asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the proposal to upgrade the Otterbourne and Chandlers Ford Bypass, A33, to motorway status; and what replies he has sent.

:Representations have been made for the provision of dual three-lane carriageways and hard shoulders throughout and also on the proposed routing of traffic from the bypass into Southampton. These are receiving consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to make known his promised proposals for the reduction of lead in the atmosphere; and if he will make a statement.

As soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the current progress of house building; and if he will make a statement.

I have announced the February house building figures today. Among other encouraging signs they show that, for this year so far, the total number of starts is 7 per cent, up on the corresponding period of last year. In the private sector the increase is nearly 15 per cent.In the public sector approvals in the three months up to January, 1972, were 13 per cent. higher than the comparable figure a year earlier.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on proposals which he has now received for the construction of an oil terminal at Foulness.

The Port of London Authority has now asked for approval in principle to specific proposals so that it can proceed with further investigations and with commercial negotiations. These must be completed before I can give a final decision. I expect to receive shortly the National Ports Council's advice on this request.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the powers and responsibilities of his newly appointed adviser on waterways.

He is to assist in the resolution of problems arising from the use of inland waters. The detailed arrangements are being discussed with him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the way the new regulations governing the raising of the age limit for motor-cycle licences from 16 to 17 years have operated; and if he will make a statement.

The regulations were introduced with immediate effect in order to save the maximum number of lives. I am aware that this caused difficulty for some, and would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. J. H. Osborn) on 29th February.—[Vol. 832, c. 90.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what basis compensation is to be paid to those 15 year olds who suffered financial loss due to the raising of the minimum age from 16 years to 17 years to obtain a licence to drive a motor cycle.

As I announced on 29th February, unavoidable losses incurred by those whose licences became invalid will be considered for compensation.

asked the Secretary of State State for the Environment to how many 15 year olds' driving licences were issued two months in advance of the effective date and which were subsequently invalid due to the raising of the minimum age from 16 years to 17 years; and how many were surrendered in exchange for moped licences.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Nottingham, West (Mr. English) on Wednesday, 16th February.—[Vol. 831, c. 100.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to take on those recommendations contained in the Francis Report which are outside the scope of the Housing Finance Bill.

Maximum penalties for harassment and illegal eviction are to be increased under the Criminal Justice Bill. I have no statement to make at this stage on the remaining recommendations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what research is being conducted by his Department into car seat belts which must be worn before cars can be driven.

A number of systems interlocked with the ignition have been developed. A research and development contract for a fully automatic system has been placed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the capital value of the hangars occupied on Bovingdon Airfield, Hertfordshire; and whether sufficient satisfactory storage exists as a replacement if the hangars are demolished.

I appreciate that it is not the practice to disclose valuations of property in the course of disposal. The hangars will not be demolished before June, 1973, at the earliest as there is a firm requirement for them until then for emergency stockpile storage. In the meantime, I will be reviewing whether there is any longer term need for this or alternative storage accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with interested parties in the United Kingdom regarding the European Economic Community's directive of 31st January, 1972, Journal Officiel No. C.105/14, dated 15th August, 1970, regarding car insurance premiums; and whether he will list the persons and organisations with whom he discussed this directive.

As I told the hon. Member on 20th March, motor insurance premiums are unlikely to be affected by this directive. The effect of the directive has been discussed with motor insurers and communicated to the motoring and principal transport user organisations.—[Vol. 833, c. 261.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the Greater London Council concerning the creation of a zebra crossing of the Staines Road at Bedfont, Middlesex, as advocated by the Staines Road, Crossing Campaign; and with what result.

None. On 6th March, 1972, officers of my Department and the G.L.C. discussed the possibility of three pelican crossings on Staines Road, Bedfont. One can be authorised; investigations on the other two are not yet complete.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements he has for liaison with other Government Departments upon matters affecting the environment; and if he will make a statement.

Effective arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware that 100,000 breeding pairs of puffins have recently perished on St. Kilda from feeding in polluted waters; and what steps he proposes taking to clean the offending waters.

It is true that there has been an appreciable decline in the breeding population of puffins on St. Kilda over the past few years, but I am unable to confirm that the reason for this is the one suggested by the hon. Gentleman. The Government have taken a number of actions designed to diminish pollution of the sea, notably the introduction of the Oil in Navigable Waters Act, 1971, and the signature on 15th February last of the Oslo Convention to control dumping in the North-East Atlantic area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to discuss joint initiatives for the control of toxic waste disposal in Europe.

This country took a leading part in the development of a convention to control the dumping of toxic wastes in the North-East Atlantic, which has been signed by many European countries, including the United Kingdom. The disposal of toxic waste on land must be primarily a matter for national Administrations, but we will respond to any constructive suggestions for European co-operation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will pre pare a statement on the control of toxic waste disposal for the United Nations Conference on the Environment at Stockholm.

I hope to deal with this matter in my speech to the plenary session of the conference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, whether he will visit the International Transportation Exposition promoted by President Nixon in Washington at the end of May and early June this year; to what extent his Department will be taking part in this event; and what, in his estimate, will be the value of exports from this country thereby produced.

Yes, I will be visiting the exhibition. Both the Department and British industry will be making a significant contribution.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware that children are crossing the M53 Wirral Motorway on foot; and if he will take steps to improve the fencing of this motorway adjacent to the Wood- church Road interchange at Birkenhead to discourage the children taking such short cuts.

I am aware of Press reports alleging that schoolchildren were crossing the M53 on foot but have no positive evidence to confirm this. The fencing in the vicinity of Wood church has been checked to ensure that there are no gaps through which children could gain access to the motorway.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will announce his decision on the Channel Tunnel.

Work on the studies is well in hand. I will make a statement when the results are available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to introduce community councils for urban areas in 1974.

:Yes. We propose to retain elected councils as from April, 1974, in those small boroughs and urban districts which are comparable to parishes. As I announced in Standing Committee D last week, Amendments will be moved on Report stage of the Local Government Bill directing the Boundary Commission for England to make recommendations as to which boroughs and urban districts should retain councils without any break on reorganisation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for giving financial assistance towards the provision of lorry parks in the greater London area.

I am awaiting proposals from the Greater London Council.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many alternatives are currently under consideration for the Doncaster section of the M18 motorway.

My right hon. Friend announced his decision on the line of this section of the motorway on 28th March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will, after the 1973 revaluation, raise the rate able value limits within which residential premises will fall within the provisions of the Rent Acts, and, in particular, to fix special higher limits to cover the exceptional conditions in central London.

As the relevant rate able value for the purpose of the Rent Act is that shown in the valuation list on 23rd March, 1965, or the first entry of the dwelling in the list if the first entry is after that date, the 1973 revaluation will not remove from any tenant the protection he has under the Rent Act. The rate able value limit for protection is already, in Greater London, twice that for the rest of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will introduce legislation to make the registration of motor driving schools compulsory.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what further road safety measures he is proposing to introduce; and if he will make a statement.

Expenditure on road safety publicity will be doubled in 1972–73; the measures announced last July are in hand; others will be announced in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes in income distribution he estimates will be brought about as a result of the full implementation of the Housing Finance Bill.

One direct effect of the Bill on incomes will be that it will moderate what would otherwise have become a grossly excessive and inequitable demand on taxpayers. More important, it will make rent rebates and rent allowances available to a great number of rent-paying tenants who have so far been denied them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to give maximum television and other publicity to the terms and consequences of the Housing Finance Bill.

We are taking every suitable opportunity to explain the Bill to the public and at the appropriate time we will mount a national campaign to publicise the arrangements for rent rebates and allowances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now make a statement on his plans to expedite planning procedures.

Two circulars, one issued today and the other issued last week—introducing new appeal forms and recommending model application forms and the other on certain applications for industrial development—should help to simplify and hasten procedures and we will shortly be consulting the local authority associations about various other more major proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give details of the means and methods whereby he insures under the Road Traffic Acts the fleet of ministerial and State cars; which insurance company or companies carry the policies; on what basis and at what costs; and how these will be affected on Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community on Great Britain having to adopt the Directive No. C105/14 dated August, 1970 and agreed to on 31st January, 1972.

I do not insure my fleet under the Road Traffic Acts, as Government Departments carry their own insurance risks. No insurance company is thus involved. These arrangements will not, therefore, be affected by the directive quoted by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to review the offer of compensation to Miss Iris Mason and Miss Kathleen Flowers of Hinksey Hill whose house, The Lawns, stands in the path of the Abingdon bypass; and whether he will make a statement.

I have written to my hon. Friend today.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if new Clause 35 in the Local Government Bill will apply to greater London, in view of the fact that the Bill does not generally apply to greater London.

The Clause requires some modification but it is the Government's intention that in its final form it should apply to greater London as do several other parts of the Local Government Bill, for example those dealing with the structure, internal organisation and procedures of local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is now able to make a decision upon the construction of the Crawshawbooth bypass on the A56; and if he will give the date when the line of construction will be finalised.

Alternative routes from the northern end of the Edenfield-Rawtenstall bypass to the Calder Valley fast route, details of which were announced by my hon. Friend the Minister of Local Government and Development on 17th March, are currently being investigated. In the meanwhile work on detailed plans for the Crawshaw- booth bypass has been suspended. However, minor improvements to the A56 are being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many contracts in each year since the introduction of the Government General Contracts Preference Scheme for Development Areas were awarded to firms located in development areas; what percentage this figure represents of the total issued by his Department; and on how many occasions the Special Preference Scheme has been implemented in each year.

The information on main purchasing contracts let in the development areas in the years from 1966–67—before which no records are available—is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about his policy concerning box junctions.

Box junction markings are a useful aid to traffic movement at some but not all types of junction. Each case has to be assessed on its merits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware that of the 44 members of the East Midland Rent Assessment Panel only four are women; and if he will state on what basis nominations were invited and appointments made.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 27th March in relation to the Yorkshire rent assesment panel.—[Vol. 834, c. 20.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current average rent for council-owned dwellings and the average proposed fair rent for those dwellings in the area of those local authorities which have provided his Department with information, in regard to the proposals for council rents contained in the Housing Finance Bill.

The Department has received the following provisional estimates:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date the estimate that 1¾ million council tenants will qualify for rent rebate was made; and on what date he will be prepared to revise this figure to take account of increased wages, salaries and other income.

The estimates which I gave in Standing Committee E on 16th Decembed last—col. 429 of Official Report—were the best that could be made that day. I will review them as frequently as may be desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will reconsider his proposal to route non-motorway traffic on to the old Winchester-Southampton road through Otterbourne, Hampshire, in view of the traffic congestion which would arise from this scheme.

Objections to this proposal will be considered before my right hon. Friend reaches any decision.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the difficulty of obtaining suitable con- tractors to carry out dwelling house improvements in intermediate areas, if he will extend the deadline of 23rd June, 1973, in order to obtain the 75 per cent. grants under the Housing Act.

I have nothing to add to the reply by my right hon. Friend on8th March to the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun).—[Vol. 832, c. 325.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the conditions applicable to improvement grants, so that local authorities can give a grant towards roof repairs or roof renewal.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 8th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Test (Mr. James Hill).—[Vol. 832, c. 324.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many of the vehicles involved in the multiple crash on the M1 on 16th March were private cars and how many were commercial vehicles; and, of the latter, how many were heavy lorries and how many were light vehicles.

The total number of vehicles now known or believed to have been involved in any way is 250. The details are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will seek powers to intervene where large office blocks have been vacant for five years or more, with a view to their conversion, where suitable, for housing needs; and if he will make a statement.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps have been taken by the Road Research Laboratory to set up divisions and committees to study all transport systems and their impact on the environment, and in particular urban transport systems; and if he will publish details of these in the Official Report.

Following is the information:The Transportation Division of the Transport and Road Research Laboratory was formed in March, 1971. Its works is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has now been made with the sale of Thomas Cook & Son Limited.

The Transport Holding Company tells me that 16 firms or groups submitted preliminary memoranda. Answers to questions they submitted were dispatched on 10th March in accordance with the timetable in the prospectus. Cook's results for the financial year ending 31st October, 1971, are being sent to bidders today. Copies will be placed in the Library. It had been hoped to issue them rather earlier. In the circumstances the date for receipt of cash offers will be 14th—not 6th—April.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when a start is likely to be made on the Tees side County Borough Council's sewage disposal scheme.

The council has been authorised today to invite tenders for the first two sections of an £8 million scheme which when it is completed will materially reduce pollution in the lower Tees.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to set up the local inquiry into the planning proposals of Glasgow Corporation's Springburn Development.

Suggestions have been made to the corporation about the form of its proposals, but I have not yet received a satisfactory reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated saving to public funds of his decision to narrow the scope of the Teachers Special Recruitment Scheme.

This decision was not taken with particular reference to financial considerations and any savings will vary with the extent to which intending teachers no longer eligible for assistance under the scheme obtain help from the other public sources, that is to say, from my Department under the Students' Allowances Scheme or from education authorities under the Bursaries Regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now publish a revised edition of the Local Government Map illustrating the new proposed boundaries for the reform of local government in Scotland.

A map is being printed showing the boundaries now proposed for the regional and district authorities. Copies will be provided for Scottish Members as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the increase or decrease in the total number of non-industrial civil servants in the Scottish Office since 30th June, 1970.

Between 1st July, 1970, and 1st January, 1972, the latest date for which figures are available, there was an increase of 238, including 180 for the Prison Service and the State Hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can now give the figures of recorded injuries caused by fireworks during the last guising season.

Fifty-five persons received hospital treatment for in-

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what tonnage of pulverised fuel ash is produced by British power stations each year; and what efforts have been made to find industrial uses or commercial outlets for this waste.

For power stations in England and Wales this is the responsibility of the Central Electricity Generating Board and I am asking the Chairman to write to my hon. Friend. Questions on electricity in Scotland are, of course, a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland who is asking the Chairman of the South of Scotland Electricity Board to write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the estimated figures for the noise of the production version of Concorde given in the 1971

The levels given in the 1970–71 Report of the British Airports Authority are derived from the target levels for Concorde's entry into service, which are given in EPNdB to enable comparison to be made with the certification requirements for subsonic aircraft. Provided these levels can be met Concorde is expected also to meet the current day-time noise limit at Heathrow. Until noise measurements have been taken on the production aircraft and silencers it would be premature to try to estimate detailed noise contours, but in operations based on Heathrow the noise on take-off and landing as measured in PNdB, is expected to be comparable with the Boeing 707/VC 10 aircraft.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what major improvements have been made at Aberdeen airport over each of the last ten years, and at what cost per improve-

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will invite the trade unions to make nominations to the proposed Industrial Development Board.

I will certainly have this suggestion very much in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1)

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 21st March, 1972; Vol. 833, c. 305] gave the following information:whether he will conduct an inquiry into double pricing in the sewing machine industry;(2) whether he will conduct an inquiry into double pricing in the washing machine industry;(3) whether he will conduct an inquiry into double pricing in the lawn mower industry;(4) whether he will issue a circular to local authorities, requesting weights and measures inspectors to report cases of double pricing occurring in their districts.

No. But if the hon. and learned Member provides evidence of comparison with a recommended price that is inflated and unrealistic, the possibility of a prosecution under the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968, can be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in what ranges and types of ball bearings the effect of Japanese competition has been most severely felt by British industry according to information tendered to him.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the extent of Japanese competition in the ball and roller bearing industry, he can now state what protection he proposes to provide against unfair trade practices arising there from.

Japanese competition has been most severe in single row ball bearings up to 70 mm. bore. We are considering the information which the industry has provided in support of then-request that the Government should ask the Japanese Government to limit voluntarily the growth of bearings sales to this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what use the British ball bearing industry has made of patents and trade marks to protect itself against Japanese competition, according to information tendered to him.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the total production of the ball and roller bearing industry is covered by world patents.

Manufacturers of ball and roller bearings make use of the provisions of the patents and trade marks Acts when they consider it to be in their interest to do so. I understand that the proportion of the industry's production covered by patents is very small.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration he has given to the pricing of Japanese ball bearings in Great Britain being in contravention of the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade agreement on dumping; and if he will make a statement.

The Department has explained to the British ball bearing industry that it is ready at any time to consider an application for anti-dumping action if the industry has prima facie evidence that the imports are dumped as defined in Article VI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and are causing it, or threatening to cause it, material injury. The industry has not yet made such an application.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the extent of Japanese imports into the United Kingdom in percentage of the value of British production.

Imports of ball and roller bearings from Japan during the fourth quarter of 1971 were equivalent to 3 per cent. by value of total sales by United Kingdom manufacturers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much capital replacement for plant and machinery there has been in the British ball and roller bearing industry in the last period for which information is available.

Capital expansion on acquisitions of plant and machinery by firms specialising in the production of ball and roller bearings amounted to £4·8 million in 1968 according to the provisional results of the Census of Production for that year.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state the value of imports of Japanese ball bearings into the United Kingdom in the last five years.

Figures of imports of ball, roller or needle-roller bearings from Japan for 1970 are published in Volume I of the Annual Statement of Trade for 1970 and for 1971 in the December, 1971, issue of the Overseas Trade Statistics; figures for earlier years are as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state the value of the production of United Kingdom ball bearing manufactures for the last five years.

Sales by manufacturers of ball and roller bearings amounted to £69 million in 1968, and to £27 million in the fourth quarter of 1971. These are the only figures we have for the last five years.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state the value of Japanese imports of ball bearings in the last five years as a percentage of the value of British production of ball bearings.

Figures are available only for 1968 and the fourth quarter of 1971 when imports of ball and roller bearings from Japan were equivalent to 1½ per cent. and 3 per cent. respectively of the total value of sales by United Kingdom manufacturers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will state the value of retained earnings of the British ball bearing industry in the last five years;(2) if he will state the value of trading profit of the British ball bearing industry in the last five years.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he intends to take to remedy the worsening balance of trade between Japan and the United Kingdom since Japanese exports to the United Kingdom are increasing six fold over United Kingdom exports to Japan.

United Kingdom imports from Japan in 1971 increased by approximately 50 per cent, over 1970—from £134 million to £201 million c.i.f.—compared with an increase of approximately 6 per cent.—from £148 million to £157 million f.o.b.—in United Kingdom exports to Japan. Previously visible trade between the two countries had been broadly in balance, with a surplus in our favour in 1969 and 1970. The revaluation of the yen last December and the expected recovery of the Japanese economy from a period of comparative stagnation should remove two main causes of this new trend. One of the more important tasks of the British Overseas Trade Board will be to seek ways of reinforcing the efforts of British exporters in this prosperous and rapidly growing market.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information the Confederation of British Industry has supplied to him about its recent talks with the Keidanren regarding Japanese-United Kingdom trade; and if he will make a statement.

The Department has been in close touch with the C.B.I. following the confederation's talks with the Keidanren in both London and Brussels in October, 1971. I understand that the C.B.I. stressed the need for adequate access to the Japanese market through investment and exports and considered with interest the Keidanren proposals, which will be discussed in detail in the coming months, for forestalling any rapid and disruptive build-up of Japanese sales in the British and other markets. I attach great importance to the harmonious development of two-way trade with Japan and am following these important talks with keen interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will introduce legislation to render void disclaimers included in contracts by proprietors of automatic car wash systems.

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to my reply to his Question on 29th November last.—[Vol. 827, c. 16–17.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has received the report of the Monopolies Commission on the supply of fire insurance; and when it will be available to the House.

Yes. The report will be laid before Parliament and published as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the recommendations on statistical form filling made in Chapter 15 of the Report of the Bolton Committee on Small Firms.

In the debate on the Address on 3rd November last, my right hon. Friend said that the Government accepted the philosophy underlying the Bolton Committee's proposals about form filling. Study has now shown that while it is not possible to accept them all in the precise way they were framed, the objectives of most of them should and can be met.The committee strongly commended the development of a central register of businesses. We recognise that such a register could be of great value in removing unnecessary duplication in statistical inquiries; it should lessen the burden of form filling by making possible the more intensive use of sampling techniques and the exemption to an increased extent of smaller firms from inquiries as the committee recommended. A central register could lead to improvements in the coverage and consistency of statistical series and go a long way towards providing comprehensive information about enterprises, as recommended by the committee. The Business Statistics Office is actively exploring the possibility of developing a central register of businesses. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister answered a Question from my hon. Friend on 14th March about the procedures to be followed for strengthening the scrutiny of statistical surveys, which was recommended by the committee.The report comments on the use of statutory powers for collecting statistics. Wherever possible the Government Statistical Service seeks voluntary co-operation of businesses in supplying information but it has been asked to formulate more explicit criteria for the use of statutory collecting powers and all statutory inquiries will be reviewed to see if they meet these criteria. It will review all statistical forms to ensure that statutory and non-statutory forms are clearly distinguished.The committee considered the question of the passage of information between different Departments. It is in general accepted that maximum use should be made of information from which business statistics can be derived and that to this end there should be close co-operation between statisticians and administration branches of Government, both in making good use of information and in adapting administrative arrangements to improve its value to the Government generally. Substantially there is a free flow of aggregated statistics between Departments of Government. Where barriers exist they are against the free passage of information about individual businesses or people—or about small groups of businesses or people. The availability of Inland Revenue information must continue to be subject to the overriding requirements of confidentiality.Several of the committee's recommendations are concerned with the cost of surveys. The Government accept the principle that in reaching a decision about whether to conduct a survey some assessment must be made of the burden it will impose on respondents. Further, it is proposed to extend to other inquiries the practice of making man-hour estimates which has been pioneered in some recent statistical surveys wherever good results without undue costs seem possible.—[Vol. 825, c. 189; Vol. 833, c.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Common wealth Affairs, in view of the fact that the United Nations sponsored world environment conference in Stockholm will not be fully representative of the world, if he will make a further statement on the number of countries which will attend and on the position of the German Democratic Republic.

Under the terms of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2850 all member States of the United Nations and its specialised agencies have been invited to attend the Stockholm Environment Conference. As I told the House on 14th February, the Western Allies have put forward proposals which would permit the German Democratic Republic to take a full working part in the conference. As yet the East European Governments have not responded to this offer.—[Vol. 831, c.6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the frequency of checks on atmospheric pollution in the area of South Monmouthshire; what guidance he gives to local authorities on this matter; and if he will make a statement.

I am satisfied that the regular monitoring for smoke and sulphur dioxide, the work of the alkali inspectorate in relation to industrial emissions, and the survey of heavy metal atmospheric pollution which I announced last November provide an adequate check on atmospheric pollution in the area. My Department is always ready to advise local authorities on air pollution problems.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what, is the total number of official forms which have been translated into Welsh by the present Government under the provisions of the Welsh Language Act, 1967.

The number of official forms available in Welsh or bilingual version in June, 1970, was 246. The total is now 318.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he can now say when he expects the Bowen Committee to report on the question of Welsh road signs.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Montgomery (Mr. Hooson) on 21st February.—[Vol. 831, c. 194.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now make a statement on his consideration of the position of Pakistan nationals, now living in Pakistan, and the immigration laws of the United Kingdom.

I cannot at present add to my right hon. Friend's reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Wilkinson) on 3rd February.—[Vol. 830, c. 186.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give figures showing the numbers of indictable crimes recorded and cleared up in England and Wales in 1971; and how these figures compare with 1970.

The following table gives the figures for indictable offences in England and Wales in 1970 and provisional figures for 1971:

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now publish in the Official Report particulars of the accidents caused by fireworks during the period 17th October to 13th November, 1971, together with comparable figures for the four previous years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report the garments approved for wear by women prisoners, with costing and other limits; what advice he received on the matter from outside his Department; and what representations have been received since.

Women may wear civilian clothing or prison uniform. Those serving sentences of six months or more may have their own clothing supplemented at a cost not exceeding £28, or, where a complete outfit is needed, £33. The figures are based on the Prison Department's estimate of retail prices. No representations have been received since the allowances were raised to their present level. The suggested prices for the

The table below analyses the information obtained from hospitals in England and Wales relating to the 1,059 persons who received hospital treatment for injuries caused by fireworks during the period 17th October to 13th November, 1971. Figures are also given for the comparable four-week periods in 1970, 1969, 1968 and 1967, when the total numbers of persons involved were 1,164; 1,636; 2,537; and 2,214 respectively.garments that may be bought are as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about further action to be taken on the recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry on Rabies concerning dogs and cats.

My right hon. Friend and his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland intend to make an order at the earliest opportunity to limit the places at which imported dogs and cats may be landed to certain prescribed airports and seaports. Similar restrictions already apply to imports of most other mammals.Following the committee's recommendations on the design of quarantine premises, owners of new premises will be required to provide an individual exercise area adjoining each animal's compartment. In line with this requirement, the use of visiting rooms will not be allowed and visitors to kennels will be required to see their pets in their compartments or individual runs. Existing quarantine premises which do not at present meet these requirements must do so within seven years. Further consultations will be held with the associations representing kennel owners on the detailed arrangements for individual exercise runs and on the committee's other recommendations concerning the design and construction of kennels. The seven-year transitional period for phasing in the new arrangements for existing kennels will start as soon as the detailed requirements have been settled. We would prefer an earlier conversion of existing kennels to the new requirements but recognise that the changeover will in some cases be difficult and costly; the longer transitional period has been fixed with this in mind.Where a kennel is equipped entirely with individual runs, sharing of compartments by animals in single ownership will normally be allowed. At present, sharing is not permitted in any circumstances.Stricter rules will be applied to arrangements for transporting imported dogs and cats within the country. Transport by rail will not be allowed unless the animal is accompanied by an authorised carrying agent. Transport by air will be allowed only if the animals are carried as freight and not in the passenger compartment.The existing ban on theatre and circus performances by quarantined dogs and cats will remain in force. Any performing dogs and cats brought into the country will have to continue to meet normal quarantine requirements.

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will publish in the Official Report as detailed a list as may be available, giving the numbers of civil servants and their rates of pay as at 1st June, 1971, showing at the latest convenient stated date, how many salary increases they have received and the percentage amounts; and what the rates for the top 10 grades of civil servants were on 1st June, 1970, and at the latest stated date.

No. To publish all the information on the basis requested would not be practicable because of the large number of grades involved. The only general settlement with an operative date after 1st June, 1971, has been the central pay increase announced on 3rd February, 1972, for grades below Assistant Secretary level who are not covered by current pay research negotiations: overall this added about 7½ per cent. to the wage bill of the staff affected. The senior grades in the Civil Service at 1st June, 1970, were merged as from 1st January, 1972, in a unified grading structure. The main pay rates in this area are currently: Under Secretary £6,750; Deputy Secretary £9,000; Permanent Secretary £14,000.

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will ensure that provision is made for the care of memorials when any Army or Royal Air Force site is evacuated or abandoned by his Department.

I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will publish a table in the Official Report showing for all qualified teachers in maintained primary and secondary schools, respectively, the numbers of teachers and the percentage of each of the two groups possessing teaching experience of nil years to 50 years, respectively.

This information is not available. I am writing to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assistance she is giving to each local education authority towards the provision of nursery education.

:I would refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mrs. Monks) on 16th December. Projects approved under the urban programme carry Exchequer grant at 75 per cent. on the capital expenditure and, except under Phase V of the programme, on the recurrent expenditure for at least five years.—[Vol. 828, c. 840–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will arrange for an exhibition relating to the research work of the National Foundation for Education Research to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall from 1st to 5th May.

Yes. Arrangements are being made.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many redundancies have been notified in Rutherglen and Cambuslang in each month from January, 1971 to the latest convenient date.

Not all redundancies are notified to my Department, and it is not the practice to keep records of every minor redundancy. However, our records show that redundancies in Rutherglen and Cambuslang involving the following numbers of workpeople were notified to the Department between 1st January, 1971, and 24th March, 1972:

asked the Secretary of State for Employment when he now expects to receive a copy of the Robens Report on industrial safety.

I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Carlton (Mr. Holland) on 11th November, 1971.—[Vol. 825, c. 205.]

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether, in the light of his policy document, Training for the Future, he will make a statement regarding future policy towards the day-to-day training in industrial safety of those already at work.

"Training for the Future" has been published as a consultative document with the object of eliciting informed comments from interested organisations on all aspects of training, including training in industrial safety. This matter is also being studied by the Committee on Safety and Health at Work under the chairmanship of Lord Robens. Future policy in this field will be considered in the light of the committee's report, and of comments received on the consultative document.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many industrial accidents resulting in personal injury or fatality were reported to his Department from the County Borough of Ipswich during the last period of 12 months for which figures are available.

During 1971, 729 accidents—including one fatality—were notified to Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate by occupiers or employers in the County Borough of Ipswich.

asked the Lord President of the Council if he is aware of the continuing traffic congestion in Parliament Square; and if he will consult with those responsible with a view to relieving the situation in order to give effect to the Sessional Order.

I have been asked to reply.The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis is fully aware of the Sessional Order, and does all he can to make it effective.