asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the age groupings according to rank of officers and men now serving aboard H.M.S. "Eagle", "Mohawk" and "Phoebe".

Ages and ranks are shown in the following tables.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the reasons why the constituent of the hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe, whose name has been sent to him, has been refused admission to the Women's Royal Naval Service.

The individual referred to was rejected for service in the Women's Royal Naval Service on 29th January, 1970, on the grounds that she does not satisfy the nationality rules for entry. These rules require that candidates must:

(a) at all times since birth have been a British subject (i.e. a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies or of a Commonwealth country) or citizen of the Irish Republic and

(b) have been born in a country or territory which is, or then was, within the Commonwealth or in the Irish Republic and

(c) have parents, both of whom were born in such a country or territory or in the Irish Republic and have always been, or always were British subjects or citizens of the Irish Republic.

She does not satisfy these rules because her father was born in Poland. There is provision for the rules to be waived in exceptional circumstances but there were no grounds for exercising the waiver in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions over the last five years the Royal Air Force has requested and received permission for over-flying facilities over South Africa.

Excluding the frequent flights to and from the former High Commission Territories which were carried out under a standing agreement with the South African Government before the independence of these Territories, the Royal Air Force has made only infrequent use of staging and over-flying facilities in South Africa over the last five years. Disproportionate effort would be required to establish the number of occasions.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if Her Majesty's Government still accepts the provisions of paragraph 1 of the 1955 exchange of Letters with the Government of South Africa to ensure the safety by the joint operations of their respective maritime forces of the sea lanes round Southern Africa; and what British forces have been ear-marked for assignments to the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic, as required in paragraphs 5 and 8.

Her Majesty's Government accept the need for appropriate planning arrangements to ensure the safety of the sea routes round Southern Africa. Neither Government specifically earmarks forces for assignment to the area in war, but, so far as Her Majesty's Government is concerned naval forces from our general capability would be available for deployment if in our judgment this was necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many officers and ratings of the South African navy have been involved in exchanges with the Royal Navy since 1st January, 1965; and how many are currently undergoing training or exchange service with the Royal Navy.

There have been two exchanges between the Royal Navy and the South African Navy since 1st January, 1965; each of one hydrographic officer for a period of 18 months.There have been no exchanges of ratings between the Royal Navy and the South African Navy.No exchanges of officers or ratings exist currently and it is not our practice to divulge numbers of foreign naval personnel under training with the Royal Navy.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many South African naval engineering and electrical officers are now undergoing training in Great Britain as arranged under paragraph 15 of the 1955 exchange of letters.

It is the normal practice of Her Majestys Government not to disclose details of numbers of personnel from specific overseas countries undergoing training in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic, has made under Annex II (Naval Command structure) to the 1955 Anglo/South African exchange of Letters on Defence Matters to develop in conjunction with South Africa plans for the joint defence of the sea routes around Southern Africa; and what combined training of British and South African units, as required by paragraph 2(b), has been undertaken in recent years.

Since the abolition of the South Atlantic Command in 1967, the Commander-in-Chief Western Fleet has been responsible for the co-ordination of plans for the defence of the sea routes around Southern Africa against external aggression. I cannot, of course, reveal details of these plans. In recent years combined anti-submarine exercises have been held annually, and in addition joint maritime training has been occasionally carried out by H.M. ships while on passage round the Cape.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what organisation exists as a nucleus for wartime expansion of joint British/South African naval operations as laid down in paragraph 2(c) of the 1955 exchange of Letters; and whether the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic, is receiving, as required under paragraph 3(b), reports on the readiness and efficiency of South African naval units ear-marked for assignment to his command in time of war.

A senior Briitsh naval officer of the rank of commodore is located in South Africa with a small staff. He is responsible to the Commander-in-Chief, Western Fleet. His staff could be expanded if the need arose. At the present time no South African naval units are earmarked for assignment to the Commander-in-Chief.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many members of military security forces, including the Ulster Special Constabulary, also act as water bailiffs policing Lough Neagh;(2) whether he allows members of security forces in Northern Ireland who are also water bailiffs to use officially issued firearms while acting in the latter capacity.

No water bailiffs employed by the Lough Neagh Water Authority are members of any of the security forces in Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of special arrangements facilitating purchase and possession of firearms by the water bailiffs policing Lough Neagh, the General Officer Commanding, Northern Ireland, will examine the security aspects of such arrangements, and take steps to ensure that such facilities do not enable firearms to pass into possession of extremist elements.

As the Lough Neagh water bailiffs are unarmed I do not believe any action is required.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the memorandum sent to him by the hon. Member for Mid-Ulster, concerning the organisers of the Burntollet Bridge attack and those who participated in it, he will undertake that persons named will not be allowed to enter any defence force established in the future until he has investigated the matter.

The only new defence force for which I can answer is the Ulster Defence Regiment. I reaffirm our intention to check the suitability of all applicants to join this force against all available information and not to recruit persons whom we know to have behaved improperly in any of the disturbances in Northern Ireland in recent months.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is aware that the Indian Government intend purchasing Sea King helicopters; and whether he proposes to approve the sale of these helicopters with flight control and anti-submarine equipment identical to that fitted in the Royal Navy version.

It is not the practice to disclose details of negotiations about sales of defence equipment which are confidenial.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what advantages are possessed by the Sea King helicopter, as delivered to the Royal Navy, in the field of anti-submarine warfare, compared to known anti-submarine systems in service elsewhere.

Speed, range and great flexibility of operation are characteristics, which, together with its weapons system, enable the large helicopter to make a most important contribution in the field of anti-submarine warfare. The Sea King helicopter, as delivered to the Royal Navy, will be among the most advanced anti-submarine helicopters in operational service.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether Andrew William McLean of Faughan Crescent, Drumahoe, is or has been employed as a member of the Ulster Special Constabulary acting to the directions of the General Officer in Command of British troops in Northern Ireland.

Andrew William McLean was a member of the Ulster Special Constabulary when it became the operational responsibility of the General Officer Commanding. He resigned on the 29th September, 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions Andrew William McLean of Faughan Crescent, Drumahoe, has been on duty as a special constable since the General Officer in Command of British troops in Northern Ireland took control of the activities of the Ulster Special Constabulary; and what duties he performed on such occasions.

Between 19th August and 29th September, 1969, when he resigned Andrew William McLean performed three training periods and six guard duties.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many of the men registered as unemployed in Scotland on 1st October, 1969, and 1st January, 1970, are known to have been formerly employed in the building and construction industry; and whether she will list the number of skilled men in each trade.

Following is the information:

OCCUPATIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE NUMBERS OF MEN REGISTERED AS WHOLLY UNEMPLOYED IN SCOTLAND WHO LAST WORKED IN CONSTRUCTION (MINIMUM LIST HEADING 500 OF THE STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION)
	October, 1969	January, 1970
Carpenter, joiner, shutterer	659	1,256
Bricklayer	360	982
Mason, stone carver	54	117
Slater, tiler, thatcher, etc.	227	314
Plasterer	144	275
Floor and wall tiler, etc.	41	66
Painter, decorator, sign-writer	422	952
Plumber, gas fitter, etc.	244	340
Glazier	18	18
Pavior, road, etc., surface layer	66	95
Steel erector, sheeter	202	260
Electrician, cable jointer, linesman	260	219
Mechanical handling plant, etc., operator	294	504
Erector, millwright, maintenance fitter	59	73
Miscellaneous building and civil engineering workers	1,104	1,870
Labourers and all other occupations	11,177	13,666
Total	15,331	21,067

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will publish a list showing an analysis of the main trades and professions of the 6,703 persons registered as unemployed on 1st January, 1970, in the area covered by the Edinburgh, Leith and Portobello employment exchanges.

A detailed occupational analysis of the numbers of adults regis- tered as wholly unemployed is available for December, 1969, but not for January, 1970. At 8th December, 1969 there were 5,817 persons registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Edinburgh, Leith and Portbello Employment Exchanges. Of these, 5,665 were adults registered as wholly unemployed. The following tabel shows an analysis of their main occupations:

Main Occupations of adults registered as wholly unemployed at the Edinburgh, Leith and Portobello Employment Exchanges at 8th December 1969
Men
Engineering and allied trades workers	210
Carpenters, joiners	95
Construction workers	259
Transport and communication workers	398
Warehousemen, packers	104
Clerical workers	380
Service, sport and recreation workers	271
Administrative, professional and technical workers	273
Labourers	2,691
Women
Clerical workers	215
Shop assistants	52
Service, sport and recreation workers	102
Administrative, professional and technical workers	76
Factory hands	76

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what was the total cost of public relations to the Industrial Advisers to the Blind Limited since its inception; how many copies of the journal, Forum, are circulated, and for what purpose; and if the whole of this expense is met by the Government grant or by the sale of products made by blind persons.

The total cost of public relations to the Industrial Advisers to the Blind from its inception in 1964 up to the end of 1969, including the printing of Forum—in ink print and braille—was £11,248.4,700 copies of

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many separate offices dealing direct with the public her Department has; and how many offices are shared with those of other Departments, listed by the other Departments involved.

There are 851 individually sited offices dealing direct with the public. There are 407 offices dealing direct with the public which share premises with one or more other Departments. The following table shows the Departments concerned and the number of their offices involved:

Department of Health and Social Security	292
Board of Inland Revenue	83
County Courts Branch, Lord Chancellor's Department	29
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	20
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland	2
Ministry of Technology	4
Probate Registry, Lord Chancellor's Department	3
Women's Royal Voluntary Service	3
Ministry of Transport	44
Ordnance Survey	15
National Savings Committee	9
Ministry of Public Building and Works	6
Department of Education and Science	2
Home Office	1
H.M. Stationery Office	1
Meat and Livestock Commission	1
Forestry Commission	6
Board of Trade	3
Customs and Excise	46
Ministry of Housing and Local Government	2
British Museum	1
	573

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average annual cost to a local education authority of each pupil in a secondary modern school and in a grammar school, respectively.

My Department does not regularly compile figures of costs in different types of school. But figures relating to 1966–67 show that in that year current expenditure in secondary modern schools averaged £114 per pupil and in grammar schools £150 per pupil.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average annual cost to a local education authority of each pupil placed by them in an independent school.

Current information is not available but figures relating to 1966 indicate that in that year local education authority support for pupils in independent schools averaged £145 for day pupils, £229 for boarding pupils and £170 for all pupils.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many references to them in respect of rents of furnished lettings have been received by rent tribunals during 1969; and how many of these rents have been confirmed, increased, or decreased, respectively.

These figures are given in the table below.

Applications received in 1969	16,214
Decisions given in 1969:
Rent confirmed	1,839*
Rent increased	662
Rent reduced	5,352
Dismissed	2,916
Inadmissible, withdrawn or not entertained	5,276
* Since 1st April, 1969, when the statistical returns were revised, figures of "rent confirmed" have included second and subsequent applications which have been dismissed. The figures of "dismissed" cases above have, since that date, been confined to dismissals of first applications.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to lay the order transferring housing properties from the Greater London Council to the London Borough of Lewisham; to how many properties such order will relate; and whether such properties will be the subject of a separate order or included with other properties being transferred to the London Boroughs.

The Order will be laid very soon. It will relate to some 6,400 properties in the London Borough of Lewisham. There is one order with a schedule for each London borough concerned.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table similar to the one given on page 42 of the Report of the Milner Holland Com-

COMPARISON OF WEEKLY COST TO THE HOUSEHOLDER OF ACCOMMODATION UNDER VARIOUS TYPES OF OWNER, 1969*
							Landlord Required rent per week
Average total cost of dwelling including land†				Local authority rent per week‡			Housing Association§			Private Landlord||			Owner-Occupier Before tax relief ¶			Payment per week After tax relief
				£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
£7,600	…	…	…	4	15	6	14	3	3	17	7	9	14	5	6	10	5	9
£5,200	…	…	…	3	10	6	9	17	6	12	1	6	9	15	6	7	1	0
* Based on the table on page 42 of the Report of the Milner Holland Committee, which dealt with the position in 1964. The same allowances for repairs and management are included.
† Original estimates for 1964 increased notionally for price rises since then.
‡ Original estimates increased by the estimated average rise in local authority unrebated rents. These rents reflect rent pooling, Exchequer subsidies and any rate fund contribution.
§ Calculated on a loan at 9¼ per cent, annum for 60 years and assuming no Exchequer subsidy payable.
|| Calculated to give a gross return of 11½ per cent, per annum.
¶ Calculated on a 100 per cent, mortgage at 8 ½ per cent, per annum for 25 years term. Assumed that the mortgagor receives the maximum relief from income tax at the standard rate on earned income.

asked the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning what studies he is making into the costs of urban congestion in view of its effect in determining proper priorities of regional development.

Studies within this field are being carried out both in the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government. Various land use transportation studies estimate future levels of traffic congestion costs and the benefits to be gained from transport improvements. In addition research projects into particular aspects of urban congestion have been commissioned from universities and other institutions and a general study of the costs of congestion and benefits of aggregation, commissioned by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, is to be undertaken by the National Institute for Economic and Social Research.

The following table and notes give the estimated change in this table up to May, 1969. Any further relative change since then would probably be within the limits of error of the previous estimate; and I do not think that a re-calculation taking account of changes in the past eight months would be sufficiently different to justify the expenditure of time and money involved in it.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications to what extent he has been consulted by the Post Office Board on the question of a general increase in wages and salaries of Post Office employees and increased postal charges; and what decisions he has made with regard to these matters, in the light of the prices and incomes policy.

The Post Office has been consulting me fully, but on a confidential basis. I cannot, therefore, disclose what advice I have given.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications whether, in view of the increase in radio traffic caused by the operation of oil rigs in the North Sea, he will consider the setting up of an additional radio station to avoid delay in messages being accepted.

This is a matter for the Post Office.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development (1) what were the official aid figures for the calendar year 1969, in gross terms, net terms and as a percentage of gross national product;(2) whether she will now give an estimate for the calendar year 1969 of private investment flows and export credits which count towards the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development target in gross terms, net terms and as a percentage of gross national product.

I regret that I am not yet able to give reliable estimates as a percentage of G.N.P. for the calendar year 1969 of official aid, private investment flows or export credits counting towards the U.N.C.T.A.D. target.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works to what extent his Department has assisted with investigations into the hazards revealed by the Ronan Point disaster, the strengthening of tower blocks, the types of strengthening necessary and the costs involved; and whether he will offer the services of his Department to local authorities in dealing with these types of problems.

					Movement of patients on doctors' lists between Scotland and rest of United Kingdom
Year to June				To Scotland	From Scotland	Net
1959	…	…	…	35,100	47,200	-12,000
1960	…	…	…	34,000 (-3)	53,300(+13)	-19,300(+61)
1961	…	…	…	37,600 (+7)	63,500(+35)	-25,900(+116)
1962	…	…	…	39,800 (+13)	60,300(+28)	-20,500(+71)
1 963	…	…	…	39,600(+13)	60,600 (+28)	-20,900 (+74)
1964	…	…	…	39,600(+13)	63,700(+35)	-24,000(+100)
1965	…	…	…	41,600(+19)	63,600(+35)	-21,900(+83)
1966	…	…	…	45,700(+30)	67,400 (+43)	-21,700(+81)
1967	…	…	…	48,800(+39)	65,100(+38)	-16,300(+36)
1968	…	…	…	49,800(+42)	62,500(+32)	-12,700(+6)
1969	…	…	…	51,100(+46)	61,800(+31)	-10,700 (-11)

NOTE: Figures in brackets show percentage change, using 1958/59 as the base.

My Department has taken no direct part in the technical examination of high rise domestic buildings or in the formulation of measures to strengthen particular structures. I have however provided the Ministry of Housing and Local Government with advisory services and my principal professional specialists in structural matters have assisted them in the formulation of advice to local authorities on standards to be adopted in strengthening existing buildings. This assistance will continue; but under arrangements made by Ministry of Housing and Local Government the immediate source of technical advice to local authorities will continue to be the National Building Agency.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will publish a table to show the gross number of emigrants from Scotland in each of the last 10 years; and what percentage change this represents, taking 1958–59 as the base year.

Gross figures for overseas movement are not available prior to 1967. It is impossible to give accurate statistics for all movements of persons between Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom, but estimates have been made based on National Health Service records which can be taken as an indication of the magnitude of gross migration flows. These figures, together with percentages using 1958–59 as the base year, are set out in the table below.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what the composition of the Scottish Hospital Scientific Council will be; and if all the hospital scientific services will be represented on it.

I have not yet determined the composition of the Scottish Hospital Scientific Council but I intend to ensure that it is representative of the main interests concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how much is paid annually to persons resident in the United Kingdom whose parents are not of British birth in respect of National Assistance, unemployment benefit, and children's allowances, respectively;(2) how much is paid annually to persons born in the United Kingdom in respect of National Assistance, unemployment benefit, and children's allowances, respectively.

The information requested is not available because these benefits are paid as of right, if the relevant conditions are satisfied, regardless of the birth-place of the parents of claimants.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to ensure that all local authorities and those employing ambulance drivers take out personal accident insurance for such drivers when officially driving ambulances.

The insurance of the staff of local authorities is a matter for those authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many separate offices dealing direct with the public his Department has; and how many offices are shared with those of other Departments involved.

My Department has 1,082 full-time offices dealing with the public, 481 sharing premises with other Departments. In addition, officers of my Department attend part-time at 143 offices, 98 of which are in shared premises.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in how many towns is the office of his Department dealing with supplementary benefits in separate premises from that dealing with pensions.

There are 260 former offices of the National Assistance Board and 498 former offices of the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance which have not yet been amalgamated, but they are all capable of dealing with inquiries about social security, including pensions and supplementary benefits.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many copies of the Preliminary Draft of the National Insurance (Classification) Amendment Regulations, 1969, have been sent out by his Department.

In accordance with Section 108(2) of the National Insurance Act, 1965, the National Insurance Advisory Committee published a notice in the London and Edinburgh Gazettes of the place where copies of the draft regulations could be obtained. In addition, the Department sent some 1,500 letters to known secretarial agencies repeating this information telling them of the nature of the draft regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his estimate of the total number of persons whose status is affected by the proposed reclassification under the National Insurance (Classification) Amendment Regulations;(2) what is his estimate of the additional revenue which he expects to accrue in a full year, following the application of the National Insurance (Classification) Amendment Regulations 1969.

The temporary staff affected by these regulations are considered to be employed persons under present law. The regulations remove uncertainty and place liability as employer on the employment agency supplying the worker concerned, and will facilitate the collection of contributions. The annual amount payable will not be affected.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many physiotherapists entered the National Health Service in 1969; and what percentage this represents of the total numbers qualified in 1968.

Information about entry to the service is only available in the form of net gains or losses and I regret that this would not enable the number of new entrants in 1969 to be related to the number qualifying in 1968. In 1968 558 physiotherapists qualified in National Health Service schools. There was a net increase of 38 physiotherapists—in terms of whole time equivalents—in the hospital service in England and Wales in the year ending 30th September, 1968. The figures for 1969 will be available shortly and I will write to my hon. Friend.