asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total expenditure each year incurred in providing the special assistance allowed for each intermediate area in England and Wales, and the total number of jobs created in each area at the latest available date.

Information on expenditure is not readily available in this form, but since 1st April, 1969, the value of assistance approved under the Local Employment Acts in intermediate areas in England and Wales, and estimates of the associated employment, have been as follows:

On the assumption that the hon. Member is concerned with expenditure under the Local Employment Acts, the figures are as follows:he can give an assurance that on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community British manufacturers will be able to mark their produce as made in Great Britain, or British made; and whether imported goods of all kinds, including textiles and pottery, will have to carry the country of origin label, including such imports from the countries of the European Economic Community as well as the Commonwealth countries.

I see no reason why British manufacturers should not be able so to mark their goods. Whether imports will require origin markings will depend upon the United Kingdom regulations then in force.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community on present known terms will adversely affect British trade with Israel; and to what extent exports of oranges and grapefruits and other items will be liable to a restrictive tariff or otherwise prevented from being freely admitted into Great Britain.

It is not possible to say how our trade with any one country will be affected by our entry into the E.E.C. In the case of Israel we shall become parties on accession to the E.E.C./Israe; preferential trade agreement, and negotiations for the adaptation of this agreement to take account of enlargement have n't yet taken place.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in view of the fact that the European Economic Community are preparing a proposal for a directive to harmonise hire-purchase legislation in the countries of the Six, whether, as a means of assisting in the consultations which he will have on these proposals, he will now discuss the subject with the finance house corporations and other hire-purchase organisations to ensure there views are known before accepting any directive from the European Economic Community on this subject.

When any proposal for a directive is received I will certainly wish to consult those interests which I consider likely to be substantially affected by its provisions.