asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total accumulated shortfall in recruiting of officers and men for each of the three Services as at 1st April, 1970; and what further steps he plans to improve recruitment.

Firm figures for 1st April, 1970, are not yet available. The estimated total accumulated shortfall in recruiting of officers and men for each of the three services is Royal Navy and Royal Marines—2,660; the Army—7,660; and the Royal Air Force—2,470, totalling 12,790.As regards further steps to improve recruitment, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Loughborough (Mr. Cronin) and the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mr. Lane) on 4th March, 1970.—[Vol. 792, c. 390–391.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what further steps he plans to inform public opinion about the importance of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation alliance to Great Britain's security.

Successive White Papers making this point have received wide publicity. A series of advertisements sponsored by my Department is currently dealing with the subject. In addition, facilities are often given to the British Press to cover N.A.T.O. exercises and from time to time journalists from N.A.T.O. countries visit the United Kingdom to see our Armed Forces at work.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the executive arrangements made with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation with regard to the integration of Great Britain's Polaris fleet.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now join the United States Government in undertaking that her Majesty's Government will never manufacture toxins nor use them in warfare in any circumstances.

I would refer to the reply given to my hon. Friend on 4th March.—[Vol. 797, c. 412–413.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will list the Members of both Houses of Parliament who are currently visiting the troops in Germany at the invitation of his Department, on what basis they were selected, why his Department's facilities in the supply of men and transport are being made available, and whether these Members are restricted in their movements during this visit.

The Members of both Houses of Parliament on the visit currently taking place to the British Forces Germany are:

The Earl of Cork and Orrery.

The Lord Napier and Ettrick.

The hon. Members for Swansea, East (Mr. McBride); Loughborough (Mr. Cronin); Birmingham, Hall Green (Mr. Eyre); Fife, East (Sir J. Gilmour); St. Albans (Mr. Goodhew); West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis); Rutherglen (Mr. Gregor Mackenzie).

They were selected under arrangements made through the usual channels and the visit was organised for the reason given in the Written Answer to a Question by my hon. Friend on 25th March. The answer to the last part of the Question is that Members follow a programme prepared by British Forces Germany on which they are consulted beforehand.—[Vol. 798, c. 420.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total number of lives saved by the Royal Air Force helicopter rescue service in the South-West.

Detailed records are available only for the three years up to 31st March, 1970. During that period, nine people were rescued who would otherwise probably have died. A further 111 civilians in less serious difficulty were assisted.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present shortage of married quarters for British military personnel based in Berlin; and what is the average waiting time for officers, non-commissioned officers and other ranks.

The present shortage of married quarters for Army personnel, on current scales of provision, is 78. For Royal Air Force personnel the shortage of married quarters is 29. The average waiting time for officers in both Services is minimal; that for other ranks is currently 3–4 months. Approval has been given for the construction of 29 additional airmen's quarter's and 28 additional quarters for Army non-commissioned officers and other ranks and sites for the balance required are being investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence on what basis hon. Members are selected by his Department to visit British forces overseas; and what steps are taken to ensure that all such Members are enabled to carry out the full programme planned for them, in view of the incidents which occurred on a visit to Her Majesty's forces in Cyprus by Members in September, 1965.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer which I gave this afternoon to the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton).

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will publish more recent figures concerning Overstretch than those contained in the Defence Review of February, 1966.

In 1967–68 the average annual mileage steamed by destroyers-frigates was 37,059; the annual hours under way 2,647; and the sea: harbour ratio 1:1·4.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost to public funds of transporting stores, ammunition and equipment from the United Kingdom to the Far East for exercise "Bersatu Padu."

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my right hon. Friend's reply of 4th February to the hon. Member for Weston-Super-Mare (Mr. Wiggin) dealing with the cost of the exercise as a whole. Of this, the element for transportation of freight is about £1 million.—[Vol. 795, c. 408.]

asked the Secretary for State for Defence whether he is satisfied that adequate fail-safe procedures are operated to eliminate the risk of accidental detonation of nuclear depth charges carried in British naval vessels; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, I am completely satisfied that the technical and procedural arrangements controlling nuclear depth charges in British naval vessels eliminate the risk of an accidental nuclear explosion.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken to modernise the Royal Marine Barracks at Eastney.

The future use of the Royal Marine Barracks at Eastney is at present under study in the context of the future deployment plans for the Royal Marines in the United Kingdom. Until this study is completed no major modernisation of the barracks is planned to be undertaken.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence at what date the Army Thunderflash Mark 8 was designed; and what consideration has been given to a modern replacement.

The Army Thunderflash Mark 8 was designed in 1945. It continues to fulfil its requirement satisfactorily and there is no immediate need for a replacement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made in the current discussions with the Argentine Government on the level of imports of beef.

We have discussed with the Argentine Government ways and means of safeguarding the stability of our beef market, and the reasons for doing so. The Argentine Government accept in principle the desirability of a stable beef market and we are actively pursuing our proposals with them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures the Meat and Livestock Commission has recommended to him to improve the marketing of livestock to ensure that the return to the farmer is commensurate with the profit to the retailing butcher.

No recommendations have been received from the Commission on this subject. It is, of course, the Commission's function to consider the marketing of livestock from the point of view of all those concerned including the producer, the retailer and also the consumer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the Association of British Travel Agents is primarily a trade association, he will take steps to set up an independent travel council to consider complaints against holiday tour operators.

We do not consider there is sufficient evidence of a need for a body of this kind. The number of complaints against tour operators is very small compared with the number of holidays taken by United Kingdom residents.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that most tour operators provide no legal redress and some tour operators refuse ex gratia redress in respect of legitimate and proven failure of or inadequacy of services provided under contracts entered into with clients in this country; and if he will take steps to deal with this problem.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to ensure that conditions in contracts between travel agents or tour operators and the public purporting to avoid liability in respect of what would otherwise be breaches of contract in respect of accommodation, service and travel, are rendered void.

Exclusion of liability in contracts for services is a complicated issue, on which we must await the advice of the Law Commissions before contemplating action.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is, for the longest and most convenient stated period of time, the number of Parliamentary Questions handed to Members by his Department.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council to a similar Question on 26th March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that a holiday in Majorca advertised as from 30 guineas may cost £88 3s. 3d.; and if he will take steps to protect the public from misleading advertisements of this kind;(2) if he will take steps to lay down definitive standards in advertising by tour operators.

No, I believe that the Trade Descriptions Act provides the appropriate statutory restraints upon misleading advertising of these or other services.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to ensure that classifications of hotels abroad, and in particular in Spain, are explained in all brochures published in the United Kingdom containing advertisements advertising such hotels in such a manner as to explain to prospective clients the meaning of such classifications.

No. If prospective clients find these or other details insufficient to give them a clear picture of what they are offered, we must expect them to demand more information, and tour operators to respond.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will propose a European Convention to lay down standards for organised tours in order to protect the travelling public and tour operators.

I doubt if this would be an appropriate subject for an international convention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will introduce legislation laying down a code of conduct for travel agents which will be both enforceable and known to the public.

The Association of British Travel Agents has a code of conduct enforceable on its members which I understand is available to anyone who wishes to obtain a copy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is now the total of United Kingdom Government securities held by the German Federal Republic against offset costs; what is the annual interest payable; and what is the effect on the Defence Estimates.

One, namely the 4½-year Treasury Bond for DM200 million negotiated in 1968. The annual interest payable amounts to DM11·5 million. There is no effect on Supply Estimates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the offset costs of the British Army of the Rhine in Germany prior to 1965 was accepted from the Federal Government in loans and not by direct payments; and what are the current figures.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he will not change the present arrangements whereby the Treasury finances private visits by Members of Parliament and Peers.

The present financial arrangements for the visits which my hon. Friend has in mind were indicated by my hon. Friend the Minister of Defence for Administration in reply to two Questions put by my hon. Friend on 25th March.I am satisfied that these arrangements are appropriate.—[Vol. 798, c. 418–20.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total gross cost for the most convenient

	Total mean balances	Total costs (including administration, interest, dividends and prizes)	Total costs as percentage of mean balance in each type of savings	Costs for each type of savings as percentage of total costs
	£m.	£m.	Per cent.	Per cent.
Department for National Savings*
National Savings Bank Ordinary Accounts	1,593	58·28	3·66	14·7
National Savings Bank Investment Accoun	172	10·85	6·31	2·73
National Savings Certificates	2,040†	106·62	5–23	26–9
National Savings Stock Register‡	935	48·96	5·24	12–35
Premium Savings Bonds	674	33–10	4–91	8·33
Trustee Savings Banks*
Trustee Savings Banks Ordinary Departments	1,047	37–7	3·6	9·5
Trustee Savings Banks Special Investment Departments	1,344	84–6	6·29	21·3
Trustee Savings Banks part of National Savings Stock Register	385	15·6	4–06	3·92
* The Department of National Savings figures are in respect of the financial year to 31st March, 1969; the Trustee Savings Banks figures are in respect of the banks' financial year to 20th November, 1969.
† Principal only (National Savings statistics normally include between £500 and £600 million of accrued interest).
‡ Defence Bonds, National Development Bonds, British Savings Bonds and Government Stock.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has for borrowing by local authorities from the Public Works Loan Board in the current financial year.

For local authorities in administrative counties which include a significant number of development areas, the proportion of their net reckonable capital payments which determines their quota of borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board is being raised from 43 per cent., at which it was set a year ago, to 50 per cent. for 1970–71.

Following is the information requested.This rate of quota will also apply to local authorities in administrative counties which include intermediate areas. For other local authorities the P.W.L.B. quota rate is being raised from last year's figure of 33 per cent, to 40 per cent. of net reckonable capital payments. The minimum entitlement is being increased from £250,000 to £400,000. I estimate that with these increases in quotas local authorities should be able to meet more than half of their net borrowing requirement in 1970–71 from the Public Works Loan Board.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated cost to the Treasury of allowing everyone who earns money and pays tax and surtax to keep the last 7s. 6d. of every £ earned.

If in cases of mixed incomes the earned income was treated as the bottom slice of total income the cost would be about £18 million for a full year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the total of external loans to the United Kingdom Government, including drawings from the International Monetary Fund, outstanding on 30th June, 1945, 25th October, 1951, 15th October, 1958, 8th October, 1959, 15th October, 1964, 15th October, 1969 and the latest available date; how much of the total was denominated or guaranteed in gold or

LOANS TO THE U.K. GOVERNMENT INCLUDING I.M.F. DRAWINGS
						£ million	Per head
Totals outstanding on—							£
30th June, 1945	…	…	…	…	…	303	6
25th October, 1951	…	…	…	…	…	2,498	50
15th October, 1958	…	…	…	…	…	2,275	44
8th October, 1959	…	…	…	…	…	2,283	44
15th October, 1964	…	…	…	…	…	1,852	34
15th October, 1969	…	…	…	…	…	3,419	62
31st March, 1970	…	…	…	…	…	3,255	59

£ million
				25th October, 1951	15th October, 1964	31st March, 1970
Totals outstanding on—
Loan Agreement
U.S.: Line of Credit	…	…	…	1,339	1,125	1,236
Lend Lease	…	…	…	216	177	193
E.C.A.	…	…	…	120	108	103
M.S.A.	…	…	…	—	17	17
Ex-Im. Bank	…	…	…	—	—	231
Mombasa and Tanga Ports		…	…	—	2	1
Canada: Line of Credit	…	…	…	393	329	361
Interest Free Loan	…	…	…	79	—	—
European Payments Union	…	…	…	—	53	18
Deutsche Bundesbank	…	…	…	—	—	23
German Offset Agreement	…	…	…	—	—	52
Portugal	…	…	…	81	37	17
Pakistan (Pension Annuities)	…	…	…	7	4	3
East Africa	…	…	…	4	—	—
Ceylon Rupee Loans	…	…	…	5	—	—
India (Pensions and Railway Annuities)			…	154	—	—
Other	…	…	…	5	—	—
International Monetary Fund	…	…	…	95	—	1,000
				2,498	1,852	3,255

All (the loans in the table above, with the exception of those from Pakistan, East Africa, Ceylon, U.S.A. (Mombasa and Tanga Ports) and India, are denominated or guaranteed in gold or foreign currency.

The information is giver below.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he is taking to ensure that householders whose property has been damaged as a result of construction work on the M3 motorway at Camberley receive full compensation with the minimum of delay.

We are examining these claims but I cannot yet say whether the Department has any legal responsi- bility. They will be dealt with as sympathetically and quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport what grants he paid to the British Waterways Board in 1969–70; what grants he intends to pay in 1970–71; and if he will make a statement.

In 1969–70, I have paid the British Waterways Board a grant-in-aid of £1·5 million in respect of its estimated net deficit on revenue account in 1969, and £0·5 million to reimburse them all its costs arising from the strengthening and reconstruction of sub-standard bridges. The comparable figures for 1970–71 are £1·85 million, being grant-in-aid in respect of its estimated net deficit on revenue account in 1970, and £1·0 million on account of sub-standard bridges. The grant-in-aid relates to the net revenue losses estimated as likely to be incurred by the undertaking as a whole after taking account of the financial results of the board's commercial activities, but is primarily intended to enable the board to fulfil its amenity and conservancy functions. The payment of grant in respect of substandard road bridges recognises that the burden imposed on the board by the need to improve these bridges in the interest of road traffic cannot be borne under the board's normal financial arrangments.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will make a further statement about the work of the Panel of Businessmen under the chairmanship of Sir Robert Bellinger, who have been advising on the effective use of Civil Service manpower.

Yes. The work of the panel is continuing, but I am glad of this opportunity to express the Government's gratitude to Sir Robert, and the members of his panel for so readily making available their time and the benefits of their experience. Members of the panel have undertaken assignments in 13 Government Departments and where these have been completed, they have made reports to Permanent Secretaries of the Departments concerned. They also commented on certain general points arising from their work and action has been taken to ensure that these are taken into account by all major Departments. I have arranged for copies of a fuller account of the work of the panel to be placed in the Vote Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied that sufficient facilities exist in Carlisle and Cumberland for the education of handicapped children; and if he will make a statement.

Her Majesty's Inspectorate are at present engaged, with the cooperation of the Cumberland authority, in a survey of provision for senior educationally subnormal pupils. When this is complete, the Department will discuss with the authority its provision for this group of handicapped pupils. For other handicaps, whose incidence is relatively small, provision is frequently made on a regional or national basis and authorities with small or scattered populations do not normally provide special schools within their own area.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what investigation has been carried out under the auspices of his Department to ascertain the reason for earth tremors that took place in the vicinity of the Burgh of Bonnyrigg and Lasswade, Midlothian, during the month of March, 1970.

The Institute of Geological sciences records seismological events at six stations linked by U.H.F. radio to the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh. The Bonnyrigg tremor was recorded at two stations in Scotland on 27th March and showed a magnitude far below the level normally regarded as damaging. Minor seismological events are recorded several times a day and may be due to industrial explosions, natural earthquakes or mining subsidence. It is not always possible to distinguish the nature of any one event, and this was the case on 27th March.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many primary classes in Southampton had more than 40 pupils in January, 1969; what percentage that was of the total; and what are the latest available figures.

In January, 1969, 62 primary classes in schools maintained by Southampton local education authority, 9·7 per cent. of the total, had more than 40 pupils. In January, 1970 the figures were 32, and 4·8 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she is aware that the price of motor oil has been increased by 2d. per pint because of the increased price of the tin can containers, and that for the same reason the price of all tinned food is liable to rise by 1d. to 2d. per tin; and whether she will take steps to have these price increases investigated.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology advised me that the recent increases in the price of tin can containers were rendered unavoidable by the the higher cost of raw materials.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she has received the report of the Monopolies Commission on the supply of metal containers; and when it will be available to the House.

My right hon. Friend received the Monopolies Commission's Report on the supply of metal containers on 24th March. It will be laid before Parliament and published as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now inform the House of the proposals submitted to him by the National Co-ordinating Committee for the commemoration in the United Kingdom of the 25th Anniversary of the United Nations.

On 25th June Her Majesty The Queen and other members of the Royal Family will attend a commemoration ceremony in Westminster Hall. In addition an ecumenical service is planned to be held in Westminster Abbey on 18th October. On 24th November, there will be a ceremony (predominantly involving youth) in Church House, where the United Nations Preparatory Commission held its second meeting.The main object of the Committee, which is headed by Sir Harold Beeley, is to stimulate active interest in the United Nations, especially among the young. This will involve interested groups throughout the country and, for example, special approaches to all local authorities and schools.

Lewis asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the growing practice, particularly in the Metropolitan Police area, of motorists falsely exhibiting "Tax Applied For" notices on their vehicles when the licence has not been applied for; and how many successful prosecutions for this offence have been instituted by the Metropolitan Police under Section 16(1) of the Theft Act, 1968, for the longest convenient stated period of time, and with what penalties imposed.

The Metropolitan Police have included vehicles displaying such notices amongst those which they have reported to licensing authorities as being apparently unlicensed. The police have brought no prosecutions under the Theft Act in these cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convicted persons who appealed to the Court of Appeal were legally aided at the time of entering their appeal in each of the last three years; and what percentage of total criminal appeals this represented in each of those years.

I regret that this information is not at the moment available but I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain a report from the Chief Constable on the latest figures of the crime detection rate in Carlisle, and Cumbria as a whole, the amount of increased expenditure on cars, radio and other facilities to aid detection of crime, how these compare with previous years, and on the current manpower position.

Following are figures for the present Cumbria police area including, for the years prior to 1967, those for forces now amalgamated in the Cumbria constabulary.

CLEAR-UP RATE OF INDICTABLE OFFENCES
	Per cent.
1964	50·0
1965	49·7
1966	50·7
1967	52·7
1968	52·8
1969	53·5

The figures have been adjusted for the purposes of comparison to take account of certain changes in recording practice and the Theft Act, 1968.

NUMBER OF CARS
1963	21
*1964	28
1965	38
1966	40
1967	46
1968	59
1969	63
1970	71
* The records for this year are incomplete and this figure is an estimate only.

EXPENDITURE ON
Purchase of New Vehicles
	£
1963–64	9,478
1964–65	12,080
1965–66	26,582
1966–67	19,846
1967–68	18,186
1968–69	43,940
1969–70	23,865
1970–71 (Estimate)	40,900
Running Costs
	£
1963–64	14,929
1964–65	18,446
1965–66	22,194
1966–67	30,884
1967–68	44,346
1968–69	46,718
1969–70	48,650
1970–71 (Estimate)	53,000

Wireless
	£
1963–64	3,927
1964–65	7,134
1965–66	5,365
1966–67	7,743
1967–68	8,780
1968–69	11,872
1969–70	13,430
1970–71 (Estimate)	15,100
Crime Prevention
	£
*1963–64
*1964–65
*1965–66
*1966–67
1967–68	434
1968–69	462
1969–70	630
1970–71 (Estimate)	1,000
* These figures are not available.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will give special consideration to applications for capital sanction from the London Borough of Newham, in view of shortage of hard coke which may involve conversion of appliances in some 44 establishments at a cost to the rates of £100,000 or £150,000.

Any such application which relates to premises within my field of responsibility will be considered sympathetically.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether the National Building Agency took into consideration the risks of a Ronan Point type explosion in relation to prefabricated system-built units.

The Tribunal of Inquiry found that none of the bodies concerned was fully cognisant of the possible extent of progressive collapse following an explosion of the Ronan Point type.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that the Greater London Council has prepared a new scheme for its proposed office block for its staff on the Addington Street roundabout at the eastern approach to Westminster Bridge; and whether, in view of its proximity to the Houses of Parliament, hon. Members are to have an opportunity of studying its details before a final decision is taken.

Yes, I am aware of the new scheme and I have arranged with the co-operation of the Greater London Council for a model and plans to be on display in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 13th April to Friday 17th April inclusive. The Council's new proposals differ greatly from the original scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the strength and the total manpower of the Lothians and Peebles police force in the years 1964 and 1969, respectively.

At 31st December, 1964, the regular police strength was 404 and the total manpower, i.e. excluding cadets and civilians in a domestic category, was 446; the corresponding figures at 31st December, 1969, were 421 and 475.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total expenditure on the Lothians and Peebles force in the year 1968–69; what was the expenditure on police radios and vehicles in that year; and what change these figures represent on the expenditure for the year 1963–64.

The information is as follows:

		Expenditure (purchase and maintenance) on
Financial Year	Total Net Grant Earning Expenditure	Radios	Vehicles
	£000	£000
1963–64	610	4	22
1968–69	902	11	45

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many casualties occurred in farm accidents in 1969; and how this compares with 1968.

Twenty-one persons died in Scotland as a result of farm accidents in 1969; the figure for 1968 was 22. The number injured was 1,547 in 1969 and 1,558 in 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prisoners have been found in possession of offensive weapons in the last two years; and what action has been taken to deal with them.

35 in the two years to 31st December, 1969: the majority were dealt with under the Prison (Scotland) Rules, 1952, and awarded forfeiture of remission. In some cases, where the weapon was used, criminal proceedings ensued.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the annual average cost per prison inmate in 1968 in relation to the figure for 1967; and if he will make a statement.

The average annual cost per inmate in Scottish penal establishments in the financial year 1968–69 was £812 16s. 9d. compared with £759 8s. 4d. in the previous financial year. These figures take no account of capital expenditure on new buildings or building repairs.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many young persons living in Scotland up to the age of 20 years were convicted of criminal offences during 1968; and what is the number at the latest convenient date.

I regret that the information is not readily available.

Route				Scheme				Estimate cost £
Aberdeen Country
A96	…	…	…	Bishopston Dervision	…	…	…	130,000
A96	…	…	…	Mill of Newton Diversion	…	…	…	60,000
A96	…	…	…	Aberdeen City Boundary to Bucksburn	…	…	…	350,000
A96	…	…	…	Westarton Bend to Binhill Quarry	…	…	…	40,000
A96	…	…	…	Buntly Bypass	…	…	…	470,000
A96	…	…	…	Inverurie Bypass	…	…	…	330,000
Kincardine County
A92 (with Angus County)				Lower Northwater Bridge	…	…	…	410,000
A92	…	…	…	Monduff Diversion	…	…	…	110,000
A92	…	…	…	Bush Bridge	…	…	…	128,000
A92	…	…	…	Gourdon Hill Stage I	…	…	…	123,000
A92	…	…	…	Stonehaven-Aberdeen Dualling	…	…	…	1,300,000

Grant has been issued or offered for principal road schemes as follows:

Route				Scheme	Estimated cost £	Grant £
Aberdeen City
A92	…	…	…	North Anderson Drive/Westburn Road	188,000	141,000
A96	…	…	…	Great Northern Road—Approach to North Anderson Drive Junction	80,000	60,000
A946	…	…	…	Mounthooley Junction	296,000	222,000
A946	…	…	…	Inner Ring Road, East and West North Street	100,000	75,000
A947/A92		…	…	Bridge of Dee—South Approach Junction	20,000	15,000
A947	…	…	…	North Anderson Drive—Junction Clifton Road/Great Northern Road	77,000	58,000
A947	…	…	…	North Anderson Drive—Clifton Road/Provost Rust Roundabout	70,000	52,000
Angus/Kincardine Counties
A94	…	…	…	Upper Northwater Bridge	503,000	377,000
Aberdeen County
A92, A93, A944, A947, A950, A975				7 schemes, 1969–70	56,000	42,000
A92, A93, A944, A947			…	5 schemes, 1970–71	71,000	53,000
Kincardine County
A94	…	…	…	Drunnagair	48,000	36,000

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to improve the roads leading into the City of Aberdeen from the south, north and west.

My direct responsibility for improving roads leading into the city of Aberdeen concerns trunk roads. The improvement of other roads is primarily the responsibility of the local highway authorities.The following are the main trunk road improvements which are in progress or in early prospect:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland where are the prisons in which additional accommodation is being provided; and when are the new prisons to be built.

Plans are in hand to provide additional accommodation in penal establishments at Dungavel (near Strathaven), Glenochil (near Alloa), Cornton Vale (Stirling), a site in central Scotland still to be determined and at Shotts. It is hoped to complete these schemes in 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976–77, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement about the increase in charges for meals and lodgings for nurses.

As part of the recent pay settlement the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council negotiated increases in the lodging charges payable by resident nursing staff. It has been the practice in the past to raise lodging charges in proportion to the salary increase but on this occasion they were raised by a lesser amount generally of the order of 10 per cent.Charges for meals in hospital staff restaurants or cafeterias are generally based on those negotiated by the Whitley Council for Ancillary Staff. By an agreement reached last November charges were increased from 1st April by 2d. for the main meal and 1d. for other meals.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of the total number of dentists in England and Wales operated in the National Health Service for the years 1966, 1968 and to the latest figure available.

The proportion of dentists included in the Dentists Register with addresses in England and Wales who were working in the hospital, general and local authority dental services was 86 per cent. in both 1966 and 1968. Complete figures for 1969 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in the new questions to be answered in the 1971 Census, he will include, besides Welsh and Gaelic, the ability to read and write Ki-Swahili, Baluchi, Pushtu, Urdu, Hindi, Gujerati, Tamil, Malay and the West African tribal dialects of Ghana and Nigeria, including Ibo, in returns made throughout the United Kingdom; and in how many languages the Census forms are to be printed.

To the first part of the Question the answer is "No". The questions on language in the 1971 Census will be restricted to Welsh in Wales and Gaelic in Scotland.It is intended that in addition to the forms printed in English there shall be Welsh language versions of the appropriate forms for use in Wales wherever required. Consideration is still being given to the number of other languages in which it will be necessary to provide translations of the questionnaire.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when the Bailey bridge over the River Towy at Carmarthen will be built.

I am awaiting detailed plans from the consulting engineers.

asked the Minister of Technology how long the report of the inquiry into proposed opencast workings at the Anker site in Warwickshire has been in his possession; and when he intends to publish it.

4 months. It was published on Monday.

asked the Minister of Technology whether, in view of the increased shortage of mild steel reinforcing rods, causing manufacturers and builders to import this at a cost to the balance of payments, he will issue a direction to the British Steel Corporation to step up production of this type of steel.

No. The British Steel Corporation has increased its production of mild steel re-inforcing rods by 50 per cent. in order to alleviate the shortage of home produced material. The upsurge in demand on the B.S.C. has been influenced by changes in the relative prices of imported and home supplies and the general level of demand for steel in the world market.