asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the situation in Northern Ireland following his talks with official representatives.

I met the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland and the Minister of Home Affairs on 10th April. Among the subjects discussed in a general exchange of views were the rôle of the security forces and economic and employment questions, including progress on the Northern Ireland Government's Economic Development Programme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a further statement on the political and economic situation in Northern Ireland following his talks with representatives of the Northern Ireland Government.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave earlier today to a Question by the hon. Member for Chelmsford (Mr. S. John-Stevas).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funds he proposes to make available to the Community Relations Commission for the financial year 1970–71.

My right hon. Friend has approved the commission's request that its grant-in-aid for 1970–71 should be increased from £300,000 to £395,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further talks he has had with the chief constables regarding the maintenance of law and order during the forthcoming South African cricket tour; and if he will make a statement.

A meeting took place last month between the Home Office and the chief officers of police concerned, who will take any steps which they think necessary to prevent breach of the peace. The police are in touch with the clubs on whose grounds matches will be played.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of proposals to create an organisation in Great Britain which intends to act against demonstrators during the South African Cricket Tour and to resort to violence; and what instructions he has now issued to deal with this unauthorised action.

There is no need for instructions on these matters. The police and courts already have adequate powers to deal with persons who commit offences.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department of he will make a further statement about the entry of Kenya Asians with British passports into this country, following the recent talks between the United Kingdom and Kenya Governments.

I would refer the hon. Member to the policy stated in my reply to a Question from the hon. Member for Chelmsford (Mr. St. John-Stevas) on 12th March. I have nothing to add to that reply at present.—[Vol. 797, c. 1546.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will discontinue the ban on overseas visitors wishing to study scientology pending publication of the Report by the hon. and learned Member for Northwich (Sir J. Foster).

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the Question by the hon. Member for Bodmin (Mr. Bessell) on 26th March.—[Vol. 798, c. 487.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what questions are put to aliens by the immigration authorities at Great Britain's ports and airports; and what is their purpose.

The purpose of questions put to aliens seeking leave to land is to establish whether they may properly be granted leave. The rules governing the entry of aliens are set out in a White Paper, Cmnd. 4296, presented in February, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement giving details of changes made in the hours, wages and conditions of employment of the police since October, 1964, of the number and types of new buildings provided, vehicles and electronic aids and to what extent manpower recruitment has improved.

The most important changes in conditions of service include a reduction in the standard working week from 42 to 40 hours; an increase in pay by over 28 per cent.; and increases in most allowances, such as rent allowance.Examples of the increased allowances are:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the nature and extent of the armour available to and worn by policemen in pursuit of armed and other persons suspected of crime; and, in view of recent murders of policemen, if he will set up an expert inquiry to devise means of reducing policemen's risks and saving them from injury and death.

Some police forces hold small stocks of bullet-proof vests, shields and goggles. My right hon. Friend is considering, with chief officers of police, whether there are further precautions which could usefully be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the amount of salary, in weekly average, paid to policemen in the years 1938, 1948, 1958, and 1969, respectively; and if he will give comparable figures for men working in the manufacturing industry.

Following are the available figures:

	Weekly wage rate of Metropolitan police constable (excluding overtime and rent allowance)			Average weekly earnings in manufacturing industry (including overtime and bonus payments)
	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
1938	4	0	0	3	10	11
1948	5	17	0	7	3	4
1958	12	15	0	13	5	5
1969	23	15	0	25	10	10

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received from fire authorities regarding legislation to strengthen and rationalise the law relating to fire precautions; and what action he now proposes to take.

One recently. But fire authorities are aware that my right hon. Friend proposes to introduce legislation, as soon as parliamentary time permits, to strengthen and rationalise the law relating to fire precautions in certain residential establishments and places of public resort.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that adjourned inquests may be delayed many months by the indisposition of the Coroner, causing distress to the relatives of the deceased; and if he will take steps to avoid unreasonable delays arising from this cause.

I am aware that such difficulties may arise. My right hon. Friend will consider the need for a change in the law in the light of the report of the Departmental Committee on Death Certification and Coroners, which he hopes to receive later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what conclusion has now been reached by the Poisons Board about the use of ponceau MX for colouring cosmetics.

Inquiries to establish whether, and, if so, to what extent, ponceau MX is used in cosmetics in the United Kingdom are still being pursued. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as they are completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many narcotics addicts were registered with the Home Office at the end of 1969.

According to information from medical practitioners, on 31st December, 1969, 1,488 addicts were receiving, on prescription, drugs controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Acts, 1965 and 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable concerning investigations into the kidnapping, questioning and beating up by a group of men of Ronald Hannan, a witness in the Boeing 707 trial which resulted in the conviction of Mr. Trefor Williams.

The police are continuing to make extensive inquiries about this case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to make it compulsory for a doctor's certificate of death to be supplied to undertakers before a body is put in their custody.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requests he has received from the London Motor Cab Proprietors' Association for an increase in the present tariff of 6d. for every 450 yards, to four new pence; and what reply he has given.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the final report of the Hims-worth Committee on the use of CS Gas in Ulster to be published.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 12th March to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell).—{Vol. 797, c. 365.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state, for the latest convenient period of three months, the number of persons admitted for settlement from the Commonwealth; and how this figure compares with figures for the corresponding periods in the previous three years.

During the three months ending on 28th February 6,362 Commonwealth citizens were admitted for settlement. The figures for the corresponding period in the previous three years were as follows:

1966–67	1967–68	1968–69
10,707	14,718	9,624

United Kingdom passport holders are not included in these figures.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he will not introduce legislation to amend Section 53 of the Police Act, 1964, to allow the police the same trade union rights as the remainder of Her Majesty's subjects engaged in industry, local government and civilian security services.

Because of the special responsibility which the police service has to the community.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the future of the Cheshire Police Force following the local government reorganisation proposed in the Government's White Paper.

We shall have to wait and see what changes are made in the local government pattern, and particularly what boundaries are adopted for the proposed new metropolitan areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain a report from the Chief Constable regarding the shortage of police officers in the Essex and Southend-on-Sea Police Force, and the steps he is taking to bring this force up to strength.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Chelmsford (Mr. St. John-Stevas) on 26th March. The recruitment of police officers and civilians is the responsibility of individual police authorities and chief officers of police.—[Vol. 798, c. 485.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether in view of the amount of fines outstanding and the fact that it is a growing practice deliberately to refuse to pay fines, he will introduce legislation to apply more generally the attachment of earnings orders against such persons; and in how many cases such orders have been made to date.

A court may already order the attachment of the earnings of a fine defaulter where appropriate. The Administration of Justice Bill at present before Parliament improves the procedure for making and enforcing such orders. I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the Question is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered the representations from many persons, organisations and others with official positions connected with the legal system proposing heavier fines and penalties for law breakers, and expressing concern about light sentences imposed in many instances; and if he will consider introducing legislation to impose heavier penalties for breaking the law.

The maximum penalties available to the courts are in my right hon. Friend's view generally adequate. Within these maxima, which are kept under review, the sentence in an individual case is entirely a matter for the discretion of the court.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why his Department released to the Press details of the fracas in which prisoner Ronald Kray was involved, and of the punishment of solitary confinement.

The Home Office did not volunteer information about this incident but confirmed the details in reply to Press inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the action taken by his Department in relation to Mr. Abu Omar, a member of the El-Fatah organisation, on his recent visit to Great Britain for the purpose of addressing a conference at Skegness on Friday, 27th March, 1970.

I cannot usefully add to my reply to the Question by my hon. Friend on 10th April.—[Vol. 799, c. 138.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now announce the membership of the proposed committee on intrusions into privacy.

As I announced on 23rd January, 1970, Mr. Kenneth Younger has agreed to be Chairman of the Committee. The following have accepted invitations to serve as members of the Committee:

• Mr. P. H. R. Bristow, Q.C.
• The Rt. Hon. Lord Byers, O.B.E.
• Mrs. Kathleen Evans.
• Mr. Harman Grisewood, C.B.E.
• Mr. George Gwilt.
• Mr. Richard Hornby, M.P.
• The Rt. Hon. the Earl Jellicoe, D.S.O., M.C
• Mr. A. W. Lyon, M.P.
• Mr. Norman Marsh, Q.C.
• Sir Gordon Newton.
• The Rt. Hon. Kenneth Robinson, M.P.
• Mr. Donald M. Ross, Q.C.
• Mr. Charles Smith.
• Mr. John Torode.
• Mr. P. R. Wollan.

		Capital	Revenue	Total
		£	£	£
PHASE I (announced October, 1968):
Albert Road Nursery School	…	13,000	—	13,000
Bushbury Nursery School	…	16,000	7,125	23,125
Ashmore Park Nursery School	…	13,000	7,125	20,125
Stow Heath Nursery Class	…	5,775	—	5,775
		£47,775	£14,250	£62,025
PHASE II (announced February, 1969):
Two Children's Homes	…	66,000	—	66,000
Four additional health workers	…	—	3,750	3,750
Provision of a teachers centre	…	8,000	—	8,000
Amenity grants for equipment and materials for schools		—	3,000	3,000
Transport of immigrant pupils	…	—	12,000	12,000
Eastfield School adaptations to provide:
(a) language centre for immigrants	…	12,000	—	12,000
(b) unit for maladjusted children	…
(c) base for remedial Teaching Service	…
(d) additional school places at Bingley School	…
Provision of language classes	…	—	1,000	1,000
		£86,000	£19,750	£105,750
TOTAL OF BOTH PHASES: £167,775

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to provide for the compulsory registration of au pair agencies; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is studying the text of the Council of Europe's Agreement on Au Pair Placement, which includes provision for the appointment of private bodies to deal with au pair placement. I am not yet in a position to say whether legislation would be necessary to give effect to this provision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much financial help has been received annually by Wolverhampton County Borough under the urban aid programme since its inception.

Under the first two phases of the Urban Programme approval has been given for expenditure—which attracts Exchequer grant at the rate of 75 per cent.—on the following projects to assist those living in areas of special social need:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children in the Blackley constituency of Manchester and Manchester as a whole, respectively, are in residential care, approved schools, detention centres or Borstals.

On 31st March, 1970, 1,760 children and young persons were in the care of the Manchester City Council, of whom 824 were in homes, hostels or boarding special schools. The council were contributing towards the maintenance of 195 children and young persons in approved schools. I regret that figures for detention centres and borstals, and separate figures for the Blackley constituency, are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations have been made to him by the Clubs and Institutes Union on the subject of police inquiries following applications for gaming machines licences; and whether he will make a statement.

The Club and Institute Union has made representations that, in connection with the registration of clubs under Part III of the Gaming Act, 1968, the police are making inquiries concerning matters other than the grounds on which registration may be refused, and has asked my right hon. Friend to issue advice to chief officers of police with a view to limiting these inquiries. The Union has been informed that the police are entitled to make such inquiries as they consider necessary for the proper enforcement of the law, both in relation to gaming and generally, and that my right hon. Friend has no authority to advise chief officers of police how they should discharge their responsibilities. Clubs have nothing to fear from co-operating with the police.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what has been the result of her representations to the Pakistan Government about the payment of naval pensions to former Pakistan Navy officers who have become United Kingdom citizens and who have settled in the United Kingdom.

The Pakistan Government have agreed in principle to restore these and other pensions similarly suspended. The restoration of 13 pensions has now been approved.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether the powered barges being provided for the Turks and Caicos Islands can be put into service before August, 1970.

As I informed the hon. Gentleman on 22nd January, only one barge is on order. The delivery date must depend partly on the manufacturers and party on the shipping facilities available, but it is unlikely that the barge can be put into service before August, 1970.—[Vol. 794, c. 678.]

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if she will make a further statement about the extension of the territorial scope of the Commonwealth Development Corporation's activities following the passage of the Overseas Resources Development Act, 1969.

I am grateful for this opportunity to inform the House that I have given approval for the corporation to undertake activities in Indonesia, subject to consultation with my Ministry as to the scale and content of the corporation's intended investment programme in that country.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what progress has been made in making increased provision for work for severely disabled persons in Sunderland.

Remploy Limited is examining the possibility of making increased provision by building a new replacement factory there.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity, in view of the fact that the refusal of the West Riding County Council to grant planning permission for an extension of the dirt-tip at Manvers Main colliery will cause 6,000 men in the South Yorkshire coal industry to lose their jobs, if she will take all necessary steps to ensure their future employment.

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology that the existing tip has a life of at least three years and that the National Coal Board is to appeal to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government against the county council's decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many days were lost in the United Kingdom and in Scotland, respectively, in each six-monthly period from January, 1968 to December, 1969 due to industrial strikes; and what were the comparable figures for days lost due to sickness.

Following is the information available:

STOPPAGES OF WORK DUE TO INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
	Working days lost in all stoppages in progress in period
	United Kingdom	Scotland
1st January–30th June, 1968	3,109,000	434,000
1st July–31st December, 1968	1,580.000	207,000
1st January–30th June, 1969	2,660,000	235,000
1st July–31st December, 1969 (provisional)	4,112,000	541,000

DAYS LOST DUE TO SICKNESS*
	Great Britain	Scotland
5th June, 1967–1st June, 1968	328 million	39 million
*Figures relate to certified incapacity for national insurance purposes and are compiled on an annual basis only. Information for the year 1968–69 is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many men aged 45 years or over who have been unemployed for more than six months are included on the Professional and Executive Register; and how this compares with those under 45 years of age.

Of the total of 14,870 men in the unemployed section of the Register on 23rd February, 1970, 6,883 were aged 45 or over and of those 2,201 (including 659 who were 60 or over) had been unemployed for more than 6 months. The corresponding figures for those under 45 were 7,987 and 994.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what has been the total paid out on redundancy payments in the United Kingdom and Scotland, respectively, in each six months since the scheme came into operation; and what is the estimated figure for the current financial year 1970–71.

Figures are only available for Great Britain and these are set out in the following table:

Period	Paid to Redundant Employees
	£
6th December, 1965–30th June, 1966	10,458,000
1st July, 1966–31st December, 1966	16,134,000
1st January, 1967–30th June, 1967	24,962,000
1st July, 1967–31st December, 1967	25,251,000
1st January, 1968–30th June, 1968	29,913,000
1st July, 1968–31st December, 1968	31,924,000
1st January, 1969–30th June, 1969	32,383,000
1st July, 1969–31st December, 1969	29,503,000
	200,528,000

No firm estimate can be made for the financial year 1970–71, as total payments are affected both by the incidence of redundancy and by changes in the level of earnings.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the total levy expected from hairdressing establishments in Scotland as a consequence of the setting up of the Industrial Training Board for that industry; and what form of representation Scotland has on this board.

The Hairdressing and Allied Services Industry Training Board was set up as recently as last December. Administrative expenses during its first year are being met by the Department in the normal way. It is too early to say what the board's levy proposals for subsequent years are likely to be.Three out of fourteen board members are from Scotland representing, respectively, the interests of employers, employees and education.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the rate of unemployment in Scotland as a percentage of total United Kingdom unemployment in March of each of the last 10 years.

I will arrange for this to be done.Following is the information:

Numbers registered as unemployed in Scotland as percentages of those registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom.
	Per cent.
March, 1970	13·8
March, 1969	13·2
March, 1968	13·9
March, 1967	14·4
March, 1966	17·7
March, 1965	18·2
March, 1964	19·9
March, 1963	16·8
March, 1962	16·6
March, 1961	18·6

My right hon. Friend is responsible for the scientific organisations and institutions listed in column (1) of the following table. The information requested by the hon. Member is given in columns (2) and (3).

Organisations and Institutions (1)				Date of publication of last Annual Report (2)		Estimated Expenditure in Financial year 1970–1971 (3)
Agricultural Research Council	…	…	…	October, 1969	…	16,208,000
Medical Research Council	…	…	…	July, 1969	…	19,670,000
Natural Environment Research Council		…	…	November, 1969	…	13,919,000
Science Research Council	…	…	…	October, 1969	…	49,612,000
Social Science Research Council	…	…	…	November, 1969	…	3,264,000
British Museum (Natural History)	…	…	…	September, 1969*	…	1,745,000†
* This report was for the two year period 1966–1968.
† Includes provision for capital building.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many primary classes with more than 40 children exist in Coventry; what percentage it is of the total; and what were the comparable figures 12 months ago.

In January, 1970, there were 72 such classes, or 6·5 per cent. In January, 1969 84 or 7·7 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the plans

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the numbers of school classes over 40 and the number of school pupils attending such classes, respectively, in the county borough of Sunderland at the latest available date.

At present 64 classes, all primary, containing 2,721 pupils. In 23 of them, there were 41 pupils.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the scientific organisations and institutions for which he is responsible, stating in each case when the last annual report was published, and the estimated expenditure on each during the current year.

The information is as follows:for the reorganisation of secondary education for comprehensive purposes within the Brecon, Crickhowell, Defynnog, Hay and Talgarth districts of Breconshire which have been submitted to him by the education authority.

The Education Office for Wales has now completed its examination of the authority's proposals, and my right hon. Friend expects shortly to be able to announce his decision on the authority's proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied as to the facilities in the West Riding for the education of handicapped children; and if he will make a statement on his Department's future policy.

My right hon. Friend is providing over the next few years an expanded programme of special school building, for details of which I would refer my hon. Friend to my written reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Carlisle (Mr. Ron Lewis) on 7th April. National priority is being given to the needs of the educationally subnormal and maladjusted children and those suffering from spina bifida. In the West Riding of Yorkshire, the Department has been particularly concerned with provision for physically handicapped children generally and not only those suffering from spina bifida, and, following regional discussions with Her Majesty's Inspectorate, a number of building proposals are now being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what capital sum is being made available for the construction of the new hospital in South-East Northumberland, which has been applied for by letter from the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board following their decision to include it in the 1970–71 programme.

I think there must be some misunderstanding. The Newcastle Regional Hospital Board has not proposed that a start should be made on a new hospital for South-East Northumberland in the 1970–71 programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated total number of persons in receipt of the State retirement pension without supplementary benefits and the number of pensioners in receipt of both retirement pension and supplementary benefits, at the latest convenient date.

At the end of 1969 about 5·2 million and 2 million respectively; the latter includes about one-third of a million wives receiving retirement pension whose requirements are taken into account in assessing their husband's supplementary pension.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what current estimated fertility rate the General Register Office used in June, 1967, for the purpose of its projection of 3½ million coloured immigrants from the new Commonwealth and their children resident in Great Britain in 1985 on the assumption that the current rate of net immigration and the current estimated fertility rate remained substantially unchanged.

The figure of 3½ million to which the right hon. Gentleman refers was given as a possible order of magnitude. Of the two assumptions which were postulated by the hon. Member who asked for this calculation to be made, the important one was the future level of net migration. The order of magnitude indicated was appropriate for a wide range of fertility levels and could not be said to reflect a precise level within that range.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the mortality figures from pregnancy and childbirth in England in 1969.

I regret this information is not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the report from the Brighton Hospital Management Committee regarding a young woman allegedly dead who was later resuscitated, particulars of which have been sent him, together with his proposals for preventing an occurrence of this kind in the future.

I have received an account of the facts of this case from the South-East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board. I am now awaiting further information from the board but I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make arrangements to permit old-age pensioners to collect their pensions at any post office and to end the requirement that they must attend at one particular post office.

No. Under the present system the pensioner himself chooses the post office at which he will regularly draw his pension and get his renewal books. To abandon this system would impair the high standards of reliability of distribution, security against loss or theft and economy of administration.The pensioner can, however, change the post office of payment at any time by a very simple procedure without parting with his order-book and, following a recent modification, even that formality is unnecessary if he wants to cash not more than two orders at some other office—e.g. when on holiday.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking, following the recent visit of the Under-Secretary of State, to ensure that the deficiencies existing in several departments at the Mexborough Montagu Hospital will be brought up to standard.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to him on 2nd March, 1970. Any significant improvement to Montagu Hospital would involve a major scheme with extensive and costly building operations which would be difficult because of the congested nature of the site. Until the effect of the proposed new hospital at Rotherham has been assessed the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board would not feel justified in considering, as finances permit, more than minor improvements to Montagu Hospital. Over £60,000 has been spent on such improvements since 1948.—[Vol 797, c. 12.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many applicants for the Ulster Defence Regiment have been refused because of professional checks by the security service and the medical service, respectively.

As at 10th April 498 applications to join the Ulster Defence Regiment had been refused. As to the reasons for their rejection, I refer the hon. and learned Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry (Mr. Chichester-Clark) on 25th March.—[Vol. 798, c. 415.]

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider calling a special Commonwealth Conference to examine the issues of trade, aid, economic development, and closer Commonwealth community relations; and if he will make a statement.

The calling of a Commonwealth Conference would be a matter for the Commonwealth as a whole, but I would expect these matters to be discussed at next January's Commonwealth Prime Minister's Meeting in Singapore.

asked the Prime Minister what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the British people are given an opportunity to pronounce on the question of British entry into the European Economic Community.

I would refer my hon. Friend to what I said in reply to supplementary questions by the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) and my hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Mr. Raphael Tuck) on 25th November, 1969. It is the Government's policy to give both the House and the public all the available information as we tried to do in Command Paper 4289.—[Vol. 792, c. 199–200.]

asked the Prime Minister what further proposals he has for enabling unnecessary secrecy in British government, in the light of the views expressed by the Fulton Committee.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a Question by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Wallasey (Mr. Marples) on 14th October, 1969.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that the West Riding County Council is refusing the National Coal Board planning permission at Manvers Main Central Coal Preparation Plant to extend the tipping arrangements, and that this will result in the loss of 6,000 jobs in the South Yorkshire coal industry; and if he will take the necessary steps to ensure that the extension to the existing tip is granted.

I understand that the National Coal Board has in hand tipping to last some three years. It has given notice of appeal to me against the county council's decision. If the appeal is pur- sued I shall ensure that it is dealt with as quickly as possible but it will of course have to be decided on its merits, after consideration of the evidence and arguments put forward by the parties.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the total provision for grant for sport and physical recreation in England in the current financial year.

Separate figures for England are not available but the estimated expenditure on sport and physical recreation in England and Wales in 1970–71 is £2,565,000.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list separately for the past 10 years the number of Civil Service jobs created in Wales.

I regret that figures are not available in the form of the Question. But the number of non-industrial civil servants employed in Wales and Mon-mouthshire (excluding staff of the former General Post Office) in each of the years 1964 to 1970 was:

1964 (1st July)	16,036
1965 (1st July)	15,849
1966 (1st July)	16,398
1967 (1st July)	17,568
1968 (1st July)	17,812
1969 (1st July)	18,681
1970 (1st January)	18,789

(Part-time staff are counted as one-half in each case.)Comparable information for 1960 to 1963 is not available.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is the estimated cost to the Post Office of maintaining telephone rental charges, in respect of houses where a retirement pensioner resides, at their present level.

It is for the Post Office to formulate final proposals for tariff charges in consultation with the Post Office Users' National Council, and I regret I cannot make an estimate.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will introduce legislation to provide a social grant to the Post Office to relieve those living alone and on retirement pensions from increased telephone charges.

No. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Joint Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security on 13th April to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Mrs. Knight).—[Vol. 799, c. 1000–1.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the coronary care unit in Aberdeen will be opened.

It is hoped that part of the unit will be opened within the next month as a day-care investigatory unit.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has completed his consultations regarding the introduction of a rent rebate scheme for tenants of privately owned houses; and if he will make a statement.

This possibility is being examined in the course of our current review of housing finance.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what total amounts have been spent in new towns in Scotland during the last five years in attracting industry by way of loans and grants; and how they compare with the figure for the previous five years.

The information is partly a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology and is not readily available in the form required. I am making inquiries, however, and will send information to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the amount of money Her Majesty's Government have received arising from the production of CS gas in the United States of America under licence since 1967, totalling 1,207,000 lb. in 1967, 4,251,000 lb. in 1968, and 6,063,000 lb. in 1969, respectively.

I have been asked to reply.None.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a further statement on the work of the Winter Emergencies Committee.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 9th April by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to a similar question by the hon. Member for Saffron Walden (Mr. Kirk).—[Vol. 799, c. 123.]

asked the Minister of Technology how many coal mines were operated by the National Coal Board on 1st January, 1970.

Three hundred and four on 1st January, 1970.

asked the Minister of Technology (1) what was the value of the National Coal Board's mining assets on 1st January, 1970;(2) what was the capital value of the National Coal Board coal mines on 1st January, 1970.

The required information is not available, but Schedule 1(b) to the N.C.B. Report and Accounts for 1968–69 sets out the net value of the board's fixed assets analysed by activities at 29th March, 1969.

asked the Minister of Technology how many coal mines were owned by the National Coal Board on 1st January, 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1969, and on Vesting Day).

Following is the information (figures in brackets give the numbers of collieries operated by private concerns under licence):

1947 (Vesting date)	1,404 (434)
1950	1,276 (364)
1955	1,250 (383)
1960	1,164 (427)
1965	853 (308)
1969	570 (241)

asked the Minister of Technology what was the amount of coal produced by British mines in 1900, 1910, 1914, 1920, 1930, 1939, 1945, 1950, 1955, and in each year from 1960 to 1969, inclusive.

The amounts of deep-mined coal produced in British mines were:

Million Tons
1900	225·2
1910	264·4
1914	265·4
1920	229·5
1930	243·9
1939	231·3
1945	174·7
1950	204·1
1955	210·2
1960	186·0
1961	181·9
1962	189·3
1963	189·7
1964	186·8
1965	180·2
1966	167·6
1967	165·0
1968	157·2
1969	144·2

asked the Minister of Technology what is the estimated production of deep-mined coal from National Coal Board mines in 1970.

The National Coal Board's estimate is about 140 million tons.

asked the Minister of Technology what was the tonnage and value at current prices of the National Coal Board's coal stocks on 1st October, 1950, 1955, and in each year from 1960 to 1970, inclusive.

The following figures relate to the end of the board's financial year; figures are not available for 1st October.

	Stocks (millions of tons)	Net Book Value (£ million)
December, 1950	5·9	5·9
December, 1955	3·4	11·5
December, 1960	29·9	97·7
December, 1961	22·1	71·7
December, 1962	25·9	87·6
March, 1964	18·9	57·3
March, 1965	20·2	62·8
March, 1966	19·0	51·3
March, 1967	20·9	71·0
March, 1968	27·4	98·4
March, 1969	25·5	86·7

asked the Minister of Technology what was the tonnage and value at current prices of the Central Electricity Generating Board's coal stocks on 1st October, 1950, 1955, and in each year from 1960 to 1969, inclusive.

The following are the figures:

COAL STOCKS HELD BY THE CENTRAL ELECTRICITY GENERATING BOARD AT 1ST OCTOBER IN EACH YEAR
	Tonnage (million tons)	Estimated Value* (£ million)
1950	3·8	10
1955	6·1	22
1960	5·8	22
1961	7·5	29
1962	7·8	31
1963	8·7	35
1964	9·7	39
1965	9·7	41
1966	11·0	51
1967	11·4	53
1968	12·0	57
1969	12·5	60
* Estimated on the basis of average delivered cost over each year.

asked the Minister of Technology how many coal mines were closed in each year from 1960 to 1969, inclusive; and how many in each year were closed for economic reasons.

The number of collieries closed is given below and of these the number closed for economic reasons is shown in brackets.

1960	35 (6)
1961	29 (4)
1962	52 (15)
1963–64*	40 (14)
1964–65	40 (8)
1965–66	52 (22)
1966–67	46 (25)
1967–68	51 (31)
1968–69	55 (37)
1969–70	19 (10)
*15 month period.

asked the Minister of Technology what was the capital value of coal mines closed in each year from 1960 to 1969, inclusive; and what was the capital value in each year of those closed for economic reasons but where reserves of coal were left.

The net capital value of collieries closed is given below with the net capital value of those closed for economic reasons shown in brackets. Corresponding figures for closures before 1965–66 are not readily available.

£million
1965–66	11·2 (8·0)
1966–67	14·3 (11·2)
1967–68	20·4 (15·1)
1968–69	25·0 (19·5)
1969–70	7·6 (6·1)

asked the Minister of Technology what proportion of the Central Electricity Generating Board's electricity generating plant was coal-fired, oil-fired, gas-fired, dual-purpose and nuclear-powered on 1st January, 1970.

The C.E.G.B.'s maximum output capacity on 1st January, 1970 was 46,035 MW, comprising:

5,957	MW	(78·1 per cent.)	coal-fired.
4,766	MW	(10·4 per cent.)	oil-fired.
3,138	MW	(6·8 per cent.)	nuclear.
61	MW	(0·1 per cent.)	dual-purpose (coal/gas).
2,133	MW	(4·6 per cent.)	other (pumped storage, hydro etc.)
Nil			gas-fired.

asked the Minister of Technology what were the estimated reserves of natural gas discovered in the British area of the North Sea each year from 1960 to 1969, inclusive.

The first discovery of gas in the British area of the North Sea was made in October, 1965. Since then, other discoveries have been made each year.Additions to reserves have not been assigned on a year-to-year basis, because before the reserves of a discovery can be properly assessed appraisal drilling has to be made to determine the extent of the discovery. This may take several years, and upward or downward adjustments would have to be made to the estimated reserves dependent upon the results of this appraisal.At the end of 1969 recoverable reserves of gas from the North Sea were estimated at about 29 trillion cubic feet.

asked the Minister of Technology what are the arrangements sponsored by his Department for co-operation and co-ordination between the nationalised fuel industries.

The arrangements extended from day-to-day contacts by officials to frequent meetings between Ministers and the chairmen of the industries both singly and collectively. All the industries are represented on the Energy Advisory Council. In addition, the industries frequently consult with one another on matters of common concern and in the course of their normal business.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will introduce legislation to establish a British fuel and power authority.

No. The Ministry of Technology is continuing the work on fuel policy previously done by the Ministry of Power. Major questions of national and regional policy are involved. These are responsibilities of the Government which are best discharged by a Minister answerable to Parliament.

asked the Minister of Technology if he is satisfied with his powers to influence and control the public and private sectors of the fuel and power industries; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, but if my hon. Friend has any particular problem in mind or suggestion to make perhaps he would let me know.

asked the Minister of Technology how many explosions have occurred following the conversion of domestic gas appliances for use with Natural gas; and how many people have been killed in any such explosions.

There have been no fatalities due to such explosions. The Gas Council records show that in districts converted to natural gas explosions which involved serious injury or serious structural damage to property amounted to four in 1968 and 13 in 1969. Of these incidents, two in 1968 and three in 1969 were concerned with domestic appliances. At the time of the debate on 26th February, it was understood that there had been one fatality, but we are now informed that there has been none.—[Vol. 796, cc. 1534–1539.]

asked the Minister of Technology what are the figures for the capital investment programme of the British Steel Corporation in 1969, 1970 and 1971; and what percentage of these totals will be spent on capital investment in Scotland.

On the totals I have nothing to add, for 1969–70 and 1970–71, to the White Paper on Loans from the National Loans Fund (Cmnd. 4333) published 14th April, 1970, and, for 1971–72, to the White Paper on Public Expenditure (Cmnd. 4234) published in December. I expect Scotland's proportion to remain broadly in line with its share of total production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why it is necessary to hold the current hearings of the Roskill Commission in the Picadilly Hotel; how long these hearings are expected to last; and what is the cost of hiring such hotel accommodation.

Out of several possible locations, the Piccadilly Hotel was found to be the most suitable for the particular needs and circumstances of the hearings. The period is expected to be between three and four months. It is not the practice to disclose the cost of hiring such accommodation.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will issue a general direction to British Railways to make all their carriages non-smoking.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport on what date he received a communication from Mrs. Gladys Jacobs, the Secretary of the West Ham Trades Council, concerning the Merchant Shipping Bill; what was the nature of this communication; and what action he proposes to take.

I received a letter on this subject from Mrs. Jacobs on 14th April. On the same day it was passed to the President of the Board of Trade, who is responsible for the Merchant Shipping Bill. Mrs. Jacobs has been informed of this action.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if he is aware of the dirt, inconvenience and health hazards arising from the use, on the grounds of lower cost, of fly ash in the construction of urban motorways and that the economic and social cost of using such unpleasant material is transferred to the local residents; if he will prohibit its use in closely built-up areas; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he is aware that it is proposed to use fly ash in the construction of the Eccles by-pass, and that this will cause unnecessary hardship to thousands of residents in the borough; and if he will issue instructions forbidding the use of such noxious materials in the construction of this roadway.

I am not aware of specific complaints arising from the use of pulverised fuel ash on highway works. Its properties are well known and steps are taken to avoid any undesirable effects arising from the use of this material.The Eccles by-pass scheme is a principal road contract for which Lancashire County Council is the appropriate Authority.Particular provision has been included in the contract to obviate the risk of nuisance arising from use of pulverised fuel ash.

asked the Minister of Transport when it is intended to start work on the bypass of the village of Bowes on the A66; what will be the cost; and when it is expected that work will be completed.

This scheme is in course of preparation but has not yet reached the stage at which its inclusion in the firm road programme can be considered. No definite starting date can therefore be given. The scheme would take about two years to complete and the cost is provisionally estimated at £545,000.

asked the Minister of Transport how many fatal road accidents were caused in whole or in part by drivers under the influence of alcohol in each of the last three years; what research is now being conducted into the relationship between drinking and driving; and what contribution has been made to that research by brewers.

I regret that information in the form requested in the first part of the question is not available. However, in 1968 and 1969 the number of drivers involved in fatal accidents who subsequently provided a positive breath test were 182 and 218 respectively. In some cases a breath test was not required because of serious injuries, or for some other reason, or was refused. The figures do not, moreover, include drivers who were killed themselves. Coroners' reports show that during the first 12 months that the Road Safety Act 1967 was in operation 15 per cent. of these drivers had more than the permitted amount of alcohol in the blood.The Road Research Laboratory is examining in detail the effects of the Act on casualty rates, and analysing the information supplied by coroners about the blood/alcohol content of persons killed in accidents. I understand that the Brewers Society has commissioned an independent firm of consultants to investigate the extent to which alcohol is a cause of road accidents.