asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the doorstep sales methods used by representatives of a certain publishing company, whose name has been sent to him, to persuade householders, by false or misleading statements, to sign contracts for the purchase of books by instalments; and what he will do to stop these practices.

I have read recent Press reports. If these are correct, the Misrepresentation Bill now before Parliament would strengthen the buyer's position in civil law, and the Protection of Consumers (Trade Descriptions) Bill, which my right hon. Friend intends to introduce as soon as possible, would make some of these practices a criminal offence.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in the review of the strategic embargo list as recommended in the National Economic Development Council Report on Electronics.

The revised embargo list embodying the changes agreed in the recent review by participating Governments was published in the Board of Trade Journal on 19th August, 1966.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in the transfer of the Patent Office from London.

I am considering a possible site in Croydon.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many American and other foreign companies engaged within the man-made fibre industry have received financial aid to attract them into the development areas; and whether, in view of the present difficulties of the indigenous man-made fibre industry, he will review the policy of granting further aid to foreign man-made fibre producers.

Only one foreign firm in this industry has been offered assistance under the Local Employment Acts compared with 17 British firms. I see no grounds for a review of the policy whereby the inducements to establish projects in development areas are available without discrimination on grounds of nationality.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of concern resulting from the increasing redundancies in the man-made fibre industry, he will conduct an inquiry into the structure of the industry to ensure that the national interest and the interest of those employed in the industry may be taken into account in any mergers or rationalisation.

The Government are informed of projected mergers and has the means, either itself, or by reference to the Monopolies Commission, to ensure that the national interest and that of employees are taken into account.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has for the control of selected imports in order to prevent a recurrence of the balance of payments crisis at the end of this emergency.

None.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will allow British Eagle International Airlines to import two Boeing 707/320C aircraft duty free.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what investigations he has carried out into the need to provide new or adapted runways at Turnhouse Airport to meet operational requirements from 1970 onwards; whether he will publish his findings; and what is the latest date on which the necessary work must be started in order to ensure completion by 1970.

I have examined the runway requirements for the types of aircraft and services likely to be operated at Turnhouse from 1970. I consider that the existing runways will be adequate for some years, but I am keeping the matter under review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure that Turnhouse Airport, Edinburgh, is capable of handling those aircraft which are likely to replace the turbo-prop and small jet ones now using it.

I consider that the present runways will be adequate for the new types of aircraft for some years after 1970 but I am keeping the matter under review. A new terminal building will be needed to meet the increase in traffic and preliminary planning is now in hand.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek powers to assist local authorities to set up consumer departments where members of the public can bring complaints about the quality and price of commodities.

No. It is for individual local authorities to decide whether to provide such a service.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what additional facilities have been provided for firms to ncrease exports since 20th July, 1966.

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and I mentioned several in our speeches in the Economic Debate last week, including improved E.C.G.D. facilities for certain countries and increased rates of export abate to reflect changes in the level of certain taxes. The British Standards Institution has recently introduced a pilot scheme for giving technical help to exporters in connection with standards used in overseas countries. I am considering further measures and shall continue to announce them when they are ready.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it is intended to ratify the Hague Protocol of 1955.

A draft Carriage by Air Acts (Application of Provisions) Order has just been laid before Parliament. Should it be approved, we expect to lodge our instrument of ratification on 3rd March, 1967. The ratification will then become effective on 1st June, 1967.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps were taken to ensure that the British Trade Centre in New York reflected the highest standards of modern design now being achieved in Great Britain, before he gave assistance to the Centre; and what co-operation there is in this field with the Council of Industrial Design's Design Centre in London.

The British Trade Centre in New York was an initiative of the British-American Chamber of Commerce there. In providing assistance towards it, the Board of Trade did not seek to impose conditions about design standards generally. There has been no formal co-operation between the British-American Chamber of Commerce and the Council of Industrial Design.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he will take by legislation or otherwise to assist those trade associations who have recommended their members not to give trading stamps with goods and services.

None.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how long he estimates that turbo-prop and small jet aircraft of the types flying now will be used on the routes between London, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

No reliable estimates can be made. Subject to licensing this is a commercial matter for the airlines.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what information he has about a foreign shipping firm, particulars of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Truro, using the British flag, as a flag of convenience, to operate a substandard ship registered in Hong Kong to trade between ports in Communist countries and North Vietnam.

I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the progress being made on the alterations to the civil air terminal at Aldergrove in County Antrim; and when he now expects the work to be completed.

Work is now well advanced and will be completed in stages during the spring and summer of next year. The main public areas are expected to be finished by the end of May and the remainder by the end of July.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why no representatives from local authorities or airport consultative committees were appointed as observers to the technical committees at the International Conference on Aircraft Noise held last month.

Two delegates representing local authorities attended meetings of various technical committees. In addition, representatives of the Heathrow and Gatwick Airport Consultative Committees were invited to the plenary sessions as observers

asked the President of the Board of Trade what rental per foot is being asked for the empty Board of Trade factories in Cornwall; how this has been arrived at; and what rate of interest has been taken into account.

Board of Trade factories are offered to applicants at a current market value rental to be negotiated with the District Valuer. The current market value is arrived at by the District Valuer by reference to the demand for and availability of comparable industrial property in the area in question. The Board does not aim in the rents charged to obtain any specific rate of return on capital expenditure.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many inquiries he has received from industrialists about each of the empty Board of Trade factories in Cornwall; and why these inquiries did not lead to a successful letting.

No record is available of the total number of inquiries about factories in particular areas. I understand however that during this year there were eight serious inquiries about the two uncommitted Board of Trade factories in Cornwall; where the companies have decided not to pursue their inquiries their reasons have varied.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Consumer Council, in its publication, Buying a House, have made untrue and offensive allegations against insurance brokers; and if he will therefore withdraw the grant made to this body.

The Consumer Council has said that it accepts that reputable brokers put the interests of their clients first, but some brokers who arrange loans for house purchase do not. The Council regrets that it did not make this distinction clear, but will be doing so in a reprint of the booklet. The answer to the second part of the Question is: "No."

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new jobs have been created in the Highlands of Scotland in the last two years.

Firms who have been offered financial assistance under the Local Employment Acts during the two years ended October, 1966, for projects in the Highlands and Islands estimated that they would provide additional employment for 1,200. In addition, the Highlands and Islands Development Board has approved projects estimated to provide a further 900 jobs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what efforts his Department has made to encourage the growth of the import-saving industries during the period of the import surcharge; and with what results.

A wide range of measures has been, and will continue to be, pursued, through the medium of the Economic Development Committees and in other ways, to encourage the growth of import-saving production and generally to improve the competitiveness of British industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has to bring about diversification of industry at Linwood.

I shall continue to encourage suitable industrial projects at Linwood as in other development areas, using the provisions of the Local Employment Acts, 1960 to 1966, and the Industrial Development Act, 1966.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to British European Airways to take action on the recommendation of the Air Transport Licensing Board on British European Airway's operating costs contained in paragraph 38 of their state- ment of Decisions and Reasons on Domestic Air Tariffs dated 5th September, 1966.

No. It is the responsibility of the Corporation's management to conduct B.E.A.'s operations as efficiently and economically as possible. It already has the Air Transport Licensing Board paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the reasons for the decline of our trade with South Africa in 1966.

Our total trade with South Africa so far this year is hardly less than last. Imports have been higher and our exports have fallen proportionately less than those of South Africa's other main suppliers. The fall in our exports has been caused by the additional import restrictions imposed by South Africa to correct a weakness in her balance of payments.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what additional staff have been provided for the Industrial Estates Management Corporation in Wales since June, in view of the announcement of a new advanced factory programme in South Wales.

Since June the Board has authorised 11 additional staff for the Welsh Industrial Estates Corporation of which 7 are in the professional, administrative and clerical grades.

asked the President of the Board of Trade by what authority, in the County of Dorset, he continues to require industrial development certificates for factories whose floor area exceeds 5,000 square feet.

Section 38 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1962.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the purpose of the recent visit to London of the Greek Minister of Commerce; what discussions took place; and what was the result.

Her Majesty's Government were pleased to be able to invite the Greek Minister, who had indicated his wish to visit this country to discuss the development of Anglo-Greek trade. He had talks with Ministers and representatives of industry and commerce which have strengthened trade relations between the two countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the latest trade agreement with New Zaland.

The Agreement gives effect to the understandings reached in trade discussions with New Zealand last June on which I made a full statement to the House on 29th June.—[Vol. 730, c. 1811–14.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many wild birds imported into this country by air during 1966 have been found dead on arrival.

I regret that the figures are not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has now been made in the review of the Merchant Shipping Acts; and when amending legislation will be introduced.

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts relating to the conditions of service of seamen. We must await the report of the Court of Inquiry set up by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, under Lord Pearson's chairmanship. I understand that this can be expected in the New Year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he did not cause a copy of the Board of Trade's booklet, Investment Grants: a Guide for Industry, to be placed in the Library on publication.

The booklet was available in the Library on 29th November. I regret that, through an oversight, it was not made available at publication time at 3 p.m. on the previous day.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions during the last six months it has been established that aircraft taking off from, and landing at, London Airport have flown below the permitted altitude over the Windsor area.

Sample checks on aircraft landing at Heathrow disclosed three infringements of this sort in the Windsor area during the six months May to October 1966. Other operations at the airport do not normally involve flights over Windsor.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the number of dwellings within the prescribed radius of London Airport in which sound-proofing has been installed.

On 10th November, 1966, applications in respect of 62 dwellings had been approved.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the growing rate of unemployment in the cotton textile trades and in north-east Lancashire generally; to what he attributes the renewed difficulties of the industry; what remedies he proposes to arrest the renewed economic paralysis which appears to be spreading once more through this industry; and whether he will reconsider the decision by which north-east Lancashire does not rank as a development area.

There has until recently been a shortage of labour in the cotton textile industry in spite of a decline in employment as a result of modernisation and some falling off in orders for yarn and cloth. Unemployment in North-East Lancashire is below the national average and I should not be justified in designating this as a development area, although its special problems are allowed for in the granting of I.D.C.s.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that the Airports Authority is acting illegally and contrary to Section 1 of the Resale Prices Act 1964 in that it does not permit concessionaires of shops in airports to sell goods below a minimum price stipulated by the Authority, whether he will now seek an injunction, under Section 4(3) of the Act, to restrain it.

I do not accept that the British Airports Authority is acting illegally since Section 1 of the Resale Prices Act, 1964, applies to suppliers of goods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade by what authority his Department requires British European Airways to operate scheduled services on domestic routes other than the Scottish Highlands and Islands services.

My Department does not require B.E.A. to operate any particular services and could not give the Corporation a direction to provide a particular service. Subject to licensing, the choice of domestic services, including those in the Scottish Islands and Highlands, is for B.E.A.'s commercial judgment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he regularly monitors noise levels of aircraft flying over Central London;(2) whether he regularly monitors the height of aircraft over Central London.

Noise levels of departing jet aircraft, and heights of approaching aircraft of all types, are monitored regularly near the airport, but not in central London, over which they will be higher and less noisy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the numbers by sex and breed of pedigree cattle exported to Rhodesia in each of the past five years to the nearest convenient date.

Separate figures of exports to Rhodesia are available only from 1965. Under the heading "Bulls and bull calves for breeding", 2 were exported in 1965 and 2 more in January, 1966; I have no information about the breeds involved.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether new shop premises in development areas qualify for Government building grants; and what is the amount of the subsidy.

They may be considered for building grants if they provide employment in the Development Areas. The normal rate is 25 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek to amend the Civil Aviation (Licensing) Act 1960 so as to provide that before making a decision on appeals from the Air Transport Licensing Board relating to air services from Scotland he will consult the Secretary of State for Scotland.

No. I am already able to have appropriate consultations with the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek powers to enable him to permit direct air services from Scotland to an overseas destination regardless of the possibility of material diversion of traffic from existing scheduled services to that overseas destination from London.

Since under the Civil Aviation (Licensing) Act, 1960, material diversion is only one of several factors which have to be considered, there is no need for such a power such as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what will be the nature of the industry allocated to the newly completed advance factory at Houghton-le-Spring; what type of employee will be required; and when production will commence.

The factory will be allocated to any manufacturer who can provide employment opportunities appropriate to the needs of the area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when construction work is scheduled to begin on the second advance factory at Houghton-le-Spring.

Early in March, 1967.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to announce the terms of the inquiry into the structure and organisation of the shipping industry.

Shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now completed his inquiries into contraventions of the Merchandise Marks Acts, by which certain wines shipped from abroad and labelled in Great Britain have been falsely labelled as Nuits St. Georges, Chambertin, Chablis and Beaujolais, when in fact they consist for the most part of a concoction of inferior wines from other districts; and what proceedings he is taking in these matters.

Any further action will depend on the outcome of inquiries which are still being made by the local authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the increase in exports to European Free Trade Association countries which will follow the abolition of tariffs.

It is not the practice to give forward estimates of exports. Between 1959 and 1965 United Kingdom exports to E.F.T.A. grew at the rate of 9 per cent. per annum.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the survey ordered by the British Travel Association into tourist facilities in the South-West is being undertaken by a market research organisation; and whether the contract was put out to tender.

After inviting and considering proposals from four market research agencies, and with the approval of the Board of Trade, the Association commissioned the firm which appeared to them to be best qualified for the task.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will issue a general direction to British European Airways and the British Overseas Airways Corporation to ensure that, when London Airport is closed by fog, diverted aircraft do not all go to the same alternative destination, thus causing congestion and delay.

No. The choice of airports as alternates is the responsibility of airline operators.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take action by legislation, or otherwise, to give effect to the recommendation of the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Economic Planning Council that the investment grants for the growth points within the region should be higher than the standard rate.

As my right hon. Friend explained to the Member for Kingston upon Hull, West (Mr. James Johnson) on 1st December, he has no present intention of introducing any further regional differentiation into the investment grants system.—[Vol. 737, c. 609.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade why grants are not available to firms in development areas who are already in receipt of loans from the Rural Industries Loan Fund.

Firms who have received loans from the Rural Industries Loan Fund are not thereby ineligible for investment grants. They can also apply for building grants under the Local Employment Acts provided that the loan is not to be used for financing the remaining building costs. This limitation is designed to avoid duplication of Government assistance for the same projects.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will announce the specific siting of the advance factory scheduled for the North-East of Scotland; if he will give the County of Banffshire favourable consideration in coming to his decision; and if he will make a statement.

I hope that an announcement will not be long delayed. The needs of Banffshire will be taken into account as well as the needs of other areas in the North-East of Scotland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make regulations to prohibit imports of spectacle frames which are liable to ignite when placed near a naked flame or lighted cigarette.

No. The Board does not use its powers under the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act, 1939, to impose import controls for other than broad economic or commercial purposes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he will take to prevent excessive imports with the ending of the surcharge.

None. The removal of the surcharge was fully taken into account when my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer said we should achieve a surplus for 1967 as a whole.—[Vol. 734, 1279–80.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much new factory space has been provided in Fife in each of the last five years; and how many jobs for males and females, respectively, are expected to accrue from such provision.

The amount of industrial space for which i.d.c.'s had been issued and which was completed in Fife in the years in question is shown below:

INDUSTRIAL BUILDING FOR WHICH I.D.C.s WERE ISSUED*
Manufacturing industry
Year				Area completed Thousand sq. ft.
1961	…	…	…	53
1962	…	…	…	313
1963	…	…	…	91
1964	…	…	…	392
1965	…	…	…	418
* Employment Exchange Areas of: Anstruther, Burntisland, Cowdenbeath, Cupar, Dunfermline, Inverkeithing, Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes, Leven and Methil, St. Andrews, Tayport.

Estimates made by the industrialists to whom industrial development certificates were issued, of the number of new jobs which would arise when the completed factories were fully manned totalled 2,170 males and 2,680 females.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much new factory space has been provided in Scotland in each of the last five years how many new jobs have resulted, or are expected; and how many such jobs are for males.

The space completed in Scotland, for manufacturing industry for which i.d.c.'s were issued in the years 1961–65, is given in the following table. The industrialists to whom i.d.c.'s were issued estimated that 57,500 new jobs would arise when the factories were fully manned, of which 37,500 would be for males.

Year				Area Mill. sq. ft.
1961	…	…	…	3·5
1962	…	…	…	5·2
1963	…	…	…	3·9
1964	…	…	…	3·9
1965	…	…	…	4·3

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is satisfied that sufficient new employment opportunities are being created away from the principal industrial centres of the Tyne, Wear and Tees, in addition to the programming of advance factories; and what further proposals he has to effect balanced economic development of the northern region.

Since the beginning of 1964 well over half, by area, of the industrial development certificates authorised by the Board of Trade in the Northern Region have been for projects outside the principal industrial centres of the Tyne, Wear and Tees. The attention of firms seeking sites for development is drawn, where appropriate, to parts of the region which are well away from the main industrial centres and where some industrial development is needed. It is the aim of the Government's regional policies to secure the balanced economic development of all regions, including the Northern Region.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek powers to secure the planned direction of industry to development areas.

I intend that with the extended powers available to me under the Industrial Development Act, 1966, a bigger proportion of industrial development will take place in Development Areas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why, in selecting five centres for the new Board of Trade Investment Grants Offices, the north-east of Scotland has been omitted; and if he will now rectify this by selecting one such centre in the City of Aberdeen.

We chose Glasgow because this is convenient for the great majority of potential claimant for investment grants in Scotland. It would not be economical to set up additional offices in Scotland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take to implement the recommendation contained in paragraph 435 of the Report on the Cadco Affair, suggesting a thorough investigation of the viability of any project and the financial standing of the sponsors before any contractual obligations are incurred.

This recommendation relates to contractual obligations entered into by Development Corporations. The Board of Trade is always prepared to assist the Corporations where assistance under the Local Employment Acts is also requested; but these bodies are not my responsibility and I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friends the Minister of Housing and Local Government and the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when the Welsh Economic Planning Council will report on the planning implications of the closure of the Barmouth to Ruabon railway line.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend gave him on 30th November. Consent to close this line was given in 1964 and this issue is not before the Council. They are on the point of giving the Minister of Transport their views on a proposal by the Railways Board to dispose of the formation and assets between Llangollen and Morfa Mawddach.—[Vol. 737, c. 122.]

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give an assurance that the siting of advance factories in mid-Wales will be unaffected by the project for the development of Rhayader.

With my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, I shall continue to encourage the development of industry at all suitable places in mid-Wales, whatever the outcome of the pilot project at Rhayader.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will instruct the Welsh Economic Council in its preparation of its plan for Wales to draw up a comprehensive scheme for the development of mid-Wales.

The Council has already carried out a study of the development needs of Mid-Wales and its advice is being taken into account in the formulation of Government policy and plans for the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, whether, in view of the value of the work done by Coleg Harlech in adult education, he will increase the grants towards capital expenditure from 50 per cent. to 80 per cent.

In July my hon. Friend the Minister of State received a deputation from the Residential Colleges Committee which represents the five long-term Residential Adult Colleges including Coleg Harlech. The deputation requested higher capital and maintenance grants and my hon. Friend undertook to re-examine their case; but they have now ben informed that there is no prospect of an increase. This is in no sense a reflection on the work of the Colleges concerned which is well known and appreciated by the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to conclude his consultations with the Minister of Health about the salaries of university clinical teachers.

I have nothing to add to the replies given on the 17th November to my hon. Friend [Vol. 736, c. 164.] and on the 30th November to the hon. Member for Westmorland (Mr. Jopling)—[Vol. 737, c. 118.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to receive the report of the Computer Board on the allocation of £20·5 million available for computers at universities.

In accordance with its terms of reference, reported to the House on 3rd August, the Computer Board will make recommendations in respect of university purchases on the basis of continuing review of needs. Details of the progressive allocation of the approved programme will be given in the Board's annual reports.—[Vol. 733, c. 143–5.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek powers to provide student grants for all students regardless of their parents' resources; and if he will make a statement.

It would cost about £24 million to abolish parental contributions in 1967–68. My right hon. Friend considers that there are other educational objectives of much higher priority.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why he does not intend to convene another meeting of the National Advisory Council on the Training and Supply of Teachers in the light of the urgent need for more teachers for all types of pupils.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Honiton (Mr. Mathew) on 3rd November.—[Vol. 735, c. 642–3.]

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why there has been delay by his Department in replying to a letter written by the City of Leeds Chief Education Officer on 4th October, 1966, referring to Alan Edwin Day, Senior Lecturer of the Leeds College of Commerce, reference 65/3724; and when it will receive the attention of his Department.

A reply was sent on 2nd December. The delay, which I regret, was due to the need to consult the teacher's record card which, with thousands of others, was with the Department for noting, and could be extracted specially only with difficulty.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will state for any convenient period the number of pupils attending schools in the area of the London Borough of Newham who were killed or injured as a result of carrying out their educational studies in physical education when learning such sports as football, rugby, swimming, athletics and boxing.

This information is not available in the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is aware that the Inspectorate of Physical Education has issued a circular advising education authorities in London to ban the teaching of boxing to school children because of possible physical injuries; and, as the evidence shows that the injuries from boxing are no more than those received in football, rugby, swimming and athletics, if he will have this circular withdrawn and advise the education authorities concerned that they should decide such questions on the basis of benefit to the pupils.

There has been no such circular.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will advise all education authorities that, as during 1965 in an area covering 825,000 children no loss of life or injuries causing damage for life was incurred by pupils carrying out physical education in football, rugby, swimming, athletics and boxing, no attempts should be made to prevent the continued study of these sports, and participation therein, on the grounds of possible injuries being caused to the pupils concerned.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is aware that, apart from the British Broadcasting Corporation Symphony Orchestra, none of the London orchestras will visit Yorkshire during the 1967–68 season; and if he will take steps to enable such orchestras to carry out their function of taking music to the provinces.

I would welcome more visits outside London by the London orchestras and I understand that the Arts Council is at present engaged in conversations to this end. But my hon. Friend will be glad to know that the London Symphony Orchestra and the New Philharmonia Orchestra are visiting Leeds next April and another visit by a London orchestra to Harrogate is possible. In addition the Hallé Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the Northern Sinfonia will be playing in many towns in Yorkshire throughout the season.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools are included in the Direct Grant List; how many pupils are in attendance at those schools; and what was the total grant paid to such schools in 1965.

179; 98,023; £6,706,567 in the financial year 1964–65.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will now make a statement about the future of the Polish Library, having regard to the representations made to him to preserve the unity of the Library's valuable collection.

Yes. The Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham University whose centre for Russian and East-European studies is developing a special interest in Polish studies has offered to take over, without new building or additional finance, the research collection of the Polish Library, excluding only the lending books of popular character which have been offered as a gift to the Polish Social and Cultural Association in whose premises the Library is at present housed. Birmingham University would keep the research collection together as a whole, continue the name "The Polish Library", make the books available for inter-library lending either directly or through the National Central Library and agree to registered users of the present Library using it for reference. I am in touch with other academic interests and with representatives of the Polish community about this offer, which seems to me to provide the basis of a satisfactory and settled future for the Polish Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce a scheme to license the importation of selected foreign wild birds in order that he can ensure their safe arrival in this country.

No. I doubt whether such a scheme would provide effective means of safeguarding the welfare of birds during transit to this country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in the investigation into the raid upon the Amnesty International offices in London in March; and whether he will make a statement.

Extensive inquiries have been made by the City of London police In co-operation with the Metropolitan police, but the person or persons responsible for this offence have not been identified.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up a committee of inquiry on the safety of children's toys.

I doubt if such a committee would help us to deal with this problem. My Department keeps closely in touch with the trade, safety organisations and other bodies on matters relating to the safety of toys; and a technical committee of the British Standards Institution, on which my Department is represented, is undertaking a detailed review of the present code of safety requirements for children's toys.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to institute standards of safety for all children's toys.

The British Standards Institution have already published, and keep under review, a Code of Safety Requirements for Children's Toys (B.S.3443), with which there is general compliance by manufacturers and importers in this country. Certain of these requirements form the basis of regulations which I expect to be ready shortly. I shall consider the need to make further regulations when the revision of the Code now in progress has been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will take steps to ensure that imported toys are not a source of danger to children;(2) if he will take steps to ensure that all toys manufactured in Great Britain are safe for children.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 1st December to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Wood Green (Mrs. Joyce Butler)—[Vol 737, c. 135–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to prohibit the making of contracts between newspapers and the accused and/or witnesses in criminal cases for their stories until the courts have adjudicated on the matter under review.

The Press Council has recently made a declaration of principle on this matter. I welcome this declaration; I am sure it will carry great weight, and I think we should observe its effect before considering other action.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information of an intention on the part of the Soviet bloc to effect the escape of George Blake was received by his Department in February 1965.

I assume that the right hon. Member has in mind a report which appeared in the Press some days ago. I have confirmed that Lord Mountbatten intends to deal with this fully in his report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons are permitted to correspond in German with addresses in the German Democratic Republic.

Prisoners may correspond in foreign languages with addresses abroad—including East Germany—only when correspondence cannot be satisfactorily carried out in English. Outgoing and incoming letters in foreign languages are translated into English and are subject to the same control as those in English.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those local authorities which at the latest date have a full-time liaison officer to deal with immigration problems.

Under the White Paper, Immigration from the Commonwealth (Cmnd. 2739), voluntary liaison committees may receive grant from the National Committee for Commonwealth Immigrants and supplementary support from local authorities towards the cost of employing full-time officers. The following committees have so far made appointments:

• Camden Committee for Community Relations.
• Council of Citizens of Tower Hamlets.
• Ealing International Friendship Council.
• Hackney Citizens Liaison Council.
• Leicester Commonwealth Citizens Consultative Committee.
• Manchester Committee for Community Relations.
• Nottingham Commonwealth Citizens Consultative Committee.
• Oxford Committee for Racial Integration.
• Slough International Friendship Council.
• Wolverhampton Council for Racial Harmony.

Four other committees have recently advertised for full-time officers and another four will be doing so shortly. Ten committees are currently negotiating with their local authorities and the National Committee.In addition, many local authorities themselves employ full-time officers with special responsibility for immigrants.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what is the annual cost of producing his Department's newspaper entitled "Upswing"; whether he is aware that this contains a large element of pro-Government propaganda; and, in view of the undesirability of this, if he will take steps to rectify it.

The estimated cost for five issues is £10,500. This publication gives examples of the need for improved performance in industry, and in this context describes Government actions and explains why they have been taken. It has been widely welcomed and the present circulation is over 152,000. We see no reason to alter the present arrangements.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs how many meetings of the East Anglian Economic Planning Council have been held since its inception.

Six. Most of the work of the Planning Council is conducted through committees which meet more frequently.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what subjects have been or are being dealt with by the East Anglian Economic Planning Council; and if its reports will be made available.

The proceedings of the Council are confidential, but general statements about the Council's discussions are issued from time to time. I am forwarding to my hon. Friend a Press statement issued after last week's meeting. The Council hope to publish a preliminary report on population and employment next year.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what time is being devoted to his duties by the chairman of the East Anglian Economic Planning Council.

The Chairman serves, of course, on a part-time basis. He devotes to his duties the time necessary to ensure the efficient working of the Council.

asked the First Secretary of Stale and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will list the names of the regions which have published regional development plans and the date on which they were published, and the names of the regions which have not yet published plans; and if he will give an estimate of the date they will be made public.

The following regional studies have been published since 15th October, 1964:

Title	Date of Publication
The North West: A Regional Study	27th July, 1965
The Problems of Merseyside: an Appendix to the North West Study	29th October, 1965
The West Midlands: A Regional Study	28th July, 1965
Challenge of the Changing North (Northern Region)	24th October, 1966
A Review of Yorkshire and Humberside	14thNovember,1966
The East Midlands Study	1st December, 1966

None of these studies is a full regional development plan. Reports from the remaining regions (South West, East Anglia and the South East) should be available next year.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what are the reasons for delay in publication of the South Western Regional Development Plan.

There has been no delay. The comprehensive physical and economic assessment of this region must necessarily take some time.

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what action his Department will take to implement the policy of Her Majesty's Government that when the 10 per cent. surcharge is lifted on imported goods, prices that had been increased because of this surcharge would be reduced.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to the hon. Members for Renfrew, West (Mr. Buchan) and Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 1st December.—[Vol. 737, c. 593–4.]

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what records his Department kept of the goods which were increased in price as a result of the 10 per cent. surcharge; and if he will publish a list to ensure that now the 10 per cent. surcharge has been lifted prices will drop by 10 per cent.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Woolwich, West (Mr. Hamling) on 1st December.—[Vol 737, c. 594–5.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what machinery of consultation he proposes to establish with the National Farmers' Union and the National Union of Agricultural Workers regarding the effects of entry to the Common Market on British agriculture.

I already maintain close contact with these bodies and others representing agricultural interests on all matters of consequence to British agriculture, and at this stage I see no need for me to make any new arrangements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now take steps by legislation or otherwise to rationalise milk distribution and/or to permit agreements between milk retailers by which this may be done.

I am considering what scope there may be for fresh action to promote economies in milk distribution. My hon. Friend's suggestion is one of a number already made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give particulars of the 10 people whom he records as having died from hydatid disease, and the dates of the years in which they died; and whether or not they were dog owners.

I am informed by the General Register Office that in 1965 hydatid disease was certified as the primary cause of death in 10 cases in England and Wales, and that from 1956 to 1965 the average number of such cases was 11 a year. I regret that the further information asked for in the last part of the question could not be made available except at undue cost, but in any event I am advised that a human patient must have been infected by a canine animal which must have eaten infested meat.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the bottle containing samples of saliva and scabs from the mouths of animals suffering from foot-and-mouth disease, sent to the Ministry of Agriculture Laboratory at Pirbright from Rothbury on 18th July contained disinfectant or any subject which nullified the virus and caused the laboratory to declare the test from animals now known to have been suffering from foot-and-mouth disease negative.

No, there was nothing in the bottle which could nullify the virus. Diagnosis of foot-and-mouth disease is primarily dependent upon veterinary clinical examination since negative laboratory tests for foot-and-mouth disease, as with all biological tests, are not always conclusive.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he will take to enforce stricter control of wine labelling.

The Food and Drugs Act, 1955, and the Labelling of Food Order, 1953 (as amended), already confer on food and drugs authorities wide powers to enforce the correct labelling of wines. My right hon. Friend is considering, as part of his general review of food labelling regulations, whether any amendment of these provisions is required at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the practice of wine being sold as French wine of a particular type which is often not French and not of the type described on the label; and what steps he will take by legislation or otherwise to protect the public from this practice.

We are advised that it would be an offence under the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, and the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, to label wine as French if it did not originate in France. If my hon. Friend will let us have particulars of any cases where there is evidence of this sort of false labelling, we will consider whether action can be taken.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what increase or decrease there was in the general level of farm rents in England for the year ending 31st December, 1965, and the preceding year.

In 1964 the average increase in farm rents in England was 6·8 per cent. and in 1965 the average increase was 7·2 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what increase or decrease there was in the general level of farm rents in Wales for the year ending 31st December, 1965, and the preceding year.

In 1964 the average increase in farm rents in Wales was 7·8 per cent. and in 1965 the average increase was 7·5 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when and for what purpose he recently appointed an advisory committee on matters appertaining to the baking industry; what are the names of the people appointed; whether they are appointed in a personal capacity or as representatives of the firms or groups to which they belong; and if any trade unionist has been appointed.

The Bakery Liaison Committee is one of a number of similar Committees which have been set up to maintain close touch between my Department and the trade on food prices during the next few months. The primary function of this Committee is to exchange views on the operation of the early warning arrangements for bread and related price matters. The Committee is informal and it is not intended to be an advisory committee on all matters relating to the industry.No trade unionist has been appointed for reasons which have been fully explained to the union chiefly concerned.Members, who are leading experts in the trade, serve in their personal capacities and it would not be appropriate for me to disclose their names without their consent.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the value of machine tool orders outstanding, for the home and export markets, respectively, at the latest available date; how many months' work these orders represent at current delivery rates; and what were the corresponding figures for 1965.

At the end of September, 1966, the latest date for which figures are available, orders outstanding for the home market stood at £75·7 million, and for export at £29·6 million. These represented, respectively, 8 months' and 9 months' work at the average delivery rate during the third quarter of this year. Corresponding figures for September, 1965, were for the home market £72·7 million and £29·7 million for export; these represented 9 months' work in each case, at the then current delivery rates.

asked the Minister of Technology what progress he has made in implementing the recommendations of the Geddes Committee on Shipbuilding; and if he will make a statement.

Legislation based on the Geddes Report will be introduced as soon as possible in accordance with the timetable proposed in the Report. Provision for the relief of shipbuilders from certain indirect taxes was made in the Finance Act, and came into effect on 12th September, 1966. The Shipbuilding Industry Board has been set up on a non-statutory basis.

asked the Minister of Technology, in view of the fact that creditors of Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company Limited have not yet been paid, what instructions have been given by Her Majesty's Government to their nominated director of Fair-fields.