Sitting of 22 October 1969

Preamble
The House met at half-past Two o'clock
PRAYERS
[Mr. SPEAKER in the Chair]
PRAYERS

  ROYAL ASSENT
  Message to attend the Lords Commissioners:
  The House went:—and, having returned—
  Mr. Speaker (in the Clerk's place at the Table): 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. Statute Law (Repeals) Act, 1969.

  2. Late Night Refreshment Houses Act, 1969.

  3. Children and Young Persons Act, 1969.

  4. Divorce Reform Act, 1969.

  5. Auctions (Bidding Agreements) Act, 1969.

  6. Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act, 1969.

  7. Administration of Justice Act, 1969.

  8. Law of Property Act, 1969.

  9. Dudley Corporation Act, 1969.

  10. Warley Corporation Act, 1969.

  11. Liverpool Corporation Act, 1969.

  12. Worcestershire County Council Act, 1969.

  13. Blackpool Corporation Act, 1969.

  14. Walsall Corporation Act, 1969.

  15. West Bromwich Corporation Act, 1969.

  16. Wolverhampton Corporation Act, 1969.

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 Italian Republic and the President of the Republic of Finland. We had the great pleasure of visiting Brazil, Chile and Austria.
  My Government have pursued their efforts to promote through the United Nations a settlement to the dispute between the Arab States and Israel.
  My Ministers have contributed fully to the tasks of the North Atlantic Alliance. They have continued to work for the relaxation of tension with the countries of Eastern Europe and to seek their co-operation in trade and other practical matters.
  My Government have maintained their application for membership of the European Communities.
  My Ministers have welcomed the talks in Paris between all the major parties involved in the Vietnam conflict and hope that they will soon make real progress towards peace.
  My Government have ratified the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and have striven for further progress on arms control and disarmament. In particular they have put forward proposals for a complete ban on biological methods of warfare.
  My Husband and I were pleased to welcome to this country Heads and Representatives of Commonwealth Governments for the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Meeting. The Meeting recognised the special ties of cooperation and understanding that link member countries of the Commonwealth and which My Government in

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  the United Kingdom have continued to further.
  New constitutions have been introduced in the Commonwealth of the Bahama Islands and in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
  My Ministers have again sought a return of constitutional rule in Rhodesia in accordance with the multiracial principles approved by Parliament. To that end they have maintained political and economic sanctions under the terms of the United Nations Security Council Resolution of 29th May, 1968. The Governor of Southern Rhodesia announced his resignation on 24th June after receiving My permission to do so. My Government subsequently ordered the closure of the British Residual Mission in Salisbury and Rhodesia House in London.
  My Government have been much concerned by the continuing conflict in Nigeria. They have helped with the relief of suffering and starvation and they have contributed to the search for a peaceful settlement.
  Further progress was made towards co-operative defence arrangements between our Commonwealth partners in South-East Asia, following upon My Government's decision to withdraw British forces front Malaysia and Singapore by the end of 1971.
  The situation in Northern Ireland has caused My Ministers deep concern. My Forces have carried out their duties there with exemplary steadiness. My Ministers are doing all in their power in co-operation with the Northern Ireland Government to bring peace and reconciliation to the Province.
  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
  My Government's first aim has been to strengthen the economy so as to achieve a continuing substantial surplus in the balance of payments. The policies which they have pursued have brought about a great improvement in the past year.
  My Ministers have taken part in international discussions leading to the decision last month to activate the scheme for Special Drawing Rights.
  An Act was passed to make further provision for the introduction of decimal currency in 1971.
  A Commission on Industrial Relations has been appointed to examine and promote improvements in the machinery for collective bargaining.
  Further progress has been made in regional economic development, and measures have been announced for assistance to industry in selected intermediate areas.
  My Government have put forward proposals to help the Lancashire textile industry take its place once again in the forefront of British industry.
  An Act has been passed to assist and encourage the development of tourism in Great Britain.
  Legislation has been passed to integrate public transport in London under local government control.
  An Act has been passed to establish a central system of driver licensing and of vehicle registration and licensing.
  Legislation has given My Inspectors of Mines and Quarries and the appropriate local authorities new powers to ensure the safety of tips of mine or quarry refuse.
  An Act has been passed to convert the Post Office from a Department of State to a public corporation.
  My Government have reviewed the contribution of agriculture to the national economy and have announced an extended programme of selective expansion in the interests of import saving.
  Action has been taken to implement the recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry on Foot and Mouth Disease, and codes of practice for the welfare of farm animals have been approved.
  An Act has been passed for assisting the deep-sea fishing industry and for the policing and conservation of fisheries.
  Provision has been made for improvements in the pensions and benefits of the national insurance and supplementary benefits scheme and in war

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  pensions. Legislation has provided for contributions to the national insurance scheme to be increased and to be related more closely to earnings, and proposals have been published for new schemes of national superannuation and social insurance based on contributions related to earnings.
  An Act has been passed amending the law in England and Wales relating to children and young persons.
  Legislation has been passed to enable the United Kingdom to accede to the United Nations Convention on genocide.
  Provision has been made for appeals by Commonwealth citizens and aliens against decisions taken in the exercise of immigration control.
  An Act has been passed to raise the limit of Government expenditure on building the National Theatre.
  I was pleased to grant a Charter of Incorporation to the Open University and thereby to launch a significant and original venture in higher education.
  Legislation has been passed to give greater encouragement for the repair and improvement of older houses and their environment.
  An Act has been passed to provide financial assistance for urban areas of special social need.
  Legislation has been passed to modernise the Scottish Town and Country Planning system, and to bring up to date the law relating to housing and education in Scotland.
  I have appointed a Commission on the Constitution.
  The Civil Service Department has been established and steps have been taken to set up a Civil Service College.
  Legislation has provided for increased pensions for retired members of the public service and their dependants.
  Legislation has reduced the age of majority to 18. The voting age has also been reduced to 18, and other reforms have been made in electoral law.
  Further progress has been made in the systematic reform of the law, including that relating to the succession rights of illegitimate children, the jurisdiction of the county court, the trial of personal injury cases, and real property. Steps have been taken to repeal obsolete statutes and improve the form of the Statute Book.
  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 Name and in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Tuesday, the twenty-eighth day of October, one thousand nine hundred and sixty-nine, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued until Tuesday, the twenty-eighth day of October, one thousand nine hundred and sixty-nine."
  End of the Third Session (opened on 30th October, 1968) of the Forty-fourth Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in the Eighteenth Year of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD
  White Fish (Minimum Prices Scheme)
  White Fish (Minimum Prices Scheme)
  Fishing Industry (Committee's Recommendations)
  Fishing Industry (Committee's Recommendations)
  Commonwealth Sugar Agreement
  Commonwealth Sugar Agreement
  Canned and Powdered Soups
  Canned and Powdered Soups
  Animal Husbandry (Antibiotics)
  Animal Husbandry (Antibiotics)
  Sheep
  Sheep
  Imported Fish Fillets (Levy)
  Imported Fish Fillets (Levy)
  Undeveloped Land, Berkshire (Weeds)
  Undeveloped Land, Berkshire (Weeds)
  White Fish Authority (Levy)
  White Fish Authority (Levy)
  European Economic Community
  European Economic Community
  Upland Areas (Hill Farming and Forestry)
  Upland Areas (Hill Farming and Forestry)
  Intensive Husbandry (Codes of Practice)
  Intensive Husbandry (Codes of Practice)
  Condemned Meat (Sterilisation)
  Condemned Meat (Sterilisation)
  Agricultural Land (Flooding by Sea Water)
  Agricultural Land (Flooding by Sea Water)
  Salmon
  Salmon
  Welfare of Livestock (Codes of Practice)
  Welfare of Livestock (Codes of Practice)
  Norwegian Minister of Fisheries (Visit)
  Norwegian Minister of Fisheries (Visit)
  Fisheries (Deep-Sea Oceanography)
  Fisheries (Deep-Sea Oceanography)
  Cyclamates
  Cyclamates
  Mid-Wales (Rural Development Board)
  Mid-Wales (Rural Development Board)
  Warehouses, Hull (Flooding)
  Warehouses, Hull (Flooding)
  Eggs, Meat and Poultry (Intensive Production)
  Eggs, Meat and Poultry (Intensive Production)
CIVIL SERVICE
  Non-Industrial Civil Servants
  Non-Industrial Civil Servants
  Civil Service College
  Civil Service College
  Department of Economic Affairs
  Department of Economic Affairs
  Part-time Public Servants (Retirement Pensions)
  Part-time Public Servants (Retirement Pensions)
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
  Clerical Grades (Unified Control)
  Clerical Grades (Unified Control)
  United States Aircraft, Mildenhall (Unauthorised Take-Off)
  United States Aircraft, Mildenhall (Unauthorised Take-Off)
  Chatham Dockyard
  Chatham Dockyard
  Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve
  Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve
  R.A.F. Houses, Heywood
  R.A.F. Houses, Heywood
  Surplus Houses (Disposal)
  Surplus Houses (Disposal)
  Rocket Range, Hebrides (Civilian Wages)
  Rocket Range, Hebrides (Civilian Wages)
  Parachute Battalions
  Parachute Battalions
  Chemical Experimental Work
  Chemical Experimental Work
  Naval Rating (Pre-release Resettlement Course)
  Naval Rating (Pre-release Resettlement Course)
EMPLOYMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY
  Prices and Incomes (Boards and Committees)
  Prices and Incomes (Boards and Committees)
  London Transport (A.E.F. Dispute)
  London Transport (A.E.F. Dispute)
  Average Wage Rate
  Average Wage Rate
  Independent Television Companies (Fees)
  Independent Television Companies (Fees)
  Wages Agreements and Price Increases
  Wages Agreements and Price Increases
  Exhibition Workers and Dustmen (Wages)
  Exhibition Workers and Dustmen (Wages)
  Industrial Relations
  Industrial Relations
  Agricultural Training Board
  Agricultural Training Board
  Regional Prices Indices (Committee)
  Regional Prices Indices (Committee)
  Former Naval Electrical Mechanic (Resettlement Training)
  Former Naval Electrical Mechanic (Resettlement Training)
  Industrial Training
  Industrial Training
  Unemployment and Unfilled Vacancies (Scotland)
  Unemployment and Unfilled Vacancies (Scotland)
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
  Nigeria (Red Cross Relief)
  Nigeria (Red Cross Relief)
HOME DEPARTMENT
  Funeral Expenses (John Claxton)
  Funeral Expenses (John Claxton)
  Diplomats (Non-payment of Traffic Penalties)
  Diplomats (Non-payment of Traffic Penalties)
  Ronald Arthur Biggs
  Ronald Arthur Biggs
  "Murder"
  "Murder"
  Court Case (Costs)
  Court Case (Costs)
  Portland Borstal Centre (Deaths)
  Portland Borstal Centre (Deaths)
  Kray Twins
  Kray Twins
  Court Proceedings (Members' Constituents)
  Court Proceedings (Members' Constituents)
HOUSING
  Houses, Rural Norfolk (Facilities)
  Houses, Rural Norfolk (Facilities)
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
  Hartlepool Shopping Centre
  Hartlepool Shopping Centre
  Meetings with Local Government Representatives (Transcripts)
  Meetings with Local Government Representatives (Transcripts)
  MEMBERS (LONDON ALLOWANCE)
  MEMBERS (LONDON ALLOWANCE)
  PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND ADMINISTRATION (COMMITTEE'S REPORT)
  PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND ADMINISTRATION (COMMITTEE'S REPORT)
  TELEVISION ANNUNCIATOR (DIGITAL CLOCK)
  TELEVISION ANNUNCIATOR (DIGITAL CLOCK)
  SCOTTISH QUESTIONS
  SCOTTISH QUESTIONS
  MEMBERS (SECRETARIAL ASSISTANCE)
  MEMBERS (SECRETARIAL ASSISTANCE)
  HOUSE OF COMMONS (ACOUSTICS)
  HOUSE OF COMMONS (ACOUSTICS)
  CHURCHILL MEMORIAL STATUE
  CHURCHILL MEMORIAL STATUE
MINISTRY OF POWER
  British Steel Corporation (Tube Division)
  British Steel Corporation (Tube Division)
  EARLY WARNING ARRANGEMENTS (MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITY)
  EARLY WARNING ARRANGEMENTS (MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITY)
  EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
  EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
  DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS STAFF (REDEPLOYMENT)
  DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS STAFF (REDEPLOYMENT)
  ECONOMIC SITUATION
  ECONOMIC SITUATION
  OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND MEMBERS' DUTIES
  OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND MEMBERS' DUTIES
SCOTLAND
  European Economic Community
  European Economic Community
  Council House Rents
  Council House Rents
  Wheatley Report
  Wheatley Report
  Sugar Beet Factory, Cupar
  Sugar Beet Factory, Cupar
  Selective Employment Tax
  Selective Employment Tax
  Crofters Commission and Highland and Islands Development Board
  Crofters Commission and Highland and Islands Development Board
  Vatersay Jetty
  Vatersay Jetty
  Outer Isles (Resident Sheriff)
  Outer Isles (Resident Sheriff)
  Emigration
  Emigration
  Planning Applications (Conditions)
  Planning Applications (Conditions)
  St. Andrew's House (Appointments)
  St. Andrew's House (Appointments)
  Lanarkshre Constabulary (Divisional Headquarters)
  Lanarkshre Constabulary (Divisional Headquarters)
  Burrell Art Collections Gallery
  Burrell Art Collections Gallery
  Flower and Bulb Industry
  Flower and Bulb Industry
  Police Juvenile Liaison Schemes
  Police Juvenile Liaison Schemes
  Salmon and Trout Fishing (Humber Report)
  Salmon and Trout Fishing (Humber Report)
  School Building Projects
  School Building Projects
  Scottish Health Services (Green Paper)
  Scottish Health Services (Green Paper)
  Housing
  Housing
  Govan (Redevelopment)
  Govan (Redevelopment)
HEALTH
  Industrial Noise
  Industrial Noise
  Patients Association Booklet (Distribution)
  Patients Association Booklet (Distribution)
  Sea-Birds (Virus Diseases)
  Sea-Birds (Virus Diseases)
HOSPITALS
  Lowestoft Hospital (Nurses)
  Lowestoft Hospital (Nurses)
  Regional Boards (Finance)
  Regional Boards (Finance)
SOCIAL SERVICES
  National Health Service Charges
  National Health Service Charges
  Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme
  Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme
  Disabled Persons (Constant Attendant Allowance)
  Disabled Persons (Constant Attendant Allowance)
  Local Office, Portslade (Staff)
  Local Office, Portslade (Staff)
  Pension Proposals (Representations)
  Pension Proposals (Representations)
  Standard Family Allowance
  Standard Family Allowance
  Live Births
  Live Births
TECHNOLOGY
  Concorde Project
  Concorde Project
  Handley Page Aircraft Company
  Handley Page Aircraft Company
  Nuclear Exports
  Nuclear Exports
  Atomic Energy Board
  Atomic Energy Board
  Nuclear Power Stations
  Nuclear Power Stations
  Dungeness B Nuclear Power Station
  Dungeness B Nuclear Power Station
  Nuclear Reactor Systems (Exports)
  Nuclear Reactor Systems (Exports)
  Departmental Reorganisation
  Departmental Reorganisation
  Hydrofoils (Report)
  Hydrofoils (Report)
  Power Stations (Coal-firing)
  Power Stations (Coal-firing)
  RB211 Engine
  RB211 Engine
  Domestic Fuel Supplies (Cost)
  Domestic Fuel Supplies (Cost)
  Smokeless Fuel (Supplies)
  Smokeless Fuel (Supplies)
  Inverurie
  Inverurie
  Chapelcross Nuclear Power Station
  Chapelcross Nuclear Power Station
  Oil Slicks
  Oil Slicks
  Shipbuilding Industry
  Shipbuilding Industry
  Departmental Reorganisation (Personnel)
  Departmental Reorganisation (Personnel)
  Junior Ministers (Responsibilities)
  Junior Ministers (Responsibilities)
  Nickel
  Nickel
BOARD OF TRADE
  North-East Scotland—Scandinavia (Sea Communications)
  North-East Scotland—Scandinavia (Sea Communications)
  Fishing Industry
  Fishing Industry
  Packaged Household Goods (Labelling)
  Packaged Household Goods (Labelling)
  Whisky (Exports and Excise Duty)
  Whisky (Exports and Excise Duty)
  Meat (Sale to Europe)
  Meat (Sale to Europe)
  Nickel
  Nickel
  Film Finance Corporation
  Film Finance Corporation
  Inverurie
  Inverurie
  Professions (Report)
  Professions (Report)
  Fruit and Vegetables (Imports)
  Fruit and Vegetables (Imports)
  Japanese Goods (Imports)
  Japanese Goods (Imports)
AVIATION
  Supersonic Passenger Aircraft
  Supersonic Passenger Aircraft
  Aircraft Engines (Smoke Pollution)
  Aircraft Engines (Smoke Pollution)
  Charter Tour Operators (Night Flights)
  Charter Tour Operators (Night Flights)
  Aircraft Industry (Exports)
  Aircraft Industry (Exports)
  Aircraft Noise
  Aircraft Noise
  Edwards Report
  Edwards Report
SHIPPING
  English Channel (Shipping Lanes)
  English Channel (Shipping Lanes)
  Safety at Sea
  Safety at Sea
RAILWAYS
  Crewe—Glasgow Line (Electrification)
  Crewe—Glasgow Line (Electrification)
  Land (Value)
  Land (Value)
  Railway Workshops (Outside Work)
  Railway Workshops (Outside Work)
ROADS
  Expenditure
  Expenditure
  Trans-Pennine Route
  Trans-Pennine Route
TRANSPORT
  Motor Vehicles (Tests)
  Motor Vehicles (Tests)
  Motor Vehicles (Registration)
  Motor Vehicles (Registration)
  Drink and Driving Legislation
  Drink and Driving Legislation
  Narrow Roads (Unilateral Parking)
  Narrow Roads (Unilateral Parking)
  Lorries (Dangerous Loads)
  Lorries (Dangerous Loads)
  Three-Wheeled Vehicles
  Three-Wheeled Vehicles
  Unlicensed Road Vehicles (Penalties)
  Unlicensed Road Vehicles (Penalties)
  Cyclists (Rear Lamps)
  Cyclists (Rear Lamps)
NATIONAL FINANCE
  Public Sector Purchasing
  Public Sector Purchasing
  Scottish Bank Notes
  Scottish Bank Notes
  Scotland (National Accounts)
  Scotland (National Accounts)
  Import Deposits
  Import Deposits
  Inland Revenue Department (Parliamentary Commissioner's Report)
  Inland Revenue Department (Parliamentary Commissioner's Report)
  Central Heating Installations
  Central Heating Installations
  50p Coin
  50p Coin
  Income Tax (Children's Allowances)
  Income Tax (Children's Allowances)
PUBLIC BUILDING AND WORKS
  Ministerial Transport (Cost)
  Ministerial Transport (Cost)
WALES
  Welsh Office Inspectors
  Welsh Office Inspectors
EDUCATION AND SCIENCE
  Symphony Orchestras (Scotland)
  Symphony Orchestras (Scotland)
  Metrication
  Metrication
  Immigrant Pupils
  Immigrant Pupils
  Milk Yield (Agricultural Research)
  Milk Yield (Agricultural Research)

Preamble
The House met at half past two of the clock: The Lord Chancellor on the Woolsack.
Prayers—Read by the Lord Bishop of Worcester

  STIRLING EXTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
  STIRLING EXTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
  ROYAL COMMISSION
  ROYAL COMMISSION
  PROROGATION: HER MAJESTY'S SPEECH
  PROROGATION: HER MAJESTY'S SPEECH