asked the Minister of Power what measures he intends to take to speed up natural gas surveys of the west coast of the British Isles.

The eighteen holders of exploration licences are already permitted to carry out oil and gas surveys within British territorial waters and on that part of the continental shelf which lies in the eastern half of the Irish Sea. My right hon. Friend is considering extending the area covered by these licences. Some onshore licences already exist for areas on the west coast and applications for further areas are being considered.

asked the Minister of Power what is the average cost per therm to the developers of producing North Sea gas, spreading exploration and development costs over a 20-year period.

Cost estimates made by my Department are confidential. They inevitably rest on a number of assumptions since actual costs have not yet been incurred; and they make use of information given to my Department in strict confidence.

asked the Minister of Power whether North Sea gas will be provided to the various gas boards at a uniform price.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary on 19th June, in the debate on the Gas Industry (Borrowing Powers) Order.—[Vol. 748, c. 1364.]

asked the Minister of Power if he will issue a general direction to the National Coal Board, not to seek to obtain possession of houses occupied by former miners who have left employment with the National Coal Board on medical advice as the result of injuries or disease caused by such employment.

I understand that my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham (Mr. J. Idwal Jones) has already raised this matter with the N.C.B. and I have asked the Chairman of the Board to write to the hon. Member explaining the position.

asked the Minister of Power if he will seek to set a statutory limit on the moisture content permitted in coke and similar obsorbent smokeless fuels sold to individual consumers.

No. I do not think this is necessary. There would in any case be considerable difficulty in defining acceptable methods of testing, in view of the nature of the products.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board to dispose of their brickworks.

No.

asked the Minister of Power if he will now give estimates of what will be the production of coal in the United Kingdom in 1970.

I regret that I cannot add to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Blackley (Mr. Rose) on 6th June.—[Vol. 747, c. 175.]

asked the Minister of Power within what geographical limits a suitable site for a nuclear power station is being sought along the Dorset coast west of Portland Bill; and what account is being taken of the natural beauty of this coastline.

Site prospecting is a matter for the Central Electricity Generating Board. I understand, however, that the area being studied is roughly a circle of radius 1,000 yards from Tidmoor Point. The Board has a statutory duty to take account of the natural beauty of the area.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will defer his decision on the new advanced gas-cooled reactor nuclear power stations at Hunterston, Seaton Carew and Heysham until the Select Committee on Science and Technology have reported to the House their views of the nuclear power programme.

No, but my right hon. Friend will naturally take account of the Committee's report if it is available before he needs to take decisions on Seaton Carew and Heysham.

asked the Minister of Power what progress has been made by the departmental working party involving the Atomic Energy Authority, the Electricity Council, the Central Electricity Generating Board and the National Coal Board which is investigating the criticisms of estimated operating costs for the atomic gas-cooled reactor nuclear power stations.

Discussions are continuing.

asked the Minister of Power what he estimates is the loss of potential interest earnings on the extra capital cost of a nuclear power station the size of Dungeness "B" by comparison with a conventional station; whether this sum is charged against the estimated operating costs of the nuclear station; and what rate of earning is assumed on the excess capital.

asked the Minister of Power what conclusions about the operating costs of the Dungeness "B" advanced gas-cooled reactor power station, based on a life of 20 years and a load factor of 75 per cent., have been drawn by the departmental working party consisting of representatives of the Atomic Energy Authority, the Electricity Council, the Central Electricity Generating Board, experts from his own Department and which has now been joined by representatives of the National Coal Board.

At an interest rate of 8 per cent., the interest on the extra capital cost (inclusive of the initial nuclear fuel charge and of interest during construction) of Dungeness "B" as compared with a conventional station of the same size would be about £5 million a year initially. The savings which arise because the running costs of nuclear plant are much lower than those of conventional plant have to be set against the higher capital charges.Further consideration is being given to methods of comparison in consultation with representatives of the N.C.B., the A.E.A. and the electricity supply industry.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will give a general direction to the Midland Electricity Board that it should continue the present practice of charging registered charities at the domestic rate.

No. The Board recently found that certain premises belonging to a registered charity were being charged on the wrong tariff and have corrected the mistake. There is no question of a concession being withdrawn.

asked the Minister of Power whether he has yet reached an agreement with the Electricity and Gas Councils about electricity boards' practice of imposing connection charges on new housing developments.

My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to announce the conclusions of his discussions but hopes to be able to do so soon.

asked the Minister of Power if he will set out in detail the grounds on which he is satisfied that the proposed increase in electricity tariffs does not call for a reference to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's statement of 12th May—[Vol. 746, c. 1875–82.]—and the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) on 6th June.—[Vol. 747, c. 175.]

asked the Minister of Power what considerations have led to the change of voltage in the South Western Electricity Board's area from 210 to 240 volts; and what precautions were taken in order to ensure that the higher voltage could be maintained.

The standard voltage for domestic premises in this country is 240 and area boards have a statutory obligation to promote standardisation. Maintenance of the declared voltage is the responsibility of the Board.

asked the Minister of Power what representations he has now received concerning the appointments he has made to the National Steel Corporation; and if he will make a statement.

I have received a number of views on the appointments, some complimentary, others less so. I was not intending to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Power if he will give a direction to the Steel Corporation that it shall consult him before appointing chairmen to regional groups.

No. Appointments to the staff of the National Steel Corporation, including chairmen of regional groups, are a matter for the Corporation. Appointments to membership of the Corporation are made by me after consultation with the Chairman.

asked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement about the progress made so far in the reorganisation of the steel industry.

The National Steel Corporation's first report on the organisation of the nationalised steel industry will be laid before Parliament soon after vesting date.

asked the Minister of Power (1) if worker representatives will sit on the area boards of the nationalised steel industry for the areas in which they work;(2) what procedure he will adopt for appointing worker representatives to the area boards of the nationalised steel industry.

If the present proposals of the National Steel Corporation are adopted, the worker-members of the group boards in the nationalised steel industry would be appointed by the N.S.C.

asked the Minister of Power whether he proposes to direct the National Steel Corporation to continue the steel restrictive export agreements which are registered with the Board of Trade by British steel companies and which involve the British steel industry's membership of international steel cartels.

No.

asked the Minister of Power if he will give details of the selling price of British-produced steel both in the United Kingdom and in countries to which the United Kingdom exports it; what evidence he has of unfair competition with British industry as a result of the difference in prices paid for this steel by British and foreign industries; to what extent there is an adverse effect on the balance of payments because of Her Majesty's Government's policy in this respect; and if he will make a statement.

I regret the information about selling prices is not available. I have no evidence that British industry is subject to unfair competition as a result of the differential between home and export prices.

asked the Minister of Power if he will direct the National Steel Corporation to discontinue the practice of charging the higher domestic price for steel instead of the lower export price to British fabricators exporting entire consignments after processing.

No.

asked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement about the long-term effect on British oil supplies of the closing of the Suez Canal and of the refusal of certain Arab Governments to supply oil to this country.

I think it would be preferable for me not to speculate on this in present circumstances though my Department is considering all the implications.

asked the Minister of Power, in view of the cutting off of oil supplies from the Middle East to Great Britain, what steps he plans to maintain the oil requisite for British needs.

I am in close touch with the oil companies about oil supplies and their plans for meeting the country's requirements from alternative sources. Stocks in this country are strong.

asked the Minister of Power whether he will take whatever action may be necessary to, ensure that, in the future, all Members of Parliament, including those with 20 or more years membership of the House of Commons, are given equal opportunity with Members who have recently entered the House of Commons of attending cocktail parties and receptions organised by his Department.

It depends what the function is for, and I should normally invite those having a special interest or concern. Ministry of Power cocktail parties are infrequent.

asked the Minister of Power what research has been conducted by his Department into extracting oil from coal as a consequence of the threat to oil supplies from the Middle East.

The Department keeps alternative developments in this field of research under review, but prospects are not promising.

asked the Minister of Power what proposals he has to create a public authority responsible for the brickmaking activities of the National Coal Board and the National Steel Corporation.

None.

asked the Minister of Power if he is satisfied that the salaries of members of the boards of the nationalised coal, electricity and gas industries are broadly comparing to those paid to executives in private manufacturing industry with similar scales of responsibility; and if he will make a statement.

Board salaries are reviewed from time to time and I should not wish to prejudge the next review.

asked the Minister of Technology whether, in view of the need to protect the national pattern of shipbuilding, shiprepairing and marine engineering, he has yet considered the proposal made to him by the Shipbuilders and Shiprepairers National Association to arrange for regional employment premiums to be payable to all firms coming within the Minimum List Heading 370 of the Standard Industrial Classification regardless of their geographical situation; and what reply he has sent.

I wrote to the Shipbuilders and Repairers National Association on 3rd July in answer to the representations referred to. I am sending a copy to the hon. Lady.

asked the Minister of Technology how many ship-and boat-building, ship-repairing yards and marine engineering works are situated outside development areas and therefore fail to attract the 45 per cent. investment grant and will also fail to qualify for the new regional employment premium; and how many men are employed at these establishments.

Excluding those employed in Royal Dockyards, about 160,000 men are estimated to be employed in shipbuilding and marine engineering covered by Order VII of the Standard Industrial Classification. Of these it is estimated that just over 30 per cent. are employed in establishments outside Development Areas. Corresponding information about the number of establishments is not available.

asked the Minister for Technology what answer he has sent to the letter from the representative of marine engineering on the Shipbuilders and Shiprepairers Council as to the advisability of requiring shipowners taking advantage of the Shipbuilding Industry Bill to include in their specifications engines produced in Great Britain.

I have had a letter from Mr. Storey, Chairman of the National Association of Marine Enginebuilders, and I have told him that under Clause 7 of the Shipbuilding Industry Act a procedure is being applied to ensure that the interests of competitive supplying industries in the country are not harmed.

asked the Minister of Technology when he expects to announce the name of the next chairman of the Atomic Energy Authority.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Technology what Government funds will be available to assist the new shipbuilding merger on the Tyne to construct a new shipbuilding yard.

Any requests for assistance in connection with shipbuilding on the Tyne should be addressed to the Ship- building Industry Board which will decide, subject to my right hon. Friend's approval, on the use of funds provided under the Shipbuilding Industry Act.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will state the total money spent in the last 10 years on each of the following establishments, namely, the Atomic Energy Authority, Harwell, the Atomic Energy Authority, Winfrith, the Atomic Energy Authority, Calder-Windscale, the Atomic Energy Authority, Capenhurst, the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston, the Radar Research Establishment, Malvern, the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, the National Engineering Laboratory, the National Physics Laboratory, and the National Chemical Laboratory.

It would not be in the public interest to publish the information requested on the Atomic Energy Establishments at Calder-Windscale, Capenhurst and Aldermaston, nor on the Royal Radar Establishment, Malvern, and the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough.The total money spent over the last ten years in each of the other Establishments was as follows:—

	£ million
Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell	151
Atomic Energy Establishment, Winfrith (including £10 million contribution to the international Dragon project)	73
National Engineering Laboratory	15·5
National Physical Laboratory	36·3

The National Chemical Laboratory was merged with the N.P.L. on the 1st April, 1965 and its expenditure has been included in the N.P.L. figures.

asked the Minister of Technology if he is aware that the proposed closure of the Thrupp and Maberly factory in North-West London is a breach of the undertaking given by the Chrysler Corporation set out in his letter of 16th January last to Mr. I. J. Minett, group vice-president of the Chrysler Corporation; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

The closure referred to is intended as part of the rationalisation and modernisation plans of the company necessary for expansion and does not of itself breach any of the undertakings given by Chrysler. I am in touch with the firm about it.

asked the Minister of Technology what percentage of the equity capital, following the Chrysler Corporation's acquisition of Rootes Motors Limited, is now in the hands of shareholders other than Chrysler.

The latest information available indicates that 27 per cent. of the equity capital of Rootes Motors Ltd. (Ordinary, "A" Ordinary and Preferred Ordinary) is registered in the) name of holders other than the Chrysler Corporation Ltd.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he is aware of the deteriorating situation in the motor car and drop-forging industries, illustrated by the rise in unemployment in Coventry; and what action he is taking to improve the situation.

The recent relaxation of the hire-purchase regulations on motor vehicles, together with the general easing of credit, will, I hope, considerably help these industries.

asked the Minister of Technology (1) whether he is satisfied that the Chrysler Corporation have maintained their undertaking, given to him on 16th January of this year, relating to labour relations; and whether he will make a statement;(2) whether he is satisfied that the Chrysler Corporation, in attempting to rationalise their productive capacity in this country, are adhering to all the undertakings given to him, in particular those he received from the Corporation on 16th January this year.

I am satisfied that the rationalisation of the productive capacity of Rootes is in accord with the undertakings given to me on 16th January. I am discussing with the firm the effect on labour relations of the closures which have been announced to satisfy myself that the undertakings given in this respect have been observed.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the present level of strontium 90 in Northern Ireland; and how this compares with the same period in 1966.

I am glad to tell the House that preliminary measurements of the concentration of strontium 90 in rainwater at Aldergrove, Antrim, for the first quarter of 1967 show a fall of about 50 per cent. compared with the same period last year.

asked the Minister of Technology how many orders for replacement of liberty ships have been placed in British shipyards; and how many of these were of the SD14 type.

I understand that firm orders for 7 replacements of liberty ships have been placed in U.K. shipyards. All of these are of the SD14 type.

asked the Minister of Technology what assistance was given by his Department in the installation of an automatic draughting machine in the British Ship Research Association's Walls-end research station.

In August, 1966, my right hon. Friend's Department offered a grant of up to £48,340 to the British Ship Research Association to help develop techniques for the use of automatic draughting equipment in shipbuilding.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much approximately was contributed by the steel companies being nationalised in taxation to the Treasury in 1966–67; and what provision is being made for payment to the National Steel Corporation in 1967–68.

The amount of tax contributed in 1966–67 is not yet available, but the net appropriations for tax shown in the fourteen companies' latest accounts, most of which end in September, 1966, total approximately £10 million. Provision will be made for the Corporation in 1967–68 in part for continued investment and in part for reorganisation of the financial structure of the industry; allowance was made in the Consolidated Fund White Paper 1967–68 (Cmnd. 3243) for a loan of £75 million to the National Steel Corporation but this figure was stated to be subject to a wide margin of uncertainty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will reduce the petrol tax by the amount of the increase in the retail price resulting from the Middle East war.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will list the Ministers who have for the past 12 months, or for any convenient stated period, been on overseas visits, the countries visited, and the dates and the costs involved to public funds.

This information could only be collected at disproportionate expense.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the balance-of-payments position for each quarter in the years 1964 to date; and if he will forecast the position for the remainder of this year.

The figures for the balance of current and long-term capital transactions up to the first quarter of 1967 are as follows:

				£million
1964
1st quarter	…	…	…	-148
2nd quarter	…	…	…	-166
3rd quarter	…	…	…	-251
4th quarter	…	…	…	-198
1965
1st quarter	…	…	…	-122
2nd quarter	…	…	…	-36
3rd quarter	…	…	…	-203
4th quarter	…	…	…	+4
1966
1st quarter	…	…	…	-108
2nd quarter	…	…	…	-67
3rd quarter	…	…	…	-140
4th quarter	…	…	…	+128
1967
1st quarter	…	…	…	+23

It is not the practice to publish quantitative forecasts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of the Selective Employment Tax to the construction industry in the current financial year; and if he will give a separate estimate of the cost borne by the construction industry in Scotland.

Of the order of £80 million and £8 million respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what approximate percentage of goods and services purchased or hired by the Government in the United Kingdom is purchased or hired in Wales.

The information is being obtained and will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax relief is granted for the construction of capital plant for the treatment of trade effluents; and what further fiscal inducement is being given to industry to speed up the installation of purification plant.

Machinery and plant for treatment of trade effluents is usually eligible for investment grant if not, it qualifies for an initial tax allowance, as does a new industrial building or structure for that purpose. In each case the balance of the cost is written off for tax purposes by annual allowances. I do not think that further tax relief is called for.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government why, in view of the shortage of housing in Greater London, he has reduced the allocation of money to the Greater London Council for its home loans scheme.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply to Questions by the hon. Member for Bromley (Mr. Hunt) and other hon. Members on 20th June.The sum of £50 million included in the Greater London Council (Money) Act, 1967 is the maximum amount which the Council may borrow for the purpose of home loans and certain other purposes. The amount which they can lend for house purchase has been decided in the light of the overall total available for lending for this purpose by local authorities generally, that is to say £130 million.—[Vol. 748, c.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps he proposes to take to meet the concern expressed by the Council on Tribunals regarding the backlog of cases for assessment of rents under the recent legislation in the Westminster area and particularly in the constituency of St. Marylebone.

My right hon. Friend has recently authorised the appointment of two more rent officers and additional supporting staff to the Westminster rent service, and arranged for rent officers from two other areas to help in reducing the arrears.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will set out in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the amounts and grand totals of moneys lent for house purchase by the London County Council/Greater London Council and the London Boroughs in the periods 1962–63 to 1964–65 and 1965–66 to 1966–67.

The following are the figures:

LENDING FOR HOUSE PURCHASE BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN GREATER LONDON
	Former London County Council and Middlesex County Council	Former authorities in area of present London Borough Councils
	£ million	£ million
1962–63	2·7	17·0
1963–64	23·4	19·9
1964–65	53·0	23·6
Total 1962–63 to 1964–65	79·1	60·5

	Greater London Council	London Borough Councils
	£ million	£ million
1965–66	66·4	30·8
1966–67 (Provisional)	38·5	26·7
Total 1965–66 to 1966–67	104·9	57·5

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the annual deficit or balance in the housing accounts of each of the new towns annually since 1960–61.

New town development corporations and the Commission for the New Towns are not required to keep a separate housing account as part of their audited accounts. Certain information about the housing revenue position in each town is collected for administrative purposes, but I regret that this information is not in a form suitable for publication. My right hon. Friend is at present considering whether to make any change in these arrangements.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will sanction the application of the London Borough of West Ham for permission to obtain a housing mortgage loan of £750,000 from the Leek and Westbourne Building Society or ensure that such a sum of money is made available in some other form.

Discussions are proceeding with the Building Societies Association as to whether satisfactory arrangements can be made for ensuring that any such lending by building societies to local authorities for the purpose of advances for house purchase is genuinely in substitution for building societies' own lending on house purchase, and that the term of the building societies' loans cover the expected average life of the resulting mortgages. There is, of course, no London Borough of West Ham but my right hon. Friend will deal with any application by Newham in the light of decisions reached as a result of these discussions.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will institute a national tree planting year to improve the amenities in the environment of town and countryside, prevent soil erosion and provide the nation with future stocks of home grown timber.

This is a matter about which I have had discussions with other Departments including the Forestry Commission who have much increased their

ECONOMIC PLANNING REGIONS
Local Authority				Name of Scheme
Northern
*Carlisle C.B.	…	…	…	Scotch Street East
*Durham B.	…	…	…	New Roads—Phase 1
*Houghton-le-Spring U.D.	…	…	…	Bowlby Street
*Longbenton U.D.	…	…	…	Killingworth CDA
*Newcastle-upon-Tyne C.B.	…	…	…	Pilgrim Street Offices
*Newcastle-upon-Tyne C.B.	…	…	…	Queens Square
*Newcastle-upon-Tyne C.B.	…	…	…	Percy/Blackett St.
*Newcastle-upon-Tyne C.B.	…	…	…	Greenmarket
*Newcastle-upon-Tyne C.B.	…	…	…	East Central
*Newcastle-upon-Tyne C.B.	…	…	…	All Saints
*Newcastle-upon-Tyne C.B.	…	…	…	Scotswood Road
*Seaton Valley U.D.	…	…	…	Cramlington C.D.A.
*Stockton B.	…	…	…	High Street

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many local authorities have submitted plans for the development of their central areas; how many such plans are completed; how many are in progress; how many are deferred; and how many are awaiting his approval.

I regret that full information on completed schemes and schemes in progress is not available. In reply to Circular 50/66 410 authorities have notified me of 753 schemes in different stages of preparation. I am announcing today an initial list of schemes selected for the investment programme.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what decision he has reached on the returns submitted to him under his Department's Circular 50/66, entitled Planning Investment and Town Centre Redevelopment; and if he will make a statement.

I have accepted, in principle and subject to agreement in detail, the following 163 schemes in 113 cities and towns as commitments for loan sanction purposes. I shall make a further announcement later in the year about the addition of other schemes to the planning investment programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what is the latest estimate of the financial and economic loss to Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho and Botswana arising from sanctions against Rhodesia.

It is not possible for Her Majesty's Government to give the estimate requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs, as freemasonry is held not to be a religion in Spain, what steps he will take to assure freemasons in Gibraltar that they will be allowed to continue their activities should the referendum go in favour of Spain.

I cannot anticipate the results of the Referendum nor can I enlarge on my statement of 14th June.— [Vol. 748, c. 563–566.]

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that all Gibraltarians living in the United Kingdom will be given an opportunity to vote in the forthcoming referendum.

Section 5 of the Gibraltar (Referendum) Order in Council, 1967, provides that one of the qualifications for voting in the referendum is to be ordinarily resident in Gibraltar. Section 6 provides that, except in so far as may other- wise be prescribed in regulations made by the Governor under the Order, no person will be entitled to vote unless he attends in person at the place and time appointed for voting.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether, for the benefit of anyone living in Gibraltar who does not speak or read English, he will have all referendum documents printed both in Spanish and English.

This matter will fall to be considered in connection with the detailed regulations for the referendum which are to be made by the Governor in accordance with the provisions of the Gibraltar (Referendum) Order in Council, 1967.