asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will install equipment that will enable the height of aircraft approaching London Airport to be monitored beyond the present limit of six nautical miles from the point of touch down; and whether he will give instructions for the percentage of arriving aircraft monitored to be greatly increased.

I am urgently considering the practicability of providing such equipment. In the meantime the present rate of monitoring cannot be increased.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered the complaints by residents around London Airport about the noise made by the running-up of aeroplane engines at night; and if he will take action to reduce what has again become a nuisance.

Yes. I am aware that there has been an increase in the number of complaints and I am looking into this with the British Airports Authority to see what steps can be taken to reduce the disturbance.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider investigating the possibility of re-angling the runways at London Airport, Heathrow, thereby relieving aircraft noise caused to residents living beneath the glide path, as proposed to him in the letter dated 10th November, 1967 from the hon. Member for Richmond, Surrey; and what is the estimated cost of these alterations and the estimated cost of re-angling the runways at Stansted announced recently by his department.

We are investigating the practicability of this proposed realignment and other implications including its cost and its effect on noise disturbance. The net cost of realigning the runways at Stansted is expected to be between 7 and 10 million pounds.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether having regard to the considerations specified in paragraph 37 of the Report of the South-East Economic Planning Council, he will now rescind the Government's decision to site the third London airport at Stansted.

No. These considerations were taken into account when the Government came to its decision.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has formed of the gross cost of realigning the runways at Stansted Airport; and what savings are expected to offset this.

Estimates at this stage are necessarily very tentative. The B.A.A. consider that the total cost of one new runway on a new alignment at Stansted, together with associated works, might be about £10 million-£13 million. From this must be deducted an expenditure of about £3 million on the existing runway that would be necessary to bring it up to the same standard were it not to be replaced.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what increase or decrease in the total acreage required for Stansted Airport will result from the realignment of the runways.

Alternative runway alignments and positions are still under consideration and it is therefore too early to attempt to answer this Question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what distances are proposed between the ends of the existing runway and ends of the nearer of the two new runways to be constructed at Stansted Airport;(2) if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the extent to which he expects the usability of the realigned Stansted Airport to be effected by crosswind, as compared with the ten busiest international airports in north-west Europe;

Alternative runway alignments and positions are still under consideration and it is therefore too early to attempt to answer these Questions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he gave his consent to the British Overseas Airways Corporation's policy of offering reduced fares to immigrants coming to the United Kingdom.

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to immigrants coming from India. Consent was given so that B.O.A.C. could share in carrying this traffic, which would otherwise certainly have been carried by other operators.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will provide at Turnhouse Airport, Edinburgh, a second runway adequate for modern passenger aircraft.

The timing of a second runway is dependent on a number of factors, mainly that of B.E.A.'s aircraft replacement programme. A decision will be reached as soon as practicable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is still intended that the Edwards Committee on Civil Aviation shall present an interim report by the spring of 1968.

That is still my hope.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, when the civil airport at Aldergrove in County Antrim will be handed over to the Government of Northern Ireland.

No date has been agreed for the transfer which is dependent on legislation, both at Westminster and at Stormont, to give the Northern Ireland Government the necessary powers. To this end the Civil Aviation Bill was introduced in another place on 8th November.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the rapid increase of air passenger traffic at Gatwick in 1967 and future prospects, what proposals he has for developing between now and 1970 further minimum noise procedure and installing fixed noise monitoring equipment at Gatwick comparable to that at Heathrow.

Noise limits on take-off have been in force at Gatwick on an experimental basis since 1st November. I hope that in the light of these trials a mandatory system will be introduced before next summer and fixed monitoring equipment will then be established.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to introduce noise certification in 1968 either as a unilateral action by Great Britain or as part of a programme of international action.

Good progress has been made with the domestic and international discussions on aircraft noise certification mentioned in the reply to the hon. Member for Putney on 17th April. I hope it will be practicable to bring a scheme on these lines into effect in 1968, but it must necessarily be some years before the new, quieter aircraft come into service.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what civil aircraft coming into airline service over the next six years will cause less noise nuisance to residents living beneath the glide path than aircraft in current use by airlines.

None of the new aircraft types likely to come into service over the next six years is expected to be as noisy under the approach path as present day large jets.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what changes he proposes to make in the light of experience in the conditions governing grants for soundproofing houses against the noise of aircraft.

We hope to be able to make an announcement on this shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the results of monitoring aircraft noise in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea during the summer.

Revised noise and number index contours are being prepared on the basis of the extensive programme of noise measurements made this summer in areas affected by Heathrow traffic. A copy of this report will be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what inquiry he is holding into the piracy of a British aircraft owned by Gregory Air Taxis on 30th June and since detained illegally in Algeria; and whether he will make a statement.

None. This is not a case where an inquiry under the Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations, would be appropriate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why negotiations for the sale of Hurn Airport have not yet been completed; why he still requires the airport to operate on a part-time basis only; and if he will make a statement.

It takes time to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement but negotiations with the local authorities concerned are well advanced. I do not think that the considerable cost involved in extending the present hours of watch can be justified.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further steps he is taking to recover the flight recorder from the British European Airways Comet that crashed recently in the Eastern Mediterranean.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further progress has been made in salvaging parts of Comet G-ARCO; and if he will give any further information as to the likely cause of the accident.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a further statement on the attempts to recover the wreckage of the British European Airways Comet G-ARCO.

The possibility of salvage has been carefully examined with Ministry of Defence and United States Navy experts and I have personally discussed the matter with the United States Navy Supervisor of Salvage. It is clear that salvage of the wreckage would be impracticable and that an attempt at recovery of the flight recorder alone would be an extremely difficult, lengthy and perhaps hazardous operation with little prospect of success. In view of this, and evidence which indicates detonation of a high explosive in the aircraft cabin, my right hon. Friend has decided that the question of salvage should not be pursued.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will ask the National Board for Prices and Incomes to examine the recent increase in internal air fares; and if he will make a statement.

The Air Transport Licensing Board, as required by Section 23 of the Prices and Incomes Act, 1966, had regard to the Government's Prices and Incomes policy in deciding to grant the increases in domestic air fares. I see no reason for a reference to be made to the National Board for Prices and Incomes, particularly as the Licensing Board's decision was taken and implemented before the Government decided that future cases of price increases in the public sector would be referred.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what decision he has made regarding the provision of permanent airport facilities for the Tayside area.

This is primarily a matter for the local authorities who have not yet made any proposals regarding permanent facilities. In the meantime, my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Royal Air Force, has agreed in principle to the experimental use of Leuchars for limited scheduled services, subject to satisfactory operational procedures being worked out.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the increased arrivals of transhipped ore, grain and other commodities formerly shipped direct to the United Kingdom, he will make a statement.

Grain is the commodity principally affected, and it is estimated that something like one-eighth of our imports are transhipped.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now announce the date, venue and composition of the public inquiry into the loss of the Brixham trawler "Casita".

The formal investigation will open on Monday, 22nd January, 1968 at the Town Hall, Brixham. The Wreck Commissioner will be Mr. Barry Sheen, Q.C.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the loss of invisible earnings, especially of dollars, owing to the decision of Cunard, for financial reasons, to reduce their Atlantic passenger services.

No such estimate is possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what decisions the Government have taken on the siting of new aluminium smelter works in the United Kingdom.

None as yet, except for the decision that any new smelters must be built in development areas. Their precise location must depend on a careful evaluation of the proposals put forward by the aluminium companies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the widespread practice of reducing the weight of confectionery below three ounces, he will now seek to abolish the exemption limit.

I do not consider that there is a need at present to abolish the three ounce limit.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when legislation is to be introduced to prevent confusion and deception regarding the quantity and/or weight of cosmetics sold in this country.

The Weights and Measures Act, 1963 already requires indications of either net weight or volume on containers of pre-packed cosmetics above certain sizes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that consumers in this country wishing to purchase British goods are often unknowingly purchasing imported goods, as the country of origin is not shown in advertisements; and if he will take steps to ensure that all future imported goods display this information.

No. I do not consider that a general requirement of this kind is needed or would be practicable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer the Associated Electrical Industries takeover bid by the General Electric Company to the Monopolies Commission.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his policy regarding the takeover bid by the General Electric Company of Associated Electrical Industries.

No. As I explained in my public statement on 20th October, I have concluded on the evidence available that this merger does not raise such questions of potential detriment to the public interest as would justify a reference to the Monopolies Commission.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many qualified accountants are employed at the investment grants offices; and whether he will provide adequate accounting and taxation training for all staff employed at grant offices, so that only relevant questions on these matters are asked.

The staff of the investment grants offices have received instruction in the accountancy and taxation aspects of their work; and the services of the Accountants Division of the Board of Trade are available to them as required.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of timber imports from the Baltic last year; and what proportion of them was carried in British ships.

About £77 million, of which between 4 and 5 per cent. was carried in United Kingdom registered ships.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to secure a reduction by motor insurance companies in premiums, in the light of the regulations regarding drinking and driving in the Road Safety Act, 1967.

It is too early to judge the effect of the Act on claims under motor insurance policies. When the effect can be judged, it would be for consideration, in the light of experience of the cost of claims and of other relevant factors, whether premiums should be reduced.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he obtained the support and participation of the British film unions before concluding the recent film co-production agreement with the Italian Government.

I regret that we were not able to obtain the support of the British film unions, but I hope that their discussions with the Italian unions at the end of this month will resolve their difficulties.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will restrict the import of chipboard in order to encourage home industry, particularly in development areas.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value and number of private motor vehicles imported during each of the last three years.

The figures are given on page 100 of the Overseas Trade Accounts for December, 1965 and 1966.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many completed advance factories in Scotland are still without tenants; what is the greatest length of time that any have remained empty; what steps he is taking to secure tenants by advertising and other means; and how much he has spent on advertising in the past two years.

11; of these one has been untenanted for 18 months. Publicity takes the form of press advertisements, illustrated literature, and hoardings on sites. In addition, the Board of Trade constantly draw the attention of industrialists to available factory space.The Government, as part of its advertising programme for the Development Areas, has spent in the last two years about £9,000 on advertising advance factories. The Estates Corporations have spent about £20,000 advertising their available space.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the number of advance factories now in use, being constructed, and planned, for development areas in the South-West; how many new jobs have been created in the last two years; and what is the estimate for the next three years.

In the South-West Development Area five advance factories have been completed and allocated of which two are in use; one is under construction and three more are planned. I cannot disclose the present employment in the two factories in use. The total number of jobs which all these factories will provide will depend on the type of projects attracted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to obtain a tenant for the advance factory being built in Banff.

This factory was announced in June, 1967, but we have not yet been able to start construction because of land acquisition problems. Our intention to build this factory is, however, being brought to the attention of suitable firms.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the new factories for West Cumberland will be commenced; and how many men he estimates will be employed.

The Workington No. 3 advance factory (25,000 sq. ft.) will be built on land to be acquired and it is too soon yet to say when building may start. The Maryport No. 2 advance factory (15,000 sq. ft.) will be built on land which we have purchased to extend our Solway Industrial Estate at Maryport. Site development work is at present in progress and it is hoped to start building the factory about the middle of February. I cannot at this stage estimate how many men will be employed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the technological factories owned and controlled by the Government will be commenced in West Cumberland.

Since October, 1964, the Board of Trade have approved the erection in West Cumberland of 324,000 sq. ft. of Government-owned factories, of which 112,000 sq. ft. was for six advance factories. There are at present no plans to set up Government-controlled factories. The Board is always ready to provide factories for rent or sale to firms who are able to provide suitable employment for the area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of total imports of hosiery and knitwear garments from Portugal for the first six months of 1967; and how this figure compares with that for the same period in 1966.

£1,778,755 and £463,621 respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements he has with the National Coal Board to consult in advance on future and pending pit closures in order to give an opportunity for the provision of advance factories and new jobs for redundant miners.

The National Coal Board provides the Government periodically with estimates of likely redundancy in coal mining areas and manpower forecasts for some years ahead. These cannot be precise owing to the emergence of geological and other difficulties at pits previously expected to have a long life.Decisions about individual pit closures are taken in consultation with the Unions and the National Coal Board, who will now consult the Chairman of Regional Economic Planning Councils in cases where the proposed closures are in areas of high unemployment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to provide new industry and work for miners who will become redundant consequent upon the closure of North Walbottle Colliery, many of whom reside in Westerhope in the Newburn urban district.

As I explained to my hon. Friend on 13th November, 1967, every effort is being made to encourage the creation of alternative employment opportunities and, in particular, I am trying to find tenants for the two Board of Trade factories available in Newburn.

asked the President of the Board of Trade by what percentage the British share of the South African market has been reduced between 1963 and 1966; and what cash value this represents.

Our share of South African imports fell from 30 per cent. to 27½ per cent. Had it not fallen, imports from the U.K. in 1966 would have been £20 million higher, These figures do not reflect our share in the market as a whole, because our earnings from subsidiary companies are important and increasing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, because of the high unemployment figures in North-East Derbyshire, especially Clay Cross urban district, he will give special consideration to this area to introduce new industry.

The current rate of unemployment in the Clay Cross area is slightly above the national average. The development areas must continue to have priority, but in considering applications for industrial development certificates for the Clay Cross area we shall take account of its difficulties.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will operate the system of industrial development certificates to achieve greater diversification of industry in mining districts outside development areas.

Yes, where employment is likely to be significantly affected by colliery closures.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will be prepared to issue industrial development certificates to small county towns where minor industrial development is proposed.

The Development Areas must continue to have priority. Subject to this, I will consider applications for industrial development certificates in small county towns on their merits.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how an outstanding antique, the Verzelini goblet dated 1590, was allowed to be exported from this country after being sold for £9,500 without a permit from the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art; whether he will initiate action against those responsible; and what steps he will take to prevent any further evasion of the existing regulations.

The goblet was exported, without a licence, in contravention of the export control. The circumstances of the export are being investigated; action will depend on the result of the enquiries.

asked the President of Trade what was the area of industrial building approved in Sunderland this year and the corresponding figures for 1966, 1965 and 1964, respectively.

In the first nine months of this year the total area of industrial space in Sunderland for which industrial development certificates have been issued was 230,000 sq. ft. Because of the risk of disclosing information relating to individual firms I cannot give separate figures for 1964, 1965 and 1966. But the total for the three years combined was 160,000 sq. ft.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications outstanding before the Board of Trade Advisory Committee have been outstanding three months, six months, nine months, and 12 months, respectively.

Details are not available in this form and it would involve disproportionate time and effort to extract them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to give an answer to the letter written to him by the hon. Member for Richmond, Yorks, on 10th April, 1967 concerning the request by Pallman Pulverisers Limited to establish a new factory employing some 10 men at Northallerton in the North-East Development Area; and if he will make a statement as to the reason for the delay in coming to a decision.

I have discussed the case with the hon. Member. The Board of Trade is assisting the firm in its search for a suitable alternative location in the Northern development area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action is being taken to reduce the import of domestic electrical equipment; and how far he estimates that such similar equipment being produced in the United Kingdom development areas and attracting the regional employment premium will now be able to compete with imported equipment.

Devaluation will fundamentally alter the competitive position of this industry and will provide conditions in which it should substantially improve its share of both home and export markets, especially for firms in development areas attracting the regional employment premium.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will reconsider his decision not to pay investment grant on individual items costing less than £25 when purchases of 50 or more such items are made at a time and when, but for the minimum figure imposed by his Department, these items would otherwise qualify for grant.

No. I shall keep the de minimis rule under review, but experience so far does not suggest that it would be right to change it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek to amend Section 319 of the Companies Act, 1948, to increase the present limit of £200 as preferential payment of wages and salaries in liquidations.

I will consider this suggestion in preparing the further Companies Bill which I hope to introduce in the present Parliament.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, following the merger of British Indestructo Glass Limited with Triplex Glass Company, there is now a complete monopoly of the manufacture of car windscreens in Great Britain; and if he will now refer this matter to the Monopolies Commission.

The merger does create an almost complete monopoly, but I have no reason to alter the decision not to refer it to the Monopolies Commission.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many qualified economists are now employed on the staff of the Monopolies Commission; what plans he has for increasing the number; and if he will make a statement.

The Monopolies Commission does not at present employ an economist on its staff, but steps are being taken to recruit one. The Commission itself includes four economists.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will undertake an immediate review of unused industrial capacity in development areas.

We have no plans to undertake such a review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the latest available figures for the total annual value of Scotch whisky exported to the dollar area, exported to the rouble area, and exported to all other areas, respectively.

The trade statistics do not distinguish between Scotch whisky and whisky made in Northern Ireland.Following is the information:

Exports of certificated Scotch or Irish whisky for the twelve months ended 30th September, 1967
	£ million
North America and Latin America	78·7
Eastern Europe*	0·3
of which Soviet Union	o·1
Rest of World	47·0
Total	126·1
* Includes Soviet Union, Poland, Eastern Germany, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Albania, Bulgaria, Rumania.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will add Thorne to the list of special areas where new industries are to he encouraged, in view of the high rate of unemployment there.

We recognise the position in Thorne, but the general situation in the area of which it is part is not such as to justify special assistance.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the Census of Production will be published.

The first of the 128 industry reports are now with the printers and are expected to be published next month. The remainder will follow quickly over the ensuing months, and publication will be completed with three volumes of summary tables about, it is hoped, the end of 1968.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what decision has been taken with regard to the transformer section of C. A. Parsons now that the General Electric Company have obtained control in view of the representations made to him to maintain this important employment on the Tyne.

If a merger between G.E.C. and C. A. Parsons falling within the scope of the Monopolies and Mergers Act, 1965, is proposed, I shall consider whether a reference to the Monopolies Commission would be in the public interest.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the changes and inequalities in Scotland's industrial and geographical development, if he will devise an industrial policy consistent with the present industrial and population distribution of Scotland's present potentialities.

The Government's distribution of industry policies are designed to correct the present inequalities in employment and industrial activity throughout the country and take full account of Scotland's needs and potentialities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what searches are made into the names of existing companies of similar names, prior to granting of permission for a new company's name to be registered.

It is the normal practice of those wishing to register a company to enquire in advance of the Registrar of Companies whether the name by which they wish the company to be registered is available. The staff of the Registrar search an alphabetical index of names of companies to see whether the name is too like that of any company on the register. A second search is made when the memorandum and articles of the company are submitted for registration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he did not remove the import duty on colour film as recommended by the Monopolies Commission.

After a full review of all the evidence, it was announced on 8th August, 1966 that a change in the tariff would not be in the public interest.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider extending the scope of his special areas scheme to include areas which are suffering from depopulation and which find difficulty in attracting manufacturing industry.

The basis of selection of the special development areas was the possibility of exceptionally high unemployment through colliery closures. We cannot widen the basis of selection.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the foreign exchange cost of imported tobacco an 1965; and what estimate he has made of the corresponding figure for 1967 and 1968, respectively, all expressed in sterling.

I have been asked to reply. This information is not available. The value of imports as recorded in the Overseas Trade Accounts is not a good measure of their foreign exchange cost because, for instance, it includes insurance and freight costs which may not involve the expenditure of foreign exchange.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in the presentation of statistics of value and volume of exports, he will provide separate information for Scotland, and for England and Wales.

The value of exports moved through individual ports is given in Volume 5 of the Annual Statement of Trade of the United Kingdom. Figures of exports through Scottish ports are not, however, a measure of Scotland's contribution to United Kingdom exports. Contributions to the value of individual products exported may be made in more than one region and goods are not necessarily shipped abroad from the region in which the final stage of their manufacture takes place. The measurement of the separate contributions of Scotland and of England and Wales to exports would involve severe inconvenience to traders, even if it were practicable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further changes he is considering to speed up the consideration of applications to the Board of Trade Advisory Committee.

No major changes at present but all aspects of the work are constantly under review and every opportunity is taken to improve the administration, office methods and investigation procedures. Any changes introduced have to be consistent with the Local Employment Acts and the need to safeguard public money.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the area of industrial building approved in the Northern Region this year and the corresponding figures for 1966, 1965 and 1964, respectively.

The area of industrial building in the Northern Region for which industrial development certificates were issued in the years 1964–67 is given in the following table:

	Area (thousand sq. ft.)
1964	8,223
1965	6,226
1966	8,204
1967	5,546*
* Includes a provisional figure for October, 1967.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reply he has sent to the British Footwear Manufacturers Federation letter dated 7th November, 1967, regarding the provision of a suitable exhibition site in London; and if he will make a statement.

Discussions are continuing with interested parties about the creation of a National Exhibition Centre. The President of the British Footwear Manufacturers Federation has been told that the points he has made will be borne in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publicise among exporters in this country the recommendations made by the British Export Advisory Committee in their publications, Marketing in the United States and The BEMAC Report.

The Board of Trade's assistance in giving wider publicity for these useful reports has already been offered to the British National Export Council Committee for Exports to the U.S.A. I hope all exporters interested in the United States market will make a point of considering the reports' recommendations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the work of the British National Export Council's Committee for exports to the United States of America.

The excellent work which this Committee is doing to further British exports to the United States will, I understand, be given appropriate coverage in the British National Export Council's annual report to be published shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what new administrative steps are being taken to imple- ment the employment policy, outlined in the White Paper on Fuel Policy, for the mining area of South Wales.

I would refer my right hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Rhondda, East (Mr. G. Elfed Davies) on 14th November. —[Vol. 754, c. 84–6.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what has been the increase in the value and volume of shirts imported into the United Kingdom from Portugal for each of the last six months;(2) what estimate he has formed of the number of shirts which are likely to be imported into the United Kingdom in 1968 from Portugal and other sources; what proportion this will be of United Kingdom shirt sales; and whether he will make a statement.

Increase in imports of shirts (excluding knitted cotton) from Portugal in each of the six months April to September, 1967, compared with the corresponding months of 1966:

	MMF
	Codes 84410, 84419, 84530
	Thous, doz.	£'000 c.i.f.
April	18	98
May	37	172
June	42	180
July	27	137
August	31	153
September	31	147

I have no estimates for 1968 but shall naturally continue to watch the situation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received the report of his Department's inquiry on the affairs of the Third Lanark Football Club; and if he will make a statement.

The report of the inspectors who were appointed to investigate the affairs of the Third Lanark Athletic Club Limited was received on 20th November. It is being considered urgently.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the world stock exchanges that are treated as stock exchanges of repute in accordance with Schedule 2, paragraph 28 of the Companies Act, 1967.

The Board of Trade does not maintain a list of Stock Exchanges of repute outside Great Britain for the purposes of paragraph 28 of the Second Schedule to the Companies Act, 1967, which repeats paragraph 28 of the Eighth Schedule to the Companies Act, 1948.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for the quantitative control of imports or the reintroduction of an import surcharge.

None.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the discussions about Government aids referred to in the communiqué of the ministerial meeting of the European Free Trade Association on 26th October, 1967.

The E.F.T.A. Council discussed the project for building aluminium smelters in the United Kingdom. It was agreed to pursue the matter in bilateral discussions between the United Kingdom and Norway with assistance as required from the E.F.T.A. Working Party on Government Aids. There was also a short discussion on investment grants in relation to shipping, and it was agreed that this matter should be kept under review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make available to the public a detailed list giving all United Kingdom companies who have branches operating on both sides of the Atlantic.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the latest date on which representations were made to the French Government seeking a relaxation of the ban on advertising Scotch whisky in France; and what were the results.

Representations were made, though without success, on a number of occasions between 1959 and 1962. The last time was in August, 1962.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps were taken by his Department to consult the British Hotels and Restaurants Association before the announcement of the experimental loans scheme for hotels; and what steps he proposes to take in the future to maintain liaison with the British Hotels and Restaurants Association about schemes of this kind.

The Government's proposals were fully discussed with representatives of the Association before the scheme was finally settled. I shall continue to consult the Association as appropriate about matters of concern to them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he now proposes to take to limit the cost of imported timber and timber products by encouraging better use of home-grown timber.

The amount of homegrown timber available can supply only a relatively minor part of our requirements of timber and timber products. The departments concerned are aware of the need to encourage the best practicable use of these supplies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of exports of British boats in 1966; and what steps he is taking to encourage these exports, in particular to dollar countries.

£2,613,000. Following the Kennedy Round negotiations the United States tariff on boats will be reduced. In the last three years the Board of Trade and the B.N.E.C. have joined with the boatbuilding industry in arranging a number of inward and outward missions and in participating in Boat Shows overseas. These and other Government services will continue to be available to the exporters of boats.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the value of goods and services, directly or indirectly, exported from Scotland expressed as a percentage of the gross domestic product of the Scottish economy; and what are the corresponding figures for the United Kingdom as a whole.

Exports of goods and services amount to about 17 per cent. of the value of the gross domestic product of the United Kingdom. I am unable to give such estimates for the Scottish economy since contributions to individual goods and services exported may be made in more than one region.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will issue a warning to the public to take steps to ensure that there is no excessive use of D.D.T. and other persistent insecticides pending the results of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals' review of their use.

No. Since the publication in 1964 of the Report of the original review of the use of these chemicals, this Department has consistently advised farmers, growers and home gardeners against excessive use of them. The further review by the Advisory Committee will take into account a large amount of new evidence. We do not consider that any special additional warnings are necessary at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is now in a position to eliminate the duplication of veterinary inspection of horses arriving at British ports from Northern Ireland which at present unnecessarily prolong the time that these horses are in transit.

The Secretary of State and I hope shortly to amend the Horses (Landing from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland) Order, 1954, so as to enable certain types of horse to go through the ports on this side more quickly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he proposes to take in relation to the Wise Reports, and when.

I have consulted the organisations principally concerned, and am considering their views on the recommendations made in the Wise Committee's two Reports. I will inform the House of my proposals as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has for the extension of investment grants to intensive livestock rearing units.

Agricultural investment grants are already payable in respect of such units on fixed equipment, fixed plant and fixed machinery for operations normally carried out by producers on their holdings. Tractors also qualify.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now make a statement on the progress attained in the preparation of the model scheme for the Taff Valley w prevent flooding of the Treforest Industrial Estate and the Upper Boat electricity undertaking.

I am advised by the Glamorgan River Authority that the tests on the River Taff model built at the Hydraulics Research Station at Wallingford are well advanced. The Authority expect to receive the report on the tests in January.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent he intends to modify his proposals for permitting the use of cyclamates in foods for diabetics, in view of the doubts published by the British Diabetes Association, a copy of which has been sent to him, as to their safety if more than three grams per day are taken.

The special considerations affecting diabetics were taken fully into account by the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee, and my right hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health see no need for any change.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now make a further statement on the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

Yes. The number of outbreaks now is 773. The number of animals slaughtered is approximately 69,000 cattle, 32,000 sheep and 38,000 pigs. This is now the worst epidemic this century in terms of numbers of animals slaughtered.Since I made a statement to the House on 20th November in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Ridley) an outbreak of the disease has occurred in Northamptonshire in addition to counties where there have already been outbreaks. Further race meetings have been cancelled to avoid the risk of spreading the disease. I have made an Order prohibiting farmers from bringing animals back to their farms from fatstock markets. I have obtained all possible publicity to advise farmers and the public about measures to be taken to combat the disease. I shall myself be visiting the foot-and-mouth control centre at Oswestry on Friday.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many dogs and cats developed rabies in quarantine in the decade 1956–66; how many of these developed in each month of the six-month period; and whether he will introduce a three-month quarantine period, in view of modem inoculations.

No domestic dogs or cats developed rabies while in quarantine in this country in the decade 1956–66, but one tiger cub did.Modern vaccines are of great value in countries where the disease already exists, but they do not give complete protection and they do not reduce the incubation period, which can be as long as six months. My right hon. Friend is not prepared to reduce the quarantine period below this.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will announce the result of his discussions with the National Trust regarding the culling of seals on the Fame Islands.

As the National Trust felt themselves unable, on the basis of their existing information, to agree to a continuation of the cull of seals on the Fame Islands, the Natural Environment Research Council suggested to me that it would be desirable to have a review of the scientific facts and their interpretation by a wide range of scientific opinion. The Council is arranging a meeting of scientists for this purpose as soon as possible, probably in the New Year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will examine the method of forecasting future pig supplies with a view to making its analysis more flexible; and if he will make a statement.

Our aim is to arrive at the best possible forecast of pig certifications, and the method of calculation is kept under review and adjusted from time to time to take account of relevant changes, for instance in the pattern of the pig breeding herd.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the tonnage of lime which has been supplied for farms in each of the counties of Wales for the last three years; and whether he is satisfied that sufficient is being used this year.

The figures are as follows:

TONS OF LIME ON WHICH SUBSIDY HAS BEEN PAID
County	1964	1965	1966	1967
				Jan—sept.
Anglesey	12,685	17,571	16,133	12,246
Brecon	14,505	16,269	12,724	6,961
Caernarvon	14,395	16,514	14,892	9,340
Cardigan	27,121	37,085	24,984	16,848
Carmarthen	44,920	51,422	37,082	23,303
Denbigh	26,036	25,281	22,343	11,780
Flint	11,782	10,735	8,338	4,498
Glamorgan	17,370	20,290	17,891	11,213
Merioneth	13,371	11,924	11,686	6,673
Monmouth	21,066	25,677	15,783	11,007
Montgomery	29,786	28,719	27,506	12,491
Pembroke	38,663	52,169	39,224	24,369
Radnor	24,007	23,472	15,212	7,610
Total for Wales	295,707	337,128	263,798	158,339

I am not satisfied that the amount of lime that is being used on the land in Wales this year is at a rate which is adequate to replace estimated lime losses. As 1966 was also a year of below average use, farmers generally would be well advised to examine whether their liming programmes are adequate to maintain the lime content of their land. The lime subsidy on average meets nearly half farmers' costs of liming and the advice of the N.A.A.S. is available to them on request.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why students on leaving school at O level are not told their classification.

The use of standards or classifications in the Higher grade was introduced in 1962 in order to facilitate the selection of candidates for admission to universities. I am not clear that any similarly useful purpose would be served by the introduction of standards in the Ordinary grade. But this is primarily a matter for the Scottish Certificate of Education Examination Board which since 1963 has been responsible for the arrangements for the examination.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will seek to implement the recommendations regarding a subsidy on freight for sheep from Orkney and Shetland made by the Highland Transport Board.

I am as yet unable to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Perth and East Perthshire (Mr. MacArthur) on 25th October, 1967.—[Vol. 751, c. 469–74.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the house building target for Glenrothes in each of the next three years; and whether it is intended to reduce the current figure.

For the three years 1968–69, 1969–70 and 1970–71 the Development Corporation's objective is to complete 820, 1,000 and 1,100 houses, respectively. There is no intention of reducing the programme of 770 houses which it hopes to complete in the current year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in view of the arrangements being made under Government subsidy to hold the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Scotland, if he will state his plans to enable the relevant sportsmen to visit that year's Braemar Games and also to visit Aberdeen and North-East Scotland.

The Commonwealth Games will be run by the main organising committee of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, and any organisation which would like to invite Commonwealth athletes to take part in other events should approach the committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is yet in a position to give details of his plans in concert with the Scottish Tourist Board and British Travel Association to attract and give facilities to visitors to the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh to visit North-East Scotland, particularly Deeside, the City of Aberdeen and the Braemar Games of that year.

The Scottish Tourist Board, the British Travel Association and the Scottish Information Office are all playing an active part in the work of the Press and public relations committee recently established by the organising committee of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland which is preparing to take full advantage of this opportunity to attract visitors to all parts of Scotland.

			Average Price Scotland			Average Price England and Wales			Guaranteed Price			Difference of Scottish Price and Guaranteed Price Col. (1)—Col. (3)
			(1)			(2)			(3)			(4)
			£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
1962–63	…	…	17	5	7	18	3	5	13	5	0	+4	0	7
1963–64	…	…	15	6	7	14	19	6	13	15	0	+1	11	7
1964–65	…	…	13	4	6	14	4	8	14	0	0	—	15	6
1965–66	…	…	14	19	4	13	17	7	14	5	0	+	14	4
1966–67	…	…	18	16	2	19	11	4	14	10	0	+4	6	2

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of patients on the present geriatric waiting list for Ayrshire.