asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts he has had since assuming office with the Italian Foreign Minister.

Signor Moro and I have had several meetings and he is to visit London on 15th and 16th December.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in view of the fact that the members of the Ghana High Commission have consistently the highest number of parking fixed penalty notices fixed to their cars and for which diplomatic exemption is demanded, what representations he has made to the High Commissioner to instruct his officials to conform with British law where possible; and what reply he has received.

The names of missions given in the reply to my hon. Friend's Question of 3rd November were in alphabetical order. The High Commission of Ghana is not currently nor consistently at the head of the list numerically.All missions are sent monthly lists of fixed penalty notices. These communications do not call for a reply, but Heads of Mission are aware of our views on this subject.—[Vol. 805, c. 341.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why there was no British Ambassador in Madrid during September.

The Ambassador was in San Sebastian from 5th August to 11th September; at the same time as the Spanish Government. He was in Madrid from 11th to 14th September and then in England on leave.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further talks he is having with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the European Economic Community states with a view to closer political unity in Europe.

Her Majesty's Government participated in the meeting of Ministers of the Six Community countries and the four applicants in Brussels on 2nd December at which they were represented by my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary. We will be happy to take part in future similar meetings.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will issue a White Paper on the economic assessment of the effects on the European Free Trade Association arising from Great Britain's application to join the European Economic Community, in view of the recent decision of the Swedish Government not to apply for entry to that organisation; and if he will make a statement.

No. Her Majesty's Government subscribes to the communique issued at the end of the E.F.T.A. Ministerial meeting in November which reaffirmed and emphasised members' strong interest in safeguarding as an important part of an enlarged Community the free trade area already established between E.F.T.A. countries. Sweden's future relationship with the European Economic Community is a matter for the Swedish Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what means the Government propose to consult the public in due course as to whether or not the United Kingdom should join the European Economic Community.

The Government have a clear mandate to pursue their negotiations for satisfactory terms for entry into the European Communities. If the negotiations succeed and if Parliament is invited to approve an instrument of Accession to the Treaties of the Communities, all aspects of the matter will be the subject of full consideration and discussion in Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made since Saturday, 14th November, for him to arrange a referendum on whether or not Great Britain should enter the Common Market; and what was the nature of his reply.

My right hon. Friend and I have received a number of letters about a referendum on Britain's entry into the European Communities. We have replied that Her Majesty's Government have a clear mandate from Parliament for pursuing the negotiations. A referendum would not be consistent with constitutional practice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the need to consult public opinion on the question of Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, he will move to appoint a Select Committee to study methods of ascertaining public opinion.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy in relation to the concept of political unity in Western Europe.

The Government's policy on political unity in Western Europe was set out in the opening statement to the European Communities on 30th June by my right hon. Friend the then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. This statement was presented to Parliament as Command Paper 4401.

asked the Secretary State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest position reached in negotiations with the European Economic Community in relation to the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement.

We have received the Commission's observations on the factual paper on sugar which we had submitted earlier, and we have submitted proposals to deal with the question of exports of sugar by members of the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has now received from the New Zealand Government arising out of the latest European Economic Community negotiations.

We are in close and continuing touch with the Government of New Zealand about Britain's negotiations for entry into the European Communities. Mr. Marshall, the deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand, paid a further visit to London 10 days ago and had discussions with me and with a number of my Ministerial colleagues.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) on Great Britain's entry into the Common Market, if those Commonwealth citizens wishing to be included as community workers will have to renounce their own citizenship and become citizens of Great Britain;(2) whether the matter of which categories of overseas workers in Great Britain would be eligible for free movement of labour within European Economic Community countries should Great Britain become a member has yet been discussed in Brussels, and with what outcome.

Discussions with the Communities on the subject of free movement of labour are not complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect on the constitutional position of Parliament in the event of Great Britain becoming a full member of the European Economic Community.

The legal and constitutional implications of membership of the European Communities, including the implications for Parliament, were examined in a White Paper (Cmnd. 3301) presented to Parliament in May, 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the member Governments of the European Economic Community about the proposal for a European economic and monetary union.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the right hon. Member for Stepney (Mr. Shore).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will issue a simplified guide to the political implications of joining the Common Market and make it widely available, free of charge, through post offices and other public agencies.

Her Majesty's Government keep constantly under review the means of keeping the public fully informed on this as on other questions connected with our application for membership of the European Communities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will specify the documents submitted by Her Majesty's Government to the European Economic Community since 5th June last, distinguishing between those of which the content or existence have been disclosed to Parliament and those which have not.

The proposals submitted to the conference with the European Communities are confidential negotiating documents. I make regular statements to the House on the subjects and the main terms of the proposals that we are discussing. For me to reveal more about the documents submitted would be inimical to the confidentiality and effectiveness of the negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will call a halt to negotiations for entry into the Common Market, in view of the evidence contained in the Report of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, a copy of which has been sent to him.

No. The National Institute of Economic and Social Research is an unofficial body. The evidence referred to is the sole responsibility of the authors of the report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is giving consideration to the importance to Northern Ireland of the Safeguarding of Employment Act (Northern Ireland), 1947, in negotiations with the European Economic Community.

The Government of Northern Ireland are in touch with us on this point.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs whether he will published in the OFFICIAL REPORT or place in the Library the text of the official speech by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster made in Paris on Wednesday, 18th November, to the effect that Great Britain would modify her membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation military alliance for a joint European defence system so as to facilitate British entry into the European Economic Community.

I have placed my speech in the Library of the House. There is no reference in it to any modification of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation for a joint European defence system so as to facilitate British entry into the European Economic Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the warning officially issued by the West German Government on Thursday, 19th November, that they will hold up negotiations on Great Britain's application to enter the Common Market unless Her Majesty's Government promises to give money towards the United States' defence costs in Europe; and what response he has made to these demands.

The Federal German Government have stated that there is no occasion for any fear that the question of burden sharing could have adverse effects on Britain's negotiations for membership of the European Communities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, the copy of the Anti-Common Market League's pamphlet, "Joining the Common Market or What the Treaty of Rome Means", and, in view of the Government's declared policy of having public discussion on this subject, if he will arrange for a similar type of document to be published on a cost sale to the public.

I have received the pamphlet from the hon. Member. My colleagues and I make frequent statements to the House, and speeches, which serve the purpose of keeping the public informed about the progress of the negotiations and the implications of membership. Her Majesty's Government keep constantly under review the question of how best to make further information available to the public. There is already a substantial volume of material available from private organisations and from the Information Office of the European Communities. I do not see any need to issue the type of document suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when negotiations on the position of Commonwealth citizens are expected to begin in Brussels.

I cannot anticipate the timetable for discussions in Brussels on particular issues.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what plans he has during the current negotiations to secure democratic election of persons from the United Kingdom for the European Parliament by universal franchise if Great Britain becomes a member of the European Economic Community; and whether he will place such plans in the House of Commons Library;(2) whether, during the present negotiations for Great Britain's entry into European Economic Community he will make it a condition that before Great Britain will consider any terms of entry any Consultative Assembly must be democratically elected by the peoples of the member countries of the European Economic Community instead of consisting of nominated persons as is now the case with the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe.

This subject is not one for discussion in the present negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the last ministerial negotiating session under the chairmanship of the West German representative in Brussels this year is likely to take place; on what date in January the chairmanship will b taken over by the French representative; and on what grounds the French have declared their intentions of hardening their attitude to Great Britain's application for entry to the European Economic Community.

The last ministerial negotiating meeting this year between the United Kingdom and the European Communities takes place tomorrow. The dates of future meetings will be decided then. The French representative will assume the chairmanship of the conference on 1st January. I am not aware of any French declaration of the kind referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent the proposed farm price increases in the Common Market countries of 10 per cent. for livestock, 6 per cent. for certain dairy products and 5 per cent. for some cereals, details of which are known to him, would raise the levies Great Britain would have to pay on entering the Common Market.

I have no official knowledge of proposed farm price increases in the Communities. It would be premature to estimate the effects of any increases.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he accepts the conclusions of the report of the National Institute for Economic and Social Research as published in its November Review, a copy of which has been sent to him, on matters connected with Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community.

No. The National Institute of Economic and Social Research is not an official body. The views expressed in its report are the sole responsibility of its authors.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, during the present negotiations for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, he will seek to arrange for a group of hon. Members from the House of Commons to attend as observers at the negotiations in Brussels, such group to consist of one-third from those who oppose entry, one-third in favour, and one-third who have not so far declared their views on this subject.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in view of the need for continuing arrangements, subject to the review, for New Zealand dairy products when the United Kingdom enters an enlarged Community, he will oppose suggestions by the European Economic Community Council of Ministers that after the end of a transition period the problem of New Zealand dairy products can be dealt with solely by means of an international agreement on dairy products.

With regard to New Zealand exports of dairy products to an enlarged Community, we have asked for some form of continuing arrangements, subject to review, in order that we may assess the position as we go along. We now await the Community's reactions to our proposals on which it would be premature to speculate at this stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government's proposals to deal with the problems of New Zealand exports of dairy products, as part of the negotiations with the European Economic Community Council of Ministers, were first discussed and agreed with the New Zealand Government.

Her Majesty's Government are, and have been, in close and continuing touch with the New Zealand Government on this matter. In putting forward our proposals to the European Communities, the views of the New Zealand Government were taken fully into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the next statement on the Common Market negotiations will be made to the House of Commons by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster following his Ministerial meeting with the Six on 8th December.

I hope to make a statement on Thursday, 10th December.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in the negotiations for the entry of the United Kingdom into the European Economic Community, he will seek to ensure the continuation of the United Kingdom hill sheep and hill cow subsidies so as to provide income support for hill and upland producers.

My right hon. Friend the then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster informed the representatives of the European Communities in Brussels on 21st July that we would wish to discuss with the Community the provision of assistance to United Kingdom farmers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in the event of Great Britain joining the Common Market, the Government will support the endowing of the European Parliament with powers to decide matters of European policy which are before it for debate by a majority vote.

It would be premature for me to make commitments about Her Majesty's Government's attitude to the procedures of the European Parliament, which are matters for the Parliament itself, until a decision is reached on Her Majesty's Government's accession to the Treaty of Rome.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he will now instruct Her Majesty's representative at the United Nations to reaffirm the United Kingdom's acceptance of Security Council Resolutions 181 of 7th August, 1963, 182 of 4th November, 1963, and 191 of 18th June, 1964, in so far as they relate to the supply of arms to South Africa.

No. The Government's position was made clear by the Acting United Kingdom representative in the Security Council on 20th July, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what progress has been made with the negotiations with foreign and Commonwealth suppliers to impose a levy on beef;(2) what progress has been made with the negotiations with foreign and Commonwealth suppliers to impose a levy on cereals;(3) what progress has been made with the negotiations with foreign and Commonwealth suppliers to impose a levy on milk products.

We have had a first round of discussions on our levy proposals with the major overseas suppliers to whom we have specific obligations. The next stage of negotiations is now under way.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to make an official visit to Greece.

I have no plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the value of the chrome which has during the last 12 months been exported by Rhodesia to China; if he is aware of the purpose for which that chrome is being used; and what action he will take.

Notwithstanding occasional unsubstantiated Press reports, I have no evidence that China imports chrome from Rhodesia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is now the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the future of Anguilla.

Our purpose is to seek a solution which will ensure stability for the future. Our discussions to this end are proceeding, and Mr. Bradshaw is at present in London for talks.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on British/Malagasy relations.

We value our friendly relations with the Malagasy Republic.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make an official visit to the Chagos Archipelago.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on British relations with Brunei.

His Highness the Sultan has recently visited London for talks with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and myself. Heads of proposals about the form which relations between Britain and Brunei should take were discussed and initialled by the Sultan and by me. The substance of the Heads of Proposals will now be put into the form of a draft agreement amending the 1959 Agreement. This will be discussed at a further meeting in the first half of next year. It was agreed that a battalion of the British Brigade of Gurkhas should remain in Brunei on the present basis for the time being.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British consular officials are employed at Beira now and were employed there in 1964, respectively, and at what cost to the Exchequer.

There are at present two British officials of consular rank at Beira. With their supporting staff they cost £20,000. In 1964 there was one consular official who, with his supporting staff, cost (at 1970 prices) £8,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations are taking place between Great Britain and Egypt about the re-opening of the Suez Canal; and what other nations are associated with Great Britain in the talks.

No consultations are taking place on this subject at present.The re-opening of the canal is closely bound up with the achievement of a political settlement to the Middle East conflict.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the detention of Rudolf Hess.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will now take steps to have Herr Hess released from captivity.

I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster gave in the House on 16th November.—[Vol. 806, c. 860–1.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Commonwealth or other African Governments have offered port and defence facilities to replace those provided by South Africa.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to Recommendation No. 602 on the position of Greek refugees, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 20th April, 1970, whether the Government will move for the reconsideration of this recommendation in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe with the aim of improving the situation of Greeks in exile by the joint payment to the Council of Europe Resettlement Fund of a total sum of $100,000.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent proposals he has made to enable the holding of a European security conference.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave earlier this afternoon to Questions by the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Renée Short) and my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Mr. Tilney).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will seek to set up an international mobile task force on permanent stand-by, equipped to bring immediate help to disaster areas.

Her Majesty's Government are always willing to play an active part, either alone or in concert with other States, in seeking to mitigate suffering in disaster areas. An international stand-by force has not so far proved practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy regarding the Treaty between the Governments of Poland and West Germany so far as it affects the United Kingdom.

As a European and a Potsdam Power, we welcome this Treaty, including its provisions relating to Poland's Western frontier. We are confident that the treaty will help to eliminate sources of tension in Europe.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he proposes to take to protect British workers abroad from breaches of contract by foreign employers.

If United Kingdom nationals take up employment abroad without official sponsorship, the terms of contract are a private matter. In the event of a breach of contract, our consuls are always ready to assist British subjects and will, if possible, try to settle disputes informally, and, if necessary, put them in touch with reputable lawyers. Failing a settlement, the only redress is through the courts.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a further statement on the Government's decision in relation to the proposed withdrawal from the Persian Gulf.

No decision on Her Majesty's Government's future Gulf policy has yet been taken. Sir William Luce has been engaged in extensive consultations with the leaders in the Gulf States and with other Governments which are concerned. We are now considering what Her Majesty's Government's policy should be in the light of these consultations and of developments in the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in view of its rôle as co-chairman of the Geneva Conference, Her Majesty's Government were consulted by the United States Government before United States troops made their abortive attempt to rescue United States prisonersof-war at Son Jay.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will implement the recommendations contained in the Duncan Report.

The recommendations in the Duncan Report have been studied carefully and where appropriate are being implemented. Some of the recommendations are still under examination in the context of the current review of Governmental activities. Many of the recommendations, however, were in the nature of guidelines rather than specific suggestions for action. Some of the general concepts, such as the "outer area" and "area of concentration", have already been generally recognised as having been much too sharply drawn.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made in the last two weeks by Her Majesty's Government to the Soviet authorities in Berlin about delays recently imposed on road traffic while passing through East Germany en route to Berlin from the West German Federal Republic.

The British, American and French Deputy Commandants in Berlin warned the Soviet authorities on 29th November that such actions created tensions harmful to the search for a Berlin settlement in which all four Governments are engaged. The warning was repeated on 2nd December.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a further statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the attitude and actions of the Security Council, in regard to the situation in Guinea.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will now make a further statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy and actions in relation to United Nations action in the Guinea situation.

The United Nations Special Mission has visited Guinea in accordance with Resolution 289 of the Security Council, which was adopted unanimously on 23rd November. The Security Council is now considering the Mission's report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about the continued detention in China of Mr. D. C. Johnston.

Mr. Johnston has been detained by the Chinese authorities since August, 1968. Until then he was the Manager of the Chartered Bank's Shanghai branch. His continued detention is a matter of grave concern to Her Majesty's Government. Despite repeated representations on his behalf, we have still not been given information about his whereabouts, state of health, or the reasons for his detention. Our most recent representation was to the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires in London on 11th November. Much as we should like to see an improvement in Sino-British relations, the detention of Mr. Johnston is a serious obstacle to this.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise in the Security Council, as a threat to world peace, the massacre of refugees on 23rd July in southern Sudan.

No.The security situation in the Sudan is a matter which remains essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of that country's Government. The Sudanese Minister for Southern Affairs has denied the unconfirmed press reports which allege that Sudanese troops were involved in an incident on 23rd July. He has further stated that no such incident took place on Sudanese territory.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Chilean Government concerning their intention to take over compulsorily British banks in Chile.

Her Majesty's Government stand ready to make representations on behalf of British interests whenever necessary. However, I am not aware of any specific proposals in the sense indicated in the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of the Hong Kong population is Chinese.

Ethnically and on the basis of language, about 981 per cent. of the Hong Kong population could be described as Chinese.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from organisations in Hong Kong to promote Chinese as an official langauge in that Colony; what replies he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has received representations on this subject from the "All Hong Kong Working Party to promote Chinese as an Official Language" and from the Hong Kong University Students' Union. I have likewise received representations, through the hon. Member for Barking (Mr. Driberg), from the Hong Kong Federation of Students.In all three cases replies were sent suggesting that the authors of the representations should make known their views to the Committee set up by the Hong Kong Government to look into the question. Her Majesty's Government agree that this is an important issue which deserves careful study and note that it is already the Hong Kong Government's policy to use the Chinese language in communications whenever this is in the interests of the public and of good administration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date in the late summer and for what reasons were the French police called in force to the British Embassy in Paris.

Police were called to the British Embassy in Paris on 5th July and again on 1st September. On 5th July they were investigating a bomb explosion at the Embassy garage, and on 1st September they helped with great courtesy to remove from the consular offices seven East Africans of Asian origin who were unwilling to leave at the normal closing time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations on the future of Berlin.

The eleventh meeting of Four Power Ambassadors took place on 23rd November. The twelfth is scheduled for 10th December. Apart from this, I have nothing to add to the Reply I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Lewes (Sir T. Beamish) on 16th November.—[Vol. 806, c. 848–9.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made to the United States Administration about the Bill now before Congress providing for increased tariffs against foreign goods, in view of its likely effects on British exports.

Her Majesty's Government have made abundantly clear to the United States Administration the serious disquiet which they feel at the possibility of protectionist measures of far-reaching consequence being adopted by the United States.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what success Her Majesty's Government have had in bringing about economies in the United Nations Organisation and its Agencies.

Her Majesty's Government, in collaboration with the other principal contributors, are continually scrutinising the budgets of the United Nations and its Agencies and suggesting administrative economies. It is our aim to ensure that expenditure is kept within reasonable limits and within the capacity of the Agency concerned to make effective use of the funds available to it. The results of our efforts cannot be precisely quantified.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on his recent discussions with King Hussein.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister saw King Hussein on 4th December. I saw the King lately in Cairo and hope to do so again later this month. Discussions of this sort are confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many applicants for the 100 per cent. mortgage option scheme there were in Wales and in East Flintshire from the inception of the scheme to the latest convenient date; how many applicants were successful in Wales and East Flintshire; and how many successful applicants there were for standard mortgages from Welsh local authorities and from the East Flintshire local authorities.

This information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales why it took seven weeks for him to reply to a letter from the right hon. Member for Cardiff, West, concerning loan sanction for certain new offices in Cardiff, although he had conveyed his decision to the Cardiff City Council a month before replying to the right hon. Member.

I replied to the right hon. Member seven days after receiving his letter but a full reply could not be sent until Circular 116/70, which made a major alteration in loan consent procedure, had been issued, and the allocation made to Cardiff City Council under the terms of that circular had been notified to the Corporation. I apologise if the delay appeared to be discourteous.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give a breakdown, county by county, of the way the cut of £400,000 in principal roads in Wales is to be allocated.

Estimated expenditure on the improvement of principal roads in Wales during 1970–71 is £4·1 million. Planned expenditure for 1971–72 will be reduced by £300,000 from £5·7 to £5·4 million. This will not be allocated to specific schemes but will be achieved by controlling the timing of new additions to the programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the number of Welsh schoolchildren who will be entitled to receive free school meals in each of the four years 1971 to 1975.

It is estimated that the number of schoolchildren in Wales who will be entitled to receive free school meals in each of the four years 1971–75 will be as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many Welsh school-children in January, 1970, were receiving free school meals.

47,521.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many additional jobs will be provided by the winter works programme; and what are the comparable figures for the last two winters.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 30th November to the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Gwynoro Jones). It is not known how many additional jobs were provided by previous winter works programmes.—[Vol. 807, c. 281.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average number of all beds per 10,000 population for all hospitals in each administrative area under the jurisdiction of the Welsh Hospital Board.

The average number of all beds per 10,000 population for all hospitals in Wales at 30th June, 1970, by administrative area, is approximately:

asked the Secretary of State for Wales on what date he intends to pay an official visit to the county borough of Newport, Monmouthshire.

8th January, 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received to date against the Government's proposal to abolish investment grants; and what reply he has sent.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the current use made in Wales of the Welsh versions of official forms and documents which have been translated under the provisions of the Welsh Language Act 1967.

In the main, the use made of the Welsh versions of official forms and documents is small. In a few instances the number of Welsh forms issued as a percentage of the corresponding English versions is in the region of 10 per cent., but in most it is less than 2 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will consider setting up a non-political body to co-ordinate present efforts to encourage the use of the Welsh language in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will now take steps to set up an official institution to look after the interests of the Welsh language and to stimulate interest in Welsh culture.

I still have under consideration the proposals which have been made to that effect.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the approximate annual total cost to Government Departments of translating documents into Welsh.

This information is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give financial assistance to local authorities in Wales to assist them in the translation into Welsh of forms, documents and signs.

No; but in so far as local authorities receive a rate support grant, this contributes towards the cost of any translations which they may undertake.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales in what way he consults Her Majesty's inspectors of schools in Wales.

The Welsh Education Office regularly seeks the advice of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools. In the submissions I receive from the Office and through my meetings with Her Majesty's Inspectors, their advice is readily available to me.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the response from local authorities in Wales, including the East Flintshire local authorities, to his recent circular on the selling of council houses; and if he will make a statement.

While my circular was intended to encourage the sale of council houses, the decision on whether to sell is one for the local authorities to take, and I have not asked them to tell me what they intend to do.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many visits to local authorities were made by senior Welsh Office civil servants; how many official opening ceremonies they carried out in 1969 and in 1970 to date, indicating, so far as is possible, the nature of the opening ceremonies; and how many occurred in North Wales and in Flintshire.

I regret that the answer cannot be provided without the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of time and effort.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what investigations he is making into coastal erosion; what methods he proposes to adopt to halt erosion; and what financial assistance he gives to the local authorities in Wales concerned with coastal erosion.

Maritime local authorities are responsible for making investigations and taking measures to halt erosion. I make a specific grant towards the cost of necessary works, and the residual cost to the local authority also qualifies for rate support grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what reports he receives on the conditions of school-buildings from Her Majesty's inspectors of schools; what reports he has received on unsuitable school buildings; what are the names of such unsuitable Welsh schools; and if he will publish Her Majestys' inspector's reports on this matter.

Many of the reports on Schools prepared by Her Majesty's Inspectors include observations on the buildings. Some of these reports refer to deficiencies in school buildings. The local education authorities have submitted to the Welsh Education Office a list of inadequate schools which they consider need to be replaced. Many of the reports by Her Majesty's Inspectors are issued to the local education authorities and the school governors or managers concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of British exports by value he estimates will be sold in the European Economic Community in 1981–82 on the basis that the United Kingdom did not join the Community, and what percentage in the Commonwealth on the basis that preferences remain unchanged, assuming in both cases that the trend of the last 10 years continues.

I prefer not to make estimates on such uncertain assumptions. In the last 10 years, exports to the E.E.C. rose considerably faster than exports to the Commonwealth. Since each market now accounts for a similar share of our total exports, it seems likely that by 1981–82 exports to the E.E.C. will account for a much greater share than exports to the Commonwealth.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why the United Kingdom is not asking for a nil tariff from the European Economic Community for petroleum products, casein, acetylene black, bars and rods of nickel/copper alloy, sulphur, cobalt oxide, calcium carbide, East India kips, heavy jute goods, hand-knotted carpets, coir mats and matting, sports goods, including cricket bats, and tropical hardwoods.

As explained in the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 25th November, we are confining our requests on this occasion to cases where the application of the Common External Tariff without mitigation to basic materials might give rise to difficulties for British industry.—[Vol. 807, c. 159–60.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why the United Kingdom is asking for a nil tariff on tea from the European Economic Community in the event of the United Kingdom becoming a member of the European Economic Community when the European Economic Community suspended its duty on tea in 1963.

The purpose of this request is to make the suspension of duty permanent.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations in Geneva between the United Kingdom, the European Economic Community and other Powers on the reduction of the common external tariff in so far as it relates to aluminium.

We export relatively little unwrough aluminium to the E.E.C. and thus have no rights under G.A.T.T. rules to participate in these negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will publish in HANSARD as much information as may be readily available giving details to show to what extent British manufacturers of footwear would benefit or suffer if we were to gain admission into the European Economic Community on any present known terms as now operating within the Six.

No. Detailed information is not readily available, but British footwear manufacturers in general see advantages for them in our joining the European Economic Community and welcome the prospect.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and industry what changes are expected in existing Commonwealth preferences when the generalised tariff preferences to which the United Kingdom agreed in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development negotiations are applied; and when this process is likely to start.

Commonwealth countries will be called upon to share with developing countries generally their existing preferences on most industrial goods and on certain agricultural products. The industrialised countries aim to put their schemes into effect during 1971.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why British European Airways have been permitted by him to buy second-hand Boeing aircraft for its Airtours subsidiary, thus departing from its normal policy of buying British aircraft; and what the cost of this purchase will be to the balance of payments.

We have agreed that B.E.A. Airtours may buy second-hand Boeing 707–123Bs because it regards these aircraft as meeting its needs best. The

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what requests he has received from Dan-Air Services Limited for assistance in obtaining permission from the Cyprus Government for charter flights to Nicosia carrying British Forces' families, with particular reference to a flight scheduled for 18th December.

We have been in frequent touch with Dan-Air over the past six months concerning the series of Forces' families flights to Cyprus starting on 18th December. Appropriate representations have been made at all appropriate stages to the Cyprus authorities and I am glad to say that permission has been obtained for the first flight in the series. Consultations concerning the remaining flights are still in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry impact on the balance of payments will depend largely on the extent to which the purchase is financed by overseas borrowing.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what are the sites selected for Government advance factories in the Yorkshire coal-mining intermediate area; what are the dates on which building has commenced or will commence; and what is the number of jobs involved;(2) where the advance factory will be built in the Dearne Valley area; and on what date the building will commence.

Following is the information:whether he has now considered the lack of opportunities for apprenticeships in mechanical and electrical engineering in Wales, in the light of the resolution, sent to him by the right hon. Member for Cardiff, West, and passed by the Cardiff Trades' Council, concerning the reduction in the number of students enrolled in the mechanical and electrical engineering departments of the Cardiff technical colleges; and whether he will make a statement.

I have seen this resolution. Our regional policies are designed to encourage the provision of suitable new employment in the various parts of the assisted areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times from 1st January, 1970, to the most convenient date have inter-Britain flights been cancelled or delayed because of technical or operational faults.

The operation of the inter-Britain services of British European Airways is a matter for the airline management, to which the hon. Member should address his inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications have been received by his Department for industrial projects on Dunston Trading Estate, County Durham, before 26th October and since that date; and how many were approved for loans and grants under the Local Employment Acts in each case.

One application for an industrial development certificate has been received before 26th October and one after. It is not the practice to disclose information relating to individual financial assistance approvals under the Local Employment Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in preparing plans for encouraging industrialists to bring employment to the Dunston Trading Estate, County Durham.

The Dunston Trading Estate is in the early stages of development. The full range of development area incentives to industry is available in Dunston, and the Department will take every opportunity of bringing the advantages of the area to the attention of suitable firms.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the stockpile of Gloco smokeless fuel in the North-East, he will issue general directions to the gas boards to ensure a more even national distribution of this fuel.

No. This is a matter for the distributive trade.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his Department will demonstrate developments in technology for the disabled at the Permanent Exhibition for disabled people organised by the Disabled Living Foundation, details of which have been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

I am glad that Lady Hamilton, Chairman of the Disabled Living Foundation, advised me of the exhibition, which is to open in 1971. It would, however, be inappropriate for me to attempt to demonstrate developments in technology for the disabled as these are the special concern of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Social Services.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will direct the Central Electricity Generating Board to discontinue the retailing of electrical appliances, in view of the low profits earned on these activities.

Figures for the retailing and contracting activities of the area boards in 1969–70 are given in the Electricity Council's Report for 1969–70. Whether there should be any changes in either the range of the board's activities or the treatment of those activities in their accounts are matters I have currently under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give a direction to the Central Electricity Generating Board to show in all accounts up to date valuations of the buildings used for appliance sales together with the notional rents used, or otherwise indicate the rate of return on capital that these notional rents represent.

No. The C.E.G.B. does not sell appliances. This is done by the area electricity boards, and, as stated in my reply to my hon. Friend on 24th November, I am considering whether the information contained in the accounts of the Electricity Council and area boards on appliance sales is adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give an undertaking that before making any statement on the future organisation of the steel industry, he will have the fullest consultation with the six trade unions concerned with the organisation of the workers in the steel industry.

My right hon. Friend has already given an assurance that he will have discussions with the trade unions involved before any attempt is made to finalise arrangements to the point of bringing them to the House.—[Vol. 806, c. 26–7.]

asked the Secretary of. State for Trade and Industry if he will consider imposing a more flexible timing of import controls to avoid imports, particularly of horticultural produce, clashing with domestic production peaks, bearing in mind that production peaks in Cornwall are some considerable time in advance of those for the rest of the United Kingdom.

As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker) on 30th November, certain seasonal limitations are already imposed. I do not consider that any changes are needed at present either for imports from the Eastern area or elsewhere.—[Vol. 807, c. 249.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what grounds the Saltney area of East Flintshire was designated as a clearance area; why he did not accept claims for designation for other areas in Flintshire; and if he will now designate all of Flintshire as a clearance area.

Derelict land clearance areas are defined by reference to employment exchange areas. The Chester employment exchange area, which is part of the North-West derelict land clearance area, includes the Saltney area of East Flintshire. Dereliction is not a major problem in Flintshire, and there are no plans to designate the area as a derelict land clearance area.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether, in the light of the Government having granted salary increases of 43 per cent, to certain of the higher paid civil servants, he will give the reasons why he will not issue a general direction to the Gas Council to grant a similar wage and salary award to all gas industry employees;

No. I do not consider the pay of higher civil servants is of relevance to these negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will outline the criteria for specification of land as a derelict land clearance area; how much land has been so designated in North Wales and in East Flintshire; and what is the amount of grant paid by the Welsh Office in this respect in acquisition of and improvement of derelict land for industrial development.

Section 2(1) of the Local Employment Act, 1970, lays down criteria for designating derelict land clearance areas. No area in North Wales other than that part of East Flintshire within the Chester employment exchange area has been so designated. No grants have been paid in this area by virtue of such designation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has completed his consideration of exemption limits for industrial development certificates.

I propose to raise the exemption limits from 5,000 sq. ft. to 10,000 sq. ft., except in the Eastern, London and South-Eastern and East and West Midlands Regions where the limits will be raised from 3,000 sq. ft. to 5,000 sq. ft.