any staff who are not transferring and wish to discuss possibilities of alternative employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what was the percentage increase in male average weekly earnings between October, 1959 and October, 1964, and October, 1964 and October, 1969, respectively.

Following is the information requested:

	Percentage increases
Full-time Manual Workers	October 1959 to October 1964	October 1964 to October 1969
Males	32·8	38·1
Men (21 years of age and over)	33·6	37·1

asked the Lord President of the Council what considerations determine Government policy concerning the leaving of legislation to the initiative of private Members.

Whether or not a particular Measure is included in a Government's own legislative programme must be a matter for Governmental decision. Successive Administrations have not made public their discussion of such issues.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will arrange for announcements regarding forthcoming Ministerial statements and Private Notice Questions to be displayed on the closed-circuit television annunciators in the House.

I have carefully considered this suggestion but, principally on account of the limited notice of such business, it would not be practicable.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement about the European Space Research Organisation's proposals for a satellite communications system.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) on 24th November, 1969. The initial report of the working group set up to study the requirements etc. for a European telecommunications satellite has not yet been received.—[Vol. 792, c. 19–20.]

asked the Minister of Technology how many of the men employed at the Redpath Dorman Long steel plant in Edinburgh at the time of closure in May, 1969, are in receipt of compensation under the Iron and Steel (Compensation to Employees) Regulations, 1968.

The B.S.C. which is responsible for determining claims informs me that in its view this closure does not come within the ambit of the regulations.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will enter into discussions with Rediffusion Limited with a view to delaying in accordance with Her Majesty's Government's prices and incomes policy the proposed increase of 2s. 2d. per month on all television sets in Basildon New Town; and if he will make a statement.

Rediffusion Limited approached the Ministry of Technology before implementing the recent increases in its rental charges. After a careful investigation of the company's position, we found no reason to object.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will take steps, in cases of local authorities whose general rates and water rates have hitherto been paid together, for this practice to continue.

My right hon. Friend has no power to oblige water undertakers to use rating authorities as their agents for collecting the water rate and would not intervene in a local matter of this kind.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the number of dwellings completed in the South-Eastern area in the years 1964 to 1969, inclusive, in the private sector; and what he estimates will be the number of completions in 1970.

The figures requested for 1964 to 1969 are given below. It is too early to estimate private sector completions in the South-East Region in 1970, but 63,700 private dwellings were under construction at the end of 1969.

Private Sector Dwellings Completed South-East Economic Planning Region
Year				Thousands
1964	…	…	…	72·7
1965	…	…	…	69·3
1966	…	…	…	66·3
1967	…	…	…	62·5
1968	…	…	…	67·4
1969	…	…	…	53·2

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what was the number of dwellings started in the South-Eastern area in the years 1964 to 1969, inclusive, in the private sector.

The figures requested are as follows:

Private Sector Dwellings Started South-East Economic Planning Region
Year				Thousands
1964	…	…	…	83·4
1965	…	…	…	69·0
1966	…	…	…	59·6
1967	…	…	…	73·8
1968	…	…	…	55·7
1969	…	…	…	47·5

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he intends to change the overspill plans for the expansion of the Borough of Tamworth.

No such proposals have been made to my right hon. Friend by the borough or the county council and it is certainly my hope that the Tamworth scheme will go ahead as rapidly as possible.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what has been the average percentage increase in fair rents of unfurnished dwellings registered under the Rent Act in 1966 and reviewed in 1969.

This figure is not yet available, but I will write to my hon. Friend giving him the information as soon as I can.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total number of those entitled to claim diplomatic immunity in the United Kingdom at the present time.

7,219 persons enjoy varying degrees of diplomatic immunity. This figure includes 4,320 members of the staffs of diplomatic missions, 474 persons connected with international organisations and 2,425 wives who share their husbands' immunity. Families forming part of the households of certain officials enjoy similar immunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will discuss with the Israeli Government the possibility of an exchange of students between Great Britain and Israel and the extent to which both countries can assist one another in the advance of education in general, and the improvement in educational standards in the developing countries, in particular.

The Anglo-Israel Cultural Convention provides for educational cooperation between the two countries; and the British Council will have primary responsibility for discussing ways in which this might be improved. Co-operation with Israel over educational aid for developing countries is not at present envisaged.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current ration of fresh milk, vegetables, and fruit to Service personnel stationed in Gibraltar; if he is satisfied that the issue of these commodities is adequate to the needs of the men and women concerned; and if he will make a statement.

The general overseas ration scale applies to British forces stationed in Gibraltar. It operates on a 30-day cycle and provides:

• 8 oz. of fresh vegetables, or 4 oz. of quick frozen vegetables for 26 days.
• 20 oz. of fresh potatoes for 23 days.
• 5 oz of fresh fruit for 9 days.

For the remainder of the period the ration is provided in canned or dehydrated form. Fresh milk is unobtainable in Gibraltar and the ration of 12½ fluid oz. a day has to be provided in reconstituted or canned form.Even if fresh milk, fruit and vegetables were available in unlimited quantities it would still be necessary to issue canned and other substitutes for a part of the time in order to turn over reserve stocks in the Fortress.The ration scale was carefully drawn up in association with the Service medical authorities who agreed that it provides a well balanced diet. I am satisfied as to its adequacy.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy ratings were convicted under Section 28(1) of the Naval Discipline Act, 1957, of more than one offence during the year 1968.

I regret that the statistics for 1968 do not indicate how many offences were repeated.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence at what time in every 24-hour cycle the rum ration is issued in the Royal Navy; and what arrangements exist for a commanding officer to vary the time of issue to take into account the operational efficiency of his command.

The time at which the spirit ration is issued daily is decided by the commanding officer, having regard to the nature of the ship's service, the employment of the ship's company and any other relevant circumstances. Each day's spirit ration must, however, always be consumed before evening rounds on the day of issue; the saving up of spirit is forbidden.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the annual cost of the Royal Navy rum ration for each year between 1960 and 1969, inclusive.

For the years 1964 to 1969 these costs were:

				£
1964	…	…	…	183,000
1965	…	…	…	180,000
1966	…	…	…	150,000
1967	…	…	…	135,000
1968	…	…	…	167,000
1969	…	…	…	85,000

No rum was purchased in 1969. Figures for the years before 1964 are not readily obtainable but would not differ greatly from those shown for 1964 and 1965. There is also a substantial additional cost attributable to the manpower in the Fleet devoted to administering and controlling the ration.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will define in precise medical terms the expressions alcoholic casualty and very heavy drinker used as criteria by his Department in connection with the decision to abolish the rum tot in the Royal Navy.

In the context in which these terms were used, namely, an article entitled "Aspects of Alcohol and Service Medicine" which is in the Library for reference, their meanings may be taken to be:

"Alcoholic casualty"—a person who has become ill or suffered an accident and whose drinking has been a major factor in the illness or accident.

"Very heavy drinker"—a person who regularly drinks that amount of alcohol which may impair one or more of his faculties.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why the British Military Hospital in Singapore was selected for a survey of alcoholic casualties in connection with the decision to abolish the rum tot in the Royal Navy; what similar studies have been made in other service hospitals; and with what results.

The survey of alcoholic casualties made in 1966 at the British Military Hospital in Singapore was carried out because of Service concern about the problem in the area. It was not designed to produce evidence in connection with consideration of the future of the rum issue in the Royal Navy, though its findings were naturally taken into account in arriving at a decision on that issue. No parallel studies have been made in other Service hospitals.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what regulations have been made in respect of the availability of commercial spirit in the Royal Navy after 1st August, 1970.

Details of the regulations governing supply to senior ratings have not yet been finalised.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what consultation with serving officers and men of the Royal Navy will be carried out before the introduction of dehydrated beer into the Fleet.

Before any new form of beer was introduced either concentrated or dehydrated there would be extensive trials and consultations.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence by what authority Royal Navy officers are charged with being under the influence of alcoholic drink.

Section 28 of the Naval Discipline Act, 1957.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the regulations governing the supply and consumption of alcoholic beverages by Royal Navy officers.

Queen's Regulations 1409, 1410, and 1412. A copy of Q.R. 1409 was sent to the hon. Member with my letter to him on 22nd January, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how the expression excessive drinking is defined by the captains of ships in carrying out their duty to examine the wine bills of officers.

Queen's Regulations formerly laid down financial limitations which officers were not allowed to exceed but this is now left to the judgment of the ships' captains.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing for each service and each of the women's services the number of officers, non-commissioned officers, and other ranks, respectively, suffering from the disease of alcoholism in each of the last convenient 12-month periods.

The information requested is not easily available. I will write to my hon. Friend.