Sitting of 25 October 1968

Preamble
The House met at a Quarter to Eleven o'clock
PRAYERS
[Mr. SPEAKER in the Chair]

ROYAL ASSENT
Message to attend the Lords Commissioners:
The House went:—and, having returned—
Mr. Speaker: I have to acquaint the House that the House has been to the House of Peers, where a Commission under the Great Seal was read, giving the Royal Assent to:

1. Civil Aviation Act 1968.

2. Clean Air Act 1968.

3. Domestic and Appellate Proceedings (Restriction of Publicity) Act 1968.

4. Civil Evidence Act 1968.

5. Gaming Act 1968.

6. Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1968.

7. Medicines Act 1968.

8. Design Copyright Act 1968.

9. Justices of the Peace Act 1968.

10. Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1968.

11. Race Relations Act 1968.

12. Town and Country Planning Act 1968.

13. Transport Act 1968.

14. Newcastle upon Tyne Corporation Act 1968.

PROROGATION

  HER MAJESTY'S MOST GRACIOUS SPEECH
  Mr. Speaker: I have further to acquaint the House that the Lord High Chancellor, being one of the High Commissioners, delivered Her Majesty's Most Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, in pursuance of Her Majesty's Commands, as follows:
  My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
  My Husband and I were glad to welcome to this country the President of the Republic of Turkey.
  My Government have contributed positively to the wide-ranging work of the United Nations. They have been active in seeking a settlement to the dispute between the Arab States and Israel. They tabled the Security Council Resolution on the Middle East which was unanimously adopted in November 1967.
  My Ministers have welcomed the opening of discussions in Paris which they hope will lead to the end of the Vietnam conflict.
  My Ministers played a leading part in negotiations which led to the successful conclusion of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and have made proposals for further measures of disarmament.
  My Government have maintained their application for membership of the European Communities and regret that the attitude adopted by one of the present members of the Communities has so far prevented the opening of negotiations.
  My Government have announced their intention of withdrawing British forces from Malaysia, Singapore and the Persian Gulf by the end of 1971. They intend that over the next few years there should be a measure of redeployment of national resources and that Britain's defence effort should in future be concentrated mainly in Europe and the North Atlantic area. My Ministers took part in a successful conference with Ministers of Australia,

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  New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore in Kuala Lumpur, where the problems arising from that decision were considered.
  My Government have continued to play their full part in the North Atlantic Alliance. They expressed their condemnation of the invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Soviet Union and some of its allies in violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
  My Government worked for and welcomed the restoration of diplomatic relations with the United Arab Republic, the Somali Republic, Sudan, Guinea, Algeria, Mali, Mauritania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville), Iraq and Tanzania.
  My Government have continued to seek to bring about a return to constitutional rule in Rhodesia in accordance with the multi-racial principles approved by Parliament. To this end they have co-operated with other members of the United Nations in giving effect to the Security Council Resolution of 29th May. Proposals for a settlement were communicated to Mr. Smith during the recent discussions at Gibraltar, and his reply is now being studied.
  Three of our overseas territories became independent in the last 12 months—Mauritius, Swaziland, and Aden (as part of the People's Republic of Southern Yemen). Both Mauritius and Swaziland remained in the Commonwealth. A revised Constitution was introduced in Seychelles.
  Last November, at the invitation of My Government in Malta, My Husband and I visited Malta and renewed our happy memories of My People in Malta and Gozo. In April of this year My Government in the United Kingdom welcomed the successful settlement, to which they made an important contribution, of the Malta Dockyard ownership problem.
  My Government welcome the improvement in relations between the parties to the Cyprus dispute.
  Despite economic difficulties, My Government have sustained their programme of aid to less developed countries.
  The announced reductions in the size of the Services will mean the retirement of some officers and men and lead to the disappearance of some famous regiments. I am deeply grateful to all those concerned for their distinguished and selfless service. The need for recruits for the Forces, however, remains as pressing as ever, and My Government will not relax their efforts in this field.
  Members of the House of Commons
  I thank you for the provision which you have made for the public services.
  My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
  Following the devaluation of sterling in November 1967, My Government have taken the measures necessary to ensure a progressive improvement in the balance of payments and to maintain the strength of sterling at its new parity.
  My Government have taken an active part in international discussions about reform of the international monetary system. Agreement has been reached with members of the sterling area and members of the Bank for International Settlements on arrangements to consolidate the stability of sterling.
  A further Act has been passed to provide support for the productivity, prices and incomes policy.
  The growth of industry in the development areas has been encouraged and special measures have been taken to reduce the impact of colliery closures in these areas.
  An Act has been passed to provide for a better integration of road and rail transport and to promote higher standards in the road transport industry. The Act will also enable improvements to be made in traffic management and the financial and other arrangements for the railways and nationalised inland waterways.
  An Act has been passed to promote industrial expansion by enabling My Government to assist projects likely to benefit the economy.
  Legislation has been passed to assist the exploitation of natural gas from the North Sea.
  Major new developments have been promoted in the production in the United Kingdom of primary aluminium.
  Legislation has been passed to strengthen the law on misleading trade descriptions and on restrictive trade practices.
  Legislation has been passed to clarify the law in its application to hovercraft; and to enable further measures to be taken to control aircraft noise and supersonic flight.
  An Act has been passed enabling provisional action in accordance with international agreement to be taken against dumping.
  My Government took steps to stamp out the very serious epidemic of foot and mouth disease and to ensure that the forms affected could resume production on a sound basis.
  An Act has been passed to enable additional payments to be made to tenant farmers whose land is needed for development, to safeguard the welfare of farm animals, and for other agricultural purposes.
  My Government have taken steps to protect the most vulnerable members of the community from the effects of price increases by improving supplementary benefits, rate rebates and family allowances.
  Legislation has been passed to promote the better provision and development of health and welfare services; and to make new comprehensive arrangements for controlling the safety, quality and description of medicines.
  Legislation has been passed to establish a comprehensive social work service in Scotland; and appropriate provision has been made wherever necessary in other Acts to meet distinctive Scottish needs.
  An Act has been passed to improve the government of colleges and special schools.
  My Ministers have continued the revision of the machinery of government to meet the changing requirements which are placed upon it. The Foreign Office and Commonwealth
  1734
  Office have been merged. An Order has been made for the amalgamation of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Security. My Government have welcomed the report of the Fulton Committee on the Civil Service; and an Order has been laid before you for the transfer of the necessary functions to a new Civil Service Department which will be closely engaged in the reshaping of the Civil Service following the recommendations of the Committee.
  An Act has been passed providing for more effective planning control of development in England and Wales and for increased public participation in local planning.
  Legislation has been passed to establish a Countryside Commission, to provide for the conservation of the countryside and for greater opportunities for leisure and recreation there; and for the appointment of a Welsh Committee of the Commission.
  An Act has been passed strengthening control over immigration from other parts of the Commonwealth.
  An Act has been passed to make discrimination on racial grounds unlawful in employment, housing and the provision of goods, facilities and services, and to encourage the development of harmonious community relations.
  An Act has been passed to reform the law on gaming and to strengthen control over commercial gaming clubs and gaming machines.
  Further progress has been made in the systematic reform of the law, including that relating to theft, evidence and justices of the peace in England and Wales and to succession and evidence in Scotland.
  My Lords and Members of the House of Commons
  I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may attend you.
  After which the Lord Chancellor said: —
  "My Lords and Members of the House of Commons:
  By virtue of Her Majesty's Commission under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in Her Majesty's

  1735
  Name and in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Wednesday the thirtieth day of October, one thousand nine hundred and sixty-eight, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued until Wednesday, the thirtieth day of October, one thousand nine hundred and sixty-eight."
  End of the Second Session (opened on 31st October, 1967) of the Forty-fourth Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in the Seventeenth Year of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.

PAYMASTER-GENERAL (DUTIES)
  PAYMASTER-GENERAL (DUTIES)
  PAYMASTER-GENERAL (DUTIES)
GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND ACT
  GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND ACT
  GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND ACT
AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD
  Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Humans)
  Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Humans)
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
  Units (Running Costs and Capital Investments)
  Units (Running Costs and Capital Investments)
EDUCATION AND SCIENCE
  Arts (Local Authority Expenditure)
  Arts (Local Authority Expenditure)
  Secondary Education (Reorganisation)
  Secondary Education (Reorganisation)
  Rate Support Grant
  Rate Support Grant
EMPLOYMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY
  Redundant Miners (Wales)
  Redundant Miners (Wales)
  School Leavers (Northern Region)
  School Leavers (Northern Region)
  Joiners, Lithgows (Earnings)
  Joiners, Lithgows (Earnings)
  Hotel and Catering Industry (Wales)
  Hotel and Catering Industry (Wales)
  Vickers Limited, Barrow (Dispute)
  Vickers Limited, Barrow (Dispute)
HOSPITALS
  Cataract Operations (Doncaster Royal Infirmary)
  Cataract Operations (Doncaster Royal Infirmary)
  Hospital Beds (Wales)
  Hospital Beds (Wales)
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
  Prescription Charges
  Prescription Charges
  National Health Service (Green Paper)
  National Health Service (Green Paper)
  General Medical Practitioners (Numbers)
  General Medical Practitioners (Numbers)
HOME DEPARTMENT
  Perambulators
  Perambulators
  Immigrants (Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens)
  Immigrants (Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens)
  Assaults
  Assaults
  Synthetic Hemp
  Synthetic Hemp
  Maintenance Orders and Affiliation Orders (Payment)
  Maintenance Orders and Affiliation Orders (Payment)
  Approved Schools (Corporal Punishment)
  Approved Schools (Corporal Punishment)
  Prisoners Awaiting Trial
  Prisoners Awaiting Trial
  Witnesses' Oath
  Witnesses' Oath
  Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1968 (Dependant Children and Fathers)
  Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1968 (Dependant Children and Fathers)
  Assistant Commissioner of Police (Letter to Member)
  Assistant Commissioner of Police (Letter to Member)
  Member's Letters
  Member's Letters
  Fireworks (Sale)
  Fireworks (Sale)
  Julius Weitzner (Residence Permit)
  Julius Weitzner (Residence Permit)
  London Taxicab Fares
  London Taxicab Fares
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
  Flood Damage Relief
  Flood Damage Relief
  River Grom, Tunbridge Wells
  River Grom, Tunbridge Wells
  Meldon Reservoir
  Meldon Reservoir
  Flood Damage (Hartlepool)
  Flood Damage (Hartlepool)
  Quintrell Downs and Lane Sewerage Scheme
  Quintrell Downs and Lane Sewerage Scheme
  Road Scheme, Bude
  Road Scheme, Bude
  Correspondence (Corby)
  Correspondence (Corby)
  Land Commission
  Land Commission
  PALACE OF WESTMINSTER (DEMONSTRATIONS)
  PALACE OF WESTMINSTER (DEMONSTRATIONS)
POST OFFICE
  Arran (Second-Class Mail)
  Arran (Second-Class Mail)
  Investment Programme
  Investment Programme
  Two-Tier Postal Service
  Two-Tier Postal Service
  Giro Stationery
  Giro Stationery
TELEPHONE SERVICE
  Telephone Directories (London)
  Telephone Directories (London)
WIRELESS AND TELEVISION
  Pay Television
  Pay Television
MINISTRY OF POWER
  North Sea Gas
  North Sea Gas
  Electricity (Investment Programme)
  Electricity (Investment Programme)
PUBLIC BUILDING AND WORKS
  Land Commission (Reading Office)
  Land Commission (Reading Office)
SCOTLAND
  Occupational Centre, Airdrie
  Occupational Centre, Airdrie
  Old Folks Home, Shawhead
  Old Folks Home, Shawhead
  Development Area (Employment Programme)
  Development Area (Employment Programme)
  Secondary Schools (Unregistered Teachers)
  Secondary Schools (Unregistered Teachers)
  Trespass (Scotland) Act, 1865
  Trespass (Scotland) Act, 1865
SOCIAL SECURITY
  Supplementary Aid (Regulations)
  Supplementary Aid (Regulations)
SOCIAL SERVICES
  Ministerial Responsibilities
  Ministerial Responsibilities
TECHNOLOGY
  Noise Research (Departmental Expenditure)
  Noise Research (Departmental Expenditure)
  Aviation Projects
  Aviation Projects
  Computers (Export Controls)
  Computers (Export Controls)
BOARD OF TRADE
  London Stock Exchange (Margin Trading)
  London Stock Exchange (Margin Trading)
  Monopolies Commission
  Monopolies Commission
  Pulp Imports and Waste Paper Usage
  Pulp Imports and Waste Paper Usage
  Auctions (Dealers' Ring)
  Auctions (Dealers' Ring)
  Sale, Aldwick Court (Export Application)
  Sale, Aldwick Court (Export Application)
  British National Export Council (Chairman)
  British National Export Council (Chairman)
PORTS
  Maritime Industrial Development (Study)
  Maritime Industrial Development (Study)
ROADS
  South Coast Road
  South Coast Road
NATIONAL FINANCE
  Banking Seminar
  Banking Seminar
  Pergamon Press (Dividend)
  Pergamon Press (Dividend)
  Income Tax (Personal Cases)
  Income Tax (Personal Cases)
  Trucial States (United Kingdom Capital)
  Trucial States (United Kingdom Capital)
  Persia (United Kingdom Capital)
  Persia (United Kingdom Capital)
  National Gallery (Purchase Grant)
  National Gallery (Purchase Grant)
  Take-Over Bids (Bank Borrowings)
  Take-Over Bids (Bank Borrowings)
WALES
  Roads
  Roads
  School Traffic Patrol, Llantrisant
  School Traffic Patrol, Llantrisant

Preamble
The House met at a quarter before eleven of the clock: The LORD CHANCELLOR on the Woolsack.
Prayers—Read by the Lord Chancellor

FOREMEN AND STAFF MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETY (APPLICATION OF RULES) ETC. (No. 2) BILL
10.50 a.m.
Message from the Commons: That they have made certain Orders relating to the Foremen and Staff Mutual Benefit Society (Application of Rules) etc. (No. 2) Bill, to which they desire the concurrence of this House; namely,
"That the Promoters of the Foremen and Staff Mutual Benefit Society (Application of Rules) etc. (No. 2) Bill shall have leave to suspend Proceedings thereon in order to proceed with the Bill, if they think fit, in the next Session of Parliament, provided that the Agents for the Bill give notice to the Clerks in the Private Bill Office before the close of the present Session of their intention to suspend further Proceedings and that all fees due on the Bill up to that date be paid;
That on the third day on which the House sits in the next Session the Bill shall be presented to the House;
That there shall be deposited with the Bill a Declaration signed by the Agents for the Bill, stating that the Bill is the same, in every respect, as the Bill presented to this House, in the present Session;
That the Bill shall be laid upon the Table of the House by one of the Clerks in the Private Bill Office on the next meeting of the House after the day on which the Bill has been presented, and when so laid, shall be read the first and second time (and shall be recorded in the Journal of this House as having been so read) and shall stand referred to the Examiners of Petitions for Private Bills;
That any petition presented in the present Session against the Bill shall
1602
stand referred to the Committee on the Bill in the next Session;
That no further Fees shall be charged in respect of any Proceedings on the Bill in respect of which Fees have already been incurred during the present Session;
That these Orders be Standing Orders of the House."
THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES(THE EARL OF LISTOWEL): My Lords, I beg to move that the Commons Message be now considered.
Moved, That the Commons Message be now considered.—(The Earl of Listowel.)
On Question, Motion agreed to.
THE EARL OF LISTOWEL: My Lords, I beg to move that this House do concur in the Resolutions concerning the Foremen and Staff Mutual Benefit Society (Application of Rules) etc. (No. 2) Bill, communicated in the Commons Message of this day.
Perhaps I should say a few words of explanation to your Lordships in connection with this Bill. The full text of the Message set out in the Order Paper is in italics and so your Lordships will have already received it. The purpose of this Motion is to enable this Bill, which is a Commons Bill now in that House, to continue its progress through Parliament next Session. I am obliged to ask your Lordships to agree to this Motion on the day of Prorogation because the Bill received its Second Reading in another place only late last night, and by that time your Lordships' House had risen. The Message which the House is considering could, therefore, only be brought up this morning. It must receive the concurrence of this House before Prorogation and a Message to that effect must be sent back to another place while that House is still sitting, if the further passage of the Bill through Parliament next Session is to be secured. My Lords, I beg to move.
Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to.
Ordered, That a Message be sent to the Commons to acquaint them therewith.

SAINT MARY, HORNSEY BILL
Message from the Commons (received on Thursday) to acquaint this House that they have considered the Message from this House communicated to them on the 22nd of this instant October, and have made the following Orders, vizt.:—
That the Promoters of the Saint Mary, Hornsey Bill shall have leave to suspend proceedings thereon in order to proceed with that Bill in the next Session of Parliament, provided that the Agents for the Bill give notice to the Clerks in the Private Bill Office of their intention to suspend further proceedings not later than the day before the close of the present Session and that all fees due on the Bill up to that date be paid;
That on the third day on which the House sits in the next Session the Bill shall be presented to the House;
That there shall be deposited with the Bill a Declaration signed by the Agents for the Bill, stating that the Bill is the same, in every respect, as the Bill at the last stage of its proceedings in this House in the present Session;
That the Bill shall be laid upon the Table of the House by one of the Clerks in the Private Bill Office on the next meeting of the House after the day on which the Bill has been presented and, when so laid, shall be deemed to have been read the first, second and third time and shall be recorded in the Journal of this House as having been so read;
That no further fees shall be charged in respect of any proceedings on the Bill in respect of which Fees have already been incurred during the present Session.

SAINT SAVIOUR, PADDINGTON BILL
Message from the Commons (received on Thursday) to acquaint the House that they have considered the Message from this House communicated to them on the 23rd of this instant October, and have made the following Orders, vizt.:—
That the Promoters of the Covent Garden Market Bill shall have leave to suspend proceedings thereon
1604
in order to proceed with that Bill in the next Session of Parliament, provided that the Agents for the Bill give notice to the Clerks in the Private Bill Office of their intention to suspend further proceedings not later than the day before the close of the present Session and that all fees due on the Bill up to that date be paid;
That on the third day on which the House sits in the next Session the Bill shall be presented to the House;
That there shall be deposited with the Bill a Declaration signed by Agents for the Bill, stating that the Bill is the same, in every respect, as the Bill at the last stage of its proceedings in this House in the present Session;
That the Bill shall be laid upon the Table of the House by one of the Clerks in the Private Bill Office on the next meeting of the House after the day on which the Bill has been presented and, when so laid, shall be deemed to have been read the first, second and third time and shall be recorded in the Journal of this House as having been so read;
That no further fees shall be charged in respect of any proceedings on the Bill in respect of which Fees have already been incurred during the present Session.

COVENT GARDEN MARKET BILL
Message from the Commons (received on Thursday) to acquaint this House that they have considered the Message from this House communicated to them on the 22nd of this instant October, and have made the following Orders. vizt.:—
That the Promoters of the Covent Garden Market Bill shall have leave to suspend proceedings there on in order to proceed with that Bill in the next Session of Parliament, provided that the Agents for the Bill give notice to the Clerks in the Private Bill Office of their intention to suspend further proceedings not later than the day before the close of the present Session and that all fees due on the Bill up to that date be paid;
That on the third day on which the House sits in the next Session the Bill shall be presented to the House;
That there shall be deposited with the Bill a Declaration signed by Agents for the Bill, stating that the Bill is the same, in every respect, as the Bill at the last stage of its proceedings in this House in the present Session;
That the Bill shall be laid upon the Table of the House by one of the Clerks in the Private Bill Office on the next meeting of the House after the day on which the Bill has been presented and, when so laid, shall be deemed to have been read the first, second and third time and shall be recorded in the Journal of this House as having been so read;
That no further fees shall be charged in respect of any proceedings on the Bill in respect of which Fees have already been incurred during the present Session.

  MALE DETAINEES' MAINTENANCE COSTS
  MALE DETAINEES' MAINTENANCE COSTS
  "HONG KONG 'FLU"
  "HONG KONG 'FLU"
  TRAVEL ALLOWANCE CONCESSION FOR OVER-70s
  TRAVEL ALLOWANCE CONCESSION FOR OVER-70s
  ROAD ACCIDENTS TO CHILDREN
  ROAD ACCIDENTS TO CHILDREN
  ROYAL COMMISSION
  ROYAL COMMISSION
  PROROGATION: HER MAJESTY'S SPEECH
  PROROGATION: HER MAJESTY'S SPEECH