asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take steps to review the education and future purpose of the veterinary profession in the United Kingdom.

Yes. My right hon. Friends and I received proposals to this effect from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. We intend to establish a Committee of Inquiry

"to consider and report on the future role and educational needs of the veterinary profession in the United Kingdom; and to make recommendations".

I shall be announcing the name of the Chairman as soon as possible.

asked the Attorney-General whether he has considered the information supplied to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, showing that a newspaper has paid either Ronald Biggs or his agents money in relation to the mail bag robbery; whether he will take action against the newspaper concerned for aiding and abetting a convicted criminal; and whether he will make a statement.

I have still to receive the information to which the hon. Member refers. As soon as it is received, be Director of Public Prosecutions and I will consider it.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what proportion of all industrial civil servants were employed in Scotland in each of the past 10 years.

The figures are given below:

	year(1st july)				Percentage of all industrial civil servants (excluding Post Office Year staff) employed in Scotland
1960	…	…	…	…	10·0
1961	…	…	…	…	9·8
1962	…	…	…	…	9·9
1963	…	…	…	…	9·9
1964	…	…	…	…	10·3
1965	…	…	…	…	9·6
1966	…	…	…	…	9·4
1967	…	…	…	…	9·8
1968	…	…	…	…	10·3
1969	…	…	…	…	10·2

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the result of the experiment in open plan offices for civil servants; and whether he will make a statement.

No firm conclusions can yet be drawn. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works proposes to continue the experiments at Kew and elsewhere to broaden the basis of our knowledge about the open office.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what use his Department makes of the National Giro for regular payments of salaries and pensions, and for other purposes; and, in view of the under-used capacity of the Giro, whether he will consider using it more.

My Department is aware of the facilities available from Giro both for financial transactions generally and for payments of salaries and wages in particular. Regard is had to economy, efficiency and convenience in considering alternative methods of payment.Facility for payment to Giro accounts is made available to uniformed and civilian salaried personnel. Use of the facility has been small but gradually increasing. Some additional facilities are about to be announced for weekly paid staffs and others are being discussed with Giro representatives. Giro is also used for payments to those pensioners, Reservists and others formerly paid by the postal draft system.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence the value of surplus military weapons sold to non-governmental organisations in each of the last five years.

The value of such sales was:

				£
1965–66	…	…	…	11,672
1966–67	…	…	…	63,073
1967–68	…	…	…	Nil
1968–69	…	…	…	47,060
1969–70	…	…	…	16,368

The sales since 1968 have resulted from a Government decision to make an exception to its policy of not selling surplus weapons to private dealers. These sales are limited to non-automatic rifles and small arms for conversion to sport-

			New awards taken up in 1968, per 1,000of a single age group*		Colleges of Education Students (other than postgraduates) entering courses of initial teacher training in1968, per 1,000 of a single age group*
			Full and lesser value awards at universities	Full value awards at further education establishments
Nottinghamshire†	…	…	62·2	61·9	63·4
England and Wales	…	…	66·6	64·4	57·0
*An average of two age groups—those aged 18 and 19 in October, 1968—has been used in the calculation.
†Administrative County.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the percentage of children in Nottinghamshire schools who go on to university and other higher education; and what is the national average.

The best approximation to the requested information is obtained from the available statistics of award holders and of entrants to colleges of education. Full value awards may, however, be given for courses outside the usual interpretation of higher education, and these are not separately distinguished. The following are the figures, inclusive of such students:

In January, 1970, eight or 2· per cent. In January, 1969, 26 or 9·2 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the percentage of children in Carlisle and from the available statistics of award Cumberland schools who go on to university and other higher education; and how this figure compares with the national average.

The best approximation to the requested information is obtained

			New awards taken up in 1968, per 1,000of a single age group*		Colleges of Education Students (other than postgraduates) entering courses of initial teacher training in1968, per 1,000 of a single age group*
			Full and lesser value awards at universities	Full value awards at further education establishments
Carlisle	…	…	51·8	50·9	63·3
Cumberland	…	…	49·6	65·4	54·6
England and Wales	…	…	66·6	64·4	57·0
*An average of two age groups—those aged 18 and 19 in October, 1968—has been used in the calculation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the plans for the Reorganisation of secondary education for comprehensive purposes in Halifax.

I understand that the local education authority's working party is engaged in reassessing the plan for a middle school (8–12) pattern of reorganisation which was submitted to me in 1967. It is also exploring two alternative arrangements 9–13 middle schools and sixth form colleges.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has received a reply from Norfolk County Council to his Department's letter of 4th February seeking clarification of the council's policy on the reorganisation of secondary education.

In an interim reply of 23rd February, the authority said that it was hoping shortly to produce a full statement of its policy on secondary reorganisation. I hope that this will soon be available and that it will clarify the authority's intentions so that real progress can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he intends to take in implementing the conclusions of the Haslegrave Committee on Technician Courses and Examinations; and whether he will make a statement.

I am in the process of obtaining reactions to the report of the Haslegrave Committee from the bodies affected by its recommendations. I hope to make a statement about it later this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what increase there has been in the approximate total value of indemnities given to owners for total loss of objects loaned to the Victoria and Albert Museum since the publication of the estimates, as a result of the holding of temporary exhibitions.

Yes. The exhibitions " Drawings from the Teyler Museum, Haarlem " and the " Treasures from Althorp " temporarily increase the published liability by approximately £2 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what use her Department makes of the National Giro for regular payments of salaries and pensions, and for other purposes; and, in view of the under-used capacity of the Giro, whether she will consider using it more.

All postal payments of unemployment benefit, which number about 3½ million per annum, are now made by Giro order, and arrangements have been made to extend this method of payment. About ½ million of the Department's Vote payments are also made by Giro order each year, including 300,000 weekly salary payments.My Department is thus well aware of the facilities available from Giro both for financial transactions generally and for payments of salaries and wages. Due regard is paid to economy, efficiency and convenience in considering alternative methods of payment.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity to what extent her Department undertakes the rehabilitation for employment and retraining of professionally qualified persons who have sustained head or other types of injury which makes it difficult for them to return to their original occupations but who are unsuitable for training in manual skills; how many persons are now undergoing such retraining; and what plans she has for enlarging and improving training and rehabilitation for such persons.

Courses at my Department's industrial rehabilitation units are available to all classes of disabled persons, and it is planned to increase the 2,257 places now provided in the units to over 2,600 within the next five years. It is known, however, that these facilities are rarely used by the professionally qualified; precise figures are not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether the report investigating the seasonal adjustment of unemployment figures was completed in 1969; and when she intends to publish the conclusions.

The report was completed in February, 1970. The recommendation that a new method of seasonal adjustment should be adopted has been accepted, and a short description of the new method will be published in the April issue of theEmployment and Productivity Gazette.Provisional estimates calculated by the new method were issued in a Press notice on 23rd April.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what was the total change in male employees in employment and in total number of employees in employment, respectively, between 1964 and 1969 for Wales and the Northern Region of England, respectively.

Following is the information

CHANGES BETWEEN JUNE, 1964 AND JUNE, 1969 IN THE ESTIMATES OF THE NUMBERS OF EMPLOYEES IN EMPLOYMENT IN WALES AND IN NORTHERN REGION
	Wales	(Thousands) Northern region
Males	-55	-60
Total, males and females	-43	-24

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what studies her Department is making into the possible implications for the United Kingdom of recent developments in the case law of the European Economic Community on restrictive industrial practices, details of which are in her possession.

The Department keeps in close touch with decisions of the European Commission in the field of competition policy, both through our delegation in Brussels and through our representation on the O.E.C.D. Expert Committee on Restrictive Business Practices, and considers whether these would present problems for the United Kingdom if applied without modification in an enlarged community.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the purported establishment of a Republic by the illegal régime in Southern Rhodesia, it is proposed to continue the issue of licences to advertise appointments in Southern Rhodesia for teachers, doctors and nurses.

As my right hon. Friend said on 2nd March in reply to Questions from the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen) and others,

"Members of the public service… who continue to serve a regime which asserts illegally that Southern Rhodesia is a Republic cannot be regarded as serving the Crown in Southern Rhodesia ".—{OFFICIAL REPORT, 2nd March, 1970; Vol. 797, c. 11–13.]

In these circumstances it would be illogical to continue to authorise advertisements for appointments in " government " service in Rhodesia. It is not a question of preventing persons who wish, to serve in medical and educational capacities from going to Rhodesia; but it would not be proper for Her Majesty's Government to facilitate the recruitment in this country of persons who would become servants of the rebel regime in those capacities.It has therefore been decided that no further licences will be granted for the placing of advertisements on behalf of any of the so-called " Ministries " in Southern Rhodesia. However, applications for licences for advertisements on behalf of non-official bodies wishing to recruit persons for employment in the educational, missionary and medical (including nursing) fields in Southern Rhodesia on humanitarian grounds will continue to be considered. Such applications will be looked at individually on their merits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been under the Civic Amenities Act, 1968 for abandoning motor vehicles on highways and open spaces; and what has been the average fine imposed.

In England and Wales 514 persons were proceeded against under Section 19(1)(a) of the Civic Amenities Act, 1967 between 27th August, 1967, when the Act came into force, and 30th September, 1969, the latest date for which information is available. Of this number, 468 were fined. The average fine imposed was £8 13s.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what amount of public funds is spent annually on television advertisements to publicise the danger of fire in the home; and if he will step up the campaign in view of increasing loss of life and property.

In 1969–70 £2,100 was spent on the production of new television films on fire prevention in the home to supplement the films already available. These films are shown free by the B.B.C. and I.T.V. About £19,000 was spent on paid television advertising in an experimental general fire prevention campaign in the North-East of England last autumn. The effectiveness of all the publicity media used in that campaign is being assessed to determine the pattern of future expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what means are used to draw people's attention to the great danger of fire in the home especially where children are living in overcrowded conditions; if he is satisfied as to the steps taken to try to reduce the loss of life among young children; and if he will make a statement.

Publicity on fire prevention in the home is undertaken by the Home Office, fire authorities, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, the Fire Protection Association and other organisations. The means employed include press advertising, broadcasts on radio and television, the production leaflets, and direct approaches to schools and youth organisations. Much of this publicity stresses the danger to children. The future pattern of national fire prevention publicity will be considered in the light of the results of the experimental fire prevention campaign held in the North-East of England last autumn, and of the report of the Departmental Committee on the Fire Service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the Metropolitan Police have allowed an Austin A40 to stand outside 44 Earlham Grove, Forest Gate, E.7, since August, 1969, causing an obstruction and being without a road fund licence since September, 1969.

Because they have not considered that the circumstances of the case required them to exercise their powers to remove the vehicle from the road.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now make a further statement on action taken to bring about the apprehension of Ronald Biggs, an escaped prisoner; and whether he will institute procedings against Biggs and others connected with the great train robbery for the murder of the train driver.

The police continue to make every effort to trace this man. The second part of the Question is for my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General, but I understand that since the death did not occur within a year and a day of the criminal attack such proceedings would not in any event be possible.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings on the basis that housing subsidies to the Swinton and Pendlebury Borough Council are abolished, except old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970.

In the light of information provided by the council I estimate that the cost to Swinton and Pendlebury Borough Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 8s. a week in a 52 week rent year.If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 45s. to 60s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or in the range 2s. to 3s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in council house rents needed for existing dwellings, in shillings, on the basis that housing subsidies to the Eccles Borough Council are abolished, except old people's accommodation; and what is the estimated increase needed to offset the subsidy on dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970.

In the light of information provided by the council I estimate that the cost to Eccles Borough Council of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to an average increase in council house rents of about 13s. a week in a 52 week rent year.If subsidies were withdrawn from dwellings under construction on 1st January, 1970, the cost might be equivalent to rent increases in the range 55s. to 75s. a week if applied only to the rents of those dwellings, or in the range 1s. to 2s. a week if pooled over the whole of the authority's housing stock.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average weekly increase in the rents of existing council dwellings on the basis that the housing subsidies paid to the Waltham Holy Cross, Epping and Harlow Urban District Councils and the Epping and Ongar Rural District Council, excepting those paid on old people's accommodation, were abolished.

In the light of information provided by the councils I estimate that the cost of abolishing housing subsidies for existing dwellings, excepting old people's accommodation, would, in 1969–70, be equivalent to average increases in council house rents in a 52 week rent year as follows:Waltham Holy Cross U.D.—about 14s. a week.Epping U.D.—about 9s. a week.Harlow U.D.—about 10s. a week.Epping and Ongar RD.—about 11s. a week.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will indicate the average percentage increase in compensation in cases of compulsory purchase orders on market value introduced under the 1969 Act compared with compensation assessed prior to this Act.

I regret that not enough information is yet available to enable a reliable figure to be given.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what representations he has received from Nuneaton Borough Council about the slowing down of smoke control orders, owing to smokless fuel supply difficulties.

A letter dated 22nd October, 1969, which was answered on 6th November.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the latest number of local authorities that have made representations to him about the slowing down of smoke control orders, owing to smokeless fuel supply difficulties.

About 40, including those authorities which have written to inform me of the rate at which they will be able to continue with their programmes.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what use his Department makes of the National Giro for regular payments of salaries and pensions, and for other purposes; and, in view of the under-used capacity of the Giro, whether he will consider using it more.

All the Department's officers are given the opportunity to receive their wages or salaries through Giro, and some, in fact, do so. In addition, many miscellaneous payments are made by Girocheque. Regard is had to economy, efficiency and convenience in considering alternative methods of payment.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government by how much he estimates the average annual payment of rates by ratepayers in the Waltham Holy Cross, Epping and Harlow Urban Districts and the Epping and Ongar Rural District would be increased in the current year on the basis that the rate support grant were assessed on the 1964–65 basis.

It is not possible to calculate the amounts which these authorities and the Essex County Council would receive in the current financial year if the former grant system had continued in operation. The amounts by which the rates levied are estimated to be reduced by the rate support grants for 1970–71, excluding the domestic element, and the corresponding grants in 1964–65 are as follows:

	1964–65		1970–71
	s.	d.	s.	d.
Waltham Holy Cross U.D.C.	7	1	12	10
Epping U.D.C.	7	1	12	10
Harlow U.D.C.	7	1	12	10
Epping and Ongar R.D.C.	7	9	13	9

For domestic ratepayers, the benefit in 1970–71 is further increased by Is. 8d. in each case by virtue of the domestic element of rate support grant.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government by how much he estimates the average annual payment of rates by ratepayers in the London Borough of Waltham Forest would be increased in the current year on the basis that the rate support grant were assessed on the 1964–65 basis.

It is not possible to calculate the amount of grant which the borough would receive in 1970–71 if the former grant system had continued in operation. The rate support grants for 1970–71 are estimated to reduce the rate levied by 11s. 2d. in respect of domestic property and 9s. 6d. for other property. The corresponding grants in 1965–66, the first year of the present local government system in London, are estimated to have reduced the rate levied by 6s. 2d.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will show projected growth in population, numbers of housing completions and numbers of properties demolished by slum clearance, respectively, in each year for the next five years.

The Government Actuary's latest projections of the total population of England and Wales are:

1970	…	…	…	49,232,000
1971	…	…	…	49,528,000
1972	…	…	…	49,829,000
1973	…	…	…	50,136,000
1974	…	…	…	50,444,000
1975	…	…	…	50,751,000

It is not practicable to estimate the number of dwellings to be completed in individual years so far ahead. Local authorities have reported to the Minister recently that they intend to clear 94,000 slums this year and 91,000, 86,000 and 78,000 in the next three years. These compare with a yearly average of 61,000 in the years 1963 to 1965 and 70,000 in the years 1966 to 1969.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to receive the McCarthy Report to the National Joint Council for Local Authority Services; and what administative arrangements have been made for consultation with the Department of Employment and Productivity concerning union representation arising therefrom.

Dr. McCarthy's report, which is expected very shortly, will be addressed to the National Joint Council and neither the Department nor the Department of Employment and Productivity will be involved in its consideration unless the parties concerned seek assistance.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what use her Department makes of the National Giro for regular payments of salaries and pensions, and for other purposes; and, in view of the under-used capacity of the Giro, whether she will consider using it more.

About 80 regular payments are made under the facilities available from Giro both for financial transactions generally and for payments of salaries and wages in particular. Regard is had to economy, efficiency and convenience in considering alternative methods of payment.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what use his Department makes of the National Giro for regular payments of salaries and pensions, and for other purposes; and, in view of the under-used capacity of the Giro, whether he will consider using it more.

About 300 payments a month for wages and other purposes. Further use of Giro will be made where appropriate.

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications how many Crown post offices there are in Wales. and on how many is the description bilingual; and, of the post office vehicles in Wales, what proportion now have bilingual inscriptions.

These are matters for the Post Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he intends to take, by means of increased financial provision and in other ways, to assist in the extension of the provision of pre-school play groups of children, especially in areas in which there is a high degree of female employment and where other educational facilities are considered inadequate.

I hope that local authorities will make full use of their power to assist the provision of pre-school playgroups, especially in areas with inadequate facilities for young children to play together. I am willing to consider applications by local authorities for grant of 75 per cent. under the urban programme towards expenditure, including grants to voluntary bodies, in support of playgroup in urban areas of

		Number of children in family			Addition for each child after the fourth
Period		2	3	4
		s.	s.	s.	s.
6th August, 1946–1st September, 1952	…	5	10	15	5
2nd September, 1952–1st October, 1956	…	8	16	24	8
2nd October, 1956–23rd October, 1967	…	8	18	28	10
24h October, 1967–8th April, 1968	…	8	18	33	15
9th April, 1968–7th October, 1968	…	15	32	49	17
8th October, 1968 continuing	…	18	38	58	20

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the incidence of leukaemia amongst young children in Scotland.

This information is not at present available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what cost-benefit analysis he has made of schemes whereby pensioners and disabled people living alone or being unattended for long periods may be assisted with the installation and maintenance of a telephone; and if he will make a statement.

None. Such a study would be difficult to mount and of doubtful value.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table setting out the rates of family allowance and the changes in these rates since the inception of the scheme.

The rates of family allowances have been as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average delay in supplying hearing aids in the North-East; and what action he will take to improve the position.

The average time between examination and supply at the Newcastle Centre is one week and at the Middlesbrough Centre four weeks.Improvements to the Sunderland Centre including building work are taking place and the service has for some time been severely restricted and waiting time for new patenits has increased to five months. The building work will shortly be finished but it will be some months before the arrears can be overtaken and the service restored to normal. Emergency interim arrangements are under consideration.Stocks of hearing aids at all three centres are adequate except for OL.58. Supplies of this model have been restricted because of production difficulties but these are now being overcome.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek to improve the arrangements for the supply of cuirasses and rubber seals of appropriate sizes, including replacements, for respiratory patients requiring them.

These arrangements are made by regional hospital boards. I know of no difficulties, but if the hon. Member has any particular case in mind I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in how many cases the Registrar General has notified superintendent registrars that divorces made by Rhodesian judges appointed subsequent to the Unilateral Declaration of Independence were not valid.

Five.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the fact that only 60 domiciliary visits were paid by the Department's headquarters staff during 1969, out of a total of nearly 7,000,000 domiciliary visits by other officers of the Department, he will take steps to increase the numbers of such visits by headquarters staff so as to give them first-hand experience of social circumstances.

Headquarters divisions dealing with social security benefits all include a substantial proportion of staff with local office experience. In particular, a large majority of the headquarters staff of the Supplementary Benefits Commission have had extensive firsthand experience of social circumstances including domiciliary visiting of supplementary benefit claimants.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set out in the OFFICIAL REPORT the major benefits which he seeks to make available through the proposed superannuation scheme and which are not available under private occupational schemes.

The major benefits which the proposed superannuation scheme will make available, and which are not generally available under private occupational schemes are as follows:

asked the Minister of Technology if he will circulate in tie OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the number of square feet of industrial building completed in Scotland in each of the last 10 years, indicating the numbers of male and female jobs which have accrued or are likely to accrue as a result.

, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 15th April, 1970; Vol. 799, 261],gave the following information:—The latest available figures relating to industrial buildings completed in Scotland for which i.d.c.'s have been issued since 1960 for manufacturing industry are being circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Technology what use his Department makes of the National Giro for regular payments of salaries and pensions, and for other purposes; and, in view of the under-used capacity of the Giro, whether he will consider using it more.

National Giro is used as extensively as possible. Payments, by this means, of salaries and wages and associated allowances to Ministry staff were £1.9 million in 1969–70.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the airlines responsible for infringements of the permitted noise level of 102 PNdB on night departure from London Airport, Heathrow, during 1969, indicating which of those were associated with the closure for maintenance of Runway 10R/28L, with unusual weather conditions, or any other special factors.

Following is the information:

Airline				Number of infringements of night limit 1969
Aer Lingus	…	…	…	1
Air Canada	…	…	…	1
Air France	…	…	…	2
Air India	…	…	…	1
Alitalia	…	…	…	11	(3)(A)
B.E.A.	…	…	…	10
B.O.A.C.	…	…	…	10	(2)(A)	(2)(B)
East African		…	…	1
Iberia	…	…	…	3	(1)(B)
K.L.M.	…	…	…	8	(1)(A)	(1)(B)
Lufthansa	…	…	…	1	(1)(A)
Olympic	…	…	…	1
Qantas	…	…	…	1
Pan American		…	…	12	(4)(A)	(6)(B)
Sabena	…	…	…	7	(1)(B)
Seaboard	…	…	…	11	(2)(A)	(3)(B)
S.A.S.	…	…	…	3	(2)(A)	(2)(B)
T.W.A.	…	…	…	19	(1)(A)	(5)(B)
Total		…	…	103	(16)(A)	(21)(B)

Total night movements monitored 4,687 (92 ‥).The numbers in parenthesis (A) are the infringements attributable to the closure of Runway 10R/28L and those in parenthesis (B) to unusual weather. Thirty-one cases of infringement were marginal only and the question of cause was not pursued. There are no special factors of significance which might justify the remaining infringements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what use his Department makes of the National Giro for regular payments of salaries and pensions, and for other purposes; and, in view of the under-used capacity of Giro, whether he will consider using it more.

The Board of Trade already has 17 Giro accounts and some salaries and wages are paid through Giro. The board is considering some additional uses. Pensions are paid by the Paymaster General.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the returns collected from business and industry under the Statistics of Trade Act with numbers of respondents.

The information is being collected and I will reply further as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many air-miss incidents have occurred over the navigation beacon near Epsom in the years 1963 to 1969.

In the years 1963 to 1969 inclusive nine reports were received of air misses occurring in the airspace within a five miles radius of the Epsom beacon.The air navigation beacon known as " Epsom " beacon was moved from Epsom to Stoke d'Abernon in 1968 but the call sign was left unchanged for the greater convenience of international operators.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has received from British European Airways with a view to starting either scheduled or charter flights to the Far East.

None.

asked the Minister of Transport what use his Department makes of the National Giro for regular payments of salaries and pensions, and for other purposes; and, in view of the under-used capacity of the Giro, whether he will consider using it more.

About 40 per cent. of payments to staff are made by National Giro. It is also being used exceptionally for special refunds of carrier licence fees. The use of Giro is always under consideration having regard to convenience and cost.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the pilot scheme for the installation of sanitary facilities along certain stretches of trunk roads which was authorised five years ago.

Thirty-four installations were made available under the scheme. Reports on their operation have been received and are now being considered.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation to compel road hauliers comprehensively to insure their employees working as lorry drivers against accidents arising in the course of their employment; and if he will make a statement.

No. The necessary legislation is available under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act, 1969.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the high percentage of fatal road accidents involving young drivers, he will introduce legislation to prohibit people under the age of 25 years from holding driving licences.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport how many passenger transport authorities he has authorised so far and what is the size of population covered by each authority.

Passenger Transport Authorities have been set up in the following four conurbations: the population figures quoted are based on the Registrar General's estimates at 30th June, 1968:

					Population(000's)
Merseyside	…	…	…	…	1,519
S.E.L.N.E.C. (South East Lancashire/North East Cheshire)				…	2,636
Tyneside	…	…	…	…	937
West Midlands	…	…	…	…	2,764

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what use his Department makes of the National Giro for regular payments of salaries and pensions, and for other purposes; and, in view of the under-used capacity of Giro, whether he will consider using it more.

No payments of salaries and very few payments for other purposes are made through Giro. No pension payments are made by the department. I am considering the possibility of extending the use of Giro.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now give a date for the Rural Development Board's commencement of its operations.

I am unable to do so until consideration has been completed of a petition against the setting up of the board which has been lodged in another place.