asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the shortage of pepper.

The Indonesian pepper crop is reported to be smaller than usual this year, and this had led to higher prices. Temporary shortages in the shops in this country seem to have been due mainly to people buying more pepper than usual as a precaution, rather than to any actual reduction in supplies.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give early consideration to the requests made, on behalf of a number of local authorities in East Hertfordshire in the letter from the Town Clerk of Hertford dated 22nd October, for financial arrangements for the acceleration of flood prevention processes and the institution of an early warning system in respect thereof.

The Lee Conservancy Catchment Board is responsible for flood protection works in its area and and any acceleration in its works programme is a matter for the Board to consider in the light of its physical and financial resources and the competing demands for its services. I understand that the Board is proposing to extend its present flood warning system. The hon. Member will be aware that the Agriculture Bill presented to Parliament on 29th October provides for my right hon. Friend to grant aid such work by all river authorities.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will initiate a study to ascertain the difference in the nutritional value of beef reared in the traditional manner and that produced in intensive feed-lots.

No. An investigation was made in 1965 on the nutritional value of beef from extensively and intensively reared animals and the results which have been published do not suggest that the work needs to be repeated.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the concern of the Icelandic. Scandinavian and Canadian Governments about the depletion of the fish-spawning beds in and about the North Sea, what steps he has taken, and plans to take, to investigate the state of these beds and to protect the relevant British fishing grounds.

The Ministry will continue to play an active part in investigating the North Sea fisheries and in working for appropriate measures to conserve them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent farmers and farm workers in the area of Lancashire and Cheshire and the area of the High Peak have received benefits under the Selective Agricultural Expansion Programme first announced by the Government in September, 1965, and subsequently revised in November, 1968.

This programme has given the agricultural industry in Lancashire, Cheshire and High Peak, as elsewhere, the guidelines for selective expansion on a consistent and continuing basis to 1972–73. The increases in the value of the guarantees for beef, pigs, sheep, milk and potatoes will have been of benefit in this area. Average earnings of agricultural workers have gone up by well over £3 a week.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will seek powers to ensure that tests for products containing enzymes are adequate to prevent health hazards; and if he will make a statement.

The Food and Drugs Act, 1955, already requires that all food sold for human consumption must be safe and wholesome. The onus is on food manufacturers to ensure that all substances used in food comply with the provisions of the Act.Possible hazards to workers manufacturing enzymes are a matter for my right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State. Possible hazards to users of non-food products containing enzymes in the home are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, fisheries and Food when the regulations affecting quarantine for dogs were last materially altered; and what form this alteration took.

1918 when the quarantine period, which had been reduced to four months in 1914, reverted to six months.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the period of six months quarantine for dogs was first imposed in Great Britain.

1897

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many rats were killed in his special drive against susceptible wild life in the Camberley area.

The special operation for rat control being undertaken by the local authority began on 28th October and can be expected to go on for two or three weeks. With most rat treatments only a very small proportion of animals killed can be recovered and it is not therefore possible to say how many rats have been killed in the Camberley area.

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what was the number of visitors to Kew Palace during the summer six months in 1968 and in 1969, respectively.

About 47,000 in 1969. The Palace was closed in 1968 while restoration work was carried out.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of workers directly employed by the Forestry Commission in Scotland in August, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1969.

Statistics are not available for August, but at 30th September in these years the numbers were:

1965	3,890
1966	3,796
1967	3,718
1968	3,465
1969	3,075

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many organisations in Scotland have written to him making representations about the Government's proposals on the marketing of eggs; and what reply he has sent.

I have received written representations from the N.F.U. of Scotland and from three hon. Members on behalf of organisations within their constituencies. In my replies I have explained the reasons for our proposals, which are based on the recommendations of the Reorganisation Commission for eggs. The relevant clauses are included in the Agriculture Bill which will be the subject of Second Reading debate tomorrow.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to legalise the position of school-children undertaking work experience schemes; and if he will make a statement.

In June this year my Department wrote to education authorities about the existing law and informed them of the possibility that it might be modified when the school leaving age was raised; consideration of this question between the Departments concerned has already begun.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he is aware of the serious flooding which has taken place in the area of Millbrae Crescent in Battlefield, Glasgow, and of the damage to property which has resulted; and if he will take steps to expedite a decision on a flood prevention scheme for the area;(2) if he will convene a conference of the local authorities which would be involved in any steps to prevent the serious and periodic flooding in the south of Glasgow.

I sympathise with those whose homes have been affected by the recent flooding. I understand that Glasgow Corporation is urgently considering protective measures, and is already in consultation with the other local authorities concerned. Accordingly I do not consider it necessary to intervene at present particularly as I may have to adjudicate on any flood prevention scheme which emerges.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many primary school classrooms in Hamilton constituency more than 35 children are taught; and what is the total number of primary school classes in Hamilton constituency.

I have asked Lanarkshire Education Authority to send this information to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the value of the school building programmes requested by each local education authority in Scotland for the current financial year; and what was the value of approvals given by his Department.

Education authorities were not required to submit requests for investment for school building in 1969–70. Their programmes for the year were approved following the rephasing of school building programmes drawn up before the decision to defer the raising of the school-leaving age. The values of the approved programmes for the year are given below.

SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAMMES 1969–70
Education Authority
	£'000
Burghs
Aberdeen	770
Dundee	1,445
Edinburgh	1,376
Glasgow	4,580
Counties
Aberdeen	568
Angus	1,092
Argyll	577
Ayr	1,835
Banff	150
Berwick	59
Bute	53
Caithness	329
Clackmannan	235
Dumfries	153
Dunbarton	2,613
East Lothian	323
Fife	2,000
Inverness	480
Kincardine	—
Kirkcudbright	68
Lanark	3,268
Midlothian	705
Moray and Nairn	25
Orkney	430*
Peebles	—
Perth and Kinross	898
Renfrew	2,193
Ross and Cromarty	424*
Roxburgh	267
Selkirk	60
Stirling	564
Sutherland	150†
West Lothian	1,375
Wigtown	250
Zetland	375
* Approved programme covers 2 years 1968–69 and 1969–70.
† Approved programme covers 3 years 1967–68 to 1969–70.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many young chronic sick and disabled people between the ages of 16 and 60 years in each regional hospital board area in Scotland are in geriatric accommodation; why they are in that accommodation; and in which hospitals they are accommodated.

At October, 1967, when a survey was made, 333 young chronic sick were in geriatric beds in Scottish hospitals (including 20 on a temporary basis). Of these 333, 300 were in 57 geriatric hospitals and were distributed regionally as follows:

North	13
North-East	72
East	30
South-East	51
West	134

The remaining 33 were in geriatric beds in general hospitals and cannot be identified regionally without a special analysis.Of these 333, 224 were aged 50 and over. The 109 younger patients were scattered in small numbers over many hospitals and it is not possible at this date to analyse the reasons for their placement. My Department hopes shortly to commence a study to assess the facilities for hospital care of the young chronic sick.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimate of the savings in subsidy, the reduction in demand

Year					Gross cost	Cost met from public funds	parents' contributions	Number taking meals as percentage of those present	Free meals as percentage age of meals taken
					£m.	£m.	£m.	per cent.	per cent.
1964–	…	…	…	…	9·037	6·328	2·709	41·6	19·5
1967–	…	…	…	…	12·321	8·679	3·642	48·7	17·2
1969–(estimated)			…	…	13·361	8·449	4·912	47·2	34·7

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimate of the total amount of remissions payable to needy parents as a result of introducing a 5s. 0d. charge per half day in the nursery schools of Scotland.

Legislation would be required to allow education authorities to make charges for nursery education. Since I have no intention of introducing such legislation, I have made no estimate of the amount of remissions which might be required if charges were made.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many businesses have been established by each of the Scottish new town development corporations since 1964; and how many total jobs have been provided by each, respectively, for men and women, respectively.

The amount of any saving to public funds as a result of an increase in the charge for school meals and the effect on demand and on the number of free meals taken would depend on what modifications if any were made in the present arrangements governing eligibility for free meals.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimate of the total proportional cost, subsidy and income from parental contributions of school dinners in 1964–65, 1967–68 and 1969–70; and what for each year is the estimate of the percentage of pupils at present taking meals and the percentage of meals served free in Scotland.

The information is given below:

The number of industrial and commercial undertakings—excluding retail businesses—established in Scottish New Towns since 1964 is as follows:

	Under-takings	Male	Jobs Female	Total
East Kilbride	149	3,703	3,468	7,171
Glenrothes	40	2,510	2,953	5,463
Cumbernauld	110	1,515	1,331	2,846
Livingston	22	1,362	582	1,944
Irvine	Nil
	321	9,090	8,334	17,424

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details to the latest convenient date of the working and results of the implementation of the recommendations of the Guest Committee, Command Paper No. 2021, on the construction of the licensing courts in Scotland and other related licensing matters.

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply I gave him on 15th October.—[Vol. 788, c. 87–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many qualified teachers have not yet registered with the General Teaching Council; and if he will make a statement.

At 3rd November the number in the schools was 182. All are under notice of dismissal but I understand that those who register before their periods of notice expires will be retained in service.Details are as follows:

Authority	Number of un-registered teachers at 3rd November	Date on which dismissal will take effect
Aberdeen (City)	2	10th November
Glasgow	149	12th December
Ayr	2	3rd January
Dunbarton	13	22nd November (assistant teachers)
		22 December (teachers in promoted posts)
Fife1	1	11th November
Lanarkshire	4	9th November
Renfrew	9	30th November(assistant teachers:1)
		30th December (principal teacher: 1
		30th January (head teacher: 1)
Ross and Cromarty	1	21st December
West Lothian	1	16th November
	182

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give figures showing the result of the Highland Fling Exhibition held under his direction in conjunction with the Highlands and Islands Development Board and other efforts to stop the drift south from Scotland to England of population, particularly skilled workers; and if he will state his plans to counteract the efforts in that direction of the proposed Channel Tunnel and other schemes tending to increase the drift from Scotland.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. and learned Friend on 15th October, except to say that the total net migration loss from Scotland during 1968–69 was the lowest figure for ten years.—[Vol. 788, c. 87.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has received the statement by the Scottish Local Authorities on their consideration of the report of the team from Aberdeen University under Professor Gaskin to make a study of the economic potential of North-East Scotland commissioned by him following the White Paper on the Scottish Economy 1965–70; and what plans he has to stop the trend south of population from North-East Scotland and to develop trade communications on lines at least equal to the communications between South-East England and Europe.

I have had comments on Professor Gaskin's report from all the local planning authorities and several burghs. The planning authorities are already making arrangements to work more closely together in the fields of industrial development and planning. On the latter part of the Question I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the Answer which I gave him on 15th October.—[Vol. 788, c. 89.]

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set up an authoritative and representative inquiry of Scots to make recommendations and further provision for enlarging the scope and work of the National Mod.

No this would be entirely a matter for the organisers of the National Mod, An Comunn Gaidhealach.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will detail the experimental investigations that have been carried out into pollution from jet engines; when they commenced and were completed; who conducted the inquiry; and which residential areas beneath the glide path into Heathrow Airport were visited by members of the investigation team;(2) what evidence he has acquired that atmospheric pollution from jet engines is small compared with other sources; and if he will detail the other sources referred to in his answer to the hon. Member for Richmond, Surrey, on 22nd October, 1969.

It would not be practicable to list all the research undertaken in recent years, both here and abroad, which confirms that the contribution of aircraft to atmospheric pollution at ground level is small compared with that of road vehicles or industrial and domestic sources. Special measurements were made at Heathrow in 1958, 1962 and 1965 by the National Gas Turbine Establishment in collaboration with the Air Pollution Unit of the Medical Research Council and further investigations are in train. Other measurements show that there is no particular concentration of pollution near Heathrow, but there has been no special investigation of residential areas beneath the glide-path into Heathrow.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he proposes to publish the White Paper setting out Her Majesty's Government's policy on the future of civil aviation in the light of the Edwards Committee Report.

Very soon.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the number of compulsory and voluntary liquidations of private and public companies, respectively, in each quarter and in total to date this year; how these figures compare with the corresponding period last year; and if he will indicate the categories of activity most subject to these liquidations, giving the numbers involved.

The provisional figures of liquidations in England and Wales for the first three quarters of 1969 and 1968 are as follows:

	Compulsory Liquidations
1969	Public Companies	Private Companies	Total
1st Quarter	4	274	278
2nd Quarter	2	217	219
3rd Quarter	2	215	217
	8	706	714

	Voluntary Liquidations
1969	Public Companies	Private Companies	Total
1st Quarter	25	1,749	1,774
2nd Quarter	23	1,944	1,967
3rd Quarter	27	1,690	1,717
	75	5,383	5,458
Total Liquidations to 30th September, 1969
6,172

	Compulsory Liquidations
1968	Public Companies	Private Companies	Total
1st Quarter	2	301	303
2nd Quarter	2	223	225
3rd Quarter	—	199	199
	4	723	727

	Voluntary Liquidations
1968	Public Companies	Private Companies	Total
1st Quarter	46	2,331	2,377
2nd Quarter	34	1,910	1,944
3rd Quarter	12	1,711	1,723
	92	5,952	6,044
Total Liquidation to 30th September, 1968
6,771

Statistics of the activities most subject to liquidations are not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total value of imported foodstuffs in the last 12-month period for which figures are available.

Information on imports of food and live animals for the twelve months ending September 1969 may be derived from the issues of the Overseas Trade Accounts for December, 1968 and September, 1969 (page 3, Section O).

asked the President of the Board of Trade what imports of barley arrived in the United Kingdom in August, September and October 1969.

Import figures for barley for August and September are given on page 16 of the issues of the Overseas Trade Accounts for those months. October figures are not yet available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was Great Britain's percentage of increased world trade for the latest available 12 months; what was the percentage for the previous 12 months; and from figures available to him from international sources, what were the comparable figures for the United States of America, Japan and Western Germany.

Our share of world trade in manufactures in the year ending June 1969 was a little lower than in the previous year, partly on account of the dollar value having been reduced by devaluation.

EXPORTS OF MANUFACTURES BY MAIN MANUFACTURING COUNTRIES
	July,1966–June,1967	July,1967–June,1968	July,1968–June,1969
Total value (U.S. $ thousand million)	97·5	103·6	123·9
Share of total (percent.):
United Kingdom	12·8	11·2	10·9
United States	20·3	20·5	19·7
Japan	9·7	10·3	10·9
German Federal
Republic	19·5	19·5	19·5

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quota arrangements are being made for the import of jungle fowl feathers; and if he will give an assurance that he will not impose a total ban on their import as this would gravely affect the export of fishing flies to the United States of America.

As was announced on 11th August, 1969, the earlier quota arrangements have been withdrawn and licences will be granted for the import of the plumage of the grey jungle fowl, or any products incorporating such plumage, only if it can be shown that the plumage has been legally exported from India. As regards the second part of the question, the United States Government have taken similar action; thus fishing flies incorporating plumage not legally exported from India would in any event not be admitted into that country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state his plans for improving trade relations between North-East Scotland and Scandinavia following from the visit of the Prime Minister to Scandinavia last July.

The Board of Trade and the Export Council for Europe will continue to provide comprehensive export promotion services for firms in North-Eastern Scotland who want to increase their trade with Scandinavia. There will also be a British Trade Drive in Finland and three British Shopping Weeks in Sweden during 1970.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has yet received the Report of Lord Rochdale's Committee of Inquiry into Shipping; and if he will state the result of his consequent plans resulting from his communications from and interviews with the National Union of Seamen on the findings of the committee on containerisation.

I have not yet received the Report of Lord Rochdale's Committee of Inquiry, but I understand that they expect to be able to report to me before the end of this year. I will take full account of the views of the National Union of Seamen when I receive the Committee's Report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that sea communications between Scandinavia and North-East Scotland are inadequate since the Swedish Lloyd Leffler line withdrew their fortnightly shipping services from Gothenburgh to Aberdeen last spring; and if he will state his plans to substitute other sea communications between Aberdeen and Scandinavia and the accomodation now availabe.

The provision of shipping services is a matter for the judgement of the commercial interests concerned, but I am not aware of any evidence that the through transport facilities available between North-East Scotland and Scandinavia are inadequate.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what study he has made of the recent report by the employment study group comprised of members appointed by Portsmouth and neighbouring trades unions and trades councils on the future implications of the drift from industrial employment in Portsmouth Dockyard, a copy of which has been sent to him; and what action he proposes to take.

I am arranging for a full study of the report to be undertaken and I will write to my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd) when this has been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will implement the recommendations in the Hunt Report with regard to the educational qualifications of members of the new Auxiliary Security Force; and who will be responsible for determining such criteria.

The educational standards for officers and tradesmen in the new force will be similar to those for the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve. Other members of the force will be considered in relation to the duties they will be expected to perform, but no formal qualifications will be prescribed.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the discussions with representatives of lobster fishermen on extension of the Hebrides rocket range to be concluded.

We plan to maintain regular and continuing contact with the fishermen through the newly formed Range Liaison committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give in table form at monthly intervals the death and personal injuries, respectively, suffered by members of Her Majesty's Forces and civilians, respectively, in Aden between May, 1964, and the withdrawal of British forces in 1967.

As regards civilian casualties, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 16th November, 1967.For British military casualies I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 15th November, 1967, to Mr. Francis Noel-Baker the then hon. Member for Swindon.The following table gives the additional information now required:

SOUTH ARABIA (MILITARY CASUALTIES)
	Aden		Protectorate
	Killed	Wounded	Killed	Wounded
1964
May	—	—	5	22
June	—	—	2	17
July	—	—	—	—
August.	—	—	—	—
September	—	—	—	—
1967
September	2	16	2	—
October	1	8	—	—
November	—	5	—	—
—[Vol. 754, c. 183–4, c. 134–6.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the proposed use of service Rugby pitches at Aldershot or Portsmouth for the match between Oxford University and South Africa on 5th November; and how many troops will be used to protect the pitch.

An informal approach was made to the United Services Sports Club for use of the Portsmouth ground. There was also a requirement that the use of the ground for this fixture should not be made public until the morning of the match. The match was originally planned to be played at the ground of the Oxford University Rugby Club. The change of venue was proposed because of the controversy which surrounded this fixture. I concluded that it would be inappropriate in all the circumstances to agree to the using of a Ministry of Defence ground for this match.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give a list of the infantry and armoured units which are due to be amalgamated or disbanded over the next five years, and the dates on which those amalgamations or disbandments are due to take place.

Reductions in infantry and armoured units are planned to take place as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the planned departure of British troops from the Persian Gulf will start to take place.

I have nothing to add to my replies to Questions on this subject on 15th October.—[Vol. 788, c. 377–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the strength of British troops in the Persian Gulf on 1st November, 1970, 31st December, 1970, and 31st March, 1971. respectively.

It is not the practice to give advance information about military deployments.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many British troops will be in Singapore on 1st November, 1970, 31st December, 1970, and 31st March, 1971, respectively.

It is not the practice to give advance information about military deployments.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the facilities for naval repair retained in Singapore after 1971.

H.M. Dockyard, Singapore, was transferred to the Singapore Government on 1st December, 1968. It is now being operated as a commercial yard by the Sembawang Shipyard (Private) Company. Naval repair work is at present carried out in the Yard and the facilities, together with those of other ship repairing yards in the Island, will continue to be available after 1971.

asked the Minister of Technology whether he will make a statement on the advance factory in Sunderland which is at present unoccupied.

Negotiations with a prospective occupant are still proceeding.

asked the Minister of Technology how many men and women, respectively, are employed in Government-financed factories in Sunderland at the latest available date.

In May, 1969, 5,990 men and 5,440 women were employed in Ministry of Technology factories in Sunderland.

asked the Minister of Technology what account is taken of the previous trading history and pattern of labour relations of firms applying for public funds and special facilities for establishing and developing new factories.

The Ministry's Advisory Committee, which investigates the financial prospects of most applicants for financial assistance under the Local Employment Acts, takes account of their trading history and, if relevant to this investigation, of the pattern of labour relations, as do the industrial estates corporations in investigating the financial standing of firms seeking to rent Ministry of Technology factories.

asked the Minister of Technology what proportion of his Department's total expenditure in 1967–68 and 1968–69 was spent in Wales.

In 1967–68 the proportion of the Ministry of Technology's total expenditure spent in Wales within its field of responsibility at that time was about 1 per cent. The corresponding figure for 1968–69 is not yet available.

asked the Minister of Technology what is the extent of Government financial aid being provided to help development areas in Lancashire, Cheshire and the High Peak in the current financial year; what effect he expects this aid to have on employment prospects in these areas; and how the level of current financial aid compares with that provided in the year 1963–64.

In the seven months to the end of October, 1969, £8·5 million was offered under the Local Employment Acts to projects in the Merseyside development area : this was expected by the applicants concerned to give rise to nearly 9,000 jobs. Assistance offered in 1963–64 to Merseyside development districts totalled £2·1 million. separate figures are not available for those parts of Lancashire within the Northern Development Area. Figures for payments of investment grants in the current year are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Technology how many of the 29 advance factories announced in January, 1969, are located in Lancashire, Cheshire and the High Peak area; what this represents in square footage; and how many jobs he expects these factories to provide.

No factories in these areas were included in the January, 1969, programme.

asked the Minister of Technology what proportion of the £100 million provided under the Coal Industry Act to help meet the social costs of pit closures, provide new jobs, help miners move to jobs in other coalfields, and to supplement the income of miners over 55 years of age who have difficulty in finding suitable work, has been expended in the area of Lancashire, Cheshire and the High Peak.

The Act authorised up to £45 million towards social costs, and whatever was needed for early retirement benefits and the Redundant Mineworkers' Scheme. It did not cover expenditure for the provision of new jobs outside the industry.So far, £22·5 million has been paid in grants to the National Coal Board towards the social costs connected with pit closures; and £8 million has been paid under the Redundant Mineworkers' Payments Scheme. In addition £16 million has been spent on extra coal burnt at power stations.I regret that to identify the proportion of the total spent in the areas to which my hon. Friend refers would involve disproportionate time and expense.

asked the Minister of Technology if he is satisfied that sufficient supplies of reflective waistcoats, armbands, sashes, &c., are available for schoolchildren this winter; and if he will make a statement.

I am assured that adequate stocks of reflective material are available. Armbands etc., can be obtained from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and from retailers. No shortages should arise if purchases are not delayed until the latest time before the equipment is needed.

asked the Minister of Technology if he will give a general direction to the Atomic Energy Authority to discuss isotope-powered electrical generators with new potential licensees, now that the Authority's existing partners are terminating their agreement.

A direction would not be necessary or appropriate. The exploitation of isotope-powered electrical generators is a matter within the day-to-day responsibility of the Atomic Energy Authority.

asked the Minister of Technology whether investigation was made of the previous trading history and pattern of labour relations in the B.S.R. firm before public funds were made available to that firm to establish and develop its East Kilbride factory.

Applications for assistance under the Local Employment Acts

MOTOR VEHICLES AND CYCLES (SIC 1958: MLH 381 AND MLH 382): STOPPAGES OF WORK DUE TO INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
(United Kingdom)
					1964
					Stoppages beginning in Period from		working days lost in all stoppages in progress period from
					Month	January	Month	January
January	…	…	…	…	11	11	10,000	10,000
February	…	…	…	…	24	35	72,000	82,000
March	…	…	…	…	13	48	78,000	160,000
April	…	…	…	…	13	61	39,000	199,000
May	…	…	…	…	20	81	59,000	258,000
June	…	…	…	…	13	94	29,000	287,000
July	…	…	…	…	4	98	24,000	311,000
August	…	…	…	…	16	114	24,000	335,000
September	…	…	…	…	12	126	28,000	363,000
October	…	…	…	…	17	143	21,000	384,000
November	…	…	…	…	11	154	30,000	414,000
December	…	…	…	…	11	165	15,000	429,000

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will take steps to exempt small traders from the compulsory levy scheme under Section 6(2) of the Industrial Training Act, 1964, in cases where they can receive no advantage.

It is for the individual training boards, subject to the First Secretary's approval, to determine the rate and coverage of levy for their own industries. Most boards have in fact exempted the smallest firms or reduced their levy liability.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will list the monthly and cumulative figures for the number of strikes and days lost through strikes in the motor industry for the years 1964, 1968 and 1969 up to the end of September.

Separate figures for the motor vehicle industry are not readily available. The following estimates relate to the manufacture of motor vehicles, motor cycles, three-wheel vehicles and pedal cycles.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps are being taken to clear the present high level of pollution in the River Thames at London, particularly from the southern outfall sewage works.

Reporting on their investigations over the period 1951–61, the Pippard Committee on Pollution of the Tidal Thames noted that when they were appointed the Thames estuary down to Gravesend was in a badly polluted and frequently offensive state. Hydrogen sulphide was evolved through the activity of sulphate-reducing bacteria when the water was completely deoxygenated. They concluded that the aim should be the prevention of offensive conditions together with a margin of safety. They thought that the improvements then being made at sewage works might be enough to prevent objectionable smells but were unlikely to proved a reasonable safety factor, though it was premature to suggest additional work for that purpose.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government which local authorities in the area of Lancashire, Cheshire and the High Peak have taken the requisite action to encourage occupation of empty rated property during the period 1964 to 1969.

Eccles Borough Council and Alsager Urban District Council have been exercising the powers in the General Rate Act, 1967, to levy half rates on empty property since 1st April, 1967, and Southport County Borough Council since 1st April, 1968. The powers were not available before 1st April, 1967.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what amount of money will be available to local authorities for home loans in the next financial year.

As I explained in the debate yesterday the amount available in 1970–71 will be increased by £45 million to £100 million. This should not increase the total public expenditure on housing since there will be savings from other parts of the programme as a result, for example, of delays by house-building authorities in the placing of contracts.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the recent abnormal incidence of deaths of sea fish and birds; and if he will investigate the causes.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave on 3rd November to the hon. Member for Dumfries (Mr. Hector Monro).So far there have been no indications that fish or any other marine organisms are involved. Scientists of Government and voluntary organisations are continuing investigations under the general co-ordination of the Natural Environment Research Council and a further statement will be issued as soon as significant new information is available. —[Vol. 790, c.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in amending the standard conditions of Government contracts to require contractors to conform to the provisions of the Race Relations Act, it is the Government's intention to revoke contracts.

Where complaints of discrimination are received affecting employers who hold Government contracts, full use will be made of the machinery of the Race Relations Act, 1968 to investigate them. That machinery is directed towards the settlement of such problems by conciliation. I do not therefore expect that the question of cancelling existing contracts will arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what provision or statute or commonlaw were Mr. and Mrs. Kroger released from custody.

By the exercise of the Prerogative of Mercy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he is giving to the provision of a senior attendance centre in the City of Coventry; and if he will make a statement.

The Advisory Council on the Penal System are at present examining the whole range of non-custodial penalties. My right hon. Friend will consider, in the light of their recommendations, whether senior attendance centres should be made available to more courts than at present.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will say whether the official statement exhibited on his Department's stand at the recent International Motor Exhibition at Earl's Court that some of the roads will be motorways, as compared with the statement in the Green Paper for the Future that many will undoubtedly be built as motorways, represents a change in policy and indicates the probability of fewer motorways being provided than envisaged in that paper.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to clear loose chippings from the M4 motorway and its verges particularly between the Slough Central and Feltham junctions which have resulted in many smashed windscreens with dangerous consequences during the last few weeks.

The hard shoulders are swept every 3 or 4 days. The speed and density of traffic is such that loose chippings quickly reach the shoulders and, consequently, sweeping the traffic lanes is rarely necessary. The agent authorities responsible for maintenance of the road keep a close and continuing watch on conditions and can be relied upon to take any action which may be required.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects the Kensington Road bridge over the Grand Union Canal, near Northolt to be opened again and when repairs are to be started and completed in view of the inconvenience caused to those from the Harrow area wishing to go to Southall and Hayes.

These are primarily matters for the London Borough of Ealing as highway authority. I understand that the British Waterways Board has promised to bear the cost of replacing the bridge to its original standards and we are prepared to give loan sanction for the additional cost of rebuilding it to modern standards.We are discussing with the Council the standards to be adopted and I understanding the Council is considering the provision of a temporary bridge meanwhile.

asked the Minister of Transport how many people were killed on the roads in Lancashire, Cheshire and the High Peak during the period September, 1968, to September, 1969; and how this figure compares with that for the year 1967–68.

The number of road fatalities in Lancashire and Cheshire were as follows:September, 1967—August, 1968: 816.September, 1968—August, 1969: 805.Figures for the High Peak area of Derbyshire are not readily available.

asked the Minister of Transport from how many urban authorities he has received, as a result of the request made last year, their traffic and transport plans for the period up to the mid-1970s.

Traffic and transport plans have so far been formally submitted by 14 urban authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many houses were started in the private and publicsectors, respectively, in Wales in 1966–67, 1967–68 and 1968–69; how many were completed in those years: and what are his estimates for 1969–70.

The number of houses started and completed in Wales in the financial year 1966–67, 1967–68 and 1968–69 were as follows:

	Private Sector	Public Sector
Started:
1966–67	9,059	9,215
1967–68	10,540	9,401
1968–69	9,845	6,920
Completed:
1966–67	9,684	10,372
1967–68	9,449	10,693
1968–69	9,941	8,660

It is too early to estimate how many will be started and completed in the financial year 1969–70.