asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what are the present Ministerial responsibilities for dealing with notifications of price increases to their respective Departments under the Prices and Incomes Act.

There are no notifications under the Prices and Incomes Act as no Orders are in force. The Ministers concerned with particular commodities or services are responsible for dealing with any voluntary price notifications, but these arrangements are under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many civil servants are engaged

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what were the percentage unemployment figures in the employment areas within the Faversham constituency at the end of June, 1970.

At 8th June, 1970, the percentage rates of unemployment in the areas covered by the Faversham and

About one million forms have been despatched. The task of dealing with the forms has been concentrated at some 300 local offices where, on average, one clerk per office will be on this work for about five months, supplemented by an additional one or two temporary clerks for a peak period of about three weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if he will publish the monthly unemployment figures for North-East Kent coastal towns for 1969 and 1970 to date.

Following is the information:Sittingbourne Employment Exchanges, and by the Sheerness Employment Exchange, were 2·8 and 4·5 respectively. Information for the end of June is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity (1) how many redundancies of male and female employees have resulted from factory closures during the past five years in South-East London and North-West Kent; and what are the estimated additional redundancies from closures which have been notified to his Department but not yet implemented;(2) how many factory closures have taken place or been notified to his Department during the past five years in South-East London and North-West Kent.

I am having the information extracted and will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as it is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if he will make a statement on his recent talks with representatives of the Trades Union Congress and of the Confederation of British Industry on industrial relations.

These meetings were for a preliminary and informal exchange of views.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether he has received the report of the Monopolies Commission on the supply of professional services.

I received the Monopolies Commission's report on the supply of professional services on 25th June. It will be laid before Parliament and printed as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity (1) what action he has taken or intends taking to reduce prices to the consumer;(2) whether he will state the Government's policy on prices in general and food prices in particular; and when he proposes to implement such policy.

Prices in the near future will inevitably be affected by cost increases already incurred, including wage settlements, but the matter is one to which the Government are giving urgent attention as part of their concern to strengthen the economy and curb inflation.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what proposals he has for expanding the number of Government training centres in Scotland.

Present plans provide for 28 more places at the Bellshill Centre this year and a new 100-place centre at Dundee which will be opened early in 1971. My right hon. Friend will certainly consider what further centres are needed in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what action he has taken or intends taking to resolve the industrial dispute in the dock industry.

A national delegate conference of the unions concerned has today rejected the employers' offer to increase the national minimum earnings guarantee to £4 a day, i.e. £20 a week, and has called for a national strike from 14th July.The House will appreciate that the unions' claim has been very fully considered by the industry's National Joint Council and the offer which has now been rejected is the only one which the employers have felt it possible to make. In view of the serious situation that could arise I am at once arranging for officers of my Department to seek exploratory talks with both sides to see if there is any possible basis for a resumption of negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she proposes to review Great Britain's participation in the 300 Gev proton accelerator.

C.E.R.N. are considering a revised project and I shall certainly give careful consideration to any proposals put to member Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will now introduce legislation to amend the Education Act 1944 to enable pre-school playgroups to receive financial support from her Department.

I recognise the importance of the work done by these playgroups but assistance to them is a matter for local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she has completed her investigation into matters arising from the zoning of schoolchildren in Huddersfield; and if she will make a statement.

No. Solicitors acting for the parents of two of the children have indicated that they wish to make further representations.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children failed the 11-plus examination in each of the last three years; and what is her estimate for the next three years.

This Department does not collect these statistics.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many trained teachers for autistic children are at present in post; how many are in training; and if she will make a statement.

There is no generally accepted professional training specifically for teaching autistic children but a limited number of short courses have been provided including a 5-day course this month at Newcastle University for teachers, psychologists and speech therapists.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she will announce her decision on the siting of the new polytechnic in North Lancashire.

I shall be examining this question within the next few weeks but I cannot yet say when a decision will be announced.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will give an assurance that she will approve the continuance of the building of the Welsh College of Agriculture at Aberystwyth.

Building work on this college has already started and a second instalment is authorised in the current starts programme. Subject to approval of final plans, it will rest with the sponsoring authorities to go ahead with the project.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in which local education authorities, or divisional executive areas, it is necessary for children to pass the 11-plus or its equivalent in order to attend a comprehensive school.

This unusual situation has arisen when a comprehensive school is temporarily serving in part as selective provision for some children in the neighbourhood until their own schools can be extended or adapted as comprehensive schools. My information is that there are such arrangements in about 25 areas, of which the Colne Valley is one.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the numbers and proportions of pupils now remaining at school beyond statutory age in the Rother Valley constituency; and how these compare with the national position.

Figures for Rother Valley are not readily available in my Department. For England and Wales and for Yorkshire, West Riding, as a whole the information at January, 1969, is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will approve the provision of resources so that the Rushcliffe Comprehensive School in West Bridgford can be housed in one building.

I will examine the situation in consultation with the Nottinghamshire local education authority, and write to my hon. Friend as soon as I can.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will review the regulations for awarding qualified status to teachers of mentally handicapped children holding the two-year diploma so as to give greater recognition to pre-diploma service.

I am at present reviewing the conditions upon which qualified status will be granted to holders of this diploma.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will now give loan consent for a proposed new library at Llanrwst in view of the inadequacy of the existing library premises and the Llanrwst Urban District Council's agreement to incorporate provision for such a library in their redevelopment scheme for the Scotland Street area of the town.

This is one of a number of desirable library projects submitted by local authorities for which loan sanction has had to be deferred, owing to the exceptional demand this year on the limited resources available. Discussions are continuing with Denbighshire County Council on detailed aspects of the proposal, but I regret that I can hold out no prospect of loan sanction being recommended for 1970–71.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will make a statement on her educational policy, particularly in regard to comprehensive education and the 11-plus examination.

As Circular 10/70 explains, the Government's aim is to ensure that all pupils shall have full opportunities for secondary education suitable to their needs and abilities. Authorities will be freer to determine the shape of secondary provision in their areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals she has for the expansion of colleges of education; and whether she proposes to extend the range of studies to include the education of social workers and youth leaders.

Current proposals provide for an expansion to 119,000 places by 1973–74. Further developments will be for consideration by the inquiry which my right hon. Friend proposes to set up into teacher training.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will continue to make mandatory grants available at undergraduate level and discretionary grants at postgraduate level; and whether she will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has at present no proposals for changing the existing arrangements, except that it is proposed to introduce legislation in due course to remove the power of local education authorities to make awards for those postgraduate courses for which central government has already accepted responsibility.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the types of property and existing facilities which she will take over when the Education (Handicapped Children) Bill becomes law.

I shall not take over either property or facilities. Local education authorities will take over such property and facilities as junior training centres, some parts of all-age training centres, special care in units, and possibly some hostels.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to alter the electoral law so as to give postal votes to those absent from their homes on holiday at the time of a General Election.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to enable electors who are likely to be away on holiday to appoint proxies to vote on their behalf.

My right hon. Friend is considering both these suggestions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in order to avoid mistakes in the Register of Electors, he will take steps to ensure that a copy of the appropriate page of the draft Electoral Register is sent to each householder with a request to check his/her entry.

No. This would be disproportionately expensive, and even so would not guarantee a completely accurate register. The best way of avoiding mistakes is for householders and others to check the electors lists when they are on display from 28th November to 16th December.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation at an early date to restore the business franchise in local elections.

My right hon. Friend will consider this.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation, in time for the currency of the 1971 Electoral Register, to restore the business qualification and enable persons working but not residing in a local authority area to stand as candidates.

My right hon. Friend is considering these matter urgently and will inform the House of his conclusion before it rises for the recess.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many men are now in prison in England and Wales; what is the average cost per week of keeping a man in prison, giving food costs separately; what are the average weekly earnings by prisoners in prison; how many are working for outside employers, through the hostel scheme and otherwise; what are their weekly earnings; and what plans he has for extending the hostel scheme and providing other useful work.

On 15th June there were 27,420 men in prison; in 1968–69 the average cost was £21 17s. 5d. per week, including 17s. 11d. on food but excluding the costs of new buildings, rent, rates and building maintenance. The average weekly earnings of prisoners in the first quarter of 1970, 7s. 3d.; about 370 men are in the pre-release employment scheme and they earn the local rate for their particular job; no average figure is available. My right hon. Friend is reviewing the position.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation similar to that contained in the Misuse of Drugs Bill in the last Parliament.

The Misuse of Drugs Bill was re-introduced yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what growth there has been in illegal gaming in England and Wales following the coming into force of the Gaming Act, 1968.

I have no evidence of any recent growth in illegal gaming.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish a White Paper setting out the Government's immigration and race relations policy; and whether he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend outlined the Government's policy in the debate on the Address and sees no need for a further statement at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards British citizens of Asian origin in East Africa.

The Government are studying this question, but my right hon. Friend is not yet able to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain why a grey Bedford van registration number BYU 350B, parked each day outside 370 Caledonian Road, has been reported for some years for failing to have a road fund licence without any action having been taken.

I am informed that the van was acquired by its present owner in January, 1970. It has been reported by the police to the licensing authority. It is for that authority to decide what action to take if the vehicle was, in fact, unlicensed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will investigate why the law has not been enforced against the owner of a red Renault car registration No. 2234 MK which has been on the London streets with a November, 1968, expired road fund licence, and, as the police have been informed that this can be seen parked in Connaught Gardens, N.13, why it is still permitted to be allowed to be illegally on the public highway.

The police reported to the Greater London Council that the vehicle was apparently unlicensed. Further action is a matter for the council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the recent increase in crime; and whether, in view of the fact that the police difficulty in dealing with it is due to their undermanning, he will release pressure on the Metropolitan police by ensuring that they do not process summonses against motorists for waiting for short periods on a yellow band.

My right hon. Friend has no power to direct that the law shall cease to be enforced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will take whatever action may be necessary to ensure that when his Department gives incorrect information in answer to hon. Members' Parliamentary Questions subsequent apologies and corrections in addition to being sent by post to the Member concerned are published in the OFFICIAL REPORT.(2) whether he will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain why the hon. Member for West Ham, North was given false information by an officer of his Department on 13th May, 1970, in view of the fact that a letter dated 15th June was sent admitting that false information had been supplied; and whether he will make a statement.

My predecessor's private secretary wrote to the hon. Gentleman on 15th June giving him the additional information which had been obtained since his original question had been answered. As the hon. Gentleman was informed, the number of child casualties of all ages in Newham that were recorded locally during the three months ended 28th February, 1970, was 70.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to stop the unauthorised killing of baby seals on the East Coast.

Until the Conservation of Seals Act, 1970 comes into force on 29th August, 1970 my right hon. Friend has no powers to impose restrictions on the killing of the common seal.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will reconsider the decision to convert the British system of weights and measures to the metric system.

My right hon. Friend is reviewing the matter in the light of the Report of the Metrication Board published in May.

asked the Minister of Technology what action he intends to take to reduce the unemployment in the Mexborough and district employment exchange area.

Intermediate area incentives will continue to be available in Mexborough, and the Ministry of Technology will draw the attention of suitable firms to the advantage of locating in this area.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will ensure that all future motorways should be equipped with central crash-barriers; and what is the average cost per mile for their provision on old and new motorways respectively.

We are at present studying the whole question of installing central crash barriers. The most recent contract prices for double-sided tensioned-beam barriers are of the order of £7,000-£8,000 a mile. No long lengths of central reserve barriers have been provided on new motorways, except on the Midland Links where they were installed at a cost of £16,000 a mile. These barriers were installed with lighting and were of a special type needed because of the narrow central reserve.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will inquire into the system of licensing buses, with a view to introducing more competition and flexibility in these services.

I will examine the working of the licensing system as applied to buses.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will commission a study to ascertain the effects on the Welsh economy in the event of the United Kingdom's entry into the European Economic Community.

No. Detailed analyses for particular parts of the United Kingdom are not practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Trades Union Congress on the sale of arms to South Africa.

We have received a copy of the statement recently adopted by the General Council of the Trades Union Congress on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what special help to Glasgow he has offered in reply to the letter from the convener of housing dated 19th June, 1970.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Members for Glasgow, Bridgeton (Mr. James Bennett) and Glasgow, Kelvingrove (Dr. Miller).—[Vol. 803, c. 646–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, when he intends to establish the Lands Tribunal and bring into force Section 1 of the Conveyancing and Feudal Reform (Scotland) Act, 1970.

I am looking into these matters at the present time and I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the pension entitlement of a whole-time consultant, appointed as a consultant not later than 1960, who was granted an A-plus distinction award in 1967: and what was the total of his superannuation contributions over the last five years of service, giving the figures year by year;(2) what is the pension entitlement of a whole-time consultant appointed as a consultant not later than 1960 who had no distinction awards and who retired on 30th April, 1970; and what was the total of his superannuation contributions over the last five years of service, giving the figures year by year.

It is not possible to give a general reply to these questions because the contributions paid by an individual consultant and his pension entitlement depend on the superannuation scheme of which he is a member and his total reckonable service in that scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of general medical practitioners in Scotland in the years 1951 to 1969; and what was the average list of the patients of unrestricted principals in general medical practice in the same years.

The information is as follows:

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether, in view of he Government's policy to expand forces east of Suez, he will estimate what the cost will be; and where such troops are to be deployed.

No decision has yet been taken.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement about future fixed-wing flying training for the Royal Navy.

This question is being considered as part of wider studies which are currently in progress but I am not yet ready to make a statement.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the future status of apprentice group instructors in Royal Naval Dockyards.

I am reviewing the matter and will make a statement as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the number of British forces presently stationed in Hong Kong and the number of British forces presently stationed in Malaysia and Singapore; and what future level of forces he plans to maintain in Hong Kong.

Members of the three Services—including Gurkhas and locally enlisted forces—stationed in Hong Kong numbered at 1st April, 1970, about 9,500; and in Malaysia and Singapore at the same date about 28,000. These figures include personnel serving at sea. Regarding the latter part of the Question, it is not the practice to disclose details of future planned force levels. However, it is the intention to maintain a garrison in Hong Kong sufficient to fulfil our responsibilities there.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what is the annual cost of maintaining British forces at their present level in Hong Kong and the annual cost of maintaining British forces at their present level in Singapore and Malaysia.

We cannot give a meaningful figure of budgetary costs for forces in a particular area, because a given Service formation, wherever based, commonly has more than one rôle, and because arbitrary conventions would have to be used in allocating to particular theatres such major elements as the related costs of the home base. Local defence expenditure for 1970–71 on the basis given in Cmnd. 4290, Annex H, Table 1, has been estimated as follows:

Hong Kong—£11 million (allowing for a cash contribution by the Hong Kong Government).

Singapore and Malaysia—£47 million.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will withdraw as a matter of urgency Circular number 21/70.

The Government are considering what further proposals for local government reorganisation should be put forward. In doing so they would be helped by knowing the views of local authorities on the suggested areas referred to in Circular 21/70. I am writing today to local authorities in England asking those who have already formulated their views to let me have them, without commitment, by the end of July or fairly soon after. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of this further circular.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether the public inquiry by his inspector in Salisbury on 28th July will be held in public.

I have no present reason to believe that in camera proceedings will be sought.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether the inquiry into the redevelopment proposals for the Richmond Terrace/New Scotland Yard site is to proceed.

The inquiry is due to start on 13th July in the Assembly Hall, Church House, Westminster, under Mr. Harold Willis, Q.C., to hear representations about the former Government's proposals.The present Government are not in any way committed to this redevelopment scheme. I and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works have not yet had time to form a view of its merits. We have, however, decided that the inquiry should go ahead as planned since we consider that the evidence which will be put before the inquiry and the inspector's report are likely to be of assistance to the Government in reaching a decision.

asked the Attorney-General if he will take proceedings against those responsible for the unsolicited distribution of advertising material for pornographic literature through the post, in particular by an organisation known as the Running Man Publications.

Proceedings in respect of one of several circulars distributed by the Running Man Press have been instituted and are sub judice. Proceedings will be taken in respect of the distribution of any circular which in the opinion of the Director of Public Prosecutions offends against the Obscene Publications Acts or the Post Office Act.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will make a statement on the Government's aid policy toward Tanzania.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave today to a similar Question by the hon. Member for East Ham, South (Mr. Oram).

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will make a statement on the Government's aid policy towards Malta.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Oxford (Mr. Woodhouse) on 6th July.—[Vol. 803, c. 9.]

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will consider appointing the right hon. George A. Brown as the Chairman of the Commonwealth Development Corporation in place of the present Chairman.

No.

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will make a statement regarding the administration of the British overseas aid programme.

I have no doubt that under present management the administration of the British overseas aid programme will be generally satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much he intends to spend on advertising through Press and television the provisions of the National Insurance Bill; how many people over 80 years of age will be receiving no benefit from the Bill because they are already in receipt of supplementary benefits; and how many will benefit from the provisions of the Bill.

The detailed arrangements and the cost of the necessary advertising are now being worked out. We believe there are about 100,000 potential beneficiaries among the over-eighties. About half are drawing supplementary pensions. Where the supplementary pension is less than the new pension the new pensioner will gain the difference. In general, those who do not come within the scope of the supplementary benefit scheme will benefit.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware of the difficulty in obtaining hearing aid batteries in the National Heath Service; and if he will take steps to remedy the situation.

There is no known shortage of any type of battery used in National Health Service hearing aids. Supplies are available at all hospital hearing aid centres and the large number of battery issuing hospitals.Patients are normally expected to collect their own batteries, and arrangements exist to help pay travelling costs if a need is established. When personal collection is not possible, some centres operate a postal exchange service, or another person may collect batteries on a patient's behalf.If my hon. Friend has any particular difficulty in mind perhaps he will let me know.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, during the recent doctors' ban on signing medical certificates, any medical certificates signed by a general practitioner were presented at the Department's office in Cumnock.

The only national insurance medical certificates received at the Department's local office at Cumnock during the recent period of non-co-operation dated from before its commencement.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider paying pensions by cheque through the post.

Pensions can already be paid three months in arrear by crossed payable orders negotiable through banks. Most pensioners prefer to receive their pensions weekly, and for them the most economical method of payment is the pension order book, the weekly orders in which combine the functions of a receipt for the pension and a declaration that the conditions for payment are satisfied.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will develop methods to stop the abuse of the social services.

I am at present studying, with the Supplementary Benefits Commission where necessary, what further measures can be taken. I shall also be in touch with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now prepared to authorise moneys to be spent on the development of Birmingham Airport which is seeking expansion, in view of the new exhibition hall that is to be built near the city and of the growing requirements of the city's air transportation.

Birmingham Corporation has not as yet submitted any firm proposals to the Board for the further development of its airport. Before doing so I understand that the Corporation intends to commission a cost/benefit and feasibility study of possible developments.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider revising the terms of reference of the Roskill Commission to take into account technical developments that have come to light during the hearing and to enable further examination to be made of the broad range of problems that were not disclosed in evidence about the location of a modern city airport because of the restricted terms of reference of this Commission.

No. I have no reason to believe that the Commission finds its existing terms of reference inadequate for the task it has been asked to undertake.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the total amount of public moneys that have been spent to date or committed on the Roskill Inquiry; and when the Commission is expected to report.

Expenditure from Government funds was about £710,000 at 31st March, 1970, and is estimated to reach £1·2 million in total. The Commission is expected to report towards the end of 1970.