asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government to the Tanzanian Government in respect of the British farmer, Mr. Lundgren, who was recently informed at 48 hours' notice that his property had been confiscated without compensation.

We have taken, and shall continue to take, all necessary steps to impress upon the Tanzanian Government the need to provide Mr. Lundgren with adequate compensation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on representations by Her Majesty's Government to the World Bank concerning World Bank activities in Tanzania.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why he sought to prevent the World Bank from making a £4·3 million loan through its International Development Association for a tea development programme in Tanzania.

The World Bank postponed consideration of this development credit after we represented to it that its approval now would be inconsistent with its own lending policies. This is because of the Tanzanian Government's failure so far to provide adequate compensation to United Kingdom nationals whose property has been expropriated.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's decision to oppose the application by the Tanzanian Government to the World Bank for assistance with a peasant tea project.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Members for Ports- mouth, West (Mr. Judd) and Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his latest policy with regard to Bangladesh.

I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend told the House on 4th February.—[Vol. 830, c. 823–32.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he now has for seeking to make an early official visit to Bangladesh.

As my right hon. Friend informed the House on 4th February, he is in touch with Sheikh Mujib about a possible visit. My right hon. Friend hopes to visit Bangladesh in a few months' time, perhaps in June.—[Vol. 830, c. 823–32.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Government has had with the new régime in Ghana regarding Ghana's foreign debts.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what effect the default by the Ghana Government on its debts will have on Great Britain's overseas aid to that country.

The default must have important implications for the aid programme in Ghana, but I am not yet in a position to make any announcement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial contribution has been made by Her Majesty's Government towards the cost of the yacht ordered by the former President Nkrumah of Ghana.

Parliamentary authority has been sought, in respect of this frigate, in a Supplementary Estimate presented to the House today, for the release of the Government of Ghana from outstanding obligations totalling approximately ·4·8 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests he has received from the Government of Ghana for further loans or other financial assistance.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total amount of loans made by the United Kingdom Government to the Government of Ghana since independence; how much was still outstanding at the end of 1971; and what payments of capital and interest, respectively, are due to be made in each of the years 1972 to 1980.

£27 million. At 31st December, 1971, amortisation outstanding was £21·9 million and the amount un-disbursed under the loans was £3·5 million. Payments of principal and interest due to be made in each of the years 1972 to 1980:

	Voted Loans (O.D.A.)		E.C.G.D.
	£000		£000
	Principal	Interest	Principal	Interest
1972	—	32	428	110
1973	320	63	281	93
1974	575	201	269	135
1975	710	643	116	108
1976	710	612	153	106
1977	810	581	160	98
1978	810	549	170	90
1979	810	517	128	60
1980	859	485	120	44
	5,604	3,683	1,825	844
Total Principal: £7,429,000.
Total Interest: £4,527,000.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister agreed with Dr. Busia, the former Prime Minister of Ghana, to relieve the Government of Ghana of their outstanding liability—about £5·8 million—in regard to the frigate purchased by the Nkrumah Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what help has been given to Ghana under the United Kingdom overseas aid programme in each of the past five years; what forms the assistance has taken; and what forward commitments have been made.

Commodity loans for British goods and services, and a debt refinance loan (1970–72) on all concessionary terms.Disbursements were as follows:—

Calendar year	£,000
1971	5,610
1970	4,400
1969	4,824
1968	5,083
1967	30

Technical assistance for the provision of British experts and consultancies, training in Britain and the British volunteer programme:—Disbursements were as follows:—

	£,000
1971	895
1970	933
1969	910
1968	646
1967	464

Forward commitments comprise:—

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he intends to raise at the United Nations the incursion of South African troops into Namibia on Thursday, 27th January.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British subjects are at present in prison or other form of detention in Rhodesia.

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer earlier today to the hon. Member for Putney (Mr. Hugh Jenkins) about detentions. We have no information about the total number of persons in prison in Rhodesia, which would of course include those held for all kinds of criminal offences.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the imprisonment of Mr. Garfield Todd and Miss Judy Todd in Rhodesia with particular reference to Miss Todd's hunger strike which was started on 5th February.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave earlier this afternoon to the hon. Member for Hackney, Central (Mr. Clinton Davis). I naturally regret that Miss Todd is on hunger strike, but I have no information of her condition.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the latest number of political detainees in Southern Rhodesia.

I have nothing to add to my answer earlier today to the hon. Member for Putney (Mr. Hugh Jenkins).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the number and health of political detainees in Rhodesia.

As regards the number of persons in detention, I have nothing to add to my reply earlier today to the hon. Member for Putney (Mr. Hugh Jenkins). Concern has been expressed about the health of some of the detainees. Mr. Smith said on 10th February that he had ordered a medical investigation into Mr. Todd's state of health, but I have so far no information about the results of that investigation. Nor have I any information about Miss Todd, who is reported to be on hunger strike.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which hon. Members he has invited to be members of the all-party parliamentary visit to Rhodesia; and on what dates the visit will take place.

My right hon. Friend has again been in touch with Mr. Smith about this and I regret to have to inform the House that the latter so far remains unwilling to accept an all-party mission including the right hon. Member for Leeds, East (Mr. Healey) and the hon. Members for Eton and Slough (Miss Lestor) and for Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (Mr. David Steel).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the activities of the Pearce Commission.

I would refer to my answer earlier today to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) and others.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will specify the proposals he has made at the United Nations with a view to securing the full working participation of the German Democratic Republic in the United Nations Conference on the Environment to be held at Stockholm in June; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will include in their representations to the United Nations Organisation that all States, regardless of whether or not they are members of the United Nations or its agencies, should be invited to participate in the 1972 Stockholm Conference on the Environment.

As I told the House on 17th January, discussions are still going on to permit attendance by interested parties which are not covered by the resolution on participation at the Conference adopted by the General Assembly on 20th December. It would be inappropriate for me to disclose details, but the proposals under consideration would, if accepted, ensure that East Germany would be able to take a full working part in the Stockholm Conference.—[Vol. 829, c. 29–30.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange for the question of joint passports to be on the agenda of the next United Nation's Passport Conference; and if he will support the view that these passports should be equally available to husbands or wives when travelling alone.

No such conference is expected to be held in the foreseeable future. I remain convinced in any case that there is no injustice in the present arrangements which should be remedied.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what negotiations he has initiated with the Soviet Union to include naval force reductions within the concept of mutual balanced force reductions.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations are taking place with European Economic Community countries and the other three applicant countries concerning the arrangements for an East-West security conference later this year.

Her Majesty's Government continue to keep in close touch with the countries of the European Economic Community and with the acceding countries on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he proposes for closer co-operation with the French Metropolitan Government in the development of the New Hebrides.

We continue to work in close and friendly co-operation with the French Government about the development of the New Hebrides. The usual exchanges through diplomatic channels were supplemented in October by a meeting of officials in Paris.I am hoping soon to have an opportunity of discussing New Hebrides affairs with M. Messmer, the French Minister of Overseas Departments and Territories.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement in regard to the present position in Anguilla.

Since Her Majesty's Government assumed responsibility, under the Anguilla Act, 1971, for the administration of Anguilla the island has remained peaceful. A local police force has been raised and trained and the judicial system has been revived.In addition, close and urgent attention has been paid to the development needs of the island's economy and infrastructure. In all these matters progress has been made with the full consent and co-operation of the Anguilla Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on Great Britain's relations with Malta.

A fourth meeting was held in Rome with the Prime Minister of Malta, on 7th and 8th February. The Secretary-General of N.A.T.O. and my right hon. and noble Friend the Defence Secretary put to Mr. Mintoff our definitive proposals on the main financial and other issues outstanding in the negotiations of a new defence arrangement. We wait to hear whether or not the Maltese Government are prepared to conclude an agreement on this basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the effect in chronological terms of Article 33 of the Treaty of Accession to the European Communities, Command Paper No. 4862–1, in conjunction with paragraph 5 of Protocol 16, on the export of agricultural, horticultural and pastoral foodstuffs from Australia to the United Kingdom.

Article 33 of the Act concerning the Conditions of Accession and the Adjustments to the Treaties sets out the definitive arrangements for Community preference. Paragraph 5 of Protocol No. 16 thereto relates to arrangements to apply during the transitional period.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he proposes to hold further talks with the Australian Government on commodities affected by the terms of entry into the European Economic Community.

We have been in continuing touch with the Australian Government on this matter. Talks at official level are expected over the next few months.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the rights, powers, liabilities, obligations and restrictions referred to in Clause 2(1) of the European Communities Bill which have already been created or have already arisen.

The rights, powers, liabilities, obligations and restrictions referred to are such rights, powers, liabilities, obligations and restrictions created or arising by or under the Community Treaties as are directly applicable in Member States. Broadly speaking, regulations made under the European Economic Community and Euratom treaties are directly applicable in Member States, and some decisions made under the European Coal and Steel Community Treaty also create directly applicable law. Some provisions of the Community treaties themselves also have direct effect. It would not be practicable to list all the rights, powers, liabilities, obligations and restrictions referred to, but the Community treaties and the pre-accession series of Community secondary legislation from which these rights, powers, liabilities, obligations and restrictions are derived are available to the House and the public.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure the greater co-ordination of national censuses within the member states of the Council of Europe.

Britain is a member of the Council of Europe's Working Group concerned with censuses. We also participate in the Conference of European Statisticians convened under United Nations auspices, which has a special working group on national cen- suses. As such we are playing our part in co-ordination between European States and will continue to work for greater cooperation in this field.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will review current restrictions on the export of arms and defence equipment to friendly countries.

The policy of Her Majesty's Government on exports of arms and defence equipment is kept constantly under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will invite the President of the Republic of Indonesia to make a visit to Great Britain.

The President of the Republic of Indonesia would be a very welcome visitor to Britain. However, it has not yet been possible to find a mutually convenient time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what grounds Her Majesty's Government did not support Resolution 2827 of the United Nations General Assembly, which was carried by 101 votes to nil and called for a moratorium on the development, production, and stockpiling of chemical weapons of war.

Resolution 2827B urges all States to undertake, pending agreement on the complete prohibition of possession of chemical weapons, to refrain from any further development, production or stockpiling of the most lethal chemical weapons. The United Kingdom delegation abstained on this Resolution because the moratorium would have been completely unverifiable and it is our policy to seek an adequately verified prohibition of the possession of these weapons. At the same time, it is a fact that this country does not possess, and is not engaged in the production of, these weapons. We hope that those countries which did vote in favour of the Resolution and have not yet given the undertaking which the Resolution calls for will take an early opportunity to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the overseas aid projects which will be curtailed if the Rhodesian settlement is implemented; and, in particular, which developing countries will receive less aid from the Government.

As the aid programme is expanding, I foresee no such curtailment or reduction.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he first received representations about the levels of pensions and benefits paid to retired expatriate officers and their dependants who formerly served on the Malayan Establishment; and what reply he has given to such representations.

In September, 1970. I said that the matter was being raised with the Malaysian authorities.The Head of my Pensions Branch raised it again in Kuala Lumpur last month, but was told that the Government of Malaysia was not prepared to change the arrangements in regard to the pensioners concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he intends to take to preserve the existing relationship between the United Kingdom and the Seychelles.

The relationship is defined in the Constitution which came into force in 1970 with the approval of the political parties in the Seychelles. Her Majesty's Government have no present intention of making changes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he plans to seek to pay an official visit to Latin America; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend has no present plans to visit Latin America. I have myself, however accepted invitations from the Governments of Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil to visit their countries between 21st February and 11th March, and I am looking forward to doing so. My right hon. Friend, the Minister for Trade, will also be visiting Chile in early April to lead the British delegation to the U.N.C.T.A.D. III Conference

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Icelandic Government on the proposal to have a 50-mile fishing limit in Icelandic waters; and what replies have been received.

In further exploratory talks at official level, held on 13th and 14th January in Reykjavik, we again emphasised that the proposed Icelandic extension of fishery limits would have no basis in international law. As I told the House in answer to a question from the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, West (Mr. James Johnson) on 24th January, no agreement was reached at those talks, and both sides are now considering the matter.—[Vol. 829, c. 314.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will review his Department's decision not to grant official recognition to the Meifod and District Fox Destruction Society in view of the prevalence of foxes in the forestry plantations in the Meifod area.

No. Official recognition is given only to those fox destruction societies which operate predominantly on unenclosed land not covered by hunts. I am satisfied that the Forestry Commission is doing all that is necessary to keep down foxes in its own plantations including those in the Meifod area.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will investigate what effects the lead emissions at the Imperial Smelting Corporation works at Avonmouth have had on the Welsh side of the Bristol Channel.

Extensive monitoring in the area surrounding the works gives no indication that there would be any effects in Wales. Monitoring of the levels of heavy metals in the atmosphere, including lead, will be undertaken throughout industrial South Wales as a part of the study into heavy metal pollution which I announced last November.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a further statement on Government policy regarding the shipbuilding industry.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. R. C. Mitchell) on 31st January.—[Vol. 830, c.8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a further statement on the ship-repair industry.

I have nothing to add to the answers given to the hon. Member for East Stirlingshire (Mr. Douglas) of 17th January and to the hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. R. C. Mitchell) on 31st January.—[Vol. 829, c. 12; Vol. 830, c. 8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to protect the holders of workers' shares so that if a company goes into liquidation workers' shares will be a first charge on that company.

We are considering whether, and in what manner, company law relating to workers' shares may require to be amended as a result of the Rolls-Royce situation. But the rights attaching to the ownership of equity cannot properly be separated from the risks.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will take action to stop the increasing import penetration of the British textile industry, particularly in the constituency of the hon. Member for Macclesfield; and if he will make a statement.

I expect the textile industry, and my hon. Friend's constituents, will benefit from the Government's decision to retain import quotas on cotton textiles during 1972. But it is for the industry to develop its own markets.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total annual value of exports to and imports from the Republic of Ireland to the nearest convenient date.

Figures are published in the Overseas Trade Statistics. In 1971 exports were £501 million and imports £507 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give, for the longest and most convenient stated period of time, details of the number of prosecutions that have been instituted against the directors of the 200,000 limited liability companies who have broken the 1948 and 1967 Companies Acts in failing to submit their company's returns as laid down under these statutes.

Many of these companies have ceased to operate. 873 directors were prosecuted in 1971 under Section 126 of the Companies Act, 1948. Figures for earlier years are not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will give details of the number of reminders sent out by Companies House to limited liability companies drawing their attention to failure to submit proper company accounts during 1971; how many subsequent reminders were sent; how many prosecutions ensued; and with what results.

About 11,000 first reminders were sent in 1971 and about 21,000 further reminders of various sorts. These, and the threat of prosecution, resulted in compliance in the majority of cases, and some companies were struck off the register as being no longer in operation. Five companies and their directors were prosecuted and four convictions were obtained.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the recent decision of the Manchester City Magistrates' Court, he will introduce legislation to restrict the activities of private debt tracing companies; and if he will make a statement.

We are examining this possibility as part of our consideration of the Report of the Committee on Consumer Credit as a whole, but we shall also need to take into account any conclusions reached by the Committee on Privacy which is examining some related questions and which will be presenting its Report soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial assistance he is now providing to the new Govan Shipbuilders Limited.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the feasibility study prepared for his Department on the viability of Govan Shipbuilders and on the views of the Board of Govan Shipbuilders on the capital requirement for the new company.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will outline the results of the consultancy studies, in respect of Govan, Linthouse and Scotstoun shipyards; and what decisions he has taken to protect the interests of the workers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give details of the feasibility studies which have been submitted to him in respect of the Govan, Linthouse and Scotstoun yards of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Limited.

We have received the final draft of the consultant's report together with a letter from Govan Shipbuilders outlining its views on the prospects for viability. We are urgently examining these and, until this examination is complete, I have no statement to make.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has had from the Marathon Manufacturing Company of the United States of America for the relief of import duties on equipment which they would require to import from the United States of America in the event of their taking over the Clydebank Yard of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders; and what reply he has given.

The Marathon Manufacturing Company has asked the Department whether it could obtain relief from import duty on certain items of equipment it might wish to import from the United States in the event of its taking over the Clydebank Yard of Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Ltd. A letter has been sent to Marathon explaining the provisions for such relief under Sections 5 and 7 of the Import Duties Act, 1958.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make an order forbidding commercial aircraft to fly at supersonic speeds over the land surface of the United Kingdom.

Commercial flights by supersonic aircraft are still two or three years away and a decision will be taken well before then.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will direct the Registrar of Restrictive Trade Practices to examine with a view to a reference to the Restrictive Practices Court the arrangements and conditions imposed on the suppliers and processors of steelworks' scrap by the British Steel Corporation and the Association of Independent Steel Producers.

I have no power to direct the registrar to examine an agreement. The steel scrap agreement which was examined by the court in 1963 cannot continue after entry to the enlarged Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the yearly import and export figures for machine tools between the United Kingdom and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Poland, East Germany, Hungary, Rumania, Bulgaria, and Czechoslovakia, for each of the last three years.

Following is the information:

£ thousands
	1969	1970	1971
IMPORTS c.i.f. from
U.S.S.R	438	399	902
Poland	240	395	306
East Germany	747	921	1,320
Hungary	109	38	80
Rumania	46	43	3
Bulgaria	—	7	23
Czechoslovakia	329	628	579
EXPORTS f.o.b. to
U.S.S.R	11,797	8,918	6,121
Poland	954	2,531	1,551
East Germany	236	79	372
Hungary	69	19	76
Rumania	655	897	1,063
Bulgaria	32	27	38
Czechoslovakia	318	632	192

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were the average weekly cash earnings, excluding the value of allowances in kind, of National Coal Board miners in the board's financial year 1964–65; what was the corresponding figure for the year 1970–71; and what percentage increase it represented.

Average weekly cash earnings of National Coal Board mine workers of all ages in 1964–65 were £17·96½ in 1970·71 they were £27·05, representing a percentage increase of 50·6 per cent. For fuller details I would refer my hon. Friend to Volume II of the National Coal Board's Annual Report and Accounts.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the average increase in percentage, excluding the value of allowances in kind, of National Coal Board miners in the board's financial years 1964–65 to 1970–71, inclusive; and what percentage increase in the cost of living has taken place in the same period.

Average weekly cash earnings of National Coal Board mineworkers in 1970–71 were 50·6 per cent. above those in 1964–65. From March, 1965, to March, 1971, the Index of Retail Prices rose by 35·6 per cent. For further details I would refer my hon. Friend to Volume II of the National Coal Board's Annual Report and Accounts. The Index of Retail Prices is published monthly in the Department of Employment's Gazette.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the average weekly cash earnings, excluding the value of allowances in kind, of National Coal Board miners in the board's financial year 1964–65 and the corresponding figure for the year 1969–70; and what percentage increase it represented.

Average weekly cash earnings of National Coal Board mineworkers of all ages in 1964–65 were £17·96½; in 1969–70 they were £23·82, representing a percentage increase of 32·6 per cent. Full details are given with value of allowances in kind shown separately in Volume II of the Annual Report and Accounts of the National Coal Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had, during his review of regional policy, with the Common Market Commission about the compatibility of different types of State aids with the provisions of the Treaty of Rome; and if he will make a statement.

The views of the Commission on these matters are well known.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what anti-dumping controls are held by the European Economic Community against surpluses from Japan, South Africa and the South American countries.

E.E.C. Regulation No. 459/68 provides for anti-dumping action consistent with the G.A.T.T. code to be taken by the Community against any non-member country. Additionally E.E.C. Regulation No. 1025/70 provides for appropriate protective measures to be taken against goods imported in such large quantities or under such conditions as to prejudice the interests of the Community.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations his Department has received about his responsibility in relation to the maintaining of night flights from Manchester Airport; what replies he has made; and if he will make a statement.

Responsibility for night flights from Manchester Airport rests at present with the airport authority, the Manchester Corporation. Representations have however been received about the designation of the airport under Section 29 of the Civil Aviation Act, 1971, and are being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will allow local officials of his Department to make decisions on standard grants and operational grants.

The procedures for dealing with applications are kept under review. Operational grants however can only be offered on the basis of a recommendation from the Department's Advisory Committee, which also considers the larger applications for building grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those recommendations, contained in the inspector's report into the Cynheidre Colliery accident, which are to be implemented and are not to be implemented, respectively.

All the recommendations are to be implemented. Those relating to the general layout and coursing of ventilation, advance boring, sampling and determination of the desorption ratio of the coal are subject to the conclusion of satisfactory trials; the breathing aids to be provided and the development of specially designed individual breathing apparatus are under consideration by the Joint Committee on Outbursts of Coal and Firedamp; loudspeaker communications are being installed throughout the Cynheidre/Pentremawr Colliery workings, and the joint committee is reviewing inducer firing techniques.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what, for each year since 1965, were the numbers of industrial development certificates granted and refused for those parts of the United Kingdom not designated as either a development or intermediate area.

I regret the information in the form requested could not be obtained without undue expenditure of time and effort. Industrial development certificates approved and refused from 1967 in the areas outside the development and intermediate areas as now defined, are as follows:

Year	Approvals (Schemes of 10,000 sq.ft. and over)	Refusals (All schemes)
1967	1,626	273
1968	1,855	182
1969	2,003	203
1970	1,785	197
1971	1,336	120

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what, for each individual development and intermediate area, were the number of industrial development certificates granted and refused, the number of new jobs created and the number of jobs lost, in each year since 1965.

I regret that information in the form requested is not available. Since 1967 the number of industrial development certificates granted together with estimates of jobs expected by the applicants to arise when the projects were complete and fully manned, and the industrial development certificates refused, are as follows:

	IDC Approvals (for Schemes of 10,000 sq. ft. and over)
	No.	EAE
1967
Development Areas
Northern	172	17,730
North western	116	7,980
South Western	34	1,890
Scotland	181	16,410
Wales	107	11,230
Intermediate Areas
Scotland	10	240
Wales	19	580
Yorkshire Coalfield	48	2,460
North Humberside	39	1,130
Filey/Bridlington	Nil	Nil
Notts/Derby Coalfield	13	300
South West	14	590
West Midlands	2	*
North West	28	860
1968
Development Areas
Northern	191	18,880
North Western	123	9,700
South Western	40	2,520
Scotland	204	20,360
Wales	154	15,780
Intermediate Areas
Scotland	6	160
Wales	19	420
Yorkshire Coalfield	67	3,220
North Humberside	28	1,570
Filey/Bridlington	1	*
Notts/Derby Coalfield	19	940
South West	10	310
West Midlands	Nil	Nil
North West	42	1,660

NOTE

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action, in view of his Department's failure so far to find a tenant for the vacant advance factory at Barley Mow, Birtley, County Durham, and the unemployment rate prevailing in the Chester-le-Street constituency area, he proposes to take to ensure that this advance factory is occupied before the spring of 1972.

We shall continue to suggest the premises to all suitable inquirers and to draw attention to the incentives available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has received the prima facie evidence submitted to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, showing that the directors of some 200,000 limited liability companies are regularly breaking the law; and what action he proposes to take to prevent this law breaking.

I have read the article in the Observer which is referred to in the hon. Member's question. Many of these companies have ceased to operate but as I stated in my reply to a question by the hon. Member on 7th February, we are looking into ways of strengthening sanctions against defaulters.—[Vol. 830, c. 964–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the study now taking place on the general question of regional policy; and to what extent he expects action to encourage additional employment in existing premises and in non-manufacturing industry in the North-East development area.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to a supplementary question by my hon. Friend the Member for St. Marylebone (Mr. Kenneth Baker) on 7th February.—[Vol. 830, c. 971–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware that insurance companies who go into liquidation do not provide cover to motorists who at the time are unaware of the failure of such companies to meet their liabilities, leaving such motorists in contravention of the Road Traffic Acts; and what action he intends to take.

Yes. It is the practice of the Department of the Environment to issue a Press notice immediately after a motor insurance company goes into liquidation warning former policyholders of the need to take out new insurance in order to comply with the Road Traffic Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he considers the tied-house system to be inconsistent with the requirements of fair trading practices underwritten by Her Majesty's Government in the Treaty of Rome; and what action he will take to implement the European Economic Commission regulations to limit the ability of brewers to restrict consumer choice in the brewing industry.

The relevant provisions of the Treaty of Rome competition rules are administered by the European Commission, and it would not be right for me to express any view on the likely consistency with those rules of any practice of British firms. The general inquiry by the European Commission into competition in the brewing industry in the existing member States is still in progress. It will be for the Commission to decide how far and in what way to extend its inquiry to new member States.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in view of the trend in the brewing industry with regard to the tied-house system, whether it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to allow unfettered control by brewers without reference to the Monopolies Commission.

The Monopolies Commission recommended in 1969 that the defects which it had found in the tied-house system should be remedied by a substantial relaxation of the licensing system. The Erroll Committee is now examining this question; I see no reason for a further reference to the commission at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations have been made to him by Newark Borough Council in respect of the growing unemployment in Newark and the need for action by his Department; and what reply he has sent.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the British Standards Institute have laid down specifications of safety and strength for hot water bottles; how these standards are inspected and maintained; if he is aware of the serious injury which can rise from the leaking or breaking of such hot water bottles especially to the aged and disabled; and if he will make a statement.

British Standards 1970: 1961, specification for Moulded Rubber Hot Water Bottles, requires their material and construction to be such as to ensure satisfactory performance and safety under normal conditions of use. Requirements for tests are given, with recommendations for use and storage. The mark "BS 1970" is an assurance by the manufacturer that the goods have been manufactured to this British Standard.While serious consequences can result from failure of a hot water bottle, rubber articles inevitably deteriorate in use. Observance of the recommendations in Appendix C of this Standard should delay this natural deterioration.The Home Office has no record of reported failures in hot water bottles manufactured to BS1970. To inform the public on necessary precautions in the use of hot water bottles it has in preparation a short television "filler" feature which should be available very shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in which territories under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom the main provisions of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, 1966 are operative.

The Veterinary Surgeons Act, 1966, is operative in the United Kingdom. Of the remaining territories to which United Kingdom jurisdiction extends, one—St. Helena—has passed the English Law Application Ordinance, 1970, which applies the 1966 Act in St. Helena to the extent that it is appropriate and suitable to local circumstances.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a report about the monitoring that has taken place into the lead and cadmium content of commercial fish and shellfish in the Severn Estuary and the Bristol Channel.

Yes. I have already announced that monitoring for heavy metals, particularly lead and cadmium, is proceeding and that I will publish the results. I expect to publish the reports on lead this spring and on cadmium later this year. These reports will deal, amongst other things, with the results of analyses of samples taken in the Severn Estuary and the Bristol Channel.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the cost of implementing the Government's policy of felling and destruction of trees affected by the Dutch elm disease; and whether he will make a contribution under the Plant Protection Order towards the cost now borne by councils and householders.

The net cost, if any, varies so widely in the light of individual circumstances that it would not be realistic to attempt an estimate. Since the disease does not affect the value of elms as timber, where they are saleable there may in fact be a net gain from felling.The Forestry Commission has been authorised to contribute up to £250,000 towards the administrative costs of the local authorities operating the Orders and I do not accept the case for additional funds.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be Great Britain's approximate contribution to the European Economic Community budget in the first year of entry and in what currencies; and whether Her Majesty's Government have ascertained if Germany, France and Belgium have agreed to buy sufficient excess of exports from Great Britain to enable Great Britain to pay the cost.

About £120 million gross, payable in sterling, as shown in Cmnd. 4715. There is no case for artificial bilateral trade arrangements on the lines suggested.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total revenue received annually by the Exchequer in income tax since 1938; and what percentage each of these figures represented of total Government receipts from taxation from all sources for that year.

The figures are given in the table below.

	Yield of income tax	Income tax as a percentage of total central government taxation
	£ million
1938	312	35·6
1939	346	35·3
1940	473	34·2
1941	664	31·0
1942	850	33·2
1943	1,113	36·5
1944	1,279	39·2
1945	1,353	41·4
1946	1,262	39·7
1947	1,141	35·9
1948	1,228	34·9
1949	1,385	37·3
1950	1,420	38·1
1951	1,504	37·4
1952	1,670	39·5
1953	1,714	40·7
1954	1,762	40·3
1955	1,964	42·0
1956	2,020	42·1
1957	2,190	42·8
1958	2,285	43·1
1959	2,328	42·7
1960	2,285	40·9
1961	2,565	41·7
1962	2,846	42·5
1963	2,823	42·0
1964	2,941	40·9
1965	3,374	41·8
1966	4,120	45·8
1967	3,666	36·8
1968	4,168	36·3
1969	4,779	36·3
1970	5,524	37·5
1971 (Provisional)	6,192	40·6

The figures for income tax relate only to that tax and exclude other taxes included as "taxes on income" in the national accounts, e.g., surtax, profits tax, corporation tax. Total central Government taxation includes all the taxes shown in the national accounts as taxes on income, taxes on expenditure and taxes on capital but excludes national insurance and similar contributions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of convictions against people working as self-employed sub-contracting labour for the non-payment of income tax or national health contributions during the last three years.

This information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give the estimated yearly loss of revenue in income tax payments and national health insurance contributions caused by the non-payment by people working as self-employed sub-contracting labour during each of the last three years.

It is estimated that the yearly tax loss in the construction industry was of the order of £10 million a year. Legislation was introduced in the 1971 Finance Act to tackle this problem. No information is available in respect of national insurance contributions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider increasing the hourly payment rate to poll clerks at local government and general elections.

If there is evidence that the present maximum fees paid to poll clerks at General Elections are too low, my right hon. Friend is prepared to consider an increase. The level of fees for local government elections is the responsibility of individual local authorities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it was with his authority that Mr. J. V. Mulcahy, Surveyor of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, stated to the Liverpool Branch of the Institute of Exports that on the introduction of value-added tax in 1973 the present number of 2,000 civil servants administering purchase tax would have to be quadrupled.

The hon. Member is misinformed. I understand that Mr. Mulcahy said that some increase in the staff of his Department would obviously be necessary; but nothing definite could be said until the details of the new tax were known.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of tax which is claimed by individuals and companies, respectively, to have been overpaid and about which the Inland Revenue is negotiating at the present time.

The information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount for each year since their inception paid by Her Majesty's Government in investment grants, investment allowances, retraining and removal expenses, building grants, regional employment premiums, selective employment rebates, and other regional aids to each individual development area and intermediate area of the United Kingdom.

I have been asked to reply.The information requested is not readily available but a further reply giving as much detail as can be obtained will be given as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a further statement on progress on preparations for the United Nations conference on the environment.

Arrangements of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment are progressing satisfactorily. The Preparatory Com- mittee Meeting will hold its fourth meeting in New York from 6th to 17th March. The programmes of the International Working Groups are nearing completion and the Conference Secretariat is preparing proposals for action to be taken at Stockholm. The reports of the four United Kingdom Working Parties are either all completed or very nearly so. These will be published before the conference. A booklet on developments and experience in the United Kingdom on environmental protection is in preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the number of constructive criticisms of the proposed route and design of the Lewes southern bypass, he will order a public inquiry to be held in Lewes as soon as possible; and if he will give an assurance that the holding of such an inquiry need not interfere with the timescale announced for providing Lewes with this bypass.

A public inquiry will open on 11th May, 1972, at the Town Hall, Lewes. The possible need for an inquiry was taken into account in assessing the likely timetable for the project.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the criteria used by local authorities to determine whether or not derelict land justifies treatment.

For the purposes of derelict land grant, "Derelict land" is used to mean land so damaged by industrial or other development that it is incapable of beneficial use without treatment. Whether or not treatment is justified depends on the nature and situation of the dereliction, its effect on the environment and practicability of reclamation works. It is essentially a matter for local assessment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authorities accord to officers employed by them the right to spare-time private employment drawing plans or doing other work for those who subsequently apply for planning consents or building consent; and what guidance his Department has issued, or intends to issue, on this subject.

Individual terms of employment are matter for the local authorities concerned; I have no information about the extent of the practice referred to. My Department has neither issued nor contemplate guidances on the matter.