asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many patrials and how many non-patrials whose immigration status was fully lawful were (a) interrogated and (b) detained during the operation by the immigration service and police at the Main Gas factory in Edmonton on 20 June and for how long each of the latter was detained; what were the nationalities of the alleged immigrants about whom there was specific information leading to the operation; what were the nationalities of the persons interrogated and how they were selected from total employees present; how many police officers and how many members of the immigration service took part in the operation; what were the ranks of the most senior police and immigration officers present and whether police dogs were used.

In the operation on 20 June in Edmonton a total of 47 people who had been previously identified by name were questioned at the Main Gas factory and four were questioned in subsequent inquiries. Thirty-one people were arrested of whom three were subsequently released. The 31 people arrested comprised 25 Ghanaians, two Pakistanis, two Nigerians, one Jamaican and one citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies. Of the three people arrested whose immigration status was found to be in order, one was a patrial who was detained for approximately four hours and two were non-patrials who were detained for approximately two and six hours each.Seventy-nine police officers, of whom the most senior was a chief inspector, and 22 members of the immigration service, of whom the most senior was an assistant chief inspector, were present. Police dogs were taken to the factory but were not used.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will hold consultations with a view to bringing redundant hospitals into use as accommodation for persons on bail, alcoholics, inadequates and others for whom prison is unnecessary or unsuitable; and if he will make a statement.

The accommodation required for new bail hostels or the other purposes that the right hon. and learned Member mentions varies according to local needs; and hospitals may not be easily adaptable to these purposes. We are sure, however, that the authorities responsible for providing such accommodation will consider making use of any suitable premises which become available through the closure of a hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department has received any representations seeking an amendment to the British Nationality Act 1948 to enable Crown service to confer automatic citizenship of the United Kingdom and colonies; and whether it is his intention to amend the Act in that respect.

We have no record of any such representation. A reference to the acquisition of citizenship by virtue of Crown service will be included in the White Paper to be published shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statutes would need to be amended to enable a person to succeed to the throne who had married a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Bill of Rights and the Act of Settlement. Consideration would also need to be given to the provisions of the Coronation Oath Act 1688 and the Accession Declaration Act 1910.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time taken by his Department to process applications for naturalisation as a citizen of the United Kingdom and colonies under section 10 of the principal British Nationality Act 1948.

The current average time is about 26 months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current salary of a British member of the European Assembly; if he will identify all expenses, including those for travel, secretarial assistants, research, living and all others to which such a member is entitled; and what are the proposed increases in these figures.

Under the European Assembly (Pay and Pensions) Act 1979, United Kingdom representatives to the European Parliament receive the same salary as members of this House—that is at present £10,725 p.a.: those who are members of both receive one salary plus one third.Expense and other allowances for representatives to the European Parliament are fixed and paid by that Parliament. An account of these allowances was set out in a written answer by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 14 February. I understand that an additional allowance for travelling by representatives within their constituencies has now been introduced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the conditions which set out the protection against deportation contained in the final sentence of paragrah 134 of "Proposals for Revision of the Immigration Rules", Cmnd. 7750, apply in all cases.

The sentence to which the hon. Member refers, which is now included in paragraph 134 of the "Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules"—HC 394, summarises part of section 7 of the Immigration Act 1971.This confers exemption from deportation in certain circumstances. It does not apply to illegal entrants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whe ther he will extend the time limits to enable those who were innocently unaware that their permission to enter the United Kingdom had been obtained by false representations by other persons to claim protection under the amnesty which would have been available to them had they been aware, either innocently or guiltily, of the facts at the relevant time.

We have no plans to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that young people, born outside the United Kingdom, whose permission to enter was obtained through misrepresentation on the part of others when they were themselves below the age of criminal intent will not run the risk of blackmail under the current immigration rules.

Illegal entrants, of whatever age and regardless of when or how their entry was secured, inevitably run the risk of blackmail. The problem is not new and will exist as long as breaches of the immigration laws occur.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners at Her Majesty's prison, Grendon Underwood, have received treatment with hormone drugs for sexual problems in the years 1970 to 1979 inclusive, listing the numbers for each year separately.

One in 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners at Her Majesty's prison, Grendon Underwood, have undergone surgery either to complement or reverse physical manifestations of treatment with hormones for sexual problems in the years 1970 to 1979 inclusive.

Twenty-seven prisoners have undergone surgery at Her Majesty's prison Grendon Underwood for physical manifestations of female characteristics in the years 1970 to 1979. Of these 27 prisoners, five were already at Grendon, none of whom underwent surgery as a result of treatment with hormone drugs. The other 22 were transferred to Grendon specifically for surgery because of the facilities available there: for these prisoners information to distinguish between operations resulting from treatment with hormone drugs and for naturally occurring gynaecomastia is not readily available. With the exception of one operation in 1979 for naturally occurring gynaecomastia, no operations of this type have been carried out since the end of 1977.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons have received treatment for sexual problems in the years 1970 to 1979.

The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons have undergone sex-change operations in the year 1970 to 1979 inclusive.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will itemise the specific treatments and types of therapy given to prisoners at Her Majesty's prison, Grendon Underwood; and how many of the treatments and types of therapy given at Grendon Underwood are still in the experimental stage.

Psychotherapy in the form of counselling in groups and individually is the principal psychiatric treatment provided at Grendon. As the treatment is intended to meet the needs of individual inmates and groups of inmates, it is not possible to itemise the many variations in this counselling approach. Although the likelihood of success in an individual case depends on a number of factors including the patient's motivation, none of the techniques employed can be regarded as experimental.In addition, doctors practising at Grendon, like those at other prisons, are able to offer other conventional medical and psychiatric treatments to those inmates who need them.Further information about the treatment provided at Grendon is given in paragraphs 82–84 of the Report of the Work of ale Prison Department for 1978—Cmnd. 7619.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made as to how many of the 171,800 Iranian nationals admitted to the United Kingdom during 1979 remained beyond the time specified in their entry permits; and what steps were taken, or will be taken, to ensure that those who overstayed are required to leave.

The available statistics do not enable such an estimate to be made. Any person who is found to have overstayed is liable to deportation and may also be prosecuted for an offence under section 24(1) (b) of the Immigration Act 1971, the maximum penalty for which is a fine of not more than £200, or six months' imprisonment, or both.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses and other ancillary psychiatric workers are employed at Her Majesty's prison, Grendon Underwood.

The medical staff at Grendon comprises seven medical practitioners, five of whom hold post graduate qualifications in psychiatry. In addition there are two appointed visiting consultant psychiatrists. There are five psychologists. There are no psychiatric nurses as such, although several of the hospital officers hold psychiatric nursing qualifications and there are no members of staff who fall within the description "ancillary psychiatric workers".

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many South Vietnamese refugees have been admitted for settlement to the United Kingdom in 1979 and the first six months of 1980;(2) how many relatives of South Vietnamese refugees have been admitted to the United Kingdom from (

In 1979 an estimated 2,200 refugees from South-East Asia, predominantly Vietnamese, were admitted subject to conditions with a view to settlement and a further 2,900 were accepted for settlement on arrival; 1,700 refugees from South-East Asia were admitted for settlement in the first quarter of 1980; figures for the quarter ended 30 June 1980 are not yet available.Most of the relatives of Vietnamese refugees admitted to this country are themselves refugees. It has been the policy under the South-East Asia refugee programme to select family groups, as far as possible. The above figures therefore include nearly all the relatives admitted to this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what grants are available to South Vietnamese refugees and their relatives towards payment of air fares to the United Kingdom; and how much public money has been spent in 1979 and the first half of 1980 on providing such grants.

No grants are paid from public funds to these refugees and their relatives for the cost of their travel to the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Fund for International Student Cooperation or the Overseas Student Trust filed annual returns with the Charity Commissioners; and if not, what were the reasons.

We have no responsibility for the day-to-day work of the Charity Commissioners on matters concerning individual charities. I understand that the Charity Commissioners will write to the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he considers it necessary for all low-power radio devices to be licensed; and if he will make a statement.

While licensing must remain the main regulatory control over the use of radio equipment, I have concluded that a simpler system would be appropriate in the case of certain low-powered devices. As a first step, I propose to bring forward in the next few months regulations under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 exempting model control equipment and metal detectors from licensing. Broadly speaking, it is my intention that the conditions of exemption will reflect the simple licensing conditions at present in force in respect of these devices, with the result that existing licence holders will be able to pursue their hobbies exactly as now. I would emphasise that exemption of metal detectors from the licensing requirement under the Wireless Telegraphy Act in no way affects the requirement that users should obtain permission to enter, search and dig land, and should keep off protected archaeological and other sites.Fees paid before exemption comes into force will not be refunded, since these are set to cover the existing costs of issuing licences. I propose at the appropriate time to revoke the licences of model control operators; this can be achieved within the terms of the licences by means of notice published in the Gazettes. Metal detector licences were however drafted at a time when only a handful of such devices existed, and provide only for revocation to be effected by notifications served on the individual licensees. There are now nearly 150,000 such licences in issue, and it would not be sensible to commit public resources to a major exercise to inform licence holders individually that in practical terms their operations will be able to continue as before, but without payment of a fee. I shall, however, take all reasonable steps to ensure that licence holders will be alerted to the change by such means as notices in the Gazettes and in the specialist magazines which cater for this particular hobby.My proposals will help reduce the work of my Department, and will lead to less bureaucratic control and to greater freedom for individuals. At a later stage I hope to identify other limited categories of radio device which can be dealt with similarly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which categories of offence by prisoners are dealt with by criminal prosecution, rather than by internal disciplinary proceedings (a) invariably and (b) in some cases; in the case of (b). by whom the decision is made and on what criteria; and how many offences by prisoners have been dealt with by criminal prosecution for the latest available period.

If a prisoner is suspected of a serious offence against the law, the facts are reported to Prison Department headquarters which, taking into account any views expressed by the governor, decides whether the matter should be referred to the police for investigation and possible criminal proceedings or dealt with internally under the prison rules. Incidents so reported usually involve the more serious cases of assault, whether on staff or other inmates, or offences involving trafficking in dangerous drugs. The decision whether to refer the matter to the police or to deal with it internally is taken in the light of the particular circumstances and background to the individual case, but among the general considerations involved are the seriousness of the offence, the previous conduct and history of the suspected inmate and the need for expert enquiry by the police. The information requested in the last part of the question is not collected centrally.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's response to the report of the Home Affairs Committee concerning race relations and the offence of being a suspected person.

I wrote on 10 July to the Chairman of the Committee—my right hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Sir G. Page)—in the following terms:

"I understand that the Home Affairs Committee would like to have on the record a written response from the Government to the Committee's Report on Race Relations and the 'Sus' Law.

I did, as you know, indicate the Government's attitude to the Report in the debate which took place in the House of Commons on 5th June. Our view is summarised in the amendment which I moved to the Opposition's motion, and which the House accepted:

"That this House welcomes the important contribution made by the Report of the Home Affairs Committee relating to section 4 of the Vagrancy Act 1824, accepts the need for a change in the law, and looks forward to the imminent publication of the Law Commission's Report on Attempt and to the public response to these reports, as providing the basis for an early decision as to the best way of reforming the law while ensuring adequate protection for the public."

As I explained, the Government is unable to accept the Select Committe's recommendation that the offence should be repealed immediately since it is necessary in our view to consider the matter in the context of the criminal law as a whole, including the ambit of the law of attempt on which the Law Commission has now reported. I informed the House that while the Law Commission's proposals would, if implemented, deal with one of the gaps in the law which would be likely to result if 'sus' were simply repealed—that concerning an attempt to steal from a bag or pocket which is in fact empty—they would not bear on the case, which the Select Committee itself had mentioned as a difficulty, of someone who is observed attempting to enter a locked car. It was in the light of these considerations that I advised the House that it would be necessary to consider whether the repeal of 'sus' ought to be accompanied by other changes in the criminal law in order to ensure proper protection for the public. I emphasised, however, that it was not the Government's intention simply to re-enact 'sus' in another form; and I undertook to reach an early decision.

The Law Commission's Report on Attempt, and Impossibility in relation to Attempt, Incitement and Conspiracy (Law Corn. No. 102) was published on 25 June and we are giving urgent consideration to its recommendations and to the broad implications of any change in this part of the criminal law. You will understand that at this stage I cannot give any definite undertaking about how soon an opportunity for legislation will arise."

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the net loss of jobs in the United Kingdom from 1970–71 to 1979–80 resulting from (a) changes in trade with developing countries, and (b) changes in productivity; and what implications this has for trade policy.

Our studies indicate that relative changes in productivity in our manufacturing industry have been up to twice as significant for the loss of jobs than any changes in trade; and that we gained roughly as many jobs from increased exports to the more advanced developing countries as we lost to them through increased imports. Our objective is to increase our trade with these countries, whose economies are growing much faster than world trade generally, within the framework of increasingly equal export opportunities on both sides.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what decision has been taken over the further monitoring of British firms in South Africa in the light of his Department's studies of recent reports on the degree of conformity with the European Economic Community code of conduct on the payment of labour.

I shall make reports available for public inspection and keep progress made under review as envisaged by the code.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when the remaining enabling orders for the main sections of the Competition Act 1980 are to be made.

I have today signed a number of orders and regulations under the Competition Act, including a commencement order to bring the remaining sections of the Act into operation, and an order providing for the exclusion of small firms and certain specific activities from the provisions on anti-competitive practices. The orders and regulations will be laid before Parliament shortly where this is required.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what discussions he has had with trading standards authorities about their current levels of expenditure.

Officials of my Department have recently been discussing with local authority representatives the current level of local authority expenditure on consumer protection and the likely level of that expenditure in future years. These discussions continue.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what measures are being taken to increase the effectiveness of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development codes of liberalisation of current invisible operations and of capital movements; and what progress is being made by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development trade committee in developing an inventory of restrictions on international services transactions.

The OECD committee on capital movements and invisible transactions is continuously studying ways of improving the effectiveness of the OECD codes. As a pilot study for possible wider work the trade committee is cataloguing barriers to international transactions in construction engineering and consultancy services. We attach great value to this work. Invisibles are very important to us, accounting for no less than one-third of the total credits on current account. It is, therefore, in our interest for overseas barriers to our trade in these areas to be reduced, and if possible removed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether, in view of the delay of the British Insurance Association in agreeing a code of conduct for its agents who are not registered insurance brokers, he is still satisfied that legislation will not be necessary.

I understand that the insurance associations have now formulated codes of practice. I regard a satisfactory code as preferable to legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he expects to publish the Green Paper on the position of small businesses as regards company law.

Around the end of the year. It is for consideration whether the requirements of the Companies Acts are apt to small business or whether an alternative, more helpful, form of corporate structure can be devised.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what action he proposes to take to facilitate the provisions of insurance services by British companies in Europe.

Freedom to provide services across frontiers within the Community already exists under the Treaty of Rome. A draft directive which would harmonise member states' laws and rules in order to make that freedom effective for insurance is currently under discussion in Brussels, with our full participation. The Community will shortly be taking stock of progress, which has been regrettably slow.An important step has, however, already been taken with the coming into force on 2 June this year of the directive on Community co-insurance. I expect United Kingdom insurers to take the fullest possible advantage of the opportunities it offers.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied that tourism is playing an active role in sustaining the national economy; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. As the Prime Minister told the House on 1 July, foreign tourists spent about £2¼ billion in the United Kingdom last year, which was very much more than our tourists spend abroad; and tourism sustains about 1½ million jobs both directly and indirectly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he has reached a conclusion on the suggested new criteria for proposed tourism growth areas submitted by the British Resorts Association; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is at present considering various options for the scheme of tourist project assistance after changes in the assisted area boundaries have been completed in mid-1982, including the many helpful suggestions which we have received. An announcement will be made in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what annual saving of public expenditure is estimated to result from the decision, announced on 13 February, to discontinue refinancing by the Export Credits Guarantee Department of fixed rate sterling export finance.

When I announced these changes to the House on 13 February I indicated that they were likely to result in significant anti increasing savings in public expenditure. It is difficult to make any precise estimate of the amounts involved because this depends on the amount of sterling export finance which would have come forward for refinancing under the previous arrangements. Immediate savings will be small but by the end of 1983–84 the new arrangements should have reduced public expenditure cumulatively by about £200 million at current prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he is satisfied with the definition of "Made in Britain" under the Trade Descriptions Act; and if not, what alterations are being considered.

The country of origin of goods is deemed for the purposes of the Trade Descriptions Acts 1968 and 1972 to be that in which they last underwent a treatment or process resulting in a substantial change. I am not proposing any amendments to that general origin determination provision. But, should there be a doubt as to whether a treatment or process does or does not result in a substantial change, my right hon. Friend does have powers to clarify the position by an order under section 36(2) of the 1968 Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps are being taken by his Department to stimulate exports to the newly industrialising countries.

My Department, through the British Overseas Trade Board provides a wide range of services to British exporters to promote their goods and services in newly industrialising countries among others. These include intelligence on export opportunities and assistance with outward and inward missions and participation in trade fairs and seminars. Co-operation agreements between the United Kingdom and newly industrialising countries embracing a variety of sectors of common interest also serve to stimulate exports. ECGD facilities are normally available.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the United Kingdom's balance of trade with the newly industrialising countries in 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what are the most

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will refer the price of petrol for investigation by the Director General of Fair Trading under the Competition Act.

No. I welcome the vigorous price competition seen in the petrol market which ensures the lowest possible prices for the consumer and which has in particular led to the recent welcome drop in the price of petrol at a good many garages.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what action he intends to take on the recommendations of the

Details of our trade with newly industrialising countries in 1979 are given below:Pearson report so far as they affect the insurance industry.

My Department is taking part in the consideration being given to various aspects of the Pearson report. In reaching decisions, full account will be taken of the interests of the insurance industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on his recent negotiations concerning air transport in the European Economic Community.

It is our clear policy to secure a better deal for the air traveller in Europe. I am glad to say that, as a result of a United Kingdom initiative, the EEC Council of Transport Ministers has instructed the Commission, with the help of national experts, to carry out an examination of air fares within the Community and to report. British representatives will take a full part in the examination, and in seeking to persuade our Community partners that change is necessary. We have also been able to launch within the Community a priority study on cross-border regional services and I hope that by about the end of this year we shall see firm proposals for opening up such routes to new services.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what progress he has made towards lowering air fares in Europe.

I refer my hon Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Fareham (Mr. Lloyd) on action in the European Community. In addition, in consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority, my Department has negotiated reductions in normal economy fares to some European destinations, limited increases to most others and negotiated the introduction of new excursion fares.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on competition policy.

On 1 July my right hon. Friend released a statement covering mergers policy, the facilitation of demergers, and other aspects of industrial structure. This statement has been published in full in the journal British Business on 4 July. My right hon. Friend has no plans for a further statement on competition policy at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what response has been made to the threat of retaliatory import controls by the United States of America against up to 30 types of British exports.

The EC Commission, with the support of the United Kingdom Government, is seeking to reach an agreement with the United States whereby the latter would accept certain reductions in the common external tariff, in return for which the United States would forgo its rights under the GATT to retaliation against EC exports for the measures taken by the Community to restrict imports of certain synthetic textiles into the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied with the level of scope of the quotas imposed in February in respect of certain man-made fibres exported to the United Kingdom from the United States of America; and if he will make a statement.

I was disappointed that the Community did not accept our full request for import restrictions on certain synthetic textile products. However, I consider that the outcome was reasonable in all the circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the level of import penetration by foreign cars at the latest available date.

In the first six months of 1980, new registrations of imported cars accounted for 58 per cent. of total new car registrations in the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps the Government will take to encourage action on the basis of the Fisher report on Lloyd's of London.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding proposals of Sir Henry Fisher's report on Lloyd's.

The Fisher report was commissioned by Lloyd's and it is for it to bring forward proposals for action. The Government agree that Lloyd's should continue as a self-regulating body and welcome the proposals which will increase the effectiveness of self-regulation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has completed his considerations of measures to encourage British industry to be more active in securing contracts financed by the European development fund.

The consideration of measures additional to those which I described in my reply to my hon. Friend on 10 June, will continue. My colleagues and I are always ready to respond to new ideas. It is encouraging that the percentage of EDF contracts awarded to British firms by the end of 1979 had risen to 10·2 per cent, as against 9·2 per cent. a year ago.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps he is taking to consolidate the law on pilotage.

Consolidation of the law is the responsibility of the Law Commission. The commission is currently drafting a Bill to consolidate the law on pilotage, and it is hoped to present it to Parliament early next Session.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has now put into effect all the remaining pilotage provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 1979.

I have made an order dated 3 July which activated almost all of the remaining pilotage provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 1979. The pilotage provisions of the Act still outstanding relate to the extension of compulsory pilotage which will be introduced later on a district by district basis and to harbour craft which are to continue to be exempt from compulsory pilotage.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he intends to refer to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission takeover bids for Ferranti Ltd. and Rolls-Royce Motors.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry made a statement to the House on 1 July about the disposal of the NEB shareholding in Ferranti; and I am not aware of any bid for the company. The decision as to whether the bid for Rolls-Royce should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission will be announced as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will give the latest statistics for the import of manufactured goods into the United Kingdom, together with the relevant export figures.

In the first quarter of 1980, United Kingdom imports of manufactured goods, on a balance of payments basis, were valued at £8·0 billion, and exports at £8·7 billion. Further information is given in table A8 of the Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics, a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on domestic gas appliances is to be published.

The report has been received and will be published shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what conclusions he has come to following the review of origin marking of goods announced on 25 July 1979.

I refer my hon. Friend to replies which I gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) and Ripon (Dr. Hampson) on 16 June 1980.—[Vol. 986, c. 1104–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he has discussed the content of recent consultative documents on the importance of country or origin marking with national Governments of European Economic Community countries, and the Commission of the European Economic Community to ensure that consumer protection, and the promotion of British products, does not put British manufacturers at a disadvantage with their competitors in European Economic Community countries.

My officials are in discussion with the Commission of the European Community on the consultative paper on country of origin marking of certain consumer goods which I issued on 21 May 1980. At the same time, consultations are proceeding here with a wide range of industrial, commercial, consumer and other organisations whose comments will be fully taken into account in considering the form and extent of any new measures.It would, however, be wrong to suggest that the measure would be directed to the promotion of British products, which can already be marked on a voluntary basis. Formal discussions with individual Community member States are not contemplated for what would essentially be a consumer protection and information measure operating within the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what progress the Director General of Fair Trading has made in considering the representations from the Motor Agents' Association and others about the behaviour of large oil companies towards small independent garages.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Northwich (Mr. Goodlad).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations he has received regarding his refusal to publish the list of British companies paying wages below the poverty level in South Africa.

I have received about 30 letters on this question.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when the remaining enabling orders for the main sections of the Competition Act 1980 are to be made.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton).

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will legislate to require motor car dealers to keep mileage records of vehicles bought and sold by them and which are open for public inspection.

I share the hon. Member's anxiety about malpractices in the secondhand car trade. The Director-General invited interested parties last year to comment on a consultative paper about the problems faced by consumers buying cars. When I have his report I shall consider what, if any, action is needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will consider the introduction of private capital into the funding of the tourist boards.

Each of the four statutory tourist boards is funded by a grant-in-aid voted annually by Parliament: they are not capitalised. They may and do receive contributions towards their expenses from commercial and other sources and I welcome this.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what progress has been made in the ratification of international conventions for the improvement of safety and prevention of pollution at sea.

The United Kingdom has an excellent record on ratifying conventions relating to marine safety and pollution prevention, which we have reinforced by ratifying a further six IMCO instruments in the past year, notably the 1978 protocol relating to the international convention for the safety of life ac sea 1974 as well as the international convention for the prevention of pollution from ships 1973 and the 1978 protocol thereto.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether a decision has yet been made to raise the ceiling for compensation laid down in the Warsaw convention for claims in respect of those who die, or are injured, in international air crashes.

I have nothing to add to the replies my hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton (Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop) on 16 and 20 June—[Vol. 986, c. 363–64 and 713–14.]

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has any evidence from British industry to support the allegation that microscopes made in Japan are being sold in the United Kingdom at factory cost less 15 per cent., with Japanese Government restitution of the cost and profit loss; if an anti-dumping case is being marshalled; and if he will make a statement.

My Department has received no representations that imports of Japanese microscopes are being dumped or subsidised. However if the industry feels that it is suffering material injury from dumped or subsidised imports from that source, my officials are ready to help formulate an application to the European Commission for remedial action.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied that all cooking appliances imported into the United Kingdom from other European Economic Community countries comply with British standards.

There are at present no United Kingdom regulations relating to cooking appliances that require them to conform with British standards. However, it is generally accepted that compliance with the relevant British standards would satisfy the requirements for household electrical cooking appliances of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1975 as amended. I intend eventually to introduce new regulations which could provide increased reference to standards and I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy also intends to introduce legislation that would enable him to prescribe standards for gas appliances on the grounds of safety, efficiency or economy of operation.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will take action to ensure that there are no greater restrictions on the import into other European Economic Community countries of cooking appliances manufactured in the United Kingdom than there are on the import into the United Kingdom of cooking appliances manufactured in those countries.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will take action to ensure that there are no greater restrictions on the import into other European Economic Community countries of cooking appliances manufactured in the United Kingdom than there are on the import into the United Kingdom of cooking appliances manufactured in those countries.

I refer my hon. Friends to the reply I gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Folkestone and Hythe (Sir A. Costain) and for Gainsborough (Mr. Kimball) on 8 July.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what are the names of the independent airlines that have been granted licences by the Civil Aviation Authority in the last 12 months; and which routes these airlines cover;(2) how many applications for licences have been received by the Civil Aviation Authority from independent airlines in the last 12 months; how many have been refused; how many granted; and how many are still under consideration.

The numbers of applications from independent airlines dealt with between 1 July 1979 and 30 June 1980 were as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for the European Economic Community countries and for the rest of the world, the visible balance of trade

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what reasons, apart from the need to consult in the usual way, and to restrict public expenditure, the Government have for delaying commencement of the Estate Agents Act 1979.

Particularly detailed and time-consuming consultation is essential to ensure that the regulations as to client for (a) textiles, (b) clothing, (c) chemicals less radioactive materials, (d) mechanical machinery and (e) electrical machinery, for each year since 1970 and for the first four months of the current year.

The available information is as follows:accounts, while protecting the public, are not unnecessarily burdensome. It is, moreover, in the general interest to allow an adequate period for preparation and staff training during which estate agents can adjust their procedures to meet the new requirements under the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for each of the European Free Trade Area countries the United Kingdom percentage of imports of manufactures in 1970, 1973 and 1979.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing for France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, the European Free Trade Area countries, the Republic of Ireland