asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in view of the long period of desertion from Her Majesty's Forces by a number of individuals, he will propose an amnesty; and if he will make a statement.

No. However, in the case of confessed deserters, the Service authorities have discretion, in appropriate circumstances to discharge without trial.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how his proposal in connection with the Defence Estimates 1970, that divisional depots will be set up at certain as yet unnamed locations, will affect the barracks at the Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, and the regiments stationed there; and if he will now state the use to which these barracks will be put after the infantry depôt has been closed.

The barracks at Bridge of Don will be used to accommodate a Scottish junior soldiers unit once the infantry depôt now located there has closed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the level of military defence expenditure east of Suez in the years 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are for helicopter exercises on the Bodmin Moor training area during May and June; and how many helicopters and troops will be employed.

Five such exercises are planned involving a total of up to about 37 helicopters and about 500 troops, mainly Royal Marines.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he proposes taking between now and October next, the qualifying date for inclusion in the 1971–72 Register of Electors, to bring to the notice of every man and woman in Her Majesty's forces the need for making the annual service declaration.

Detailed instructions about the procedure for making the annual Service declaration for inclusion in the 1971 Register of Electors will be issued to all Service units in the near future together with supplies of individual registration forms and instructions for their completion.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he will place the contract for the building of the new Command cruiser; in which year he estimates that the ship will be completed; what functions she is designed to fulfil: what is to be her approximate total complement of officers and men: and whether he will make a statement.

The new cruiser is being designed to provide capabilities for the deployment of anti-submarine helicopters, command and control of naval and maritime air forces, and a contribution to area air defence. Its construction will provide the option of operating V/STOL aircraft. It will be powered by gas turbine propulsion, provided with a through deck, and armed with Sea Dart. Design assistance contracts should be placed shortly. It is not normal practice to give the more detailed information requested about building dates or ship characteristics at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what improvements he intends to make in the scale of issue and type of winter clothing available for the British Army of the Rhine.

Every soldier in B.A.O.R. should have a heavy wool jersey by next winter. Additionally, the whole range of combat clothing for temperate areas, including B.A.O.R., has been under review. Prototypes of improved garments have been produced and trials held.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what he proposes to do to mark the 25th anniversary of the overthrow of German Nazism.

The question of some special form of national commemoration to mark the 25th anniversary of the ending of World War II has been carefully considered. However, we have come to the conclusion that such an event could not add to—but only detract from —the significance of the Cenotaph service on Remembrance Sunday which represents the unique recognition of the ending of both world wars.Nevertheless, we have not allowed this anniversary to pass without recognition. It has been marked by a reception at Lancaster House on 1st May, in the presence of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, for former members of the Resistance and Intelligence services who worked so valiantly in Western Europe during the last war and by a special service on 2nd May at St. Clement Danes for the forces of the Resistance in Western Europe. In addition, the annual service in Liverpool Cathedral on 10th May will commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance the Army has given to the civil authorities in Northern Ireland in the guarding of dynamite and other explosives in store and in transit.

Assistance has been given by the Army to the civil authorities in Northern Ireland in the form of security checks on the storage of explosives at quarries; and on one occasion an escort was provided for ammunition in transit.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of recruits for the Ulster Defence Regiment was interviewed in person before engagement; and in what percentage of cases were recruits refused interview.

Recruits for part-time service with the Ulster Defence Regiment are not interviewed in person before they are accepted for enrolment.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many former members of the Ulster Special Constabulary have applied for membership of the Ulster Defence Regiment; and what proportion has had their applications rejected as a result of the security vetting.

2,762 at 1st May, of whom 203 have been rejected for a variety of reasons. As to the second part, I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Londonderry (Mr. Chichester Clark) on 25th March.—[Vol. 798, c. 417.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, what changes there have been in the constitution of the security vetting panel for applicants seeking to join the Ulster Defence Regiment; and what proportion of the panel is made up of officers with more than five years experience of security problems in Northern Ireland.

Applications are considered by H.Q. Northern Ireland. Referees are interviewed by investigators from Great Britain. A number of changes have been made in the various staffs concerned, none of whom has had or in my view needs, the kind of experience which the hon. Member mentions.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications have been received for the 4th battalion (Fermanagh) of the Ulster Defence Regiment to the latest convenient date; how many of these have been from members of the Ulster Special Constabulary; how many have been enrolled into the regiment; how many have been rejected; and how many remain to be processed.

As at 1st May, 577 applications had been received, including 458 from former members of the Ulster Special Constabulary. 302 applicants had been enrolled and a further 99 had been accepted for enrolment. 33 applications had been rejected and 139 remained to be processed. The balance of four are applications withdrawn.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current strength of the Ulster Defence Regiment; and if he will make a statement.

As at 1st May, 5,982 applicants to enrol in the Ulster Defence Regiment had been received. 2,396 applicants had actually been enrolled and a further 1,306 had been accepted for enrolment. 61 applications have been withdrawn since 1st January, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Govern-

			1 U.D.R. (Antrim)	2 U.D.R. (Armagh)	3 U.D.R. (Down)	4 U.D.R. (Fermanagh)	5 U.D.R. (Londonderry)	6 U.D.R. (Tyrone)	7 U.D.R. (Belfast)
Enrolled	…	…	4	5	5	5	5	6	6
Ex-U.S.C*	…	…	2	2	1	3	5	3	1
Estimated additional requirements		…	4	2	3	1	2	1	1
*Included in the figures of those enrolled.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment are now keeping weapons at home.

At 4th May, 234.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence, in respect of each battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment, what is the greatest distance a member will have to travel from his home to obtain equipment from a central armoury.

In the case of the battalions in Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone

			1 U.D.R. (Antrim)	2 U.D.R. (Armagh)	3 U.D.R. (Down)	4 U.D.R. (Fermanagh)	5 U.D.R. (Londonderry)	6 U.D.R. (Tyrone)	7 U.D.R. (Belfast)
Notices of resignation received	…	…	2	7	5	2	7	9	8

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the interception by H.M.S. " Grenville " of a coastal ship discharging oil near the Isle of Wight on 21st March.

The rates of mileage allowances for members of the Ulster Defence Regiment are those that apply to members of the TAVR. These rates are subject to regular review and there can be no question of treating the Ulster Defence Regiment exceptionally in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many instructors have been enrolled into each battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment; how many of these are former members of the Ulster Special Constabulary; and how many more instructors are needed to bring each battalion up to full strength.

The information is as follows, as at 1st May, 1970:very few Ulster Defence Regiment members have to travel more than 10 miles to collect their weapons. In the case of the battalions in other counties very few have to travel more than five miles.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many of those who have so far been enrolled into each battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment have since resigned.

The information is as follows, as at 1st May, 1970:

On 21st March H.M.S. " Grenville " informed a British coaster that she was leaving a thin film of oil on the sea. The position was approximately 5–7 miles off the Isle of Wight. The amount of oil was insignificant and would have dispersed before drifting ashore.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, to assist the City of Westminster in its anti-pigeon activities, he will authorise military units stationed in London to organise shoots to help reduce the number of pigeons in central London.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the review of the Service discipline Acts has been completed; and if he will make a statement.

Legislation is being prepared which will seek to re-enact the Army and Air Force Acts, and provide a common code of offences and punishments for all three Services.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on the future plans for the continued use of the Royal Air Force Station at Lindholme.

I have nothing to add to the Answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 4th February, 1970.—[Vol. 795, c. 419– 20.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation has considered what action may be necessary in view of the presence of Russian naval vessels in the Atlantic.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many types of Press advertisements for recruiting to the Armed Forces of the Crown do not use the Union Jack; and in what areas such advertisements are circulated.

The Union Jack is not used in any Armed Forces recruiting ad- vertising except that for Regular Army adult soldiers mainly appearing in national newspapers. Army, Navy and R.A.F. advertisements without the Union Jack circulate throughout the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement regarding an incident at Pembrey on Thursday, 30th April, involving a detachment of Life Guards, who were obstructed by demonstrators demonstrating against the Government's proposals for the Pembrey Gunnery Range; and what steps he took to protect Her Majesty's Forces from civil demonstrators.

The troops were engaged on a routine training exercise. They were delayed for about two hours as a result of obstruction by demonstrators of which they had received no prior warning. When troops find themselves involved in a demonstration under these circumstances action in the event of a breach of the peace is primarily a matter for the civil police.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons he decided that units of the Brigade of Ghurkhas are unsuitable for employment in Europe.

No such decision has been taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the number of orders from Germany and Italy for the multi-rôle combat aircraft.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave earlier today to Questions by the hon. Member for Woking and other Members.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will issue a directive that all personnel serving in the British Army of the Rhine and the Royal Air Force, Germany, shall be taken to Berlin early in their tour of duty so that they can inspect the Barlin Wall and appreciate the realities of the situation in which they are service.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now make a statement about the future of H.M.S. " Hermes ".

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) on 8th April.—[Vol. 799, c. 535– 6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why the Fleet Air Arm is not taking part in a fixed-wing flying display at Farnborough Air Show this year.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have given today to a Question on the same subject by the hon. Member for Dumfries (Mr. Monro).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an estimate of the amount of money spent on providing kidney machines within the hospital service in Scotland.

Approximately £100,000 has been spent on the provision of dialysis machines in Scotland this excludes installation costs.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to publish an up-to-date report on the effect of alcoholism in Scotland.

Some data on the extent of the problem will be given in a paper on health education and alcohol which will shortly be published by the research and intelligence unit of my department. Progress is being reviewed by a subcommittee of the Standing Medical Advisory Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now announce the amount of capital grant for the second half of the period 1970 to 1972 for the school building programme.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my written reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Dunfermline Burghs (Mr. Adam Hunter) on Tuesday, 21st April.—[Vol. 800, c. 84.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the number of houses completed in the private and public sectors, respectively, in each of the last 10 years, indicating in each case the amount of public subsidy paid annually.

The numbers of houses completed in the last 10 years were as follows.

	Public Sector	Private Owners	Total
1960	22,063	6,529	28,592
1961	20,083	7,147	27,230
1962	18,977	7,784	26,761
1963	21,595	6,622	28,217
1964	29,509	7,662	37,171
1965	27,563	7,553	35,116
1966	28,159	7,870	36,029
1967	33,960	7,498	41,458
1968	33,269	8,719	41,988
1969	34,302	8,327	42,629

The amounts of subsidy paid in respect of new public sector houses under the Housing (Scotland) Acts in the last 10 financial years were as follows.

	Total paid in year£m	Increment from previous year.
1960 –61	15·4	0·5
1961–62	16·1	0·7
1962–63	16·5	0·4
1963–64	17·1	0·6
1964–65	18·3	1·2
1965–66	19·5	1·2
1966–67	20·7	1·2
1967–68	22·7	2·0
1968–69	25·5	2·8
1969–70	29·7	4·2

Subsidies towards the cost of new houses built for private owners have been of the order of £100,000 a year. This does not include mortgage interest subsidy or tax relief.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total public investment in health and welfare services in the years 1960 to 1964

SCOTLAND HEALTH AND WELFARE EXPENDITURE (INCLUDING NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE EXPENDITURE) FROM TABLE 54 DIGEST OF SCOTTISH STATISTICS
										£ million
	1959–1960	1960–1961	1961–1962	1962–1963	1963–1964	1964–1965	1965–1966	1966–1967	1967–1968	1968–1969
Hospitals current	49·0	54·6	58·1	61·9	67·3	72·4	79·7	88·0	96·3	106·8
less patients receipts	-0·6	-0·6	-0·6	-0·6	-0·6	-0·6	-0·6	-0·6	-0·6	-0·7
Hospitals capital	3·4	3·6	4·3	5·4	6·9	8·6	10·3	12·8	14·6	14·6
General medical services, etc.	24·3	28·5	26·9	27·5	29·0	30·2	34·1	37·5	41·0	41·9
less patients receipts	-2·7	-3·4	-3·8	-3·9	-4·1	-4·2	-1·9	-2·1	-2·1	-2·2
Other services	1·5	1·6	1·8	2·0	1·9	2·2	2·5	2·8	3·0	3·5
Imputed rents of hospitals	1·4	1·5	1·5	1·6	1·7	1·8	1·9	1·9	2·0	2·1
Departmental administration	0·6	0·7	0·7	0·8	0·9	1·1	1·4	1·6	1·6	1·8
Other gross fixed capita formation	—	—	—	—	0·1	0·1	0·2	0·2	0·2	0·4
Compensation payments	0·3	0·3	0·3	0·3	0·2	0·3	0·3	0·4	0·2	0·3
Local Authority—
capital	0·2	0·2	0·2	0·2	0·4	0·4	0·5	0·5	0·6	0·6
current	5·9	6·1	6·3	6·9	7·5	8·0	8·9	10·0	10·6	11·4
Total National Health Service	83·3	93·1	95·7	102·1	111·2	120·3	137·3	153·0	167·4	180·5
Local Authority Welfare—
current	2·4	2·4	2·4	2·5	2·5	2·9	3·2	3·9	4·5	5·0
capital	0·2	0·3	0·3	0·3	0·4	0·6	0·8	0·8	1·6	1·8
Welfare Foods	3·3	3·3	3·3	3·5	3·8	4·2	4·5	4·6	4·9	4·0
less receipts	-0·3	-0·3	-0·2	-0·2	-0·2	-0·2	-0·2	-0·2	-0·2	-0·2
Administration	0·1	0·1	0·1	0·1	0·1	0·1	0·1	0·1	0·1	0·1
Total Health and Welfare	89·0	98·9	101·6	108·3	117·8	127·9	145·7	162·2	178·3	191·2

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many pupils in grant-aided schools have their fees paid directly or indirectly by education authorities; and whether he will state the number of such sponsored pupils who are boarders.

There are long-standing arrangements under which four education authorities pay in full or in part the fees of certain pupils attending six grant-aided schools, 763 pupils, 17 of whom are boarders, are covered by such and 1965 to 1969, respectively; and if he will give a breakdown of the global figures.

For the financial years ended 31st March, £515 million in the five years 1960–64 and –805 million in the five years 1965–69.Following is the information:arrangements. A further five pupils—four of them boarders—have their fees paid in full or in part by Scottish authorities; and 29 boarders have their fees paid in full or in part by English education authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the interim report on Professor Sidwell's study of house building costs will be made available to the general public.

In the course of the summer.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the Scottish fire authorities are now using operational firemen on fire prevention duties; and if he will send a circular to all authorities recommending this practice.

Operational firemen are not used extensively for fire prevention work at the present time. A working party appointed by the Scottish Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council is looking into the matter and is expected to report soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the incidence of viral hepatitis in hospital dialysis units.

Hospital		Maternity Bed complements	Average Percentage Occupancies of maternity beds	Average length of stay in days	Average Cost per patient week
					£
Belvidere, Glasgow	…	16	73·7	7·4	43·81*
Craigard Maternity Home, Campbeltown	…	12	18·3	5·5	122·30
Islay Hospital, Bowmore	…	3	44·8	7·9	24·60*
Dunoon and District General Hospital	…	11	41·5	6·1	56·93*
The Maternity Hospital, Oban	…	12	32·2	6·5	111·84
Mid-Argyll Hospital, Lochgilphead	…	3	25·0	5·3	44·12*
Isle of Arran War Memorial Hospital	…	5	7·8	7·1	40·81*
Lady Margaret Hospital, Millport	…	3	8·2	11·2	47·86*
Victoria Hospital, Rothesay	…	5	21·6	3·5	59·99*
The Cottage Hospital, Moffat.	…	3	33·3	5·4	54·42*
Clenoch Maternity Hospital	…	14	57·6	6·8	59·34
Alexander Hospital, Coatbridge	…	24	65·6	5·2	46·28*
Calderbank House, Baillieston	…	26	88·9	5·3	56·08
Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride	…	24	60·5	5·4	41·48*
Beckford Lodge Maternity Hospital	…	31	52·9	6·5	48·56
Duntocher Maternity Hospital	…	24	49·1	4·8	49,01
Lockhart Hospital, Lanark	…	12	49·6	4·7	34·49*
Lady Home Hospital, Douglas.	…	6	33·0	8·8	38·20*
Rankin Memorial Hospital, Greenock	…	12	62·5	6·0	73·66*
* Costs per patient week relate to costs for all beds, including other specialities accommodated in the same hospitals.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to introduce fire regulations for bingo halls in Scotland.

The licence required from 1st July under the Gaming Act, 1968, may be refused on representations by the fire authority that appropriate fire precautions have not been observed. Moreover, the

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will detail the general practitioner maternity units in the Western Region of Scotland, exclusive of Ayrshire, the bed complements, the percentage occupancies, the average length of stay of patients and the costs per patient week.

The information is set out in the table below. The costs per patient relate to the average costs for the financial years ended 31st March, 1969; all other details relate to the six months ended 30th September, 1969.legislation which will be introduced when Parliamentary time permits to strengthen the law relating to fire precautions in places of public resort will apply to bingo halls.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what studies he has instituted into alternative methods of remuneration of medical general practitioners, including payment by items of service, as practised in other countries with a national health system, details of which are in his possession.

In the second report of the Government's discussions with the representatives of the profession on the doctor's Charter, the Government undertook, notwithstanding the difficulties they felt about payment by item of service, to continue to study this problem with a view to a limited experiment if mutually acceptable safeguards could be devised. No such experiments have been found to be possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for modernising primary schools over the next three years; and what additional capital is being made available for this purpose.

I announced last month an increased programme for school building up to March, 1972. I shall approve as

						£000s
			N.H.S. (Scotland) Vote	Scottish Hospital Endowment Research Trust	Other Hospital Endowments	Medical Research Council
1959–60	…	…	23	118	25	177
1960–61	…	…	34	98	30	239
1961–62	…	…	39	94	35	329
1962–63	…	…	42	85	38	446
1963–64	…	…	44	110	39	553
1964–65	…	…	45	92	39	705
1965–66	…	…	43	157	53	873
1966–67	…	…	85	111	46	970
1967–68	…	…	85	125	119	1,164
1968–69	…	…	104	140	87	1,277

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many starts have been made in the building of new hospitals in the period since October, 1964; what were the comparable figures in each comparable period from 1951 to October, 1964; and what was the cost, actual and estimated, in each period.

Since October, 1964, 13 new hospitals have been started in Scotland. The numbers of such starts in the preceding periods of 5½ years were 11 (March. 1969-September, 1964) 7 (September, 1953-March, 1959) and 1 (started in 1952). The estimated total cost of the major schemes at these hospitals started since October, 1964, is £33 million,

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what sums have been spent on medical research in Scotland in each of the last 10 years broken down into headings of subjects of research.

The table below shows expenditure in Scotland on medical research within the National Health Service and by the Medical Research Council. It is not possible to break these totals down by subject of research. The table takes no account of the considerable sums made available to the Scottish universities by the University Grants Committee for the research element of their activities.and in the three preceding periods £27 million, £3 million and £1 million respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) to what extent the maternity beds currently available to general practitioners at Forth Park, Kirkcaldy, are used by consultant staff there;(2) how many maternity beds are currently available to medical general practitioners at Forth Park, Kirkcaldy; what has been the usage of such beds by general practitioners in the last 12 months; and in which areas those general practitioners practised.

General medical practitioners can admit 16 patients a month to Forth Park Maternity Hospital, Kirkcaldy. In the 12 months ended 31st March, 1970, 91 patients in the care of general practitioners from Kirkcaldy and three in the care of general practitioners in the Kinghorn area were admitted. When not required by general practitioners the accommodation is used if required for patients in the care of consultant staff but information about the extent of this use is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the present average salary received by a general medical practitioner within the National Health Service; and what was the comparable figure in 1964.

It is estimated that the gross remuneration of general medical practitioners from executive councils in Great Britain averaged about £6,300 in 1969–70. Information about practice expenses in 1969– 70 is not available but such estimates as can be made by projection from earlier years suggest that the average income net of such expenses may be of the order of £4,000. The corresponding figures for 1963–64 were £4,265 and £2,765.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) which areas are designated as being without adequate facilities for young children to play together, within the terms of the urban programme; and which of these local authorities has not yet applied for governmental financial assistance;(2) which local authorities have applied for financial assistance, under the urban aid programme to provide for preschool play groups;(3) how many local authorities have so far applied for 75 per cent. grants to enable them to support pre-school play groups in their areas; and what steps he intends to take to publicise the availability of such assistance.

No local authority has so far applied for grant under the urban programme to enable them to make grants to voluntary organisations provid- ing playgroups or themselves to provide playgroups. It is not practicable centrally to designate localities in which playgroups are needed. In a circular of May, 1969 about the urban programme, playgroups were mentioned among the examples of projects eligible for the 75 per cent. grant, and I shall draw attention to this need again shortly when I invite local authorities to make proposals for the next two years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many foreign visitors came to Great Britain in 1969.

3,800,000, excluding Commonwealth citizens and residents in the Irish Republic.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the import restrictions currently imposed by the Spanish Government which have resulted in an 81 per cent. reduction in Scotch whisky exports to Spain in the first quarter of 1970 by comparison with the first quarter of 1969, he will take steps to place similar restrictions on the import of Spanish wines and on the purchase of Spanish currency by British tourists.

No. Such action would be inconsistent with our international obligations and detrimental to our export trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many companies have failed to file annual returns for each of the years since such returns have been required by law; and how many prosecutions for failure to file such returns have been undertaken.

Where companies are in default in filing annual returns, the Board of Trade tries to ensure that overdue returns are filed or, where the companies are not carrying on business, that their names are struck off the register. Prosecution is an aid to that objective and not an end in itself. Annual returns have been required by law since 1844. The number of the companies which have failed to file annual returns is not available: the annual number of prosecutions and of companies struck off the register is given in the Companies General Annual Report. The report for 1969 has not yet been published: in that year the numbers were 146 and 18,725 respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many ships discharging oil have been positively identified by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy during the past 12 months; how many of these were British; in how many instances was legal action taken against them; and with what result.

In the 12 months to 30th April, 1970, the Board of Trade received reports from the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy identifying 26 ships apparently discharging oil. Fourteen of these were British. In no case subject to United Kingdom law was there sufficient evidence to justify a prosecution.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the report of Lord Rochdale's Committee of Inquiry into Shipping.

The report was published today. I am most grateful to Lord Rochdale and his colleagues for the thorough and conscientious way in which they have carried out their task and for all the hard work they have put in over a period of more than two years.This is the first comprehensive official review of the British shipping industry ever undertaken and will be of the utmost value. Its conclusions will be carefully studied by the Government. Extensive consultations with the many interests concerned will however be necessary before the Government is in a position to express a view on its many recommendations. These will begin immediately and I shall welcome the comments of all interested parties. I can assure the House that these will be fully considered before final decisions are taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he is now making towards signing a new agreement with Libya.

As the House will recall, the Libyan Government last October requested the termination of the AngloLibyan Treaty of Friendship and Alliance of 1953, which was the basis of our relationship with the previous Government, and the withdrawal of British forces from Libya. The latter request has already been met, and the formal termination of the 1953 Treaty is one of the subjects covered by the continuing negotiations we are conducting with the Libyan Government with a view to establishing a new relationship on a new basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give an assurance that no final decision will be taken by him concerning the proposals of the Welsh Hospital Board, in relation to hospital plans for the area of Cardiff and South-East Glamorgan, until local authorities in those areas are given an opportunity of discussing such proposals with him and making to him such representations as they deem necessary.

If the final proposals of the hospital authorities differ significantly from those on which they have carried out consultations, they will be made known to interested authorities and organisations so that there may be a further opportunity to comment before I announce any final decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he now estimates that the Pontardulais bypass scheme will be completed.

This scheme is in my Trunk Road Preparation Pool and possible lines are being investigated. I hope that the scheme will be completed by about 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will list the places in Wales for which appli-

Designated			Areas under consideration
Anglesey	…	Beaumaris	Part of Llanfechell Village; Areas at Holyhead in the vicinity of St. Cybis Church and Victoria Terrace; Llangefni High Street.
Breconshire	…	Hay-on-Wye; Crickhowell and Llangattock	Brecon.
Caernarvonshire	…	Royal Borough of Caernarvon; Tremadoc; Conway	Bettws-y-Coed; Beddgelert.
Cardiff	…	Llandaff	Cathedral Road/Plasturton Gardens; Wordsworth Avenue/Woodland Place; River Taff and environs south of Canton Bridge; Mount Stuart Square.
Cardiganshire	…	Aberystwyth; Cardigan; Lampeter; Aberaeron; New Quay	—
Carmarthenshire.	…	—	Talley Village and Lakes (Talley Abbey).
Denbighshire	…	—	Ruthin; St. George, Abergele; Denbigh; Llanar-man D.C; Ruabon; Llansilin; Capel Garman; Pentrefoelas; Ysbytyifan; Llanrhaiadr Y.C.; Bersham.
Flintshire	…	—	Caerwys; Glanyrafon; Cilcain; Llanasa; Hawarden; Marford.
Glamorgan	…	—	Llantrisant Old Town; Central and ancient part of. Llantwit Major; High Street and various Courts, Cowbridge; St. Hilary; Colwinstone; St. Nicholas; Pendoylan; St. Fagans; Llancarfan; Gileston; Gwaelodr-y-Garth; Penmarc; Merthyr Mawr; Llysworney; Parkmill (Gower) Reynoldstown.
Merioneth	…	—	Part of Maentwrog; Central part of Dolgellau; Two areas in Bala.
Monmouthshire	…	—	Monmouth; Chepstow; Abergavenny; Usk; Caerwent; Caerleon; Tredegar.
Montgomeryshire	…	—	Area with Montgomery; Berriew; Guilsfield; Llanfyllin; Llanidloes.
Pembrokeshire	…	—	Haverfordwest; St. Dogmaels; Fishguard; Little Haven; Tenby; Nevern; Pembroke; Cilgarren; St. David's; Bosheston; Newport; Mathry; St. Florence; Solva; Carew Castle and French Mill, Carew.
Radnorshire	…	—	Parts of Presteigne; Knighton and Llandrindod Wells; Norton —upper part of village; New Radnor —area within town walls and castle: Evenjobb Village; Clyro Village; Parts of Rhaeadr; Glasbury —village centre and green: Abbeycwmhir —village and abbey remains.
Swansea	…	Mumbles Ffynone	—

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a statement about the recent Jaguar aircraft crash in France.

Jaguar EO1, a prototype of the French two seat trainer version of the aircraft, which had made its

Conservation Areas are designated by local planning authorities. The areas designated and under consideration for designation are as follows:first flight on 8th September, 1968, crashed at the French Experimental Flying Centre, Istres, on 26th March, 1970. The aircraft was destroyed but the French Air Force test pilot ejected and was slightly injured. A joint Anglo-French Board of Inquiry was set up immediately to determine the causes of the accident, but has not yet completed its investigations.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will introduce amending legislation covering the coal industry to allow the National Coal Board to carry out central heating installation work.

The National Coal Board can carry out solid fuel central heating installation work under existing legislation and have in fact been doing so for some time.

asked the Minister of Technology what was the original estimated total cost, to Great Britain and France, of the development of the Sud 341, Sud 330 and WG 13 helicopters, separately; and what is the latest estimated cost for development and research of each helicopter.

It is not normal practice to disclose estimates of the cost of developing new military aircraft.

NUMBERS OF MEN REGISTERED AS WHOLLY UNEMPLOYED FOR OVER 9, OVER 26 AND OVER 52 WEEKS, RESPECTIVELY, AS PERCENTAGES OF ALL MEN REGISTERED AS WHOLLY UNEMPLOYED
		April, 1966			April, 1969			April, 1970
		Over 9 weeks	Over 26weeks	Over 52weeks	Over 9 weeks	Over 26 weeks	Over 52 weeks	Over 9 weeks	Over 26 weeks	Over 52 weeks
South East	…	48·1	25·3	13·5	51·6	25·9	13·2	51·1	24·3	12·0
East Anglia	…				61·3	32·6	17·2	62·0	31·3	16·6
South Western	…	61·0	36·2	18·7	62·9	36·5	20·3	63·1	35·8	19·2
West Midlands	…	46·3	26·4	14·9	57·8	32·0	17·0	56·8	29·6	16·3
East Midlands	…	55·0	34·0	20·8	63·6	37·4	20·7	62·0	34·8	21·2
Yorkshire		53·8	32·1	18·3	61·8	36·3	18·8	61·1	34·2	19·2
North Western	…	52·4	29·9	17·8	57·7	31·1	16·6	57·5	30·7	16·5
Northern	…	63·1	39·3	24·9	68·3	43·2	23·4	68·1	44·1	27·2
Wales	…	61·6	36·4	20·2	66·9	40·4	23·6	64·9	40·6	24·8
Scotland	…	61·7	38·5	23·9	63·8	38·6	22·8	63·2	36·3	20·9

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity when the review of the seasonal adjustment to the unemployment series will be published.

An article describing the new method of seasonally adjusting the unemployment series is included in the April issue of the Employment and Productivity Gazette.I regret that, because of an industrial dispute at the printers, publication of this issue has been delayed, and it is not yet known when it will be published. I have therefore today placed manuscript

asked the Minister of Technology what reply he has made to the representations of the Bradford Corporation arising from the national shortage of smokeless fuels.

I am writing to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what proportion of men unemployed had been out of work for over nine weeks, over 26 weeks and over 52 weeks, respectively, in each of the regions of Great Britain in April 1966, 1969 and 1970, respectively.

The following is the information:copies of the article in the Library of the House for the information of hon. Members.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many persons were registered as unemployed in Stockport to the nearest date; and what was the classification as to men, women, boys and girls and the occupations of those previously employed.

At 13th April, 1970, 1,921 persons (1,638 men, 168 women, 86 boys and 29 girls) were registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Stockport Employment Exchange. The numbers of men and women registered as wholly unemployed are analysed by occupation in March, June, September and December each year. The following table shows the main occupation groups of those on the registers at 9th March:

OCCUPATIONAL ANALYSIS OF MEN AND WOMEN REGISTERED AS HOLLY UNEMPLOYED AT THE STOCKPORT EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AT 9TH MARCH. 1970
Men
Engineering and allied trades workers	167
Carpenters, joiners	17
Printing workers	22
Construction workers	77
Painters and decorators	34
Motor drivers	117
Warehouse workers	27
Clerical workers	206
Shop assistants	31
Service, sport and recreation workers	34
Administrative, professional, technical workers	214
Labourers	611
Other occupations	81
Total	1,638
Women
Clerical workers	56
Shop assistants	16
Service, sport and recreation workers	13
Administrative, professional, technical workers.	19
Factory hands	37
Other occupations	26
Total	167

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity (1) how many working days have been lost by female employees in Great Britain and Scotland, respectively, in industrial disputes on the issue of trade union recognition in the years 1960–69;(2) how many working days have been lost in Great Britain and Scotland, respectively in industrial disputes on the issue of trade union recognition in the years 1960 to 1969.

Information supplied does not enable separate estimates to be made of working days lost by female employees. I am arranging for the remaining figures to be obtained and I shall be writing to my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will publish a table showing the numbers of people in training in industries covered by the industrial training boards for each of the years 1965 to 1969 in development areas and non-development areas.

Separate information about numbers in training in industries covered by industrial training boards, whether in development areas or elsewhere, is not available. My Department's new earnings survey, however, indicated that in September, 1968 nearly 1,400,000 persons were receiving training in all industries and services, including over 500,000 apprentices. As this is a new survey, corresponding figures are not available for earlier years, but the number of employees receiving training in manufacturing industries increased by about 15 per cent. between 1964 and 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many registered disabled persons are registered as unemployed in the Morecambe and Lancaster area; and what percentage this represents of the total number registered as unemployed in the area.

On 9th March, 1970, 318 registered disabled persons were registered as unemployed at the Morecambe and Lancaster employment exchanges; this represents 18·0 per cent. of the total number registered as unemployed in the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the percentage of those registered as unemployed in England and Wales who are also registered disabled persons, at the latest convenient date.

On 9th March, 1970, 12·3 per cent. of persons registered as unemployed in England and Wales were registered disabled persons.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many former mineworkers in the Cumnock, Girvan, and Ayr employment exchange areas have taken advantage of the facilities offered at the Government Training Centre, Irvine, and development area training grant schemes, respectively.

Since September, 1967, 27 have been accepted for training at the Irvine Government Training Centre. Of these 21 have started and 15 completed their courses. 11 applicants are still under consideration.Under the Development Area Training Grants Scheme 34 firms in these areas have received grants and 545 men have been trained; it is not known how many of these were ex-miners.

asked the Prime Minister what instructions he has issued to Ministers of the Crown who occupy residences at public expense; what contribution they make to public funds for this accommodation in each case; and how many Ministers and residences are involved.

AVERAGE PRICES RECEIVED BY PRODUCERS
			Northern Ireland			Scotland			England and Wales
Fat Cattle*				s.	d.		s.	d.		s.	d.
Average market price (received in w/e 29th March)	…	…		193	8		211	6		213	4
Deficiency Payment, per live cwt	…	…		16	4		16	4		16	4
Average Net Return	…	…		210	0		227	10		229	8
Store Cattle†			£	s.	d.	£	s	d.	£	s.	d.
Average price, home bred—per head	…	…	67	13	0	70	13	0	72	18	0
(received in w/e 25th March—England and Wales)
(received in w/e 28th March—Scotland and N. Ireland)
Fat Sheep (with lambs)*				s.	d.		s.	d.		s.	d.
Average market price (received in w/e 29th March)	…	…		4	0·52		3	8·02		3	11·46
Deficiency Payment—per lb.	…	…			2·75			2·75			2·75
Average Net Return	…	…		4	3·27		3	10·77		4	2·21
Fat Pigs
Average net return‡—per score deadweight	…	…		56	7		50	9		51	9
(received in w/e 29th March)
(Deficiency Payment—nil)
Notes:
* Figures are provisional.
† All qualities and grades; excludes cattle imported or brought into the United Kingdom.
‡ Estimated: Northern Ireland figure relates to payments by Pigs Marketing Board (N.I.).

Five official residences are occupied by Ministers, namely 10, Downing Street by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1, Carlton Gardens, by my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary and two flats in Admiralty House by my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Defence and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. As was the position in previous administrations no contributions are recovered from Ministers in respect of official residential accommodation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the net average commodity price received by producers in Northern Ireland, Scotland and England and Wales, respectively, of the following commodities as at 31st March, 1970, namely, fat cattle, store cattle, fat sheep and lambs, fat pigs, poultry, eggs for consumption, milk, barley, and potatoes.

The information available is set out below:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish in HANSARD the prices in retail shops on 25th April in England and Belgium, from information available from international sources, of a tin of prawns, two pounds of green back bacon, peanut butter, jam, angel cake, washing powder, instant coffee, tea, cat food, six eggs, tomato ketchup, 12 jellies, eight jars of meat paste, three-and-a-half pounds of Normandy butter, one pint of milk, one large loaf, and 16 pounds of frozen turkey, respectively.

EXPENDITURE ON TEACHERS SALARIES IN ENGLAND AND WALES
						£ thousands
		1964–65	1965–66	1966–67	1967–68	1968–69
Maintained schools and establishments:
Schools	…	402,090	465,744	490,215	533,867	558,681
Further education	…	71,863	87,872	98,800	112,465	123,086
Colleges of Education	…	7,683	10,093	12,343	14,949	17,528
Totals	…	481,636	563,709	601,358	661,281	699,295
Universities, direct grant schools and establishments:
Universities	…	47,305	49,957	56,138	60,400	Not available
Schools and establishments	…	15,131	18,506	19,528	21,585	Not available
Notes:
(1) The figures include employers' superannuation contributions and National Insurance contributions.
(2) The figures for universities are for salaries of teaching and research staff in academic years. The other figures are for financial years.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science

I regret that the information requested is not available from international statistical publications.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total expenditure on teachers' pay for each of the years 1964–1969 inclusive.

The available figures for the years 1964–65 to 1968–69 are in the table below. No comparable information for 1969–70 is yet available.whether he will request the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries to institute detailed studies at each national and provincial institution under the purview of the Standing Commission as to how access for disabled members of the public can be improved with the object of ensuring that at each institution there is at least one method of entry for the disabled to the main part of the collection, and to cost the resultant studies.

Our national museums and galleries in London have a fine record in helping disabled visitors. I appreciate the hon. Member had an unfortunate experience because of special circumstances. I will be grateful to have brought to my notice by any hon. Mem-

EDUCATIONAL BUILDING—BRIGHTON LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY VALUE OF MAJOR AND MINOR WORKS STARTED DURING THE YEARS 1959–60 TO 1969–70 AND PROGRAMMED TO START IN 1970–71 AND 1971–72
				Major Works
Programme Year		Primary and Secondary	Further Education	Special Schools	Youth Service	Teacher Training	Total	Minor Works	Total of all Works
1959–60	…	73,261	—	—	N/A	—	73,261	15,640	88,901
1960–61	…	—	1,180,916	—	—	—	1,180,916	76,427	1,257,343
1961–62	…	402,631	—	3,500	23,337	—	429,468	—	429,468
1962–63	…	—	—	—	—	—	—	30,699	30,699
1963–64	…	304,987	62,818	—	53,238	1,044,341	1,465,384	4,348	1,469,732
1964–65	…	—	264,414	—	23,624	—	288,038	48,231	336,269
1965–66	…	336,556	22,046	—	18,956	—	377,558	54,644	432,202
1966–67	…	80,337	—	—	35,317	—	115,654	47,532	163,186
1967–68	…	100,189	976,090	—	10,000	26,844	1,113,123	37,060	1,150,183
1968–69	…	98,830	32,998	—	17,530	141,323	290,681	89,029	379,710
1969–70	…	—	190,000	—	2,497	—	192,497	76,431	268,928
1970–71	…	132,649*	50,000	—	27,000	N/A	209,649	88,000	297,649
1971–72	…	224,398*	—	N/A	N/A	—	224,398	88,000	312,398
* Includes allocations for raising the school leaving age.
N/A=Information not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain reports from chief constables showing how many constabularies in England and Wales have purchased noise meters; and how many noise meters are now in operation.

I am obtaining this information and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he refused to accede to the request from the representatives of the police authorities in England and Wales and of the Police Federation that the West Midlands Police

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what were the total sums of money granted to Brighton Corporation for minor and capital works in education for each year from 1959 to date.

The information required is as follows:Force should be granted an undermanning allowance.

My right hon. Friend is at present considering this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain a report from the Chief Constable of Sussex on the latest figures of the crime detection rate in Sussex and Brighton, the amount of increased expenditure on cars, radios and other facilities to aid detection of crime, how these compare with previous years from 1959, and on the current recruiting position and manpower compared with previous years from 1959.

Following is the information for those police force areas amalgamated since 1st January, 1968, in the Sussex Constabulary.

Clear-up rate of indictable offences
	Per cent.
1959	54·3
1960	54·7
1961	54·8
1962	52·9
1963	50·6
1964	48·7
1965	46·6
1966	48·8
1967	49·2
1968	54·2
1969	54·7

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

EXPENDITURE ON CARS, RADIOS AND OTHER FACILITIES TO AID THE DETECTION OF CRIME 1959–69
	Vehicles
Year	Purchase	Running Costs	Working and Maintenance
	£	£	£
1959–60	21,953	29,435	8,990
1960–61	24,864	31,884	10,379
1961–62	28,893	31,723	11,665
1962–63	27,617	35,974	9,797
1963–64	41,704	38,956	11,935
1964–65	29,720	43,787	11,742
1965–66	44,950	54,933	16,578
1966–67	88,843	74,589	22,258
1967–68	95,393	101,797	37,237
1968–69	86,883	132,061	44,964

year	Photographic, Scientific and Wireless Equipment	Other Supplies, Equipment and Tools	Communications
	£	£	£
1959–60	7,676	3,387
1960–61	7,397	3,950
1961–62	12,357	7,367
1962–63	10,468	6,316
1963–64	11,812	7,587
1964–65	15,531	9,465
1965–66	18,684	16,675
1966–67	23,709	18,229
1967–68	34,657	30,532

	Photographic and Scientific Equipment
1968–69	5,445	21,901	155,636
Notes:
1. The grant claim form was altered in 1968–69 and it is therefore not possible to give a run of comparable figures.
2. The 1968–69 heading " Communications " includes telephones and teleprinters as well as wireless. Expenditure on telephones and teleprinters was previously shown under a general heading (" Establishment Expenses ") and was not identifiable.
3. The 1969–70 figures are not yet available.

PROVISION OF CARS
Year	Number
1959	81
1960	83
1961	87
1962	90
1963	91
1964	98
1965	100
1966	134
1967	141
1968	246
1969	288

MANPOWER
	Recruitment	Wastage	Police Strength at 31st December
1959	—	—	1,516
1960	—	—	1,536
1961	—	—	1,585
1962	141*	72*	1,649
1963	121*	84*	1,684
1964	149*	123*	1,698
1965	235*	103*	1,826
1966	303	122	2,021
1967	286	116	2,212
1968	123	135	2,219
1969	160	169	2,220
31st March
1970			2,249
* Including transfers