asked the Minister of Overseas Development (1) why Her Majesty's Government have not yet carried out the Financial Assistance Agreement with Malta since April; and whether they will now enter negotiations over the second quinquennium of the Agreement;(2) whether, with a view to improving relations with Malta, the Government will increase their present offer of 50 per cent. grant and 50 per cent. loan for assistance to Malta.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she is now in a position to announce the conclusion of the aid negotiations with Malta.

There is no question of the British Government not adhering to the 1964 Financial Agreement with Malta; but I regret I cannot give details of the negotiations since they are not yet concluded.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will make a further statement on the suspension of aid to Malta.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to a similar Question.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will increase the aid given to Indonesia.

Our aid to Indonesia has increased from £0·7 million in 1967–68 to £1·1 million in the following year. It is provisionally estimated to be £2·3 million for the current year and a further rise is expected in 1970–71.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what action she proposes to take to help widows of majors who served in the Indian Army to secure an increase in their pension from the present rate of less than £5 10s. per week before tax.

None. Indian Army widows' pensions for which the British Government are responsible are no less favourable in total than those awarded to a British service widow. They were last increased in 1969.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what attention is given by her Department to the ecological and environmental side-effects of major development schemes, such as the Kariba Dam, supported by Great Britain.

All major projects for which development assistance is provided by the Ministry receive a thorough appraisal, including in appropriate cases consideration of ecological and environmental side-effects.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what progress is being made in increasing the amount of United Kingdom aid to undeveloped countries provided through international agencies.

I am giving a good deal of priority to the provision of aid through multilateral agencies. Disbursements of multilateral aid constituted approximately 9 per cent. of the normal aid programme in 1968 and are expected to have increased to some 16 per cent. in 1969. A further increase may well be possible.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she will make a further statement on the progress of the overseas aid programme in relation to the target of 1 per cent. of gross national product set by the Second United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

I have nothing to add to the statement I made to the House on 27th November, 1969.—[Vol. 792, c. 633–35.]

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what requests she has received for aid and relief work from the Government of South Vietnam.

The only requests that we have received recently have been for a pre-investment survey of a fertiliser plant and for help in connection with a project which is still being considered under the auspices of the E.C.A.F.E./Mekong Committee.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she will receive a deputation from local sponsoring committees of the recent Sign-In on Aid and Development to consider the Government's policy towards the recommendations of the Pearson Commission.

Yes, I should be happy to receive a deputation.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how soon she will announce the total of official aid and private investment flows to developing countries for the calendar year 1969; and whether she estimates that these will form a larger or smaller percentage of gross national product than in 1968.

Provisional figures of official aid are expected to be available in early March. Estimates of private flows may not be ready until April. I cannot estimate percentages of G.N.P. until the out-turn figures are known.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what proposals she has to continue the land re-settlement scheme in Kenya after the completion of the 400,000 acre scheme.

It is for the Kenya Government to make proposals to me it they require further funds from Her Majesty's Government for their land transfer and settlement schemes. Officials of the Kenya Government have recently held exploratory talks on these and other matters with my officials.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether, in view of the work being done by the Afro-Asian Institute in Tel-Aviv in teaching and training students from the underdeveloped areas in improving and developing the wealth of their countries, and the financing of scholarships by the British Trades Union Congress, she will initiate some scholarships to the Institute from her Department.

No. It is not the present policy of my Ministry to finance scholarships at academic institutions in any country which itself operates a substantial aid programme.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what action is being taken to send out drugs and other urgently needed equipment to the Turks and Caicos Islands by the Royal Air Force aircraft which is to go to the islands before the end of February.

The R.A.F. have agreed to take the drugs and equipment ordered on their next training flight to the Turks and Caicos Islands scheduled to leave on 24th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what criteria determine the making by industrial training boards, of capital grants to technical colleges for the purpose of providing training places; and why those colleges, which have hitherto allowed the use of further education facilities for this purpose, have been denied such grants.

Industrial training boards do not normally make capital grants to technical colleges. The boards and colleges may however make mutually acceptable arrangements for the gilt or loan to colleges of special equipment needed to provide suitable training courses.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many men have been registered as unemployed in Glasgow and the West of Scotland for more than six months and 12 months, respectively, broken down by employment exchanges.

The following is the information:

MEN REGISTERED AS WHOLLY UNEMPLOYED AT 12TH JANUARY, 1970
		Over 26 weeks	Over 52 weeks
Glasgow Area
Bridgeton	…	710	377
Glasgow Central	…	40	18
Glasgow South Side	…	1,104	662
Govan	…	395	240
Millington	…	23	11
Kinning Park	…	338	246
Maryhill	…	669	249
Parkhead	…	1,101	637
Partick	…	444	232
Springburn	…	1,374	853
Dunbartonshire
Alexandria	…	124	66
Dumbarton	…	119	63
Helensburgh	…	45	19
Clydebank	…	490	189
Kirkintilloch	…	111	74
Renfrewshire
Barrhead	…	224	128
Greenock	…	466	316
Johnstone	…	99	47
Paisley	…	516	333
Port Glasgow	…	178	93
Renfrew	…	36	10
Lanarkshire
Airdrie	…	228	150
Bellshill	…	114	60
Blantyre	…	143	108
Cambuslang	…	71	37
Carluke	…	22	14
Coatbridge	…	341	223
East Kilbride	…	33	19
Hamilton	…	386	246
Lanark	…	119	84
Larkhall	…	95	64
Lesmahagow	…	117	97
Motherwell	…	141	77
Shotts	…	104	73
Uddington	…	86	60
Wishaw	…	241	157
Rutherglen	…	218	135

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the latest percentage of unemployment in Dorset; how it compares with January, 1965; and what categories are most affected.

For Dorset except Poole, the percentage rates of unemployment at January, 1970, and January, 1965, were 3·8 and 2·0 per cent., respectively. The greatest increase occurred among men.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will take steps to prevent the employment of labour on a casual basis.

Measures such as the introduction of statutory minimum notice and redundancy pay, and the projected introduction of safeguards against arbitrary dismissal do much to reduce this problem. Important recent initiatives have been taken in the docks and construction industries.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many men, women, boys and girls, respectively, were registered as unemployed at the Mexborough and Wombwell Employment Exchanges at the latest available date; what were the corresponding figures for 12 months ago; and what steps she is taking to reduce the numbers.

At 9th February, 1970, 1,410 men, 218 women, 69 boys and 35 girls were registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Mexborough and Wombwell Employment Exchanges. The corresponding figures for 10th February, 1969, were 1,397, 223, 53 and 33. The figures for February, 1970 are provisional. My local officers are continuing their efforts to help those unemployed to find suitable work, including the offer of training opportunities where appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will seek to provide funds for an adult education programme designed to increase the awareness of the problems of pollution.

I welcome any initiatives to increase public awareness of these problems. The Department is encouraging study in this field, and is taking part in the Council of Europe activities in Conservation Year 1970. The research councils are also studying these and related problems. But it is not for me to prescribe particular programmes to the bodies which provide adult education.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what study is being given to the ecological effects of proposed estuarine barrages.

The Natural Environment Research Council has provided information for the studies of the Thames, Wash and Morecambe Bay barrages on ecological, sedimentation and conservation aspects.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further research has been undertaken into the deaths last October of sea birds in the Clyde and Northern Irish Sea; and what are the conclusions of this research.

Bacteriological and virological tests have been made on dead birds and comparisons made with healthy birds. Information is being studied about weather conditions, availability of food and traces of pollutants in sea water. The Natural Environment Research Council expects to publish a report on this research in May.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will investigate the possibility of arranging for the production locally within the United Kingdom of the prefabricated youth centres now being distributed on a large scale to local communities in France, details of which have been sent to him.

No. So far as I can tell from the information sent to my right hon. Friend, these buildings do not have any important advantages over the various industrialised systems developed in this country. The Department is always ready to give advice on these matters to youth clubs, which may be considering new premises.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average cost of youth centres to which his Department has made a contribution during the calendar years 1968 and 1969.

About £5,500.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average amount of contributions made by his Department to youth centres during the calendar years 1968 to 1969.

£2,749.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will state what was the cost of educating a primary school pupil in the Mexborough and District Divisional Education Area for the years 1962, 1964, 1966 and 1969, respectively; and what are the comparable figures for the West Riding County Council and for England and Wales.

I have no information on expenditure in divisional executive areas. The figures for the West Riding were quoted in the reply to my hon. Friend's Question of 18th December last. No figures for England and Wales are available for 1964–66. For the earlier and later financial years the averages are:

				£
1961?62	…	…	…	54·92
1962–63	…	…	…	60·08
1963–64	…	…	…	63·34
1966–67	…	…	…	75·98
1967–68	…	…	…	80·77

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the numbers and percentages of children staying on at school after the school-leaving age in Hull for the latest available date; and how these figures compare with other comparable county boroughs.

The information about 15 year olds in 1969 is as follows:

		Number	Percentage
Kingston-upon-Hull	…	1,379	41·2
Bradford	…	1,328	47·6
Bristol	…	2,284	61·8
Cardiff	…	1,587	63·4
Nottingham	…	1,346	45·4
Leicester	…	1,210	44·3
Sheffield	…	2,247	52·2

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a further statement on the percentages of immigrant pupils in maintained primary and secondary schools in county boroughs with a population of 50,000 or more.

I welcome this opportunity to correct some of the figures given in Answer to the Question asked by my hon. Friend on 16th February. [Vol. 796, c. 48–50.] Because of a typing error the primary school figures in respect of county boroughs were transposed with those for secondary schools in county boroughs. All other figures including the totals given in the OFFICIAL REPORT [columns 49 and 50] are correct. I very much regret any inconvenience which has been caused. The figures are those for Commonwealth immigrant children and therefore are not directly comparable with those given in respect of years before 1969 when it was not practicable to differentiate Commonwealth immigrants from other immigrants. The complete table is as follows:

LONDON BOROUGHS AND COUNTY BOROUGHS WITH POPULATIONS OF 50,000 OR MORE WHERE THE NUMBER OF COMMONWEALTH IMMIGRANT CHILDREN EXCEED 2 PER CENT. OF ALL PUPILS IN MAINTAINED PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS
	January, 1969
	Primary Schools	Secondary Schools	Primary and Secondary Schools
OUTER LONDON BOROUGHS
Barnet	6·5	4·6	5·7
Brent	26·3	22·0	24·8
Bromley	2·2	1·9	2·1
Croydon	8·0	6·6	7·5
Ealing	18·5	17·2	18·0
Enfield	5·5	4·3	5·0
Haringey	29·6	22·0	26·7
Harrow	3·8	3·4	3·6
Hillingdon	2·4	2·3	2·4
Hounslow	8·5	8·6	8·5
Merton	5·9	4·5	5·3
Newham	14·5	11·5	13·3
Redbridge	4·6	4·1	4·4
Richmond-upon-Thames	2·8	2·1	2·5
Waltham Forest	10·8	8·7	10·0
INNER LONDON BOROUGHS
Hammersmith	17·9	12·9	15·9
Kensington and Chelsea	13·4	11·6	12·6
Camden	14·7	11·8	13·4
Westminster	17·2	10·3	14·2
Islington	23·5	18·9	21·7
Hackney	27·7	19·8	24·6
Tower Hamlets	10·2	7·3	9·1
Greenwich	4·7	4·3	4·5
Lewisham	15·6	8·4	12·8
Southwark	14·1	10·9	12·8
Lambeth	20·4	15·5	18·6
Wandsworth	17·1	11·8	14·8
COUNTY BOROUGHS
Birmingham	10·0	8·7	9·5
Blackburn	5·4	6·0	5·6
Bolton	5·6	7·1	6·1
Bradford	8·0	9·7	8·6
Bristol	4·0	2·8	3·5
Burton-upon-Trent	3·1	2·3	2·7
Coventry	6·6	6·9	6·7
Derby	6·5	5·3	6·1
Dewsbury	5·8	5·4	5·6
Dudley	3·6	2·7	3·3
Gloucester	4·9	3·0	4·1
Huddersfield	12·3	8·7	10·8
Ipswich	3·4	2·3	3·0
Leeds	4·5	4·0	4·3
Leicester	11·4	11·1	11·3
Luton	7·2	6·3	6·9

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultations he had with the Metrication Board, and on what dates, before deciding not to provide special financial assistance to education authorities towards the cost of replacing books and equipment rendered obsolete by the impending change to decimal and metric systems.

The Department is in touch with both the Metrication Board and the Decimal Currency Board as necessary but no question of a decision of this kind has ever arisen. My right hon. Friend has no power to make special grants to local education authorities to assist with any costs which may be involved in the change-over to decimal and metric systems.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation in the current Session to institute a time limit between the death or resignation of a Member of Parliament and the issue of the writ for the by-election.

No. The Government accepted the recommendation of the Speaker's Conference on Electoral Law in 1967 that there should be no change in the law in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research into the use of helicopters and aerial photography as aids to crime prevention and the preservation of law and order is in progress in his Department; and if he will make a statement.

As regards helicopters, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given on 19th December, 1969, to a Question by the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Eldon Griffiths). Experiments in aerial photography have been carried out and further experiments are planned. They have shown some promise for the detection of buried bodies, but much more work must be done before fully effective techniques and equipment are developed.—[Vol. 793, c. 453.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made in the development, production and issue of thermal-imagery cameras, thermal detection units, laser-beam detection systems and other scientific aids to crime prevention and the preservation of law and order and if he will make a statement.

A variety of advanced scientific devices of these kinds, have been under experimental investigation in the Home Office, as possible aids to the detection of buried objects, night vision, and the detection of intruders, and certain of them have been used on operational trials with police forces. It is too early yet to assess the full potentialities of all these techniques, or their practical economy, but there have been a number of promising developments and the trials are proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will institute an independent inquiry into the circumstances in which a police raid was made on the Open Space Theatre, Tottenham Court Road, on the evening of 3rd February, 1970.

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that he has sought the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions about possible offences relating to licensing and obscenity. It would not therefore be appropriate for me to comment at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain a report from the Chief Constable on how many drivers in Durham and Gateshead, respectively, have been asked to take the breathalyser test, how many have refused, how many were found positive, how many were found negative, and how these figures compare with those for other comparable areas.

From 9th October, 1967, to 31st December, 1968, in the area now policed by the Durham Constabulary, the figures were 2,511, 111, 1,050 and 1,350. These include, respecticely, 142, 7, 73 and 62 for what was till October, 1968, the Gateshead police area. During 1969, in the area of the Durham Constabulary, the figures were 1,985, 129, 1,039 and 817. Separate figures for the former Gateshead police area have not been maintained since the end of 1968.If my hon. Friend would care to let me know what other police areas he considers comparable with Durham, I will try to let him have figures. The provisional figures for 1969 for England and Wales as a whole are 58,988, 3.905, 31,770 and 23,313.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fire calls were made during 1969 to fire brigades in England and Wales to put out fires in derelict industrial buildings.

Separate figures are not maintained for derelict industrial buildings. In 1968, the last year for which figures are available, 15,680 fires in derelict buildings of all types were attended by fire brigades in England and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now announce the members of the Committee on Intrusions into Privacy.

I am in consultation with my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on this matter. I hope to be able to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable as to the number of policemen in the West Yorkshire Constabulary, at the latest convenient date, the number required to bring the figure up to the full complement, and the comparable figures for 1962, 1964 and 1966, respectively.

The information is as follows:

31st December, 1962		Men	Women	Total
Authorised Establishment	…	3223	169	3392
Actual strength	…	3169	123	3292
31st December, 1964
Authorised Establishment	…	3476	171	3647
Actual strength	…	3236	135	3371
31st December, 1966
Authorised Establishment	…	4399	203	4602
Actual strength	…	3278	161	3439
31st December, 1970
Authorised Establishment	…	4459	204	4663
Actual strength	…	3387	149	3536

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Metropolitan Police continue to issue parking tickets to motorists who have paid road tax and have insurance and test certificates, for pausing for three-minute periods on yellow band areas, but take no action against vehicles which have no road fund licence, insurance or test certificates; and whether he will ensure that police act against persistent and not the minor law evaders.

I do not accept my hon. Friend's contentions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give details of the moneys earned in prison by those Welsh persons who were recently imprisoned for contempt of court by folding advertisement material and inserting it into envelopes; what sort of advertisement material was so enveloped; what charges were made to the advertiser; and what profit is made by his Department on these types of activities.

They were paid at the rate of 4s. a week for putting trade catalogues into envelopes. It is not the practice to disclose details of individual contracts. As regards the last part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to paragraph 54 of the White Paper "People in Prison" (Cmnd. 4214).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to ensure that on conviction for premeditated murder, a life sentence for the rest of the natural life of the convicted murderer must be imposed by the courts.

A sentence of life imprisonment, or, in the case of an offender under 18, of detention for life, is already mandatory in respect of a conviction for murder. As I said in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Dodds-Parker) on 22nd January, my right hon. Friend proposes to invite the Criminal Law Revision Committee to review the law on offences against the person, including homicide. This will afford an opportunity for a review of the penalty. —[Vol. 794, c. 179–80.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many forms, documents, orders and other papers have been produced by his Department in the Welsh language since the passing of the Welsh Language Act to the latest convenient date.

86 forms have been prescribed for use in magistrates' courts and juvenile courts in Wales and Monmouthshire, and one non-statutory form has been recommended. The Home Office has also circulated to magistrates' courts translations of precedents and a glossary of Welsh legal terms. Five forms were prescribed in 1968 for use in the Sunday polls held under the Licensing Act, 1964.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the shortage of police for carrying out normal police duties, he is satisfied that, when during the forthcoming visit by the South African cricket team police are taken off normal duties to patrol inside and outside the cricket grounds, sufficient staff will remain for normal crime prevention and detection of robberies and other criminal activities; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers which my right hon. Friend gave to Questions on this subject from the right hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter) and other Members on 12th February.—[Vol. 795, Cols. 1438–1441.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to increase control over the sale of air guns and air pistols, in view of the increasing number of offences, mainly by young offenders, involving the use of both.

My right hon. Friend is keeping the working of the existing control under close review, but has at present no proposals for further legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Heanor Urban District Council regarding suggested amendments to the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1963, in the interests of organisers of small lotteries; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

The Home Office received a letter from the Heanor Urban District Council on 13th February which suggested amending Section 45 of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1963, to increase the limit of 10 per cent. of the proceeds of a small lottery which may be deducted on account of expenses. Any increase would have to be offset by a reduction in the amount of prizes, or in the contribution to the charitable or other purpose for which the lottery is promoted. On present information my right hon. Friend is not satisfied that there is a case for such a change. A reply to this effect is being sent to the Council.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations he has received from road haulage interests about the lack of co-ordination between various police authorities with regard to the regulations for the travelling of oversized loads; and what reply he has sent.

I have been asked to reply.One company has suggested that a central control should be set up to direct the movement of abnormal loads which at present have to be notified to the separate police forces. The reply explained that, it would not be appropriate for a central authority to take over the responsibility of chief officers of police for directing the movement of abnormal loads in their own police areas.

asked the Minister of Technology what action he is taking to improve the unemployment position in Scotland.

Through its development area policies, the Government are providing substantial preferential assistance to industry in Scotland, which is currently running at about £95 million a year. The Government also give priority to Scotland, along with other develop- ment areas, in operating the industrial development certificate control.The unemployment position in Scotland in relation to Great Britain has improved since 1964 and policies will he vigorously pursued to build upon this achievement.

asked the Minister of Technology which airlines have subscribed to positions on Concorde; and what are the relevant dates.

To date the delivery positions have been reserved for the following 16 airlines:

			No. of delivery position
B.O.A.C.	…	…	8
Air France	…	…	8
Pan American	…	…	8
Air Canada	…	…	4
Air India	…	…	2
American	…	…	6
Braniff	…	…	3
Continental	…	…	3
Eastern	…	…	6
Japan Airlines	…	…	3
Lufthansa	…	…	3
Middle East Airlines	…	…	2
Qantas	…	…	4
Sabena	…	…	2
Trans World Airlines	…	…	6
United	…	…	6
			74

The option agreements do not lay down delivery dates. These will be a matter of negotiation between the manufacturers and the airlines at the time of signing contracts.

asked the Minister of Technology what examination he has made of the effect of delays in landing on operating costs of Concorde.

The effect of possible landing delays on the amount of fuel reserves needed is one of the factors which has been taken into account in assessing Concorde's operating costs.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a further statement regarding his policy regarding the creditors of Beagle.

The Government's acquisition of Beagle Aircraft Ltd. arose very largely out of the Plowden Committee's recommendations in 1965. The Committee then took the view that light aircraft manufacture merited Government assistance but added that the case for continuing assistance should be reviewed from time to time against the industry's progress in achieving self-sufficiency. It is against this background that the Government provided substantial financial support to the company when it was in private ownership and subsequently acquired the whole undertaking in 1968 in the declared hope that a British light aircraft industry could thus be preserved.In my statement on 2nd December, I explained the reasons underlying the Government's decision that further support for Beagle would not be justified. A receiver and manager was appointed who has since found it necessary to reduce the work force substantially and is now considering disposal of the business and closure of the company.The unique circumstances of Beagle's acquisition by Her Majesty's Government and its present position have led the Government, after considering all the aspects of this matter, to decide to meet the company's liabilities in full. It is accordingly proposed to liquidate the company by a members' voluntary winding-up.

asked the Minister of Technology what is his policy in regard to redundant factory sites in the London area, due to movement of industries out of London; and what is the number of such unoccupied sites in the London Borough of Islington.

Vacated factories can be occupied by other firms without an industrial development certificate being required. Industrial development certificates are, in general, needed to redevelop factories and I would only be prepared to consider such applications from firms with very strong ties to the London area where this would not increase employment on the site. I regret that the information sought about the number of unoccupied factory sites in Islington is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to whom the present High Commissioner in Lesotho is accredited; and what functions he and his staff are now performing.

The British High Commissioner in Lesotho is accredited to King Moshoeshoe II. Following the events which occurred in Lesotho at the end of January and which included the suspension of the Constitution, the High Commissioner was instructed to restrict his necessary contacts with the Lesotho authorities to the official level and to dealings affecting the safety of the British community and other interests for which the High Commissioner is responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made by Cable and Wireless in providing better telex communications with Turks and Caicos; and what factilities have been made available with American help.

The Turks and Caicos authorities have no plans for providing an international telex service at present. The question of using telecommunications facilities which might be made avialable with American help is under discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special vouchers have been issued to British passport holders since the passing of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1968, in each of the following countries, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia; how many applications there have been in each of these countries for such vouchers; and how many British passport holders from each of these countries have been refused entry on arrival in Great Britain during the same period of time.

I have been asked to reply.During 1968, 2,572 applications were received for special quota vouchers, and 1,468 vouchers were issued. 1,199 vouchers were issued to applicants in Kenya and 269 to applicants resident elsewhere. It is not possible to break down these figures further for individual countries.The table below shows applications and issues between 1st January, 1969, and 31st January, 1970:

		Applications	Issues
Kenya	…	5,360	1,267
Uganda	…	1,102	82
Elsewhere	…	1,782	267
		8,244	1,616

Separate figures in respect of Tanzania and Zambia are not available. Of the total number of applications shown, over 700 were cancelled during 1969 when it was found that the applicants had left their country of residence or no longer wished their applications to be considered. Many others, including about 1,300 in India, are under no pressure to leave their homes.In reply to the last part of the Question, the available information is that from 1st March, 1968, to 31st January, 1970, 42 United Kingdom Passport Holders from East Africa not having vouchers were refused admission and returned abroad.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will initiate and publish a departmental study on the current volume and limitations on overseas private investment to developing countries in the sterling and non-sterling areas, respectively.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will include International Monetary Fund special drawing rights in current account balance of payments figures.

I greatly doubt if this is the appropriate heading, but a final decision is being deferred until after certain further international discussions between statistical experts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will arrange facilities for Members of both Houses of Parliament who wish to visit the National Air Traffic Control Service at Bournemouth.

Arrangements are being made for a small party to visit the Air Traffic Control College and the Air Traffic Control Evaluation Unit at Hurn.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the breakdown of the item, other expenditure, in Item A28 Trade Fairs, Trade Weeks and other activities promoting exports in Class IV, 11, of the Civil Estimates for 1969–70.

The estimate of other expenditure under this heading is:

	£
Trade fairs	3,521,670
British Weeks and Store Promotions	435,000
Direct financial assistance to participants in connection with advertising, fares, freight and translation costs	496,000
	4,452,670

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what further extensions to the suspension of duty on certain steel products include concessions in respect of reinforcing steel bars used in the construction industry; and whether, in view of the difficulties experienced by the shortage of such bars at the present time, he will consider further action in this field.

The duty on reinforcing steel bar has not been suspended. Tariff action would not significantly ease the supply difficulties, and I do not consider that the nature of the shortage and the effect of the duty on users' costs are such as to warrant suspension.

asked the President of the Board of Trade by what authority he proposes to intervene to prevent the proprietors of the Daily Telegraph newspaper from increasing the price of that newspaper by any amount which may seem to them, in the light of their knowledge of the industry, to be appropriate, during 1970 or 1971.

The N.B.P.I.'s assessment for 1970, which the Government have accepted, was that an increase of more than ld. in the price of the Daily Telegraph would not be justified. I would expect to receive prior notification of any further increase and would consider this on its merits in the light of the prices and incomes policy in operation at the time.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the total number of the present staff of the Land Commission at its Bristol headquarters; how this compares with the same date in 1969; and what plans he has for further recruitment or changes in establishment.

75 staff are at present employed at the Land Commission Bristol headquarters compared with 100 at this time last year. The review of staffing in relation to work loads is continuing.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the average price per square yard of land purchased by the Land Commission in urban areas; and how much of this was purchased for 5s. a square yard or less.

This information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many new homes have been begun as a result of lands acquired by the Land Commission being used for housing.

121 new homes have been begun by private builders, and 216 by local authorities, on sites which have been acquired and resold by the Land Commission.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is his estimate of the amount of levy collected by the Land Commission from widows whose home has been sold for a notional profit following the death of their husband.

This information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate expense.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many schemes for clearance of derelict land in Lancashire have been submitted to him and what is the total acreage involved; how many such schemes have been approved in each of the last three years and what Government grants were received; and how many schemes are under consideration and what Government grant expenditure is estimated.

Since 1st April, 1967, 32 schemes have been given final approval allowing work to start. Details are as follows:

Financial year		Number of schemes	Acreage of derelict land	Gross costs£
1967–68	…	5	327	607,383
1968–69	…	16	119	336,674
1969–70 (to date)	…	11	68	101,213
Total	…	32	514	1,045,270

The 1967–68 figures include one scheme for 233 acres where no grant will be paid because the after value of the land exceeds the gross eligible cost of £476,152. Capital and revenue grants paid in this period amount to £78,363 and further payments on these schemes will continue to be made, over 60 years for the revenue grants.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many rate rebates were paid in the City of Birmingham in the latest convenient period; and what was their total value.

11,584 rate rebates, totalling f108,920, were afforded in

LOCAL AUTHORITY, PRIVATE SECTOR AND OTHER DWELLINGS COMPLETED; SLUM CLEARANCE; EXCESS OF COMPLETIONS OVER SLUM CLEARANCE—1945–1969
BRIGHTON COUNTY BOROUGH
			Completions
Years			Local Authority	Private	Other*	Total	Slum Clearance†	Excess of Completions over Slum Clearance
1945–1949	…	…	1,325	452	—	1,777	…	1,777
1950–1954	…	…	2,863	1,039	18	3,920	…	3,920
1955–1959	…	…	2,257	2,607	147	5,011	710	4,301
1960	…	…	160	508	143	811	73	738
1961	…	…	219	428	160	807	107	700
1962	…	…	229	446	200	875	308	567
1963	…	…	157	318	68	543	119	424
1964	…	…	91	327	19	437	117	320
1965	…	…	296	367	95	758	82	676
1966	…	…	741	351	55	1,147	54	1,093
1967	…	…	429	415	90	934	126	808
1968	…	…	132	232	103	467	210	257
1969	…	…	158	204	3	365	164	252
* Housing Associations only before 1966. Housing Associations and Government Departments since 1966.
† Houses demolished or closed; figures not available before 1955.
The excess of total completions over slum clearance is not the net addition to Brighton's housing stock; there are other factors, including particularly demolitions other than for slum clearance and I regret that no comprehensive information is available for the whole period since 1945.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain to what extent the immigration of labour from the countries of the Six into Great Britain on Great Britain entering the Common Market will affect the housing programme.

Shortage of labour is not a factor which currently inhibits the housebuilding programme; on the other

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) what are the figures for slum clearance in Brighton in each year since 1945;(2) what are the figures for council, private and other dwellings built in Brighton for each year since 1945;(3) what is the net addition to housing stock of both council, private and other building in Brighton after slum clearance for each year since 1945 to the nearest available date.

Following are the figures:hand the Government do not believe that there is likely to be any large net in-cease in the number of E.E.C. nationals coming her to work in the event of our joining the Community.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many objections he has received to the Greater London Development Plan; how many are individual objections; how many are on behalf of groups or associations; and how the total compares with objections received to the previous London Plan.

My right hon. Friend has received 20.840 forms or letters containing objections to the Greater London Development Plan. A provisional analysis shows that objections have been received from or on behalf of 188 corporate bodies, groups or associations, while the rest were submitted by individuals. Some individual objections appear to be connected with groups and associations. Six thousand, seven hundred and sixty-one objections were made to the County of London Development Plan.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will now give loan sanction for work to proceed on Brighton's new sewer outfall system.

The inspector has now reported on the public local inquiry. and the Brighton Intercepting and Outfall Sewers Board should receive a decision shortly. I shall send my hon. Friend a copy of the letter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that the estimated figures for the size of the Agricultural Fund given in Table 9 of Command Paper No. 4289 are at variance with the figures in paragraph 39 thereof; and if he will explain the variation.

Table 9, as paragraph 42 makes clear, is a form of ready reckoner. The figures shown under the heading "Size of Agricultural Fund" were chosen for illustrative purposes, but they are nevertheless broadly consistent with the figures in paragraph 39.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will publish a full list of chairmen of statutory boards and nationalised industries appointed by the Government, as at 1st February, giving their salaries and expenses, the outside paid directorships and other paid employment notified to Ministers, and the amounts declared, and similar details for those who are full-time and part-time members of these Boards.

The names and salaries of the chairmen and members of public boards of a commercial character, as at 1st November, 1969, are given in the White Paper on Public Boards published in December (Cmnd. 4245). The remuneration associated with directorships outside the public sector is disclosed in the usual way according to the provisions of the 1967 Companies Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning whether he will take steps to provide that the appropriate Departments should urgently promote new publicly-owned industries in development areas; and what success this policy has had to date.

The Government's policy is to encourage new industry in the development areas both in the public and private sectors and it has had considerable success.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will arrange for Green Papers to be available to Members in the Vote Office at the time of publication.

Because of the limited storage space available, it would not be practicable for the Vote Office to stock non-Parliamentary publications, which include the majority of Green Papers. Members may, however, order these Papers at any time on the green form.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will take steps to institute a pensions fund for hon. Members' secretaries.

No. Members' secretaries are employed by the individual Member and not by the House.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will arrange for the Fees Office to provide wages office services in respect of hon. Members' employees so as to relieve hon. Members of the work involved in keeping Pay-As-You-Earn records and stamping insurance cards.

No. The Fees Office can provide such services only in respect of Members and employees of the House. Such a service in respect of employees of Members would entail considerable extra staff and it would not be right to ask the Fees Office to perform such a task in respect of persons not employed by the House.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what was the approved estimated cost of construction for the Central Office Block Number One in Portsmouth Dockyard; what was the actual final cost; what has been the total cost of modifications, repairs and improvements since completion; and whether he will make a statement.

In March, 1963 when construction started Central Office Block Number One was estimated to cost £331,000. My Department spent £358,000 on this building together with a further £16,000 after occupation had taken place.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he intends to publish a further Green Paper on the Reorganisation of the Scottish Health Services.

Not at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received against the introduction of the White Fish Authority Publicity Scheme, 1969.

The Authority, as required by statute, submitted to Ministers all objections to the Scheme which had been received by them and were not subsequently withdrawn. These objections, briefly, were that the prerequisites of an advertising campaign were a United Kingdom statutory minimum prices scheme, quality control of fish to be marketed, and limitation of imports. I have received no other representations.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the percentage of retirement pensioners whose increase in flat-rate pensions has been accompanied by a reduction in supplementary benefit payments.