asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give the dates on which his Department discovered the under-recording of exports and mis-recording of exports.

The evidence became available from Customs and Excise over a period of time. Following some isolated instances of failure by exporters to lodge export documents, a special investigation by Customs and the Board of Trade was begun in the spring of 1968. The facts were made public on 12th June, 1969, as soon as this extensive and systematic inquiry had provided the data for identifying and estimating the extent of under-recording. The over-valuation of some exports was established by an investigation completed in May of this year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the growth of exports and of imports for the years 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972, respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the growth of exports for the years 1969 to 1972, respectively.

I do not wish to add to the detail of the forecasts and discussion given in the Financial Statement and in "The Task Ahead".

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will reconsider his decision not to grant an industrial development certificate to Clark's shoe firm to build a new factory in Cirencester.

No. We know of no new grounds for changing our earlier view that this project was not consistent with the proper distribution of industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now authorise the replacement of the advance factory recently disposed of in Peterhead.

No, But the needs of Peterhead, with those of other areas in Scotland, will be considered in any future advance factory programme.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied with the level of capital investment projected by British industry for the rest of this year; and if he will make a statement.

The recent trend of fixed investment in the private sector, and the investment intentions which have been reported by industry to the Board of Trade, suggest that the level of investment in 1969 will be much as foreshadowed in the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1969–70.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the estimated value of exports to and imports from South-West Africa in each of the past two years.

Figures of trade with South-West Africa are published each month in Table IV of the Overseas Trade Accounts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has studied the Third Report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, and in particular those sections which criticise the actions of his Department; and what action he proposes to take.

Yes, I have studied the Report. I shall reserve my comments on it until there is an opportunity for a full debate on the matter. As far as I am concerned, the sooner we can debate this the better.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many representations he has received concerning advertisements relating to solid fuel; whether he is satisfied with the machinery of controlling advertisements concerning heating appliances; and if he will make a statement.

We have received no such representations, and believe that the Trade Descriptions Act deals effectively with misdescription of all types of goods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will issue a general direction to the Monopolies Commission that they should issue guidance in what constitutes the public interest in their consideration of take-over bids.

I have no power to give a general direction on these lines. The Commission has itself in recent merger reports made valuable observations on mergers generally.

asked the President of the Board of Trade by what authority he has required Proctor and Gamble and Unilever Limited to undertake not to withdraw reduced-price washing powders from the market without prior discussion with his department.

The two companies have agreed voluntarily that they will continue to make the reduced price washing powders available and, in particular, that they will not withdraw the two reduced price soap powders, Sunlight and Oxydol, from the market without prior discussion with the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the imbalance of Anglo-Canadian trade in Canada's favour, he will propose to the Canadian Government that they should allow British cotton textiles duty-free entry into Canada in the same way as Canadian cottons are allowed duty-free entry into Great Britain.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which my right hon. Friend made to the House yesterday about the Government's proposals to impose a tariff on cotton textile imports into the United Kingdom from countries in the Commonwealth Preference area, including Canada.—[Vol. 787, c. 1507–10.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the duties and other restrictions on British motor vehicle exports to Japan as compared with British duties and restrictions on imports of Japanese cars into Great Britain.

Current Japanese import duties on cars range from 28 per cent, to 36 per cent. ád valorem and on commercial vehicles from 16 per cent. to 24 per cent. When the Kennedy Round reductions come into full effect at the beginning of 1972, the rates of duty on cars will range from 17½ per cent. to 30 per cent. and on other vehicles from 10 per cent. to 15 per cent.The current British m.f.n. import duty on cars is 17½ per cent. and on commercial vehicles the duties range from 12 per cent to 22 per cent. When the full Kennedy Round reductions have been made, the rates will be 11 per cent. for cars and 11 per cent. or 22 per cent. for commercial vehicles.No quantitative restrictions are maintained by either country on imports of new motor vehicles from the other.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek to amend Section 1 of the Industrial Development Act, 1966, so as to enable him to make investment grants to firms who incur capital expenditure in providing new plant or machinery for use in a qualifying industrial process when that process is carried out on the firms' behalf by sub-contractors.

No. I am not satisfied that such a radical amendment to the Industrial Development Act would be justified.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the Report of the Crowther Committee on Consumer Credit in Regard to Check Trading and Personal Credit Schemes; and if he will make a statement.

I cannot add to what I told my hon. Friend the Member for Leigh (Mr. H. Boardman) on 12th March, namely that I understand that the Committee hopes to be able to submit its Report in 1970.—[Vol. 779, c. 301.]

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the obiter dicta of the Master of the Rolls on the unenforceability of many guarantees and their misleading of the consumer as to the seller's liability; and if he will review this matter urgently.

The question of restraining the right to exclude liability will be considered in the light of the Law Commissions' advice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the outcome of the meeting held recently to discuss the memorandum submitted to his Department by the Joint Committee of the Assay Offices of Great Britain.

The discussions are continuing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will estimate, in percentage terms, the extent to which the price advantage of devaluation has been diminished by each of the following factors, namely, the abolition of the export rebate, the abolition of non-regional selective employment tax premium, the higher cost of raw materials used in producing exports, the increase in the level of United Kingdom labour costs and the increase in the cost of domestic goods going into exports;(2) if he will estimate, in percentage terms, the extent to which the price advantage of devaluation has been diminished by the 1968 increase in purchase tax, petrol tax and hydrocarbon oils tax, respectively, and the further tax increase in these items in 1969.

It is not possible to estimate with accuracy the separate effects of these measures and factors on the costs of producing goods for export, and there are further difficulties in judging their effects on export pricing policies, but I will write to the hon. Member both about the problems of estimation and the available information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will estimate in percentage terms, the extent to which the price advantage of devaluation has been diminished by the effect of the 1968 increase in selective employment tax on export houses, insurance companies and other companies facilitating exports, the further 1969 increase in selective employment tax on these concerns, the abolition of the selective employment tax regional premium and the rise in interest rates,. respectively;(2) what further reduction in the price advantage of devaluation he estimates will be caused by the Government's proposed increase in National Insurance contributions; and what estimate he has made of profitability in export industries before and after devaluation, taking into account the two increases subsequently made in corporation tax.

It is not possible to estimate with accuracy the separate effects of these measures and factors on the costs of producing goods for export, and there are further difficulties in judging their effects on export pricing policies, but I will write to the hon. Member both about the problems of estimation and the available information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the export figures in the last four financial years for Scotch whisky; how many proof gallons there were in shipments; what was their value; and what was the average value per proof gallon on world markets.

The following table gives the figures which show that exports have been increasing strongly. The figures include a small amount of whisky made in Northern Ireland.

Year ending	Thousand proof gallons	£ million f.o.b.	Average value per proof gallon
			£
31st March 1966	40,995	113·1	2·76
31st March 1967	41,777	120·7	2·89
31st March 1968	46,517	133·2	2·86
31st March 1969	55,500	168·1	3·03

asked the President of the Board of Trade what applications have been received for the advance factory in Chapelhall; when he expects it to be acquired; and if he will make a statement.

Three applications have been received for the Chapelhall advance factory; all were withdrawn. Another firm has expressed interest but I do not know whether this will be sustained. It is not possible to say when the factory will be occupied.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will seek to amend the Trade Descriptions Act to extend its provisions to the buying and selling of houses.

We do not think that this would be the most appropriate way of dealing with the problems that remain in this field.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to regulate the sale of houses through estate agents.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now introduce legislation to provide for a statutory Estate Agents Council with powers to operate a mandatory code of conduct.

We agree that this is a field in which some measure of regulation is desirable, but cannot say when it will be possible to introduce legislation on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the percentage increase of trading by the United Kingdom with the Common Market countries, the European Free Trade Association countries and the Eastern bloc countries, respectively, during 1968.

The increase between 1967 and 1968 in the value of our exports to the Common Market was 24 per cent., to the E.F.T.A. countries 13 per cent., and to the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe 33 per cent. Imports into the United Kingdom increased by 24 per cent. from the Common Market, 23 per cent. from the E.F.T.A. countries and 19 per cent. from the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the total imports of the United Kingdom during the year 1968 consisted of temperate foods in their original or processed form.

About 12 per cent., covering food, feedingstuffs, and live animals of a kind which can be produced in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of the imports of fruit, tinned or fresh, from South Africa in 1968, 1967, and 1963, respectively.

£43 million, £38 million and £29 million respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the result of his investigations into the activities of the firm, the name of which is in his possession, which promotes a Win-a-Car competition by means of unsolicited cash on delivery postal items.

This matter is being investigated by the police and not by the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with societies representing estate agents following the decision to wind up the Estate Agents Registration Council; and if he will make a statement.

None. I think it is a very great pity that it has not proved practicable for the Council to continue its work.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number and value of the imports and exports of textile looms of all types, spinning and twisting machinery, including machinery for preparatory processes and winding, knitting machines and machine tools in each of the last five years, and for the latest available period this year.

The value and, where available, numbers are given in the following publications.

	Imports Pages	Exports Pages
Annual Statement of the Trade of the United Kingdom, Volume 1
1964	47	161/2
1965	59/60	121/3
1966	50/51	106/7
1967	54/55	115/6
Overseas Trade Accounts December 1968 and May 1969	80–92	212–215

The Trade Accounts do not show numbers in respect of trade in textile machinery. Only partial information on numbers is recorded for spinning and twisting machinery and knitting machines; the following information is available on numbers of textile looms.

	Imports	Exports
1968	2,605	3,306
January to May, 1969	798	1,125

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider seeking to establish in certain cities abroad British trading centres, details of proposals for which have been sent him.

As my hon. Friend is aware, his proposals have been referred for consideration to the British National Export Council. The advice which we have received from these experienced business men is that in the retail field we should direct our promotional activities along established trade channels.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to allow a local authority to let for a temporary period an advance factory which it has built and which is standing vacant, without debarring an eventual purchaser from obtaining the 25 per cent. building development grant.

I see no prospect of introducing such legislation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will list by Parliamentary constituencies the number of industrial development certificates, office development certificates and advance factories provided during the financial years 1966–67, 1967–68 and 1968–69.

I regret the information asked for is not, available and could not be provided without undue expenditure of time and money.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will refer to the Director of Public Prosecutions the failure of the directors of Slater Walker Securities to break down in their report the various classes of business in which they engage in contravention of Section 17 of the Companies Act, 1967.

No. The company's report and accounts for 1968 show the profit attributable to the group's financial and investment business, and the turnover of, and the profit attributable to the group's commercial and industrial business. I will invite the company's directors to consider whether a more detailed breakdown should be given in the accounts for 1969.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure that travel agents or hotel-keepers do not misrepresent the holiday acommodation they are offering.

It is already an offence under the Trade Descriptions Act for such people knowingly or recklessly to make a statement in this country which is false to a material degree as regards the provision or nature of services, accommodation or facilities, the location or amenities of accommodation, and certain other matters. I hope that holidaymakers who have reason to think that such false statements have been made, whether in brochures or otherwise, will report the facts to the appropriate local weights and measures authority, who are responsible for enforcing the Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now announce dates for the spring and August bank holidays in 1972; and when he will announce the dates for 1973, 1974, and 1975.

In England and Wales the spring bank holiday in 1972 will be on 29th May and the August bank holiday on 28th August. In Scotland the bank holidays will be 1st May and 7th August. The dates of the holidays in future years will be announced later.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish in table form the dates of Whit Monday and the Spring Bank Holiday, respectively, for 1970, 1971, and 1972.

The dates are as follows:

	Whit Monday	Spring Bank holiday
1970	18th May	25th May
1971	31st May	31st May (3rd May in Scotland)
1972	22nd May	29th May (1st May in Scotland)

asked the President of the Board of Trade what communications the Government have received from Commonwealth Governments following representations made by the United States Government for a time-table to be set up for the phasing out of preferences granted by the less developed countries to United Kingdom exports; and what replies have been sent.

Two Commonwealth Governments informed us last November of representations which they had received from the United States. They were told that, in our view, this issue could not be considered in isolation from the scope and shape of the generalised preference arrangements as a whole, which are as yet undetermined.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a further statement about his proposal to set up a committee of inquiry into the problems of small firms.

After consultation with the C.B.I. I have now set up the Committee with the following terms of reference:

"To consider the role of small firms in the national economy, the facilities available to them and the problems confronting them; and to make recommendations. For the purpose of the study a small firm might be defined broadly as one with not more than 200 employees, but this should not be regarded as a rigid definition.

In the course of the study it will be necessary to examine in particular the profitability of small firms and the availability of finance. Regard should also be paid to the special functions of small firms, for example as innovators and specialist suppliers."

I am glad to say that Mr. John E. Bolton, Chairman and Managing Director of Growth Capital Limited and formerly Chairman of Council of the British Institute of Management, has agreed to be Chairman and the members will be:

Mr. E. L. G. Robbins—Vice-Chairman of the Industrial Training Foundation.

Professor J. H. B. Tew—Professor of Money and Banking at the University of Nottingham.

Mr. L. V. D. Tindale—Director and General Manager, Industrial and Commercial Finance Corporation Limited.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent he estimates the further automation and the use of computers in air traffic control will increase the number of air movements which can be handled in the London terminal approach area in the near future; and what effect such improvements are estimated to have on the need for a Third London Airport.

It has been estimated that by the use of a computer-based radar system to assist the sequencing of air traffic in the intermediate approaches to Heathrow, an improvement of about 10 per cent. in the landing rate at the airport might be achieved. A feasibility study is proceeding but a proved system would not be possible before 1974. Depending on the success of the trials, saturation point at Heathrow might then be postponed by up to two years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from the municipalities concerned and from Autair Airways in regard to difficulties experienced by this airline in maintaining its services to Teesside, Blackpool, Carlisle and Dundee; and whether he will now announce the Government's policy on the recommendation of the Edwards Committee regarding the subsidisation of uneconomic air services for which there is a requirement in the interests of regional development.

Representations have been made by Teesside and Carlisle and the problem has been discussed with the airline: we are fully aware of present difficulties. The Government's long-term approach to the question of air services and regional development will be set out in a White Paper in the autumn.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reply he has sent to the representations made to his Department on 9th April, 1969, by the British Light Aviation Centre, following the prosecution of Mr. Robert Winter for low flying; and if he will make a statement.

The British Light Aviation Centre was informed that no undertaking could be given that the investigation of an alleged offence by a pilot would always be made in co-operation with a body representing his interests.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he is considering extending the existing runway at Turn-house Airport, Edinburgh, in view of the fact that the present alignment is the cause of many aircraft diversions because of cross-winds.

Because it would reduce the payload or range penalties that would otherwise be suffered by the types of aircraft which will use Turnhouse in the 1970s and would be cheaper than a new runway. I accept that an extension would do little to reduce the incidence of crosswind diversions but these represent less than 1 per cent. of all air transport movements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is now taking to implement Section 3.9 of Resolution 69.1 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which calls for the routeing of aircraft to prevent intrusion of noise in recreational, rest and residential areas.

Minimum noise routeings designed to keep disturbance to the minimum were introduced at Heathrow in 1961. Other airports at which similar arrangements have since been adopted include Birmingham, Gatwick, Leeds/Bradford, Liverpool, Luton, Manchester, Southampton and Stansted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the fact that the test flights of Concorde at supersonic speeds will not test the effects on people and buildings, if Her Majesty's Government will now exercise their powers under the Civil Aviation Act, 1968 to ban supersonic flying over the United Kingdom, as has already been done by the Republic of Ireland.

Any action needed in the exercise of the powers under this Act will be taken in good time before commercial services begin. I am not aware that the Republic of Ireland has banned supersonic flying.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many aircraft have flown below the correct height on the glidepath into London Airport when approaching from the east during the past four weeks; if he is aware that some aircraft are increasing power to gain height over Barnes and Richmond; and what action he is taking to reduce the excessive aircraft noise caused to residents living beneath the glidepath.

Sample monitoring of aircraft height on approach to land at Heathrow revealed no departure from the correct height on the glideslope in the four weeks ended 12th July. If the hon. Member would supply details of any case where engine power is increased to gain height over Barnes and Richmond, I shall arrange for an investigation. We shall continue to do all that we reasonably can to minimise disturbance.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in dealing with the problem of aircraft noise, he will make it his policy to assist the developmen of technology to silence engines rather than to site airports at long distances from cities.

The restriction of disturbance caused by aircraft calls for a variety of measures. The aircraft noise certification scheme, on which we are working with other countries, is designed to ensure the progressive introduction to airline service of the much quieter engines that recent technological research makes possible, and also to encourage further research. Nevertheless the siting of future airports must take account of this problem, as well as the convenience of the travelling public.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to appoint an independent authority to conduct a review of the overall airport development of the United Kingdom and to make recommendations.

:No. Responsibility for airport planning was the subject of one of the recommendations of the Edwards Committee which are currently being considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now introduce new regulations in regard to the safety of bulwark ladders and stanchion combinations, in compliance with International Standardisation Organisation Recommendation R.799/68; and if he will make a statement.

No. We do not consider that the I.S.O. Recommendation is in wide enough terms to cover the many different designs and shapes of vessels involved. However, a Statutory Instrument will shortly be laid before the House amending the Merchant Shipping (Pilot Ladders) Rules 1965 to make compulsory the provision and firm securement of hand-hold stanchions in conjunction with bulwark ladders. This amendment will give statutory effect to recommendations contained in Merchant Shipping Notice No. M.558 issued in June.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to increase the penalties for ship-owners and captains for illegally discharging oil from their ships.

No. It is not primarily increased penalties that are needed but changes in the law to make it more easily enforceable. This requires international agreement, which we are pursuing in the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation. In the meantime we are improving our own arrangements for detecting offenders.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what further consideration he has given to allowing easier release for boy recruits from the Services; and if he will make a statement.

I have at present nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 18th December, 1968.—[Vol. 775, c. 1368.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what further progress he has made in his examination of alternative uses for the Royal Naval Air Station, Arbroath, following the removal of H.M.S. "Condor" to Leeon-Solent; and if he will make a statement.

I will make a statement about the future use of Arbroath as soon as the present studies on the use for defence and other purposes are complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the future use of Royal Air Force airfields at Finningley and Lindholme.

As announced in the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1969 (Cmnd. 3927), Royal Air Force Finning-ley is to become the home of the Combitted Aircrew Training School. The long-term rôle of Lindholme is under consideration as part of the continuing review of defence facilities but there are no plans for changes in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many supplementary list of officers are now serving in the Royal Air Force; how many are in the rank of flight lieutenant and below; and how many are in the rank of squadron leader and above.

10,039, of whom 9,023 are in the rank of flight lieutenant and below, and 1,016 in the rank of squadron leader and above.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of introducing National Service on the same basis as in 1961 on an annual basis.

In the light of changed circumstances no meaningful estimate is possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he will appoint the new chief executive for the Royal Naval Dockyards.

I hope to be in a position to make an early announcement.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what conditions are attached to the resale of armaments by Governments to whom Her Majesty's Government sells them.

Licences are granted for the export of armaments to other Governments, or their accredited agents, only after Her Majesty's Government is satisfied that they are to be used solely for the defence of the country to which they are sold.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on his appointment of a new arms salesman; at what salary this person will be employed; and how this salary compares with that paid to the previous arms salesman.

I hope to be able to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the reorganisation of Whitley Councils for the Royal Naval Dockyards.

As I told the House on 2nd May, I am looking into the future organisation of the Whitley Committees of the Royal Dockyards. Discussions will, of course, be held with the representatives of the staff concerned, and some discussions about the possible organization in the Portsmouth area are expected to commence shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many claims for damage he has received as a result of exercise "Sparrowhawk" in North-East Scotland in May this year; what is the estimated total value of the claims; how many claims have been accepted and how many refused; what is the value of compensation paid to date; and what is the final date for submission of claims.

Forty claims have been received; 30 are valued at about £5,800, and further inquiries are being made into the remaining 10 claims. Ten claims have been accepted at a cost of about £370; none has yet been refused. Claims should be made within the time limit applicable under Scottish law, but notice of a claim should be given as soon as it is known that damage has been caused.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason British troops have been transferred from Holy-wood Barracks, County Down, to H.M.S. "Sea Eagle", Londonderry.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why British troops have been removed from Holywood Barracks, County Down, to H.M.S. "Sea Eagle".

In view of the recent disturbances in Northern Ireland, one company of soldiers has been positioned at H.M.S. "Sea Eagle" as a precautionary measure.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason, and for how long, the Fylingdales Early Warning Station was inoperative on or about 14th July.

I have nothing to add to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General on 17th July.—[Vol. 787, c. 166.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will state the benefits to the balance of payments of adherence by the United Kingdom to the Wheat Trade Convention; and if he will make a statement.

The main provisions of the Wheat Trade Convention were agreed during the Kennedy Round trade negotiations, as a result of which the United Kingdom gained valuable tariff concessions in important overseas markets.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent before it was wound up the Beef Recording Association was able to provide the Meat and Livestock Commission with a foundation for its programme of cattle improvement.

I understand that the Commission is continuing and expanding the work done by the Association in the recording and testing of beef cattle.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which member countries of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission have now indicated that they intend to comply with the majority recommendation made last May to prohibit fishing for salmon outside national fishery limits in the convention area; when he expects to learn the decision reached by the remaining members; from what date it is proposed that the ban should operate; and how it is intended to ensure compliance with it.

Member countries of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission are obliged to give effect to recommendations unless use is made of the Commission's objection procedures. No objections have, as yet, been received. If none are registered by mid-September, the ban will become effective from a date to be fixed by the Commission. It would be enforced in the same way as the Commission's other recommendations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which member countries of the International Commission for the North-West Atlantic Fisheries have indicated that they intend to comply with the majority recommendation passed in June that there should be a total ban on high seas salmon fishing; when he expects to learn the decision of the remaining members; from what date it is proposed that the ban should operate; and how it is intended to ensure compliance with it.

So far as I am aware, no member country of the International Commission for the North-West Atlantic Fisheries has, as yet, notified its acceptance of the proposed ban. I cannot say at this juncture when a ban is likely to come into effect since there is no closing date for the receipt of acceptances. A ban would be enforced in the same way as the Commission's other recommendations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied with the protection given to Devon fishermen's interests by his fishery protection fleet; and whether he will make a statement.

The Fishery Protection Squadron is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. I am satisfied that the squadron's resources are deployed to give the maximum possible assistance to fishermen. It is not possible for a fishery protection vessel to be at the scene of every incident, but seasonal trouble spots like the Devon south coast are carefully policed. H.M.S. "Belton" was in the area at the time of the recent incident between Devon crabbers and a French trawler, and assisted in the investigation.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will now make a statement on the future Government support to be given to the projected BAC311.

The British Aircraft Corporation is keeping me informed of the progress of work on the BAC311 project. When I receive its formal proposals for Government participation, I will consider them in the normal way.

asked the Minister of Technology what estimate he has made of the number of British cars to be sold in the United Kingdom during 1969.

It is expected that between 850.000 and 900,000 new British made cars will be registered in the United Kingdom in 1969, compared with 1,027,000 in 1968.

asked the Minister of Technology what action he proposes to take to assist the motor industry, in view of the 4 per cent. fall in production of motor cars in the first 22 weeks of 1969 and the consequent increase in unit costs.

A close and careful watch is being maintained on the position of the motor industry through regular contacts with the major manufacturers, and we are kept fully informed of developments. No information is currently available about the effects of the fall in overall production of motor cars on the unit costs of individual companies.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on the award by British Railways of a contract worth £2½ million to Canture Marale Breda in Italy for a new ferry for the Stranraer-Larne route in relation to its effect on the shipbuilding industry.

The United Kingdom Shipbuilding Industry took orders worth nearly £150 million in the first five months of this year and at the end of that period had an order book worth about £700 million. In the circumstances I do not consider that the placing abroad of this single order will have any significant effect on the commercial strength or level of activity of the British Shipbuilding Industry.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT information regarding the potential applications in the United Kingdom of research being undertaken by the Atomic Energy Authority and others into the flash distillation, freezing and reserve osmosis systems of water distillation including any available information on costs per 1,000 gallons of fresh water.

The Water Resources Board "Report on Desalination for England and Wales" published on 3rd July stated that the most likely application in the United Kingdom of the desalination processes being developed is in conjunction with conventional water supply and the provision of high purity water for industrial processes.The Board report indicated that high purity water, using present distillation technology, would cost between 5s. and 8s. per thousand gallons, depending on whether produced from a dual purpose nuclear power plant (i.e. producing electricity and water) or from a water producing plant only.Present research and development within the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and by its industrial partners indicates a further reduction in the cost of water from improved distillation processes of up to 20 per cent. The freezing process for sea water desalination, which is at an early stage of development, gives projected water costs of 3s. to 4s. per thousand gallons for United Kingdom sea water conditions. It is too early to quote costs for water produced by the reverse osmosis process.

asked the Minister of Technology what study he is making of steam-engine research for cars in the United States of America with a view to its development in the United Kingdom.

The Department is studying the development possibilities of the steam engine applied to cars and is of course taking note of all available information about work being done in other countries.

asked the Minister of Technology what representations he has received from British industry for steamengine research, as applied to motor cars, to be carried out by his Department with a view to avoiding pollution.

We have had no representation from British industry concerning research on the application of steam engines to motor vehicles.

asked the Minister of Technology what progress has been made by the Atomic Energy Authority and the Central Electricity Generating Board in the design study for a combined advanced gas-cooled nuclear reactor and distillation plant capable of producing 400 megawatts of electricity and 60 m.g.d. of water, including the costs of producing from such sources units of 1,000 gallons of water.

The Atomic Energy Authority undertook a design study in 1965, in collaboration with the Nuclear Power Group Limited for this specific size of plant. A more recent study undertaken by the Atomic Energy Authority and Central Electricity Generating Board was based on 2 x 600 MW(E) A.G.R. station linked with 4 x 10 m.g.d. desalination units; the cost of water produced by this plant was estimated at approximately 5s. per thousand gallons.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give figures showing the depopulation of Northern Scotland during each of the last 10 years; and what plans he has to reverse this process.

The figures are as shown in the following table. The estimated population in 1968 is almost the same as in 1958. As the House knows, this Government set up the Highlands and Islands Development Board in 1965 to revive the economy in that area.Estimated population and net increase or decrease of population in the seven crofting counties of Scotland (Argyll, Caithness. Inverness, Orkney, Ross and Cromarty, Sutherland, and Zetland) during the period 1958–68.

At 30th June	Estimated population	Increase or decrease
1958	275,447	—
1959	275,026	-421
1960	274,747	-279
1961	277,897	+3,150
1962	277,297	-600
1963	277,381	+84
1964	276,328	-1,053
1965	276,043	-285
1966	277,334	+1,291
1967	276,303	-1,031
1968	275,402	-901

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to relieve the Burgh of Stromness from a 42 per cent. increase in the cost for water following the creation of the North of Scotland Water Board.

I am prepared to consider any proposal by the Town Council under Section 8 of the Water (Scotland) Act. 1949, to increase the part of the Board's requisition which is defrayed from the burgh rate and assisted by rate support grant.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he has authorised a further increase in the freight charges to Orkney and Shetland contrary to the recommendation of the National Board for Prices and Incomes in paragraph 81 of their report.

The Government are satisfied that the increased charges are urgently necessary to meet rising costs and to maintain services, and that they meet the criteria set out in the White Paper on Productivity, Prices and In-conies Policy (Cmnd. 3590). The increase does not conflict with the terms of Report No. 67 of the National Board for Prices and. Incomes presented in May, 1968, which recommended that charges should be held for about a year pending agreement between the company and the county councils on an improved service supported by a contribution from the rates.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why Orkney and Shetland, unlike other areas receiving help over freight and transport charges, are required to raise part of the proposed subsidy on the rates.

The Government's offer of a 75 per cent. grant towards a subvention from Orkney and Zetland County Councils to the North of Scotland Company is in conformity with the view of the National Board for Prices and Incomes that a county council subvention would an arrangement would be without prejuterm assistance to the company. It has been made clear to the councils that such an arrangement would be without prejudice to later consideration of alternative methods of assistance.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether consignments from England and the Netherlands of plant species subject to fireblight are controlled through inspection;(2) what steps he has taken to prevent the spread of fireblight into Scotland from infected areas in Southern England and Wales.

Under the Destructive Pests and Diseases of Plants (Scotland) Order, 1966, my Department's Inspectorate has full power to deal with any instance of this disease. Consignments of plants and trees coming to Scotland from England and Wales are not inspected for fireblight as a matter of course, but the Inspectorate keeps a close watch for evidence of it as part of its duties in nurseries and elsewhere.Imports of plants and trees from abroad are subject to the international phytosanitary certification system and to check inspection by the appropriate agricultural Department at the point of entry in accordance with the Importation of Plants and Plant Produce (Health) (Great Britain) Orders.No incidence of this disease has yet been recorded in Scotland where the climate is less favourable to its spread.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to ensure adequate supplies in Scotland of influenza vaccine for next winter.

Influenza vaccine is distributed through normal trade channels and I have no reason to think that supplies will not be adequate to meet normal requirements.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the value of

SCHOOL BUILDING, SCOTLAND
Quarterly Value Of Projects Approved, Started And Completed January, 1968—March, 1969
£000
Approved
			1968				1969
Schools			1st quarter	2nd quarter	3rd quarter	4th quarter	1st quarter
Primary	…	…	2,908	1,265	1,705	946	1,770
Secondary	…	…	6,971	7,614	8,573	5,726	3,629
Started
			1968				1969
Schools			1st quarter	2nd quarter	3rd quarter	4th quarter	1st quarter
Primary	…	…	5,813	1,767	1,405	1,303	1,798
Secondary	…	…	9,428	3,323	5,337	6,369	6,666
Completed
			1968				1969
Schools			1st quarter	2nd quarter	3rd quarter	4th quarter	1st quarter
Primary	…	…	1,623	2,578	3,124	834	1,599
Secondary	…	…	3,325	1,383	1,697	2,446	5,134

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland for what reasons the expansion of Forestry Commission planting in Scotland has been phased so that the revised target of 50,000 acres per year will not be achieved until 1976.

The rate of expansion in the Commission's planting programme is designed to take account of the financial and other resources likely to be available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultation he has had with local fire authorities regarding a fire prevention campaign this year; when he expects to launch the campaign; and what form it will take.

The Scottish Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council, which includes representatives of the local authority associations and of all ranks of the fire service, has been consulted and has promised support. The campaign will begin on Friday, 12th September next and will continue until Saturday, 20th September; it will be directed at fire safety in primary and secondary schoolbuilding projects approved, started, and completed in each quarter of 1968 and in the first two quarters of 1969.

The information is given in the table below. The figures for the second quarter of 1969 are not yet available.the home. A sub-committee of five fire-masters is co-operating with the Scottish Home and Health Department and the Scottish Information Office in working out the details and preparing the publicity material.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many oil installations, during the last four years, that generate power for the national grid have had to cease operation because of mechnical failures or due to maintenance operations, and for what periods of time; in how many cases coal-fired stations were used to make up the deficiency; and approximately how many additional tons of coal were used.

One—Carolina Port—has been shut down within the past few weeks because of deterioration of the chimney lining, and other stations have been shut down for very short periods for inspection, or operated on part load for normal maintenance. The amount of additional coal used because of the difficulty at Carolina Port and these other servicing interruptions has been negligible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost in 1968–69 of delays in the commissioning of power stations of all types incurred in Scotland; how much of this sum is attributable to coal and gas, respectively; and what compensation is involved and to whom it will be payable.

Approximately £1·3 million in increased system costs as a result of greater use of coal-fired plant. This was attributable to delays at two coal-fired stations. I understand that the South of Scotland Electricity Board is pursuing the question of contract penalties.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extend the outbreak of scabies that took place in Midlothian has been contained; and what steps are being taken to prevent similar outbreaks.

The number of cases in Midlothian in 1967–68 represented about 1 in 250 of the school population. Complete figures for the current school year are not yet available, but the Medical Officer of Health has informed me that there has been a marked reduction. My Department is making posters and leaflets about the treatment of this disease available to local health authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many pedigree sheep flocks are being officially recorded by the Meat and Livestock Commission in and to the north of the Counties of Aberdeen and Inverness.

This is a matter for the Meat and Livestock Commission, but I understand that of the 31 sheep flocks in their pilot recording scheme none are in the area mentioned by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he is giving and what action he has taken to warn the public of the dangers of smoking and the use of naked flames in automatic dry-cleaning establishments; and if he will make a statement.

The vapour given off by the commonly used solvents is not inflammable, and the amount likely to be present in the atmosphere in a launderette is too small for smoking to cause danger of poisonous fumes. I doubt, therefore, whether warning notices are necessary, but the Home Office is preparing a code of guidance for launderette owners in which the importance of the correct installation and maintenance of dry-cleaning machines and the need for adequate ventilation will be stressed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now introduce legislation to provide that no one shall keep as a pet or for exhibition a potentially dangerous wild animal, snake or reptile without having to notify and satisfy his local authority as to the security arrangements against escape.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 20th March to a Question on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, North-West (Sir D. Kaberry).—[Vol. 780, c. 723–4.]

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions were given to the Metropolitan Police regarding access for hon. Members to the House of Commons on the morning of 15th July.

Instructions were issued by the Commissioner of Police that all possible facilities should be given to enable hon. Members to pass to or from the Palace of Westminster up to the latest possible moment before the procession of the President of Finland reached Parliament Square. On such occasions there may be difficulties in ensuring entirely free access for a short period, and I regret any inconvenience suffered by hon. Members.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to prevent the distribution of advertising material contrary to the standards of the Advertising Standards Authority, details of which are in his possession; and what representations he has received from the Authority regarding this practice.

I have not received any representations from the Advertising Standards Authority. The question of giving the general provisions of this code statutory force would be a matter for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning pornographic circulars from the Julian Press on its publication, "Variations on a Sexual Theme", from members of the public and chief constables; and what reply he has sent.

I have received 56 letters about a circular distributed by the Julian Press. None of these came from a chief constable. I have replied that the Director of Public Prosecutions has considered the circular and does not think it would be appropriate to take any proceedings in respect of it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been executed for murder since 1939; and how many have been executed for offences other than murder in the same period.

In England and Wales since 1st January, 1939, 259 persons have been executed for murder, and 17 for other offences.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his target for recruitment of new police personnel in the year 1969–70.

About 7,500 police officers, representing an increase in strength of 2,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give details of the pilot community development projects in Southwark, Coventry and Liverpool.

In each of the three areas, the local authority is now engaged in the preliminary stage of establishing the project—namely, choosing a suitable neighbourhood; recruiting a project director and assistants; and setting up, in conjunction with statutory and voluntary organisations, a steering group to be responsible locally for the project. The central project team are, simultaneously, consulting universities about providing research support.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give details of the research facilities being employed by the Maxwell Stamp Committee in its official inquiry into the London taxi system.

The Committee have commissioned a variety of research projects about the structure and economics of the taxi-cab and private hire trades and how they operate; about why the public use these services and the improvements they would like; and about the adequacy and use made of the services provided.The bulk of the work is being undertaken by consultants, Messrs. Freeman, Fox, Wilbur Smith and Associates; but the Research Institute for Consumer Affairs, members of the National Federation of Consumer Groups, and staff and students of the Geography Department of the London School of Economics and Political Science are also taking part.

Lewis asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that expenses incurred by companies in running exporters' clubs and similar associations are free of tax.

I do not know enough about how this money is spent by such clubs. If my hon. Friend will send me details, I will look into the matter and write to him.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost to Government funds of subsidies to sporting, social, and catering facilities for the Treasury during the most convenient 12-month period.

The main elements of Government subsidy to Treasury catering facilities are in the value of rent, rates, fuel and cleaning, which are not charged for, not separately assessed. This subsidy is estimated to amount to about 10d. per head per day for each member of staff.In 1968 the Civil Service Sports Council made a grant from its total income, of which less than half represents Government subsidy, of £518 to the Treasury Sports and Social Club.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that since the establishment of an interest rate of 6d. in the £ sterling on Post Office Savings in 1861 the current value in terms of the purchasing power of 6d. is 2s. 8·73d., whether he will now take steps to increase interest rates on Post Office Savings to 2s. 9d. in the £ sterling.

No. Changes in purchasing power since 1861 have not affected the amount of interest as a proportion of the amount invested, and are not of themselves a good reason for altering the rate of interest.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the total sums spent on display advertising in 1968–69 in newspapers in England and Wales, respectively, and in Welsh language newspapers.

Expenditure in 1968–69 by Government Departments on the purchase of space for display advertising in newspapers and magazines was approximately £3,983,000. Of this about £55,000 was spent in newspapers published in Wales, including £630 in Welsh language publications. This year's figures no longer include expenditure by the Post Office.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what machinery the Governor of the Bank of England keeps him informed of the views and problems of the various business enterprises, large and small, which make up the City of London, both generally and with special reference to the promotion of invisible exports.

There is no formal machinery for this purpose, but the Governor of the Bank of England and I regularly and frequently consult on these and other matters. The Committee on Invisible Exports continues to provide both the Government and the Bank with a valuable source of information and views on questions relating to invisible exports.

asked the Minister of Transport if. in view of the concern in the Humber ports at the possibility of hazards and emergencies following that of the "Torrey Canyon", he will consider taking steps to appoint an Estuary Emergency Officer and examine other proposals as outlined in the Report of the Hull Junior Chamber of Commerce and Shipping, a copy of which has been sent to him.