asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek powers to put an immediate ban on the sale of children's toys which are adjudged to be dangerous; and if he will make a statement.

The Toys (Safety) Regulations, 1967, already deal with certain dangers likely to be found in children's toys and an extension of the regulations is in prospect. The Home Office takes appropriate action on receipt of information about particular toys thought to be dangerous.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received asking for amending legislation on obscenity.

During the past year I have received a large number of complaints about offensive material of all kinds, but it would not be possible without disproportionate effort to distinguish the number specifically directed to amendment of the obscenity laws.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of the community development programme.

Birmingham, Oldham and Tynemouth have agreed to take part, so that the number of localities has now reached the planned Great Britain total of twelve. It is already operative in six. Although it is too early to draw firm conclusions it looks as though the results should prove worthwhile both in local and in national terms. The progress made has evidently encouraged community development work in other areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, on entering the European Economic Community, Great Britain will have to revert to Central European Time.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to implement the recommendations of the Houghton Committee on the Adoption of Children.

The Committee has not yet reported.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to introduce out-patient facilities at remand centres and prison hospitals so that prison doctors can report on bailed offenders about whom courts have asked for pre-sentence medical reports.

A service of this kind is already available for women at Holloway and my right hon. Friend is considering whether a similar service can be introduced for men at Brixton early next year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many cases of failure to pay maintenance have been brought before the courts since August, 1971; how many orders for attachment of earnings to secure maintenace payments have been made since that date; and how many of these have not been complied with;(2) in cases where attachment of earnings orders have been made to secure maintenance payments, how many notifications of change of employment and earnings have been made to the courts since August, 1971, and in how many cases a fine has been paid for failure to notify such changes.

Figures showing, for magistrates' courts, the number of maintenance orders applied for and granted and the number of attachment orders made are published annually in the Civil Judicial Statistics; those for the last quarter of 1971 will become available early next summer. Statistics of the number of orders not complied with and of the action taken in consequence of such default are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what overnight accommodation is now available for women and girls in Birmingham Prison, and what extra accommodation is planned for them there.

There is accommodation for three women to stay overnight at Birmingham Prison when appearing in court on consecutive days. New accommodation is planned for ten women. It will be available for women remanded in custody who are due to appear in Birmingham courts on the following day.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to provide that time spent in custody abroad while awaiting extradition to England and Wales shall be taken into account in reduction of a period of imprisonment subsequently imposed.

My right hon. Friend has no plans for such legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated cost of the new staff headquarters at Holloway Prison, London, N.7; and what is the approximate date of completion.

The staff quarters are due to be completed early in 1974 at a cost of about £1·2 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to require the owners or lessors of gambling machines to which the public has access to display a notice stating clearly at what odds each machine is set.

These machines, unlike those installed in clubs, are restricted by law to small prizes amounting to no more than 10p in cash or 25p in kind. It would be technically difficult to define the proportion of stakes retained by the operator and the element of gaming is not sufficient to justify such a requirement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to ensure that, on appeals against convictions, the successful appellant be entitled by law to be awarded costs unless, in the opinion of the court, he has been the author of his own misfortune.

From 1st January, 1972, all appellate courts will be empowered to order costs to be paid from central funds to successful appellants. Both the present Lord Chief Justice and his predecessor have made it clear to courts that their discretion in such cases is unfettered. My right hon. Friend does not think that further legislation is required.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to introduce legislation relating to the equal guardianship of infants.

I cannot at present add to the reply which I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Devonport (Dame Joan Vickers) on 10th November.—[Vol. 825, c. 167.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been prosecuted, how many convicted, and how many executed, for crimes against the State since 1900; under what Acts; and how many of the executions have taken place in the past 20 years.

"Crimes against the State" do not form an identifiable statistical category. If my hon. Friend will let me know the offences he has in mind, I will see what information is readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now announce the names of the members of his Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will announce the names of those whom he has appointed to serve on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs under Section 1 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971.

The following have agreed to serve on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs for an initial period of 3 years from 1st January 1972:

• Chairman—Professor H. N. Robson, M.B., F.R.C.P., F.R.C.P.Edin., F.R.A.C.P.
• K. J. P. Barraclough, Esq., C.B.E., T.D., J.P.
• T. H. Bewley, Esq., M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P.I., M.R.C., Psych.
• A. Blenkinsop, Esq., M.P.
• J. C. Bloomfield, Esq., F.P.S., F.B.O.A., J.P.
• Sir Robert Bradlaw, C.B.E., D.Sc., F.R.C.S., F.D.S.R.C.S.
• A. Bristow, Esq.
• Mrs. M. J. Davis, B.A.
• The Rt. Hon. William Deedes, M.C., D.L., M.P.
• J. Griffith Edwards, Esq., M.A., D.M., D.P.M., M.R.C.P.
• Professor P. C. Elmes, M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P.
• H. Fairlie, Esq., M.A., M.Ed.
• Miss P. M. Friend, S.R.N., S.C.M.
• W. W. Fulton, Esq., F.R.C.G.P.
• R. G. Gibson, Esq., C.B.E., LL.D., F.R.C.S., F.R.C.G.P.
• J. D. P. Graham, Esq., M.D., F.R.C.P. Edin. F.R.C.P.S., F.R.S.E.
• H. Haywood. Esq.
• Professor W. I. N. Kessel, M.D., F.R.C.P., F.R.C.P.Edin., F.R.C. Psych.
• R. L. Lindon, Esq., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.P.M., D.C.H.
• J. A. Lumley, Esq., F.P.S.
• H. J. S. Matthew, Esq., M.D., F.R.C.P.Edin.
• P. A. Myers, Esq.
• M. J. Power, Esq., J.P.
• B. C. Saunders, Esq., C.B.E., Ph.D., D.Sc., F.R.I.C.
• R. E. Searchfield, Esq.
• N. Snodgrass, Esq., B.Sc., M.R.C.V.S.
• Professor W. H. Trethowan, M.A., M.B., B.Chir., F.R.C.P., F.R.A.C.P., F.R.C. Psych.
• The Baroness Wootton of Abinger, L.H.D., LL.D., D.Sc.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will take steps for prosecutions to be instituted against Flat Search for breaches of Section 1 of the Accommodation Agencies Act, 1953;(2) if he will take steps for prosecutions to be instituted against the London Accommodation Bureau for breaches of Section 1 of the Accommodation Agencies Act, 1953;(3) if he will take steps for prosecutions to be instituted against Universal Home Finders for breaches of Section 1 of the Accommodation Agencies Act. 1953;(4) if he will take steps for prosecutions to be instituted against Aliens Accommodation Bureau for breaches of Section 1 of the Accommodation Agencies Act, 1953;(5) if he will take steps for prosecutions to be instituted against Top Flats for breaches of Section 1 of the Accommodation Agencies Act, 1953.

I have been asked to reply.If the hon. Member forwards to me evidence that any such offences have been committed, I will arrange for an investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to introduce legislation to lower the minimum age for marriage in England to 16 years, and to ensure that parental consent should not be required as a preliminary to the marriage of young persons.

The minimum age for marriage in England and Wales is already 16. The Government have no proposals for dispensing with the requirement there for parental consent up to the age of 18.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will ascertain from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis details of the action the police have taken to enforce the law on the carrying of dangerous loads on lorries and publish these details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

There were 563 prosecutions by the Metropolitan Police in 1970 for offences relating to overloaded or dangerously loaded vehicles.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now make a statement on the outcome of his representations to the Chairmen of the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority.

I met the Chairman of the B.B.C. and I.T.V. and passed on to them the views of some hon. Members concerning the reporting on television of the Ulster situation. They undertook to consider what I told them, and my noble Friend Lord Hill has since issued the text of a letter to me on the B.B.C. policy in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give, at the latest and most convenient stated date, the total number of persons employed in the Metropolitan

asked the Secretary of state for the Home Department whether he will give the names of the

23,595 on 31st October, 1971. The Commissioner of Police would welcome an increase in the number of coloured Commonwealth citizens serving with the force and has made every effort to encourage those with the necessary qualifications to apply to join. I hope that these efforts, which will continue, will be supported by the leaders of the various groups of coloured people in the community.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give the names of the members of the Totalisator Board, the dates when they were appointed and at what salary and or expenses; and how these figures compare with the preceding five years.

The following is the information:members of the Horserace Betting Levy Board, the dates when they were appointed, and at what salary and expenses; and how these figures compare with the preceding five years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT as much detailed information as may be readily available giving for the longest stated period of time the annual costs in staff, salaries, administrative offices and administrative costs, of the Horserace Totalisator and Betting Levy Boards; how their revenues are obtained; and to what extent over the years has there been an increase or decrease in the costs of running these organisations.

All the relevant information is contained in the Reports and Statements of Accounts of the Horserace Betting Levy Board and the Horserace Totalisator Board, which are submitted annually to the Home Secretary and laid before both Houses of Parliament. Copies are available in the Vote Office and the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on

The following is the information:what date he received a communication from Mr. John McLauchlan sent under the date 22nd November about the Horse-race Totalisator and Betting Levy Board's Bill; what was his reply; and whether he will make a statement.

On 25th November. My right hon. Friend has not yet sent a reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up an independent inquiry into the activities of South African intelligence service agents in Great Britain.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to encourage the more profitable and valuable use of labour in Her Majesty's prisons by the extension of training facilities and the replacement of profitless work by prison industry.

Development of profitable work and constructive training for prisoners is keeping in step with the plans described in the White Paper "People in Prison" (Cmnd. 4214).

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is aware that the wastage of resources in the Black Country area, shown by the level of unemployment which has almost doubled in 12 months, is a burden on the national economy; and what action he is proposing to reduce this figure.

The present level of unemployment is unacceptably high. As the many measures introduced by the Government to speed up the economy take effect, unemployment in the Black Country and Walsall should come down. Where my Department's responsibilities are concerned, all the facilities of our employment services will continue to be used to help people who are looking for new jobs.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will encourage young school leavers and other young persons to take part-time education courses to help them improve their qualifications for work in industry.

Careers officers already encourage young people to follow any appropriate education courses, whether full-time or part-time, which will improve their qualifications for work.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many petitions he has received in the last six months drawing attention to unemployment among disabled persons.

During the last six months no formal petitions have been received, but five letters were received on the general subject. In addition about 100 letters were forwarded by hon. Members and a similar number sent direct by private individuals about the employment problems of particular individuals or groups. These included two personal petitions to Her Majesty the Queen.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled workers were employed at the Bridgend Remploy factory at the latest convenient date; and what were the comparable figures for each of the past 10 years.

129 at 31st March, 1971. Comparable figures for 1961 to 1970 were 160, 162, 151, 159, 158, 160, 149, 145, 139 and 132.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled workers were employed by Remploy Limited at the latest convenient date; and what were the comparable figures for each of the past 10 years.

7,629 on 31st March, 1971. Comparable figures for 1961 to 1970 were: 6,326, 6,534, 6,361, 6,515, 6,956, 6,921, 6,874, 7,231, 7,538 and 7,439.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how the figure for unemployment among women in the Ruislip-Northwood constituency corn-pares with the corresponding figure for last year, and for two years ago, to the latest convenient date.

At November, 1971, the provisional number of females registered as unemployed in the Ruislip Employment Exchange area was 56. At November, 1970 and November, 1969, the figures were 31 and 42, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the present level of unemployment among school leavers in the Ruislip-Northwood constituency; and how it compares with the figure for one year ago, and for two years ago, for boys and girls separately, to the latest convenient date.

On 8th November, 1971, six boy school leavers were registered as unemployed in the Ruislip careers office area. The comparable figures of registered school leavers in previous years were two boys and one girl in November, 1970 and four boys and three girls in November, 1969.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the present level of unemployment in the Ruislip-Northwood constituency; and how it compares with the level for one year ago and for two years ago, to the latest convenient date.

At November, 1971, November, 1970 and November, 1969, the numbers registered as unemployed in the Ruislip Employment Exchange area were 478, 353 and 393 respectively. The figures for November, 1971 are provisional.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many redundancies in the Glasgow area have been notified to his Department over the last three months; and if he will list the firms and numbers involved.

Redundancies involving some 2,280 workers were notified to my Department in the Glasgow travel-to-work area during the period 10th August, 1971, to 8th November, 1971, by 28 employers. Information supplied by individual employers is often provided in confidence, and I should not feel justified in publishing it.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what representations he has received regarding the refusal of the General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation to grant union recognition; and what reply he has sent;(2) what action he has taken to ensure that the Asociation of Scientific Technical and Managerial Staffs is granted consultative rights by the General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation, in accordance with the recommendation of the Commission for Industrial Relations.

The Association of Scientific Technical and Managerial Staffs have written to me about staff representation in the General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation Ltd. My Department is discussing the matter with the parties concerned and arrangements have been made for a joint meeting between A.S.T.M.S. and the Corporation under Departmental chairmanship.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how much has been paid out from public funds in the last 12 months, to the latest available date, for all unemployment benefits and from the redundancy fund.

In the 12 months ending 30th September, 1971, the amounts paid were:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what measures he now intends to take to alleviate the unemployment position in Walsall which has reached the figure of 3,716 men and 542 women, an increase of nearly 10 per cent. in one month.

I would refer the right hon. Member to the oral answer I gave him earlier.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will pay an official visit to Charlton Secondary Boys School in the constituency of the hon. Member for Greenwich.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so. Officers of the Department visited the school last year and she is aware of conditions there.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she is satisfied that the provisions in the regulations regarding student awards as it relates to the assessment of parental contributions operate fairly as between tenants of property and owner-occupiers; and if she will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend sees no reason for changing the present arrangements, which are based on the principle that parental contributions are assessed on gross income, computed as for income tax purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will invite local education authorities to report to her on the steps they have taken to implement the guidance issued by her Department that imperial measures should be taught until further notice; and if she will make a statement.

The curriculum is the responsibility of local education authorities and governors of secondary schools and therefore the answer is no.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the total number of professors employed at each Scottish University; and how many are women in each case.

At 31st December, 1969, the number of professors employed at Scottish Universities was as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many additional nursery classes will be provided in Wolverhampton in 1971–72, under the Urban Aid Programme; and what proposals she has for extending this allocation beyond 1972.

Two new nursery schools providing five additional classes were approved last January under phase 3 of the urban programme. One school has been completed and the other is expected to open in September, 1972. The current phase of the programme is restricted to capital projects in the assisted areas but my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department will be prepared to consider any proposals for the provision of additional nursery classes in Wolverhampton which may be submitted by the local authority for future phases.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) why she has approved only two primary school projects for the period 1972–74 out of 11 proposed by the Wolverhampton Education Authority;(2) why she has not approved any of the four secondary projects proposed by the Wolverhampton Education Authority for the period 1972–74;(3) in view of the fact that nearly 7,000 secondary pupils in Wolverhampton are being taught in overcrowded classes, if she will reconsider her decision not to approve any secondary building projects until after 1974;(4) in view of the fact that nearly 2,500 primary pupils in Wolverhampton are being taught in overcrowded classes, if she will reconsider her decision to approve only two primary projects of the total of 11 proposed by the Wolverhampton Education Authority.

As well as the two primary replacement projects costing £0·26 million, which represents a fair share of the resources available for this purpose, Wolverhampton's approved programmes for 1972–74 include three other primary projects and two secondary projects, costing in all £1·1 million and providing nearly 2,200 extra places to meet rising numbers, together with four other secondary projects costing over £0·5 million required in preparation for the raising of the school-leaving age. In addition the Authority may use at their discretion £0·27 million allocated over the two years for minor projects costing less than £40,000 each. No major projects for the improvement or replacement of old secondary buildings were included in the two programmes because my right hon. Friend is giving priority to primary schools.

asked the Minister of State for Defence what was the value of engineering tenders sent to Scotland by his Department inviting Scottish firms to tender, and the value of subsequent contracts placed with Scottish firms arising out of those invitations to tender, in each of the past three years.

I regret that information about unsuccessful tenders submitted by Scottish firms cannot be provided without a disproportionate expenditure of time and effort. The value of contract for engineering work actually placed with Scottish firms in the last three financial years was:

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he is satisfied with the security arrangements obtaining at disused Service airfields; and whether he will review such arrangements so as to prevent unauthorised landing and use.

I am satisfied with the security arrangements in force at disused airfields under Ministry of Defence control.

asked the Minister of State for Defence on how many occasions since those mentioned in the Compton Report detainees in Northern Ireland have been subjected to hooding, restricted diet, noise and wallstanding techniques.

There have been no occasions since those mentioned in the Compton Report on which it has been necessary to interrogate detainees using the techniques referred to in the Report.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he was informed of the intention to employ the wallstanding, hooding, restricted diet and electronic noise techniques on prisoners as described in the Compton Report.

Ministers were aware of the principles underlying interrogation in depth, of the safeguards against violent or humiliating treatment which had been laid down in 1965 and 1967, and of the need to preserve the security of both detainees and guards. They were also aware of the importance of obtaining operational intelligence and that to assist this, detainees were liable to be subjected to a measure of fatigue, isolation and noise. They were not acquainted with the detailed methods that were employed.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which the Army were called to Cliftonville Circus, Belfast, on Saturday, 27th November, when terrorists opened fire on policemen investigating a road accident, injuring a number of civilians.

At about 5.15 p.m., two police constables were investigating an accident at the junction of Old Park Road and Alliance Avenue when approximately 20 shots were fired from a car parked nearby. Troops arrived within three minutes but the terrorists had already escaped, having seriously wounded a man and a woman and slightly wounded two women and both police constables. The woman seriously wounded has since died.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will consider dispersing more of the civilian personnel of his Department to Merseyside.

Just over 2,600 Ministry of Defence staff are currently employed in the Merseyside Development Area. The decision to transfer an Army Pay and Record Office to Chester to provide continuing employment for 250 staff currently at H.Q. Western Command was announced on 6th October, 1971. A small section of the work of the Procurement executive will be transferred to Merseyside in 1972.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he has heard the noise emitted by the Army's electronic noise machine; and which of the Ministers in his Department have heard it either before or since its recent use in Northern Ireland.

Yes. No other Defence Minister has done so.

asked the Minister of State for Defence how many Ministers, and how many Members of Parliament who are not Ministers, have visited the secure establishment where the army's three electronic noise machines were kept during 1970 and 1971, respectively.

One Minister in 1970 who was a member of the previous administration—and one in 1971. No Members of Parliament who were not Ministers visited the establishment in this period.

asked the Minister of State for Defence on what date British forces first employed, other than for training, an electronic noise machine similar to that described in the Compton Report.

An electronic noise machine was first used in 1963.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will remove one of the army's electronic noise machines from the secure establishment where it is now kept in order to allow Members of Parliament to see and hear it.

No.

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will report to Parliament the occasions on which the interrogation in depth techniques of wallstanding, hooding, noise bombardment and reduced diet as found by the Compton Report are employed, pending the report of Lord Parker's Committee on interrogation methods.

No. Any further requests for interrogation in depth would of course be carefully considered by Ministers, taking into account the findings of the Compton Report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will arrange to have regular monthly meetings with representatives of the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress to discuss matters of mutual concern.

My right hon. Friend meets representatives of both bodies at the meetings of the National Economic Development Council, when a wide range of economic matters is discussed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will recommend the setting up of a Royal Commission to inquire into the causes and effects of continuing unemployment coupled with continuing inflation.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he is aware that the Commission of the European Economic Community has proposed a system of double tax-free allowances for persons travelling from one Community state to another; and if he will double the tax-free allowance of all persons entering this country from any of the countries of the Six and give the estimate of the cost of such concessions;(2) whether he is aware that travellers from the countries of the Six are allowed to bring through the customs $75 worth of tax-free goods and the Commission of the European Economic Community has proposed allowances of 400 cigarettes, one kilogram of coffee, one bottle of spirits or three litres of aperitif wine and four litres of wine; how these compare with Great Britain's tax-free allowances; what action he proposes to take to harmonise these tax concessions for visitors from the Six; and what is his estimate of the costs of such concessions;

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to the future of the tax reserve certificate scheme, particularly in view of the unification of personal taxation.

My right hon. Friend has concluded after a detailed review of the tax reserve certificate scheme that, whatever may have been its virtues when introduced, the disadvantages now outweigh the benefits. It is expensive in manpower and it represents an expensive form of borrowing for the Government. The use of the company certificates has declined markedly in recent years, and it is apparent that the scope for the use of personal certificates will be reduced under the new unified tax system. For these reasons my right hon. Friend believes that the scheme is now inappropriate and has accordingly decided that it should be withdrawn. However, he proposes to make special arrangements for personal certificates, designed to cover the years when individuals will need to provide for overlapping

The table below compares our present duty and tax-free allowances with those prescribed by the present directive for travellers within the European Economic Community. I am aware that changes in the Community's allowances are being proposed, but I see no reason to change our allowances at present. Such matters would be for discussion at the appropriate time. No reliable estimate can be given for the cost of any changes in the allowances.surtax liabilities arising from the introduction of the unified tax system.The present prospectus for personal certificates will be withdrawn after 31st December, 1971; but a new prospectus will then be introduced under which a final issue of certificates will be available from 3rd January, 1972 to 29th June, 1973. These will earn interest, subject to the usual conditions, up to 1st January, 1974 and will be accepted in payment of capital gains tax, surtax and income tax including the new higher rate tax and the investment surcharge but excluding tax under Schedule C and E. The present certificates will be similarly acceptable.The sale of company certificates will cease after 31st December, 1971. Certificates purchased on or before that date will continue to be accepted in payment of corporation tax and will earn interest in accordance with the terms set out in the prospectus.When the scheme has been wound up there will be a manpower saving of about 70 full-time and 50 part-time staff in the Inland Revenue as well as a staff saving in the Bank of England.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will list policies taken out by Government Departments with the General Accident, Fire and Life Assurance Corporation.

Definite information is not available centrally but, as Government Departments do not normally insure their risks commercially, it is unlikely that there are any such policies.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what condition he grants industrial development certificates to industrial projects in the London area which are tied to the area.

In the London area and the industrialised parts of the Home Counties, together with certain more distant areas such as Cambridge and parts of South Hampshire, I.D.C's are likely to be issued only for rebuilding schemes involving increased productivity with no increase or some reduction in the labour force, and projects tied to the area if they will not lead to an undue additional demand for labour.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, having regard to Section 7(4) of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act, 1967, he will now specify the action, and the dates thereof, taken by his Department since the beginning of 1970 in relation to the affairs of Hartley Baird Limited.

In the light of the considerations indicated in my Answer to the hon. Member on 10th November I think that it would be inappropriate for me to answer the Question at this stage. In any case I believe that the time and money required to extract the information would not be justified.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, having regard to Section 7(4) of the Parlimentary Commissioner Act, 1967, he accepts the findings of counsel made available in the Hartley Baird case as to the inapplicability of the Jenkins Committee's reservations about the use of his Department's investigatory powers, when shareholders have sufficient facts, to the position of public shareholders in complex public company cases.

The Department's decision not to appoint inspectors in relation to the affairs of Hartley Baird Limited is at present the subject of an inquiry by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration. For the reasons indicated in my Answer on 10th November I think that it would be inappropriate to answer this Question at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations his Department has received from the exchange control authorities with respect to the acquisition and ownership since 1962 of the majority shareholding of Hartley Baird Limited; and on what dates.

None; but I understand that exchange control inquiries are in progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why he refuses to appoint inspectors in response to the application to investigate the acquisition and ownership since 1962 of the majority shareholding of Hartley Baird Limited.

Because information as to the acquisition of the majority shareholding and the identity of the persons able to control the company has been given to the shareholders by the company.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department's Section 173 investigation of Hartley Baird Limited succeeded in determining whether the company was owed moneys whether directly or indirectly in respect of its majority shareholding.

That was not the purpose of the investigation, which was undertaken to ascertain the true persons able to control the company.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department's Section 173 investigation of Hartley Baird Limited succeeded in making inquiries or determining the whereabouts for the purpose of making inquiries, of the company's chairman.

Inquiries were not at that time made of the chairman; his whereabouts were not material.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is now aware of the whereabouts of the chairman of Hartley Baird Limited as at the time his Department was conducting its Section 173 investigation; and what steps he is taking to ensure that all members are informed.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes"; I am not responsible for the movement of company chairmen, nor for informing the members thereof.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department's Section 173 investigation of Hartley Baird Limited sought to determine whether the company's directors, secretary, and shareholders, respectively, were given all the information to which they were entitled or might reasonably expect, in relation to the acquisition and ownership since 1962 of the majority shareholdings of the company.

The purpose of the investigation was to ascertain the persons truly able to control the company. I consider that shareholders have the information they might reasonably expect about the ownership of the majority shareholding.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what further measures he proposes now to take to protect Dollar Land shareholders from managerial negligence, in the circumstances that, in spite of his previous pressure upon the company to produce its accounts its 1969 accounts are only just being published and do not represent a true and fair view of the company's position even then;(2) what action he has taken to protect Dollar Land shareholders from managerial negligence otherwise than by exerting pressure for the publication of the company's accounts.

I have secured the publication of the 1969 accounts, and the company is not yet in default for its 1970 accounts. I shall continue to take any steps that seem to me appropriate for securing compliance with the requirements of the Companies Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he now accepts the finding of counsel submitted to his Department in the Dollar Land case, that there were strong grounds under which he could appoint inspectors under Section 165(b) of the Companies Act, 1948.

I assume the hon. Member to be referring to an opinion of counsel submitted with other papers in February, 1970, in support of an application for the appointment of inspectors under Section 165. That application, opinion of counsel and supporting papers were fully considered but I was not satisfied that there were sufficient grounds for making an appointment: I have no reason to believe that judgment to have been wrong.

asked the Secretary of State of State for Trade and Industry wheher he accepts the finding of the Dollar Land auditors that its 1969 accounts do not represent a true and fair view, and will therefore appoint inspectors to investigate the affairs of this company under Section 165(b)(iii) of the Companies Act, 1948, on the ground that there are circumstances suggesting that its members do not have all the information that they may reasonably expect.

The hon. Member is mistaken; the auditors of Dollar Land Holdings Ltd. state that they are unable to express an opinion whether the accounts show a true and fair view. There are no grounds for appointing inspectors under section 165(b)(iii) in the present circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he will take in respect of the circumstances in the accounts of Dollar Land Holdings Limited showing that the company is in contravention of Section 149 of the Companies Act, 1948.

The accounts were qualified because the accounts of its subsidiary abroad, which is not subject to United Kingdom jurisdiction, were qualified. I have no powers over companies not incorporated or not carrying on business in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what action he will take to investigate the contradictory assertions made by the person who purported to be the chairman of Dollar Land Holdings Limited in 1969, as to the ownership and acquisition of various shareholdings in the company in which he was involved;(2) what action he will take to investigate the undertakings and representations of the person who purported to be the chairman of Dollar Land Holdings Limited during 1969, made for the purpose of attaining such chairmanship, that he would produce the 1968 and 1969 accounts of the company not later than four months after the year end;(3) what action he will take to investigate whether the person who purported to be the chairman of Dollar Land Holdings Limited in 1969 did so genuinely.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 22nd November.—[Vol. 826, c. 264.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he will take to determine, for the information of Dollar Land shareholders, what has happened to the 16 shillings per share of assets which they were informed they had in late 1968, but which they now find have totally disappeared.

The hon. Gentleman should know that the valuation of shares is no responsibility of mine unless there is reason to believe that fraud has been involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to investigate why Dollar Land Holdings Limited, in spite of the undertakings of its officers and former purported officers, constantly contravenes Section 148 of the Companies Act, and thereby, and in other ways, denies its members all the information they may reasonably expect.

I have secured that the company is not now in breach of Section 148 of the Companies Act, 1948. I consider that at the present time the company has given its members all the information that they may reasonably expect.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his policy, with respect to the protection of its potential and actual shareholders, when the chairman of a publicly quoted company is taken into custody and/or placed on bail, as the result of allegations of fraud.

Where the alleged fraud arises under foreign jurisdiction the policy is to consider whether it calls for any action in this country under the Companies Acts. In respect of alleged fraud in this country, the Department's powers under the Companies Acts exist, and are used, for the protection of the public, including shareholders.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many reports were submitted in relation to private and public companies, respectively, by the official receiver to the court under Section 236(2) of the Companies Act, 1948, during 1969 and 1970 which fulfilled the conditions precedent to the use by the court if it thought fit of Section 270 public examination procedure.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the proportion of the cases submitted to his Department by the police during 1970, in relation to which his Department then invoked a specific statutory investigatory power.

It would be impossible to give a full answer without an unjustifiable expenditure of time and money, but during 1970, the Department acceded to all requests by the Police for the appointment of inspectors under Section 109 of the Companies Act, 1967.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why his Department has not sought a Section 270 public examination from the court since 1958.

Because this procedure is not the most effective means of obtaining evidence for a prosecution.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his inquiry into the use of the practice of pyramid selling by firms such as Golden Chemical Products Limited has revealed; and whether he will make a statement.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement. With regard to the company named by the hon. Member. I am precluded by Section 111 of the Companies Act, 1967, from giving information obtained during the enquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware that the Commission of the European Economic Community has issued two directives affecting the cinema industry regarding the setting up of registers and the compulsory admittance of members of the film industry into membership and/or for non-recognition of professional credentials; to what extent on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community she will have to follow these directives; and whether he will publish details of the same in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The hon. Member is presumably referring to two proposed directives submitted by the Commission to the Council on 9th August, 1971, the texts of which were published in the Official Journal of the European Communities No. C106 of 23rd October, 1971. I am examining these proposals. In their present form they are not binding on Member States.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether nurses from the Chesterfield Royal Hospital who attend accidents on motorways are covered for insurance purposes; and whether he will ensure that all such nurses are so covered.

The National Health Service (Superannuation) Regulations provide for the payment of injury allowance to or in respect of nurses covered by the regulations who are permanently incapacitated or who die in these circumstances. The Superannuation Bill will enable a new code of injury allowance to be introduced covering all persons engaged in health services whether superannuable or not. Where a nurse was not permanently incapacitated the normal provisions for paid sick leave would apply.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service (1) whether he accepts the recommendation of the Select Committee on Science and Technology that a central Computer Purchasing Board be established;(2) whether he accepts the recommendation of the Select Committee on Science and Technology that all Government Departments be required to publish forward plans and annual reports on progress and the use of computers, which should be laid before Parliament.

These matters are under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Secretary of State for the Environment concerning arrangements for entering the European Economic Community; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. The Secretary of State and his officials are closely concerned with all issues arising from entry which affect the Department.

asked the Prime Minister, now that Her Majesty's Government have the known terms for Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, why he will not recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to investigate all matters pertaining to Great Britain's entry into the Common Market.

Because all issues relating to entry have been exhaustively examined and discussed over the past ten years, culminating in the six day debate which preceded the decision of principle taken by Parliament on 28th October.

asked the Prime Minister what plans he has to invite President Nixon to pay an official visit to this country.

There are at present no plans for President Nixon to pay a further visit to this country, but I look forward to meeting him on the 20th and 21st of December, when he will be my guest in Bermuda.

asked the Prime Minister how many official communications he has received from the President of Pakistan since 25th March.

Since the beginning of the crisis I have continued to be in close and regular contact with President Yahya Khan. It would be contrary to well established practice to reveal details of these exchanges.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the various Ministers responsible for economic growth and industrial development and expansion; and if he will make a statement.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will seek to pay an official visit to Nepal during his official visit to India in 1972.

I have no plans to visit either India or Nepal during 1972.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consult the leaders of Commonwealth African countries before agreeing to any form of settlement with the rebel régime in Rhodesia.

Commonwealth Governments have been informed of the proposals for a settlement. It is for the Rhodesian people as a whole to decide whether they are acceptable.

asked the Prime Minister in view of the benefits of having the European Parliament in London, if he will seek to ensure this.

The question of the location of the European Parliament is one for the Community as a whole; and I do not think that it would be appropriate for a new member, before assuming membership, to put forward proposals for siting a Community institution in this country.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now able to state what action he has taken or in-intends taking on the letter sent to him on 12th November, 1971, by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, regarding the breaking of the law for some years by the Dollar Land Holdings Limited; and when the expected communication as promised in his letter of 15th November may be expected.

The hon. Member's letter was acknowledged on 15th November and my reply was sent on 26th November. On 24th November my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Industry wrote to the hon. Member in some detail about the affairs of this company, and I have nothing to add to his letter.

asked the Prime Minister whether the statement by the Secretary of State for Defence on British Broadcasting Corporation television, on Tuesday, 16th November, 1971, about internment in Northern Ireland represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the work of all Government Departments to reduce unemployment in Birmingham; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. I would refer the hon. Member to the speeches made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the House on 9th and 23rd November, when he described the various Government measures aimed at reducing the level of unemployment throughout the country, including Birmingham.—[Vol. 825, c. 860; Vol. 826, c. 1165.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of cattle and sheep stealing have been reported to his Department during 1971.

There is no reason why farmers should report such cases to my Department and I have no record of the number which might be involved.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the percentage difference in price of a large sliced loaf of bread in October, 1964, compared to the latest proposed price; what in the same period has been the percentage difference in the wholesale price of flour and wages in the bakery industry; and if he will make a statement.

Between October, 1964 and 6th December, 1971 (the date from which the price increases recently announced by the major plant bakers will apply), the recommended retail price of a large loaf of wrapped and sliced standard bread as sold by these bakers will have increased by 66 per cent. The latest quoted price for bakers' ordinary flour shows an increase of 22 per cent. over that for October, 1964 and basic wage rate under the national agreement for bakery production workers has (after taking into account a reduction in basic hours) increased by 79 per cent. The price of bread is of course influenced by other factors besides flour prices and bakery wages.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the price of a large sliced loaf of bread in old pence in October, 1964; and what is now the latest proposed price in new pence.

The recommended retail price for a large loaf of wrapped and sliced standard bread as produced by the major plant bakers was 1s. 2½d. in October, 1964 and will be 10p once the recently announced price increase has become effective on 6th December.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in view of the fact that some factory farmers are rearing pigs in total darkness, if he will take steps to ensure that further publicity is given to the codes of practice.

A Press notice was issued yesterday announcing that revised welfare codes are now available and that the distribution of copies to livestock keepers and others is under way. We do not however think that special publicity on one particular aspect of the code for pigs is justified.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on his discussions with the Foreign Secretary of Israel; to what extent Mr. Abba Eban raised the question of safeguarding Anglo-Israel trade in the event of Great Britain entering the European Economic Community; and whether he will give an assurance that no action will be taken by Her Majesty's Government which will adversely affect Israel's trade with Great Britain.

My discussions with Mr. Eban were concerned mainly with the situation in the Middle East. We also discussed the implications of British entry for Anglo-Israeli trade and Israel's relations with the Community. Mr. Eban knows that we are alive to Israel's interests.