asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated annual current Government expenditure on investment grants; and by what amount this is expected to change during the year in prospect.

Present provision in Estimates for 1968–69 is £425 million; further provision will be sought in the Spring Supplementary Estimate. The main Estimate for 1969–70 is being prepared and will be presented to Parliament at the appropriate time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many Census of Production for 1968 forms relating to mechanical engineering have been sent out by his Department; and what estimate he has made of the time it will take a senior executive of each company concerned to complete it.

On 1st January, 1969, 11,854 copies of the form relating to mechanical engineering were sent to firms in industry employing over 25 persons. The variability between firms prevents the making of a useful estimate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what study he has made of the sales methods of foreign firms operating in this country; and if he will make a statement.

I have considered several complaints drawn to my attention by my hon. Friend, but there is no evidence that the sales methods employed are used particularly by foreign-owned companies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied with the amount of industrial expansion in the West Midlands; and if he will make a statement.

In 1967 and 1968 industrial development certificates were issued for 7·1 million sq. ft. and 11·5 million sq. ft. respectively in the West Midlands. While I must continue to operate the i.d.c. control stringently in the congested areas, this amount of new building and a rate of unemployment below the national average do not in any way suggest that industrial growth in the West Midlands is being unduly restricted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the deficit on the balance of trade for 1968.

The provisional visible trade deficit was £695 million, excluding imports of United States military aircraft and equipment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he plans to ask the Big Four banks to make a full disclosure of their reserves, which the National Board for Prices and Incomes recommended in May, 1967, when they next announce their trading results.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he proposes to act on the recommendation of the National Board for Prices and Incomes and invoke section 12 of the Companies Act, 1967, in order that banking and discount companies shall publish true profits and balance sheets.

I am now examining the full accounts of the banks, and I shall review the need for continuing the present exemptions in the light of the information which this examination yields. If the review should show that the exemptions could safely be withdrawn from any particular class of banks before they were withdrawn generally, then I would withdraw them from that class.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken to provide alternative industry in the area of Roslin Colliery, Midlothian, as a consequence of the closure of the pit.

Most of the men employed at the Roslin Colliery are being re-employed within the coalmining industry, and relatively few are expected to be made redundant. Roslin is within the Scottish Development Area, and suitable new projects setting up there would be eligible for all the benefits available under the Local Employment Acts and the Industrial Development Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what assistance he intends to give towards bringing new industry to areas affected in Scotland by pit closures in 1969.

We are continuing our efforts to introduce new industry into those areas affected or likely to be affected by pit closures. We will use all the powers available to us and there is evidence that the special development area incentives are proving increasingly effective.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost to public finds of the measures taken by his Department and other public authorities in association with his Department, including the Medway Conservancy Board and the Port of London Authority, in investigating and frustrating a plan by students from a northern university or universities to interfere with the wreck of the s.s. "Richard Montgomery" as part of rag week activities; and if he will make a statement.

Although these are not chargeable to public funds, the Medway Conservancy Board incurred costs of approximately £180.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the level of duty on raw material imported into the United Kingdom for conversion into herring meal; and what is the level of duty on the finished product.

Herrings imported for conversion into herring meal (and oil) and consigned direct to a herring meal factory registered by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise are not chargeable with import duty; herring meal is free of duty from all sources.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give details of the import and export of cotton yarn, cotton piece goods and man-made fibre piece goods for 1968 and how these compare by volume with 1967.

The hon. Member will find the information set out in the Overseas Trade Accounts for last December on pages 72–76, 162–166 and 169–171.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many complete contracts for the construction of factories, hospitals, schools and roads in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, have been secured by British companies with the assistance of his Department in each of the past five years.

We know of four in 1964, two in 1965, three in 1966, one in 1967 and two in 1968.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the effect of manufacturing industry's investment intentions for 1969 and 1970 on the rate of disbursement of investment grants.

The trend of manufacturing industry's investment in 1969 and 1970 eligible for investment grants is expected to rise considerably and to be reflected in grant payments in 1970 and 1971. This and other factors which affect the rate of disbursement of investment grants will be taken into account in preparing estimates for those years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what steps are being taken to impose anti-dumping on imports of cheddar-type cheese.

The Board of Trade is investigating an application by the British producers for imposition of anti-dumping or countervailing duties on imports of certain types of cheese and cheese products from certain countries and has accepted that a prima facie case has been made out. If there is evidence of a significant increase in dumped or subsidised imports or market prices seem likely to collapse, the Board will impose a provisional charge to duty immediately. The Governments of the exporting countries concerned have been informed accordingly, and discussions are proceeding. Board of Trade accountants are investigating the effect of the dumped and subsidised imports on the finances of the United Kingdom cheese producers to enable the Board to decide whether material injury is being caused or threatened. If the Board so decides, it will proceed forthwith to consider, in consultation with the other Departments concerned, whether the imposition of anti-dumping or countervailing duties would be in the national interest.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to increase free trade on the lines proposed by the Commonwealth Prime Ministers in the communiqué following the conclusion of the recent Commonwealth Prime Ministers Conference.

There is no reference in the communiqué to Commonwealth free trade. However, there are references to a generalised preference scheme, to international commodity trade and to the general expansion of trade. These are all fields in which my Department has been, and will remain, continuously active.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the delay in this matter, he will take early action to initiate legislation consequent on the Report on Bankruptcy Law and Deeds of Arrangement.

I am afraid that I see no prospect of such action.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in order to provide effective comparisons between pre-devaluation and post-devaluation periods, he will include in the monthly trade figures estimates of the cost of imports and of the yield of exports for comparative periods expressed in terms of the dollar equivalent of the relevant foreign currencies.

I have already made arrangements for figures of trade expressed in terms of the dollar equivalent of sterling to be published in the Board of Trade Journal of 21st February and for each quarter subsequently.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will seek powers to enable him to encourage the building of hotels between London airport and the centre of London, in view of the anticipated increase in travellers arriving by air.

Legislation to encourage hotel development is to be introduced very shortly. I doubt whether specific powers of the kind the hon. Gentleman has in mind could be generally taken.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the results in terms of sales of the experiment with cut-price, non-advertised soap powders conducted by Procter and Gamble and Unilever Limited, at his request.

I cannot disclose detailed sales figures, which are confidential, but the companies inform me that about 20 per cent. of their sales of heavy duty washing powders are of the less advertised brands.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what assistance he will give to a Bermudan-based consortium of companies, which has acquired the site of the former No. 2 Supply Reserve Depot at Sully, Glamorgan, for the creation of the Atlantic trading estate.

The standard rate of investment grant is available in appropriate instances and I am prepared to look as sympathetically as possible at applications for industrial development certificates to enable the buildings to be put to industrial use.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when company balance sheets are available for public inspection at the office of the Registrar of Companies; and what steps are taken to check that they have been deposited.

If accounts are laid at an annual general meeting, they are required to be filed with the Registrar and so be available for public inspection, in general, not later than 10½ months from the end of the financial year of the company, or, if the company has overseas interests, 13½ months. The Registrar systematically reviews throughout the year whether companies have fulfilled their obligations to file accounts and reminds those which have not done so of their obligations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of capital investment by British manufacturers in the United States of America in 1968; and what was the increase or decrease since 1967.

The figure for 1968 is not yet available, but I would expect it to be higher than in 1967.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of capital investment by overseas manufacturers in British industry in 1968; how much of this came from the United States of America; and what was the increase or decrease since 1967.

Complete information for 1968 is not yet available. But in the first nine months of the year, direct investment in the United Kingdom covered in the Board's inquiries totalled £231 million, of which probably 80–90 per cent. came from the United States. The Comparable figure for 1967 was £189 million.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consideration he has given to a ban on the import of the skins of baby seals.

We have now given careful consideration to this matter. As I said on 6th February in reply to the Question from the hon. Member for Rye (Mr. Godman Irvine), the most effective method of preventing cruelty is by means of direct controls designed to ensure that methods of slaughtering are humane.The Canadian Government operate a strict and elaborate control and the balance of the evidence we have examined, which includes reports by humane and animal welfare socities, strongly suggests that it is effective. We do not have as much information about the position in other exporting countries, but, equally, we have had no allegations of cruelty in their case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many cases have been reported to him during the last three months of the practice of persons calling themselves students selling magazine subscriptions door-to-door on an organised basis; whether he will refer the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions as he has done in previous cases; and if he will make a statement.

Four. We referred one which might have involved an offence to the police.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reduction in lie number of jobs available in the United Kingdom he estimates has been brought about by the introduction of capital intensive methods of production supported by investment grants.

Investment grants help maintain the competitiveness of British industry and I do not believe that they can be said to cause a net reduction in job opportunities, either in the development areas or in the country as a whole.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer the matter of the various take-over bids for the City of London Real Property Company to the Monopolies Commission.

These proposals are being examined in the usual way for a merger within the scope of the Monopolies and Mergers Act. We shall decide whether one or more of them should be referred to the Monopolies Commission when the examination has been completed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the Government's recently announced retrictions on imports has reduced the import of fruit machines, juke-boxes and similar machines; and whether he will publish a table of figures giving the sterling and, or, foreign currency that has been spent on these types of imports for the longest and latest convenient periods of time, and dates.

It is too early to consider the effect of the import deposit scheme. I will, with permission, circulate a run of import figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will refrain from announcing new advance factory programmes until all those already built have been let.

No. The purpose of advance factories is to have premises readily available for industrialists to occupy and the increasing rate at which we have been allocating these factories fully justifies our policy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a further statement on the proposals for a national exhibition centre project at the cost of £15 million in the London area.

The Confederation of British Industry last week presented to me a report containing certain proposals for financing this project. I am now considering these proposals.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to meet his colleagues in the European Free Trade Association's Council of Ministers to discuss the renewal of the 1959 Ten-Year Agreement regarding the import of frozen fish fillets; and if he will make a statement.

It was agreed at the last E.F.T.A. Ministerial meeting that officials of the E.F.T.A. countries concerned with the problem of frozen fish fillets would meet before the end of March. I do not wish to anticipate the course of future negotiations by a statement at this stage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what tests are applied before relief is given on goods imported from abroad; and what goods are admitted on the grounds that they are for the advancement of sport.

I do not know what particular reliefs the hon. Member has in mind. The precise tests vary, but relief is not normally granted on goods imported for domestic use where the Board of Trade are satisfied that suitable British goods are adequately available. A variety of sports goods imported for non-commercial purposes have qualified for relief, including gliders and various articles of equipment imported for use by competitors in the Olympic Games.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to remove the anomaly by which industry attracts a grant for the disposal of effluent whereas local authorities do not, in view of the fact that joint schemes are often in the public interest and would result in saving in expenditure.

No. This matter was fully discussed when the hon. Member led a deputation to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government last May and further explained by my right hon. Friend following that meeting

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the level of imports in the first quarter of 1969.

I would not propose to give such an estimate. But, as my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer told the House on 28th January, it is hoped to continue the practice of publishing forecasts annually at the time of the Budget.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will bring up to the latest convenient date the information showing the amount of political contributions made by companies and disclosed in accordance with the Companies Act, 1967.

The requirement to disclose information about political contributions in the directors' report applies to financial years of companies ending after 26th January, 1968. Not all companies have yet sent to the Board of Trade a directors' report for a financial year ending after that date. Reports received from companies with net assets exceeding £500,000 or profits exceeding £50,000 show political contributions totalling £176,124. To extract information from the reports of smaller companies would involve an undue expense of time and effort.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the price of disposable Tufty-Tails nappies has been increased by 20 per cent. by charging 4s. 11d. for a pack of 20 instead of 25; and whether this has been approved by the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

I understand that the retail price recommended by the company marketing this product is 4s. 5d. for 20. Costs of imported materials have risen since devaluation and I see no reason to refer this particular increase to the N.B.P.I.

asked the President of the Board (1) what was the total production in value and volume of Scottish paper and board producers in each year from 1958 to the latest convenient date;(2) what was the total production in value and volume of United Kingdom paper and board producers in each year from 1958 to the latest convenient date.

The figures requested are shown in the table below:

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many production units in the paper and board making industry have closed down in each year from 1958 to the latest convenient date.

Figures are not available for the earlier years but the number of mill closures in the years 1965 to 1968, which may be subject to minor error, was 5, 6, 8 and 7, respectively. Over the past decade, rationalisation in the paper and board industry has led to a net reduction in the number of mills and machines and an increase in output.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the total value of Government grants, etc., given to manufacturers of paper and board in the United Kingdom in each year from 1958 to the latest convenient date.

Manufacturers of paper and board are eligible for the full range of Government assistance given to manufacturing industry generally. The information requested by my hon. Friend is not readily available and could not be provided without disproportionate expenditure of time and money.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the members of the sub-committee of the British National Export Council with responsibility for exports to Rhodesia, the number of times since December, 1964 on which this sub-committee has met, and the total cost of this sub-committee to public funds since October, 1964.

Since the imposition of sanctions no Committee or Sub-Committee of the B.N.E.C. has been concerned with exports to Rhodesia, and the latter parts of the Question, therefore, do not arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that he received the Monopolies Commission Report on recommended prices on 24th December last year, he will now state when it will be published.

The Report will be published in about two weeks' time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the committee of inquiry into advertising set up by his Department will issue its report; whether he expects to receive an interim report, and when; and if he will make a statement.

The Board of Trade has not established a committee of inquiry; what it has proposed is to commission independent research into aspects of the economic effects of advertising. As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary said in the debate on 29th November last, this is not a very easy subject; and it may be a considerable time before such research will yield results.—[Vol. 774, c. 991–1002.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the level of imports in the first quarter of 1969.

I would not propose to give such an estimate. But, as my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer told the House on 28th January, it is hoped to continue the practice of publishing forecasts annually at the time of the Budget.—[Vol. 776, c. 278.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade what effect the import deposit scheme has had on the level of imports; what is his estimate of the total import savings from this scheme; and if he will make a statement.

It is too early to make any estimate of what effect the Import Deposit Scheme has had or will have on the level of imports. We can expect, however, that the scheme will have a significant effect in accelerating the improvement already taking place in our balance of payments.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what co-operation he has received in his investigations into the activities of auction rings; and if he will make a statement.

This investigation is now nearing completion. Nearly fifty people have been interviewed, in this country and overseas, but Board of Trade Inspectors are still trying to interview one person, at present said to be abroad, who should be able to provide useful information. I would prefer not to say more about the inquiry at this stage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of retail sales during November and December, including Christmas, 1968, and during the whole of the year; what revenue, including Purchase Tax, was gained; and how these figures compare with the previous three years.

Revenue figures for November and December cannot readily be provided and those for 1968 as a whole are not yet available. As the rest of the Answer contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.Following is the information:

asked the President of the Board of Trade who are the members of his Board; when they last met; and when they will next meet.

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a note of the membership of the Board of Trade. The last recorded meeting of the Board as a collective body was held on 23rd December, 1850. I have no present intention of calling another. I have, indeed, considered whether the Board should be abolished. But I am advised that this would involve the exercise by Her Majesty of her Prerogative, an Act of Parliament and an Order in Council; and on the whole there would seem to be more urgent matters to attend to.The information is as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many receiving orders under the Bankruptcy Act, 1914, were made in 1968; how these figures compare with 1966 and 1967; how many were made against individuals and how many against partnerships.

In 1968 the number of receiving orders was 4,123 of which 3,884 were against individuals and 239 against partnerships. The comparable figures for 1966 were 3,835, 3,600 and 235 respectively and, for 1967, 4,194, 3,925 and 269 respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement regarding the testing of de-icing equipment upon the "Boston Phantom" while trawling in the Icelandic fishing grounds.

The testing was carried out under arrangements made between the manufacturers of the equipment and the owners of the vessel. Some preliminary information has been received concerning sheathed man-made fibre rope which is also under test in the weather ship "Orsino". I expect that a full report will be received within a few days which will also deal with the pneumatic sleeves fitted to mast and bridge front. It was agreed with the manufacturers that the latter equipment did not need to be duplicated in the "Orsino" tests.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the precision approach radar equipment was withdrawn from Gatwick Airport during 1967 or 1968; what equipment was installed to replace this; and whether he will make a statement.

Precision Approach Radar (P.A.R.) equipment was withdrawn from Gatwick Airport in 1968 some ten months after it had ceased to be used. The Instrument Landing System (I.L.S.) which is the internationally approved approach aid, has taken its place. As I informed the House on 20th January, we are at present reviewing the decision that P.A.R. should be withdrawn from airports in the United Kingdom.—[Vol. 776, c. 40–44.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now consider seeking to denationalise the British Overseas Airways Corporation and British European Airways.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, (1) if he will make a statement on the latest position in the Edinburgh Airport dispute;(2) what efforts he has made to introduce a productivity agreement at Edinburgh Airport.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the progress made towards a settlement of the pay dispute at Turnhouse Airport, Edinburgh.

I have now received the report of the working party on productivity. I am hopeful that this will provide a basis for a settlement and I am urgently discussing the matter with the principal trade union concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which foreign airlines employ in their aircraft using London Airport jet fuels of types whose character render them more dangerous in the event of accident than the fuels employed by the British Overseas Airways Corporation; and what action he proposes to take to protect British passengers in such aircraft and other users of the airport from the dangers arising from the use of such fuels.

I understand that Air Canada and Japan Airlines use wide-cut gasoline which we believe can in some crash conditions involve a greater fire hazard than the aviation kerosene used by B.O.A.C. and other operators. These airlines and the Governments concerned are aware of our views and we shall continue to make them clear in I.C.A.O.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the percentage growth in passenger and cargo traffic carried by the two corporations, British European Airways and the British Overseas Airways Corporation, for 1968 compared with each of the previous four years.

Following is the information:

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to ensure that air traffic control personnel at British airports are able to refuse arriving aircraft permission to land because of conditions on the ground in cases where there is no emergency that would prevent such aircraft from diverting to another airport.

The rôle of air traffic control has always been to supply the pilot with information and advice but to allow him to make his own decisions. I think that, on balance, it is better to leave the pilot with this discretionary element within his company's requirements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in a recent instance, details of which have been sent to him, an aircraft was stranded because its only fire extinguisher was out of service; whether he is satisfied as to the adequacy of his regulations on this matter; what steps he is taking to secure their implementation; and if he will make a statement.

I presume the hon. Member is referring to a Channel Airways Viscount which was delayed recently at Aberdeen. The problem arose because of the operator's inability to replace at short notice one of a number of fire extinguishers which the aircraft carries. The requirements governing the carriage of extinguishers are carefully laid down and we have no evidence that they are not being complied with. The provision of aircraft spares at a particular airport is not a matter for us.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has sanctioned the investment of £3 million by the British Overseas Airways Corporation in a luxury hotel at Portman Square, London.

We have approved B.O.A.C. joining with others in financing this hotel. B.O.A.C.s share will be only a small proportion of the £3 million involved.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with British airlines about measures to prevent hi-jacking of aircraft with its consequent risks to the safety of British aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

B.O.A.C. have passed to us a number of suggestions formulated by the International Air Transport Association (I.A.T.A.), about action which might be taken by the airlines themselves, by airport authorities and by Governments. We are examining these and also making a full contribution to the urgent work which the International Civil Aviation Organisation is undertaking.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made by the Commission on Stansted and the siting of a new London airport; and to what extent the Commission has considered the proposal put before it that the proposed airport should be sited on reclaimed land at Foulness.

The Roskill Commission on the third London Airport has been studying a wide range of sites—including reclaimed land at Foulness—and hopes to announce before Easter a short list of the sites which it regards as worthy of more detailed examination.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consideration he is giving to the designation of Tees-side Airport as a regional airport for the North of England; and whether he will make a statement.

I am fully aware of the excellent potential of this airport and I am sure that it has an important part to play in the development of the North-East. The Board of Trade does not, however, designate airports in the way that the hon. Gentleman has in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what consideration has been given by Her Majesty's Government to the provision of a diversionary airport in Northern Ireland;(2) what arrangements have been effected for the use of military airfields in Northern Ireland by civil airlines in times of emergency, bad weather and for diversionary purposes.

The selection of a diversionary aerodrome for weather or emergency reasons or on account of aerodrome unserviceability, is a matter for the airline operator. The Ministry of Defence are prepared to consider any application for the use of R.A.F. Bally-kelly by civil air operators for these or, indeed, for any purposes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the future ownership of Turn-house Airport.

I have nothing at present to add to the statement which I made on the Motion for the adjournment on 30th January.—[Vol. 776, c. 1699–708.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received the communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, regarding overcharging, overweighing, and overstating cargo loads in British ports; and what action he is taking to deal with the problem.

We have received my hon. Friend's letter, but have nothing to add to the answer given to him on 3rd Fabruary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which foreign passenger lines using the port of Southampton carry life-jackets for use in emergency which fail to comply with the standards and specifications laid down by his Department; and what action he proposes to take to secure compliance with these standards and specifications.

We have been prepared on the basis of reciprocity to accept on foreign passenger ships calling at United Kingdom ports life jackets of types certified by the Administration concerned as conforming with the requirements of the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, 1960.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the British ship "Enugu Palm" was overloaded with personnel when it recently carried Nigerian Federal troops from Lagos to Port Harcourt; and what action he proposes to take in this matter in pursuance of his powers under the Merchant Shipping Acts.

In view of all the circumstances I do not think that action under the Merchant Shipping Acts would be justified.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the programme of checking stability characteristics of the distant water trawling fleet ships has been completed; and if he will make a statement.

I do not expect the present investigation to be completed before Easter, although results on the first few individual vessels are now coming through.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he now proposes to introduce legislation to amend the Merchant Shipping Acts.

As indicated in the reply to my hon. and learned Friend's Question on 3rd February, it is hoped to introduce legislation as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made with the establishment of a European defence entity in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Dodds-Parker) on 5th February.—[Vol. 777. c. 105–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why he does not allow the pensions of former non-commissioned officers and airmen to be paid into banks in the same manner as those of former officers; and whether he will review the matter.

We have been carrying out a review of this matter for all three Services over recent years, and this is now almost complete. The Army has been offering this method of payment to certain pensioners since 1st January this year and hopes to be able to extend the offer in the near future. The Navy will be offering the same option to a limited number of pensioners as from 1st July this year and also intends to extend the offer in due course. As in the other Services, former warrant officers in the R.A.F. already have the option of being paid through their bank accounts and arrangements are in hand for this option to be extended to other airmen.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost to public funds of the precautionary measures taken by his Department, including a survey by Royal Navy divers, in investigating and frustrating a plan by students from a northern university or universities to interfere with the wreck of the s.s. "Richard Montgomery", off Sheerness, as part of those students' rag week activities; and if he will make a statement.

The full cost of mounting the operation was £350; the additional costs incurred were of the order of £65.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications he has received for membership of the brucellosis eradication scheme; how many herds are now accredited; what proportion this represents of the total number of herds and of the total number of cattle; and if he will make a statement on the progress so far.

Up to the end of January, some 10,800 applications had been received in England and Wales for membership of the Brucellosis (Accredited Herds) Scheme, and 2,954 herds had been registered as accredited. These represent respectively 5·8 per cent. and 1·6 per cent. of the total number of herds in England and Wales, and 14·3 per cent. and 3·9 per cent. of the total eligible cattle.I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply of 19th December, 1968, to my hon. Friend, the Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Dr. John Dunwoody.)—[Vol. 775, c.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in view of the premature disclosure of the draft recommendations of the interim report of the Northumberland Committee in a farming journal on 4th February, a copy of which has been sent to him, if he will now request the Committee to expedite presentation of the Report, with a view to its early publication.

I am not aware of any premature disclosure and I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (Mr. Stodart) on 22nd January.—[Vol. 776, c. 475.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the number of registered milk producers in each of the counties in Wales.

The number of registered milk producers in each of the counties in Wales at December, 1968, was:—

asked the Minister of Technology to what extent in his discussions with the managements of the General Electric company and the English Electric Company he has obtained undertakings from the company regarding reserve production capacity against increased demands in the future for electrical equipment.

The production and capacity of the electrical engineering industry is a matter of constant discussion between the Department and the companies concerned, but it is not a subject requiring, or appropriate to, formal undertakings.

asked the Minister of Technology what further representations he has received within the last week from the Cunard Shipping Company for further Governmental assistance or intervention to help solve the problems associated with the Queen Elizabeth 2; and what was his reply.

As my hon. Friend the Minister of State explained to the House yesterday, we learnt over the weekend that there was some uncertainty as to whether the present arrangements for modification of the turbines went far enough. Following discussion with the chairmen of the companies concerned, my right hon. Friend asked Sir Arnold Lindley to look into the position and report to him.—[Vol. 777, c. 1122–26.]

asked the Minister of Technology why the Concorde production aircraft are to be fitted with a United States system of navigation equipment, in view of the fact that Ferranti were given the contract to provide this equipment for the prototypes.

Since the Ferranti/Sagem navigation system was developed, two American equipments have been produced which are lighter and smaller. These equipments have the additional advantage of meeting the specification for such systems recommended by A.R.I.N.C. (Aeronautical Radio Inc.). A.R.I.N.C. is a United States association of airlines and equipment manufacturers in whose work non-United States manufacturers and airlines—including B.O.A.C. and B.E.A.—participate. In these circumstances B.A.C. and Sud Aviation, the Concorde airframe contractors, after discussion with the airlines, concluded that the Ferranti-Sagem system was unlikely to prove attractive to the customer airlines, and jointly recommended to the British and French Governments that equipment to the A.R.I.N.C. specification should be selected for the pre-production and subsequent production aircraft. The British and French Governments have given their joint approval to this recommendation

asked the Minister of Technology if he will list all the research programmes which are not directly concerned with defence or nuclear energy being carried out in the civil and defence research establishments of the Atomic Energy Authority.

The following is the list:Desalination.Hydrostatic Extrusion.Ceramics Centre.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will publish his conclusions on the meetings he had with the Shipbuilding and Shiprepairing Council on the effect increased steel prices will have on the industry.

My right hon. Friend has had no meeting with the Shipbuilding and Shiprepairing Council as such, but the concern which it had expressed was conveyed to him by the Shipbuilding Industry Board. My right hon. Friend and I had, however, a detailed discussion of the subject with the representatives of both sides of the shipbuilding industry before the Government decided that the new structure and level of steel prices should be referred to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the fact that prices to milk producers in Orkney and Shetland are now consistently lower than those generally payable throughout the Northern area, what steps are being taken to maintain the income of dairy farmers.

Under the North of Scotland Milk Marketing Scheme different producer prices have been prescribed for the mainland and for Orkney. The Orkney differential has recently been increased because of higher surplus there. Any amendments to the Scheme would be a matter for the producers themselves.Shetland is not subject to a milk marketing scheme and milk prices there are uncontrolled.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average rent per acre paid by smallholders in Scotland.

The only information readily available relates to my smallholding estates. Excluding the holdings in the crofting counties, which are mainly crofts, the average rent per acre is £4 18s.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the gross figure of emigration from Scotland to the rest of the United Kingdom and overseas in the year ended June 1968; and if he will publish age and occupational breakdowns of this gross figure.

The gross figure of total emigration from Scotland is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider revising the regulations governing the award of higher school bursaries; and if he will make a statement.

I propose to introduce improvements in the rates of education authority bursaries, including higher school bursaries, as from the start of session 1969–70. I hope to make an announcement about this shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will publish figures for the 10 years 1964–65 to 1973–74 showing, for past years, the actual, and, for future years, the latest estimated, capacity of the Scottish Electricity Boards in megawatts sent out, and the maximum demand in Scotland in an average cold spell, including, separately, weather-corrected figures for past years.

For past years the information in respect of the Scottish mainland system is as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications he has received for membership of the brucellosis eradication scheme; how many herds are now accredited; what proportion this represents of the total number of herds and of the total number of cattle; and if he will make a statement on the progress so far.

Up to 31st January last 1,889 applications had been received from herd owners in Scotland, representing 4–9 per cent. of the total number of herds in Scotland and 14 per cent. of the total eligible cattle. Three hundred and thirty-four herds, representing 0·87 per cent. of the total number of herds and 2·4 per cent. of the total number of elegibile cattle, are now registered as accredited. Having regard to the interruption to the Scheme caused by the foot-and-mouth epidemic and the difficulties of dealing with the disease I consider that a satisfactory measure of progress is being made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what date he now estimates that Great Britain's external payments and receipts, both capital and current, will be in balance.

I have nothing to add to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to similar Questions on Tuesday, 28th January.—[Vol. 776. c. 1090–1093.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will improve the official statistics of the balance of payments by showing payment of official interest overseas as a separate Government transaction, by separating external transactions on both current and capital account, including monetary movements, so as to show which relate to the public and private sectors, respectively, and by omitting the contra items which are at present entered in respect of unremitted profits from direct investments other than oil.

Virtually all these figures are published in the Balance of Payments "Pink Book" (Tables 9, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23 and 29 of the 1968 issue) or in the National Income Blue Book (Table 80). To omit the contra items would make the balance of payments statistics less comprehensive, and would be contrary to the recommendations made to all member countries by the I.M.F.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the size of the net Government current account overseas for the month of January.

Only quarterly figures are published.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the loss of revenue on the basis that the starting point for tax was raised by 20 per cent. for, respectively, a single man, a married man without children, a married man with one child under 11 years of age and a married man with two children under 11 years of age, the numbers no longer liable for tax in each case and the saving in the cost of collection.

Any such estimates would be unrealistic for it would not be possible to discriminate in favour of men as against women or to confine the increases in allowances for family men to those with no more than two young children.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total sum advanced to the Exchequer during the month of January 1969 by way of the Import Deposits Scheme and Selective Employment Tax payments which will later fall to be refunded.

I estimate that the average amount of S.E.T. paid by private sector employers each month and subsequently refunded is currently about £60 million. As regards the Import Deposit Scheme, I would refer the hon. Member to the second part of the reply given to the hon. Member for Leicester, South-West (Mr. Tom Boardman) on 5th February.—[Vol. 777, c. 117.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the total amount of Selective Employment Tax held by the Government which was due to be repaid in refunds at each of the following dates: 1st October, 1967, 1st January, 1968, 1st April, 1968, 1st July, 1968, 1st October, 1968 and 1st January, 1969.

I estimate that the amount of S.E.T. due to be refunded to private sector employers at the following dates was:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the working of the Import Deposits Scheme.

The administration of the scheme is working smoothly. As to the amounts collected, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary gave to the hon. Member for Leicester, South-West Mr. Tom Boardman) on 5th February.—[Vol. 777 c. 117.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total revenue in 1968 from motor vehicle taxation and diesel and petrol tax.

Estimated revenue is £361 million from vehicle Excise duty and £960 million from petrol and derv duty.

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he has now received the Report of the Hunt Committee.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State to similar Questions on 30th January.—[Vol. 776, c. 367–368.]

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what study he has undertaken of the effects of recent developments in industrial applications of North Sea gas on regional policy, and in particular the possible advantages of such developments to grey areas of East Anglia.

I have undertaken no such study. As the East Anglia Planning Council has pointed out, there is no evidence yet that North Sea Gas will provide that region with a material advantage over other regions. The benefits will be spread over the country as a whole. However, developments in industrial applications of North Sea gas are kept closely under review by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Power and the Gas Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will make a statement on the consultations between her Department and the employers concerning disciplinary action taken against London dock workers taking part in unofficial activities.

Representatives of the London Port Employers were invited on 6th February to discuss with officials of my Department the employers' proposals to discipline a number of dockworkers in the Royal Group of Docks for alleged contravention of the Dock Labour Scheme. The object of the meeting was to ensure that all the implications of the employers' proposals were fully considered before they decided to implement them. The reports that the action subsequently taken was approved by my Department were untrue.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity when the Agricultural, Horticultural and Forestry Industry Training Board will hold courses in any of the counties of Roxburgh, Selkirk or Peebles.

The Board wrote in 1968 to every employer within its scope in South-East Scotland offering a range of courses. As a result courses were arranged in Roxburgh and Selkirk, but not in Peebles. An extended range has been offered this year and employers have been asked to notify the Board of their requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what was the average delay, between the receipt of claims and the payment thereof, for Selective Employment Tax refunds, at each of the following dates: 1st October, 1967, 1st January, 1968, 1st April, 1968, 1st July, 1968, 1st October, 1968. and 1st January, 1969.