asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to complete the improvements in the M8 road leaving Edinburgh; and how far advanced the plans are for continuing the new Polmont motorway towards Edinburgh.

Work on the last section of M8 has just started, and by the end of 1970 it should be possible to travel all the way between Edinburgh and Glasgow on dual carriageways. Work started at Newbridge last month on the first stage of the section of the M9 between Edinburgh and the Polmont Falkirk bypass, and the remaining stage should be completed in the early 1970s.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he proposes any further action towards the construction of a barrage over the Solway Firth.

I see no need for further action at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the timber blown down in Forestry Commission woodlands in Scotland last January has now been marketed and paid for.

About a quarter, by the end of October.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what quantities of lime have been applied to land in the crofting counties since 1st April of this year; and how this compares with the amounts applied in each of the last two years.

The quantity of lime applied to land in the crofting counties on which subsidy was paid between 1st April and 31st October this year was 75,700 tons. Comparable tonnages for 1966 and 1967 were 85,100 and 78,300 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the original estimate and actual cost of the Dundee Dental Hospital.

The original estimate (dating from the beginning of 1962), which excluded furniture and equipment, was £498,000; the tender cost (October, 1963), which included changes in the scheme before the contract was let was £640,000. The current comparable estimated cost is £722,000, including £60,000 for increases in the cost of wages and material, £19,000 for post contract variations and contingencies and a consequential increase of £3,000 in fees.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in view of the structural weakness revealed in a London multistorey flat, what steps are being taken to ensure continuing safety for occupants and potential tenants of similar housing developments in Scotland, particularly at Mansewood in Glasgow where the flats are being erected on a hill.

I have advised local authorities of the action they should take to appraise and, where necessary, strengthen multi-storey blocks.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many homes similar to those built at Ronan Point, London, have been built in Scotland; and what steps are being taken to make them safe.

None has been built in the actual system used at Ronan Point. It is estimated that about 12,000 houses in 150 blocks have been approved for building in large prefabricated load-bearing panel construction of one kind or another. Not all of these have been completed. For the rest I refer to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Govan (Mr. Rankin) today.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will make a statement on the reform of training of teachers of technical subjects.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply of 27th November to the hon. Member for Moray and Nairn (Mr. Gordon Campbell).—[Vol. 774, c. 126–7.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what facilities are being given by his Department in relation to a forthcoming television series about the Secretary of State and his office; and what guidance has been offered.

No organisation has approached the Scottish Office about any new television series it may be planning. No facilities or guidance have been asked for or offered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the individual local authorities in Scotland who have taken advantage of the provisions in the appropriate Act to levy rates on unoccupied property.

The following is a list of the local authorities in Scotland which indicated in response to a Departmental circular issued in November, 1967, that they had decided to rate unoccupied property. More up-to-date information will become available early next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations have been made to him regarding the inadequacy of the housing modernisation scheme carried on by the Scottish Special Housing Association in Rosyth; and what reply he has sent.

My right hon. Friend has had no representations since 1965.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what application he has received from the South of Scotland Electricity Board for consent to build an oil-fired generating station; and whether he will use the powers vested in him to order an independent investigation of the costs for other firing methods including coal and nuclear fission.

The two Scottish Electricity Boards have recommended acceptance of the advice tendered by their Joint Planning Committee that an oil-fired generating station should be constructed at Inverkip for commissioning in 1975 and 1976. I am considering this in consultation with my colleagues in accordance with paragraph 98 of the White Paper on Fuel Policy. I do not consider an independent investigation is required.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to bring about a reduction in conveyancing fees in Scotland.

Conveyancing fees are not fixed by me but are based on a scale recommended to its members by the Law Society of Scotland. For my part I am looking urgently at possible reforms of conveyancing law and the land tenure system. This and the work of the Henry Committee on Registration of Title should effect a welcome simplification.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce a scheme whereby chronically sick patients who are not exempt from prescription charges can pay the 55s. cost of an annual season ticket by weekly instalments.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the additional payments to pharmacists required to compensate them for the additional work needed to collect prescription charges for this year and for the next full year.

£61,000 and £58,000 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether prosecutions of persons who falsely claim exemption from prescription charges will be undertaken by his Department or that of the Procurator-Fiscal.

No change is proposed in the normal arrangements for the conduct of criminal prosecutions by the Procurator-Fiscal.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will arrange for guidance to be given to dispensing chemists on the details of prescription charge exemptions and communications of entitlements to those asking for medicines on E.C.10 forms.

Chemists have already been given full information about prescription charges including the prepayment certificates scheme. I do not think that any further guidance is necessary at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the cost of further advertising in the Press or on television to enable patients to know their exemption entitlements regarding prescription charges.

No further advertisements are at present being considered, but I will keep the position under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to collect the statistics concerned with the season ticket prescription charge arrangements.

I am making arrangements to collect information about the number of prepayment certificates issued and the extent of their use.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number and cost of additional staff to be employed by health executive councils in Scotland to deal with prescription charges.

The best estimate I can make is about 20 full-time and 5 part-time, at an additional cost of about £10,000 to £12,000 per annum.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the advertisements he has issued in connection with prescription charges giving the date, the name of the journal and the amount paid.

The information is set out in the table below. Two series of advertisements have been placed in Scottish daily, weekly and Sunday newspapers in connection with prescription charges. The first contained information about the reimposition of charges, with full details of the exempt categories and advice on how to claim exemption; the second announced the introduction of prepayment

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the cost of additional staff in hospitals needed for the collection of prescription charges and the cost of the additional clerical bookkeeping work involved; and if this sum will be taken into consideration when he assesses the benefit to the Exchequer accruing from these charges.

The additional work will generally be dealt with by existing staff and no precise estimate of cost can be made; but it is likely to be small.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what increases in staff of medical executive councils have been occasioned by the re-introduction of prescription charges; and how many additional staff are thus employed in the Scottish Home and Health Department.

With regard to the first part of the Question I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the Answer given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Dundee, West (Mr Doig). The answer to the second part of the Question is one.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if a patient who

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to amend the list of chronic illnesses which exempt patients from paying the prescription charges.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure that shell-sand removal near the air-landing area in the Isle of Barra does not create further danger; and if he will make available safer and more suitable land and contribute towards the cost of a permanent airfield thereon, which can be used regardless of tidal conditions.

The removal of shell-sand is subject to my control by the terms of the contractors' lease. Since I am advised by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade that the shell-sand working does not constitute a danger to the landing strip, the second part of my hon. Friend's question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent on land reclamation in Scotland on research and actual reclamation, respectively, in each of the last five years; and how many acres have been reclaimed in each year, showing the locality of each.

No figures of reclamation of agricultural land are available in the form requested.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the cost of the approach roads to the Forth Road Bridge were included in the cost on which interest payments were calculated.

This was part of the agreement in 1956 between the Government of the day and the Forth Road Bridge Joint Board, which was later incorporated in the Provisional Order promoted by the Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what studies he has made of electronic control and collection of tolls on the Forth Road Bridge; and if he will make a statement.

Collection of tolls at the Forth Road Bridge is the responsibility of the Joint Board, but with their agreement technical officers of my Department have been associated throughout with discussions which have taken place on the choice between electro-mechanical and electronic control equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Scottish Schoolmasters Association relative to the General Teaching Council; and what reply he has sent.

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to my reply of 2nd December to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward M. Taylor). I am sending my hon. and learned Friend a copy of my Department's letter.—[Vol. 774, c. 376.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that the implementation of the financial provisions of the Water (Scotland) Act are in accordance with his proposals in submitting the Bill to Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

The financial provisions of the Bill as introduced were amended before enactment. As I expected, however, the Act will result in a levelling-out of the water rates in each region over a period of years.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has given to local education authorities in Scotland concerning the time at which school classes should start during the next six months.

After consultation with the Association of Directors of Education, I informed education authorities in September of the detailed effect of British Standard Time during the winter months in different parts of Scotland and reminded them that they had discretion to vary the school hours. The starting times for schools already vary a good deal in different parts of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to advise local authorities to postpone the starting time for schools in the morning to reduce road accidents caused by the British Standard Time Act.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave today to the hon. Member for Banff (Mr. W. H. K. Baker).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of local authorities in Scotland have had to increase their water rate as a result of contributions levied by the regional water authorities.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given today to the hon. Member for North Angus and Mearns (Mr. Buchanan-Smith).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration is being given to the question of rates on commercial subjects in Scotland.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 18th July to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Gorbals (Mrs. Cullen).—[Vol. 768, c. 279.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions have taken place regarding the distribution of Government grants to local authorities in Scotland; and if any conclusions have now been reached.

A number of changes are proposed in the methods of determining weighted population for the apportionment of the needs and resources elements of the grant, as prescribed in Schedules 2 and 3 to the Rate Support Grant (Scotland) Order, 1967. These were discussed by my noble Friend the Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State with the Local Authority Associations on 22nd November. The general consensus then was that these changes should be made, and effect will be given to them in the Rate Support Grant Order which I shall be laying before the House early in the New Year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what public money was allocated to the Scottish County Industries Development Trust for the last financial year.

For the financial year ended 31st March, 1968, £84,000 was paid from the Development Fund for the Trust's operations.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate has been made of the incidence of drug addiction in Scotland.

The number of addicts in Scotland who have been notified to date under the Dangerous Drugs (Notification of Addicts) Regulations, 1968 is 33. Of this number 17 are addicted to heroin and the remainder to other drugs.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the numbers of rough-sleeping and homeless single persons there are in the main centres of population in Scotland.

A survey published by the National Assistance Board in 1966 indicated that some 53 persons were sleeping rough in known places—mainly in and near towns in Scotland on the night of 6th December, 1965; and the survey also indicated that at around this time accommodation available at reception centres and lodging houses was generally much less than fully used. A further national survey has not been made, but the indications are that the general situation is not much changed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial assistance was given by Her Majesty's Government to further the aims of sport in Scotland during the last financial year.

The following grants were given in 1967–68:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for reformation of the system of levying rates and in particular for relating rates to income.

We have already introduced the rate rebates scheme and the domestic element of the rate support grant. Other possibilities of improving local taxation can best be examined after the Royal Commission on Local Government has reported.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what use of computers is made in his Department.

The Scottish Office Computer Service undertakes a wide range of work for my Departments, and a few other official organisations. Computers have been in use in my Departments since 1960, and their current work includes:

Payment of Agricultural Grants and Subsidies (e.g. Lime, Fertilisers, Fatstock, Cereals).

Refund of Selective Employment Tax to farmers.

Payment of Dentists' Fees.

Indices of Births, Marriages and Deaths.

Experimental Linkage of Medical Records.

Processing and analysis of Fishery Research information.

Land Commission Betterment Levy.

Payroll (Scottish Departments and Land Commission).

Compilation of Records of Teachers and National Health Service Employees.

Processing and analysis of Statistics on:

• Agriculture;
• Fish;
• Hospital Inpatients;
• School Health.
• Scottish Certificate of Education.
• Records on:
• Cancer;
• Mental Health.

Arrangements are now being made for the employment of the Computer Service in connection with:

• Rent Registration and Assessments;
• Rate Support Grant;
• Payment of Teachers' Pensions;
• Maternity and Housing Records.

Further items of work will be considered as occasion arises.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representation local authorities will have on the proposed Passenger Transport Group for Scotland.

In making appointments to the Group I will certainly bear in mind the value of local government experience, although direct representation of local authorities would be inappropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to set up the Passenger Transport Group as provided for in the Transport Act; and what proposals he has in this regard.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward M. Taylor).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the totals of rateable valuations for each class of property in each valuation area in Scotland for the current year.

This information will not be available until the Scottish Development Department's “Rates and Rateable Values in Scotland 1968–69” is published, probably towards the end of the local authority financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what criteria he makes appointments to the Council of the Scottish Special Housing Association.

I nominate for appointment those I consider best able to contribute to the work of the Association.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to ensure that in awards of damages judges may not relate compensation awarded to the possibility of litigants marriage or re-marriage.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now make a statement on the action he is taking to implement the recommendation of the Highland Transport Board that shipping charges to the islands should be broadly comparable with transport charges to remote parts of the mainland; what consultations he has had with the Highlands and Islands Development Board; who has attended these consultations from his Department; and how many meetings have been held, and where.

There have been a number of meetings, at Ministerial and official levels; and discussions with the Board about this recommendation, which raises complex issues, are continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what survey he has made Of will make into the effect of the increased MacBraynes' fares on the lives and economy of the Islanders and Western Highlanders of Scotland; and what study he made of the cost of living index for the Islands before consenting to the increase and before his decision not to refer the. matter to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

There is no separate index of retail prices for the areas served by MacBraynes. As required by my Undertaking with the company, before reaching my decision I had regard to the likely effect of increased charges on the economy of these areas, as well as to the cost to the Government of maintaining the existing fares. I will keep the position under review, but I see no need for a special survey.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what the total mileage of motorway and dual-carriage road in Scotland will be by the end of the current financial year, the end of 1969, and the end of 1970, respectively.

175, 186 and 211 miles.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to impose a limitation in the area of land in Scotland which may be owned by one individual or unit of the law.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many bridges in Scotland have been affected by weight restriction orders in the last four years; of these how many have had the orders lifted because remedial work has been carried out; and of the remainder, what work is in progress, listing the bridges affected in each case.

I have imposed a permanent restriction on one trunk road bridge and temporary restrictions on four, and have confirmed permanent restrictions placed by local authorities on 52 bridges. Local authorities are not required to inform me about restrictions lasting six weeks or less, or about the progress of remedial work, but I will write giving the hon. Lady detailed information about the trunk road bridges.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he now has to introduce tolls in the Scottish motorway programme; and what consideration was given to this proposal in his recent discussions with Glasgow Corporation.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the qualifications of teachers, the method of recruitment and appointment to State fee-paying schools are of a higher standard than those for teachers in ordinary State schools.

No. The Schools (Scotland) Code prescribes the same requirements for the appointment of teachers for all schools under education authority management, whether fee-paying or not.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received in connection with the proposal to abolish the fee-paying element in local authority schools.

bodies I have recently consulted on this matter, one supported the proposal, one offered no objection, three did not wish to comment and three opposed it. I have received two representations, one supporting and one opposing the proposal.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total sum paid by way of fees by parents whose children attend independent schools, grant-aided schools, and local authority schools, respectively, in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total contribution of parents and endowments towards the cost of educating children in fee-paying departments of primary and secondary schools, and in grant-aided schools, during the latest period of twelve months for which the figures are available.

In 1967–68 parents paid about £310,000 to education authorities in school fees. A lesser sum will be paid after the current session following Renfrewshire's decision to abolish fee-paying. No details are available of sums spent by parents on books for children at fee-paying schools, where these are not provided by the Authority. Endowments payments which are made in respect of some education authority schools are of minor importance, and no details are readily available.In the same year the schools which are grant-aided under the Grant-Aided Secondary Schools (Scotland) Grant Regulations, 1959 received an estimated total of some £1,313,000 from fees. Their endowment income is estimated at £59,700.No information is available about the income of independent schools.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what provisions will be made to enable the inhabitants of Mossdale to cross Loch Ken when the railway viaduct is demolished.

This is a matter for Kirkcudbright County Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average time from the completion of road contracts of six miles and under in length to the availability of information about final costs.

Information on average time is not readily available, but final costs are often not established until some years after the completion of a road contract.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the results of the Tayside Study will be published.

I hope that the Report will be submitted in time for publication about the end of next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with producers about the report of the Reorganisation Commission on the egg industry; and if he will make a statement.

The National Farmers' Union of Scotland was among the many bodies invited by the Government to submit comments on the report. The Union has amplified its written comments in informal discussions with my officials.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what extra allocation will be made to Scottish local authorities for road works this winter; and how it compares with last year.

£1·472 million, compared with £4·826 million last year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses he estimates will be completed this year.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to his similar Question on 27th November. —[Vol. 774, c. 121.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will seek to ensure that the proposed Commission on the Constitution will begin its examination of the Scottish Constitution prior to October, 1970, and that an interim report is published in advance of that date.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to his similar Question today.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number of doctors who have withdrawn from general practice in Scotland since October, 1964, for reasons other than old age and retirement.

Between October, 1964, and October, 1968, the number of principals providing unrestricted general medical practice, was 309.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to implement the recommendations of the Thomson Committee on Scottish criminal statistics.

I am glad to have this opportunity to express my appreciation of the work of the Scottish Departmental Committee on Criminal Statistics, under the chairmanship of Lord Thomson. Since their recommendations involve basic changes in the existing system, which has been in use for more than forty years, I cannot at this stage be specific about the extent or timing of their implementation, which would involve a considerable expenditure of staff time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many full-time hospital doctors are presently working for the Emergency Treatment Service in Scotland; how many general practitioners are employed by the National Health Service in casualty departments of Scottish hospitals; and at what cost in the last full financial year.

The appointment of doctors as deputies in the Emergency Treatment Service is a matter for the organisers of that service, and I have no information about these doctors. At 30th September, 1967, there were 27 general practitioners employed part-time in casualty departments of Scottish hospitals at an annual cost of about £16,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he has given to the establishment of a College of Fishing in Aberdeen: and if he will make a statement.

The White Fish Authority has arranged for a review of training needs in the fishing industry. When I have received the Authority's recommenOctober, 1968, the number of principals dations I shall arrange for full consultaproviding unrestricted general medical tion with the industry generally, and services who withdrew from the family thereafter with the educational interests doctor service, apart from those who died concerned, including Aberdeen Education or intimated retirement from medical Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the numbers of gypsies and tinkers residing in Scotland; and if he will conduct an inquiry into the problems faced by such people and the facilities which are available to promote their general welfare.

I would refer to the Answer I gave today to my right hon. Friend the Member for Lanarkshire, North (Miss Herbison).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to deal with the increase in crimes of violence in Scotland.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Dumfries (Mr. Monro) on Wednesday, 27th November.—[Vol. 774, c. 121.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will appoint the members of the Board of the Scottish Transport Group; and if he will make a statement.

I have already appointed Mr. P. M. Thomas as Chairman and Mr. W. M. Little as a full-time member who will also be the Group's Chief Executive. I hope to make further appointments soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he proposes that the sugar beet acreage in Scotland should be increased, and to what figure.

There seems to be a good prospect in 1969 of a further substantial recovery of the acreage but it will probably still fall short of the 15,600 acres allocated to Scottish growers.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much more bacon he proposes should be produced in Scotland.

Scotland is sharing in the general increased pig production throughout the United Kingdom and this should be reflected in the bacon factory output. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said in the House on 12th November the Government looks to the curing industry to increase its share of the market by improving its productivity and competitiveness.—[Vol. 773, c. 210–19.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what increase in cereal production he estimates will be achieved in Scotland by 1972.

It is not possible to make a worthwhile estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the total land of Scotland is used for deer forests.

Little land in Scotland is used solely for deer, and no precise statistics are available about land used for deer forests.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many places are available in nuclear shelters for the civilian population of Scotland; and what plans he has to increase the number.

It would not be realistic to plan primarily for protection against the direct effects of blast from nuclear weapons. Protection against fallout has been closely studied; and in an emergency the Government would give advice on how the public could best be protected.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will instruct the Scottish Development Department to carry out a study and report on the probable effects of the latest changes in the system of protection for the Scottish jute industry on employment in the area in which the industry operates.

The effects of the latest changes in the system of protection for the Scottish jute industry on employment in the Tayside area were taken into account in the review by my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, in the course of which I was fully consulted.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to ensure that political background is not a factor taken into account in the promotion of teachers in Scotland.

I see no need for such legislation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he has introduced a new route for aircraft taking off from London Airport for Northern and Central Europe; whether he is aware that aircraft using this route, when the wind is easterly, pass at a low altitude over Kingston Vale, hitherto a quiet residential area; and what steps he proposes to take to obviate this nuisance.

The new route was introduced so that aircraft taking off avoid the more densely populated areas of Hounslow, Isleworth, Richmond and Putney.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, why, in view of the fact that his Department already has a fleet of De Havilland Doves and Hawker Siddeley 125's, he has decided to purchase for delivery in December, 1968 two Hawker Siddeley 748's at an estimated cost of £1 million to 1½ million; and whether this is in accord with the Government's policy of economy in expenditure.

Most of the aircraft which make up the Civil Aviation Flying Unit's existing fleet are obsolescent and becoming incapable of meeting the increasingly exacting standards required for the flight checking of ground navigational aids and airport approach aids. It has, therefore, been decided to acquire two HS748 aircraft which are the most suitable replacements available and the first of these is due to be delivered early next year The expenditure is fully justified in the needs of air safety.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the municipally-owned airports in the United Kingdom and the amounts paid by each, in each of the last five years for meteorological reading services.

There are 33 aerodromes owned by local authorities, of which 23 are operated by the authorities themselves. With few exceptions those authorities provide the aerodrome navigation services and in recognition of this no charge is at present made for meteorological services. At Glamorgan the Board of Trade provide the navigation services and the authorities agreed at the time that they acquired the ownership of the airport to make a contribution to the net operating losses of which meteorological costs are part. The gross contribution made in respect of the latter element averages about £9,000 a year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he intends to take to prevent dumping of Common Market agricultural surplus on the British market this winter.

If the British producers affected apply for anti-dumping duties with supporting prima facie evidence the Board will consider the case urgently. Anti-dumping action will be taken if the Board are satisfied that dumping is causing or threatening material injury to the British producers of the like goods, and that such action would be in the national interest.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what special measures are being taken to attract new industry to the South-West Development Area.

The Government already make available a wide range of incentives to encourage new industrial development in the South-West and in the other development areas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has now been made in finding a tenant for the advance factory in Camborne.

Every effort is being made to find a suitable occupant.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the import duties on cars imported from the European Free Trade Association countries where they have been assembled entirely from parts made in non-member countries.

Cars imported into the United Kingdom are liable to duty at 17½ per cent. if the value of non-E.F.T.A. parts and materials represents more than 50 per cent. of the f.o.b. price; cars which comply with the E.F.T.A. origin rules pay no duty.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the light of the Government's recently proposed fiscal measures and other actions taken to assist in United Kingdom balance of payments problem, he will now take steps to prevent or limit the import of one-armed bandits, pin tables and juke boxes, which currently cost about £4 million per annum in hard currency.

These products are covered by the import deposit scheme which is designed to secure some immediate reduction in imports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the first information on investment grant payments by industry and by region was not published until 18 months after investment grants came into operation.

The Annual Report for the financial year ended 31st March, 1968, was published on 10th October, 1968. This was the first Report to include statistics of payments under the scheme and there were inevitably new problems of preparation and presentation. If the Report can be published more quickly next year, this will certainly be done.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now provide a breakdown of investment grant payments by industry and region in respect of the calendar years 1966 and 1967 on a comparable basis with normal economic statistic series.

In addition to the information on payments in the Annual Reports, we intend to provide tables of eligible expenditure incurred in calendar years as soon as the necessary information is available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will set up an inquiry into the failure of the Cyril Lord carpet firm.

On present information I see no grounds for an inquiry under the Companies Acts into the affairs of Cyril Lord Ltd. or its subsidiary companies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is a shortage of the fluorescent material required to protect children going to school in the dark; and if he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to obtain increased production.

Fluorescent materials are for use in daylight and are immediately available. There are several types of reflective material which give protection in the dark. Most of these are also readily available. However, the principal manufacturer of the easiest material to use in making arm bands has not been able to meet all demands from stock. I understand that steps have already been taken to obtain additional supplies from Germany and, by air, from the United States. There has been a shortage of capacity for making arm bands, but I understand that the position is improving and that the principal supplier hopes to deal with outstanding orders in the near future. We will continue to watch the position closely.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now make an order to prohibit the importation of dairy farm produce from countries where the producer is subsidised by Government funds if such produce affects prices obtained by the home producer.

No. Imports of butter are already subject to quota and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food told the House on 6th November that we were discussing with the countries concerned a scheme of voluntary restraint on exports of cheese to the United Kingdom. 1 he Customs Duties (Dumping and Subsidies) Acts, 1957 and 1968, provide for the imposition of countervailing duties on subsidised imports if the appropriate conditions are fulfilled.—[Vol. 772, c. 106.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek to change the name of the Inspectorate of Weights and Measures to the Consumer Advisory Service.

I have no power under the Weights and Measures Act, 1963, to direct local weights and measures authorities to designate their departments in any particular manner, and I would be reluctant to take any action which might suggest to the public at large that inspectors of weights and measures are appointed solely to take care of consumer interests. The legislation under which inspectors are appointed is designed to protect both sellers and buyers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further discussions he has had with the Association of British Travel Agents in regard to the legislation to require that travel agents and tour operators should be compulsorily registered and should contribute to an indemnity fund.

None. The Association of British Travel Agents already maintains a Common Fund the purpose of which is to provide protection for holidaymakers who book with members of the Association.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what estimate he has made of the annual saving of imported aluminium, the increase in bauxite imports, and the increase in fuel imports. respectively, resulting from his decision to install capacity for smelting 320,000 tons of aluminium per annum in the United Kingdom.

The companies concerned have decided, with the approval of H.M. Government, to install three new aluminum reduction plants with an initial capacity of 260,000 tons a year. To import this metal would, at present prices, cost about £60 million. The plants will use imported alumina which, together with other imported raw materials, would cost about £17 million a year.I am advised that on average, over the period of the contracts with the respective Generating Boards, the Anglesey and Invergordon projects together may add just over £1 million a year to our fuel import bill. The import saving net of imports of raw materials and fuel is therefore expected to be about £40 million a year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what percentage of Government help for the regions is spent in the purchase of labour-saving machinery.

Information on expenditure on plant and machinery approved for investment: grant is provided by regions for the financial year ended 31st March, 1968, in the second Annual Report by the Board of Trade under the Industrial Development Act, 1966. All machinery and plant is labour saving in the sense that it performs processes which otherwise would be done by hand.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if he will publish a table showing region by region the number of industrial development certificates issued by him during the years 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1968.

The number of i.d.cs issued in each region and in Scotland and in Wales for the years 1965–1968 is given in the table below:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he included in the charter of the Hull trawler "Orsino" a clause allowing the British Trawler Federation to prevent representatives of the British Broadcasting Corporation boarding the vessel on Friday, 29th November.

No such clause was included in the charter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will give the details of the facilities made available by his Department to Press and television authorities to view the Hull trawler "Orsino" on Friday, 29th November;(2) what representations he has received from the British Broadcasting Corporation following the refusal to allow their representatives to board the Hull trawler "Orsino" chartered by his Department; and, in view of the public funds expended on the vessel and the public interest in the venture, if he will take steps to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

In view of widespread and proper public interest the Board of Trade made every reasonable facility available to the Press and television authorities who have expressed their appreciation. I regret that the representatives of the British Broadcasting Corporation were prevented from making full use of these facilities, but, as the B.B.C. are fully aware, this unfortunately arose from matters at issue between themselves and the industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table showing the number of advance factories built or projected in the regions, specifying each region separately, in the years 1965, 1966, 1967, and 1968.

The following table refers to Board of Trade advance factories:

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the advance factory being erected on the Lady Lewis site, Rhondda, is expected to be completed.

In February, 1969.